Super-natural circus

After more than one hour in the Hot Products Hall, I've seen a dazzling array of exotic salts, teas and natural sweeteners and products with endless combinations of acai, yerba mate, mangosteen and goji berry. There are organic tapenade and dolmas to be sampled, cotton robes to caress as well as natural products with names such as Animal Snackers to consider for one's eco-conscious pet.

And I'm only on aisle three. Of the first exhibition hall. There are four more to go. I snag some bits of sizzling organic meat for sustenance and press on.

More than ever this year both sides of the aisle are talking "green" -- environmentally conscious packaging, lessening the environmental impact of the manufacturing process and giving something back to the communities in which products are produced.

Jo Ann Issenman, a buyer for Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, a retail chain of 21 integrative pharmacies, was at the event. She says she rejects and selects products based on ingredients -- no parabens, artificial colors or fragrances -- and whether the products are manufactured and packaged in environmentally conscious ways.

"We're riding the crest of a self-care revolution," she says. "People are really aware of what they're putting on their skin, and the impact of these products, and they want to take charge."

Upstairs, the noise and activity in the massive exhibition halls is reminiscent of a Robert Altman film -- one long take, and nothing ever ends. News crews from a variety of outlets weave their way through the friendly crowd. It's a diverse crowd too. At one booth are executives in European suits speaking French; at another, small business owners in Birkenstocks; at still another, an Amish grocer looking for new products.

As I amble the aisles, my pants are getting tighter. So far, I have sampled organic beef jerky (tasty); vegetarian jerky by Stonewalls Jerquee (spicy); and a gluten-free beef pot pie, the samples set out in little cups at the busy Twin Hens booth (very, very tasty).

I've chowed on organic chicken nuggets; a blue-green algae energy bar laced with dark blue agave nectar; Modmix's refreshing organic cocktail mixer, available in five flavors including Pomegranate Cosmopolitan (delicious).