Changes - good, bad, ugly

I hated the first issue of the renamed Healthy Cooking. First of all, the advertising blurb that came with the magazine told me I would be getting 82 recipes. The actual mag has only 76. The previous issues had 80+. We started out in the good old days with 90-100+. The pages are very crowded because of the columns left and right that are used on every page for very little content. I find it distracting to read because of all the intersecting lines. The cut-out recipes are now vertical, rather than horizontal, so they do not fit into my recipe box with the title showing. And the paper is too flimsy for them to stand on their own vertically. I don't know who they tested this format on, but I think it is less user friendly, less attractive, and I don't understand why all the hoopla over the name change. The name didn't need changing. The advertising touts this as new and improved. What exactly is the improvement?

I totally agree! I have a hard time seeing anyway and the pages are so crammed now. I also do not like the way the recipes are in the book. I think some change is good, but why this? And who did they listen to to get these ideas??

Changes to a name can be good for business.  But not always.  I dont' like the new format or look with any of their magazines.   Too modern, no longer homey feel.  But if that was all that had changed, I would probably still subscribe.  Unfortunately, I don't like it anymore, don't like all the adds, even though they relate to food/kitchen.  And the fact that they come a month late, yea, that bothers me too.  Oh well, some here really like it, some like the change.  Good thing!

I just sat down and read the new magazine and I have to totally disagree with this post. I loved the recipes as well as the great bits of healthy information. I actually was a bit bored with the Light and Tasty magazine. I found many recipes that I am anxious to try. I also love the new design. It has a great edge to it that is clean and fresh. I just renewed for two more years! Give it a try! Sometimes change is a good thing!

I couldn't agree with you more!  I am very disappointed in the new magazine.  I loved "Light and Tasty".  "Tasty" is one of my favorite words.  "Light and Tasty" said it all.  Why do they always have to mess with success?  The vertical layout of the recipe cards is pure madness.  I have subscribed since late 2001, I think I have all but the very first issue.  In recent years I haven't used as many recipes out of each magazine as I used to.  I do have some wonderful recipes that have become classics for my family, such as Carmelized Pork Slices, Chicken Diane, and Four Cheese Chicken Fettucine!  Unless they do something to return this magazine to its former glory I don't intend to renew.  I will however hang on to my lovely stack of "Light and Tasty" magazines.  There's still some recipes I will try someday.

I agree, it is going to take some getting used to.  I agree with the majority, I liked the old set up better.  Seems the recipes are getting out of hand also, not the down to earth ones they were.  When they make changes they don't take into consideration the old people !!!!!

I agree that all the new changes are becoming a big disappointment.  I didn't mind so much when the layout and look of the mag was changed, but I really dislike the way the recipe numbers have gone down, the ads are starting to appear, and the recipes are getting too funky to be considered family-friendly.  I have a husband and five kids and need to make food that they can recognize with ingredients that I can find at the grocery and that don't cost a fortune.  I subscribed to Light & Tasty in 2001 because I loved the homey feel and no ads and easy recipes for the family.  Ever since Reiman expanded, the changes have been coming fast and furious and I'm definitely not welcoming them all.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the new magazine.  I did like Light and Tasty, but had planned to let my subscription run out because I felt like the recipes were becoming same old, same old.  I just read through the first issue of Healthy Cooking and am getting ready to renew because I am IMPRESSED!  I like the articles on nutrition and fitness, love the more modern looking layout, and look forward to preparing recipes that really seem to focus on fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations.   

I, too, am disappointed by the changes to Reiman's magazines, but I think the change that disturbs me most is the ads.  One of the biggest things I loved about TOH et al. was the no-ads policy, and I recommended them to friends because of it.  Now, I guess I can sorta understand that it could be  hard to maintain the no-ad policy, but...  number one, where will it stop?  Most magazines these days have more ads than columns, will Reimans make their magazines as bad?  And two...  I think I could have tolerated ads displaying cooking-related items and themes, as many of them seem to be, but WalMart ads?  Please.

Peoples,

I want to thank you for all your critiques.  I had written an email, to see if I could change from TOH, to this one and was just about to hit 'send' when I decided to see what the magazine was like. I'm so glad that I decided to check up on the magazine first.

After reading all of your comments, I don't think I'll go to Healthy Cooking until I've seen a copy for myself. I'm going to the store tomorrow and I'll be looking for one.

Thanks again for giving me a head's-up, albeit inadvertently.  

Got my free one last week and I think I am going to get a subscription, but like char said I loved the way the old one was...real homey and old fashioned with their layouts...but the new ones are to modern....I loved that old country look it use to have......but I think I am going to give this one a try and see what happens..