Now that “green” is mainstream, every May many publications roll out their Green Issues. It almost seems as if green is the new black, which has its pros and cons. Overall, Elle‘s third annual Green Issue was a hit with me. Additionally, thanks to Aveeno Active Naturals, the entire issue was printed on 10% post-consumer recycled paper. Corporate America, can we see that more often, please?

What I loved:
Guest editor Laurie David‘s poignant message about making “global warming the reason you pull the lever at the polls in November.” Their “Green Stars” article (pg. 210), featuring the best natural beauty products out now. Many are organic and vegan. Too many to list here, but if you’re a product junkie, watch out! “Big Gulp” (pg. 232) covers the growing interest in cleansing with juice fasting (aka juice feasting). Their 2008 Green Awards (pg. 252), noting the philanthropic and eco-conscious projects of Brad, Stella (and Sir Paul McCartney for making her), Cate Blanchett, Fiji water, those Google guys and NYC’s local meteorologist Sam Champion. The Madonna cover story (pg. 279), and her work with the HIV-afflicted in Malawi.

What I loathed:
“Beauty And The Beast” (pg. 245) was a major let-down for any “green” issue. The article covers “Beast,” a popular restaurant in Portland, Oregon, where allegedly the chef “has found an elegant, dare we say feminine, solution to the ethical eater’s dilemma: how to eat pig without being one.” Umm… excuse me darlings, but ethical eaters and anyone claiming to be an environmentalist doesn’t do animals. Period.

The June issue of Elle is already on newsstands. The subject of being green is not in the press as much now that Earth Day has passed and we’re halfway through May. I still continue hoping this green thing continues gaining steam so that we don’t have to wait until May for the media to note more ways to save the day.

4 Comments

1. 
   Comment by

   mdhaile

   on May 17, 2008 at 9:09 pm #

   10%?

   Ummm…Seriously?

   I just bought a ream of 100% recycled paper, and they couldn’t do 30%?

   Seriously?

2. 
   Comment by

   eightfold

   on May 18, 2008 at 12:12 pm #

   I’m always frustrated by this whole notion of “eating meat responsibly”. Here’s a great example:

   Whole foods turns out to be the seller of “60% of all Country Natural Beef produced at the Beef Northwest Feedlots.” So, it’s clear that buying “free range beef” does not decrease suffering in slaughterhouses, it helps create entirely new slaughterhouses and new businesses just to feed the demand for that type of dead cow.

   Now, combine that major support of slavery and slaughter with their vicious union busting practices, and they have a lot to answer for!

   Learn more about the Union issues here: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/wholefoods508

3. 
   Comment by

   Al

   on May 18, 2008 at 11:49 pm #

   Um…What does Elle magazines green issue have to do with veganism? Is it the fact that, like peta, they propagate the “women as objects” patriarchal mythology?

4. 
   Comment by

   thejway

   on May 21, 2008 at 10:36 pm #

   What does Elle’s green issue have to do with veganism? Since its inception in 2006, I’ve reviewed Elle’s green issues. The first time was because I was thrilled to see what is considered a mainstream magazine listing and promoting vegan products. It was positive and encouraging to see the term used in such a publication without any jokes or negativity.

   Also, being vegan is a multitude of things to a myriad of people. Among those things is being Earth-conscious which I personally feel being vegan encompasses. Preventing animal carnage through veganism also promotes a better planet.