DNC visitors offered calm, green escape

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By Karen Goldberg Goff

DENVER | Political conventions have long been booze-and-cigar, stress-and-steak type events.

Not so at the Democrats' gathering this week. Times have changed with compost recycling bins at the Pepsi Center and free bicycles for rent to more than half the delegates paying $7.50 for a carbon offset credit. De-stressing marketers are everywhere, handing out samples of cruelty-free face wash and organic mint iced tea to tired delegates, media members and other marketing reps.

Denver and the Democrats are doing their part to reduce their footprint. Wasn't it Teddy Roosevelt (a Republican conservationist, but also a big-game hunter) who said "speak softly and carry a big stick?"

The motto here could be tread lightly and eat vegetables.

That's not a suggestion; it's more like an order from the Denver Host Committee. They issued guidelines - unenforceable, of course - to local caterers and restaurants for convention meals to be 50 percent fruits and veggies, contain no fried foods, and that 70 percent of the weight of ingredients be certified organic and/or grown in Colorado.

Staff at the Huffington Post don't need reminding . After a passing out from exhaustion and cracking a cheekbone last year, Ms. Huffington has been seeking ways to recharge and relax in her own life with good food and yoga.

"I've become an evangelist for the need to occasionally disconnect from our always-connected lives," Ms. Huffington recently wrote on her blog. "Since there is no zealot like the convert, we've decided to demonstrate that a balanced life is possible even during the most compulsively hectic days in the political calendar."

While at the convention, Ms. Huffington is inviting others to stop by the Huffington Post Oasis for organic trail mix, spinach-and-raspberry smoothies, yoga classes and massages. There is a vegan buffet at lunch and free samples (in recyclable packaging, naturally) from Boulder-based Pangea Cosmetics.

"Instead of Red Bull and coffee, people can get an organic shake and can continue doing what they are doing here without burning out," said Seane Corn , a Los Angeles yoga instructor in between poses Wednesday. "We would love to do this at the Republican National Convention, too, but I don't think we will have the funding. Yoga is not about politics or personality, it is about looking at the soul."

Lots of VIPs have stopped in to recharge. CBS-TV anchor Katie Couric impressed the staff with a perfect headstand Tuesday. Darryl Hannah, actress and vocal natural living advocate, was having a meditative moment Wednesday.

"I try to live as healthy a life as I can, but look at what this convention has done to my feet," she said, showing off the same blisters as can every congressional aide in town.

In Denver, even the bad-for-you stuff has a new-age edge. The Magic Hat Beer folks are offering samples of Progressive Ale, made in Vermont. In the process, they try to register voters, too, said spokesman Dave Weissman. New Belgium is doing its own promotion by offering retro-style (and emission-free) bikes for rent. Ben and Jerry's was scooping samples of all-natural "Yes, Pecan," ice cream at the David Crosby/Graham Nash/James Taylor show Tuesday.

So, eat up and enjoy the party, conventiongoers. Just make sure those empties hit the right recycling bin.