a totally new look - for Better Nutrition magazine

Better Nutrition, Nov, 2000 by James Gormley

It's an exciting concept. Although I've only been on board here for 6 of our 62 years, health-food and holistic-health enthusiasts--all of you, our readers--have driven massive changes over these years--in determining what natural products are available in health-food stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms and wellness centers. As we've seen, there's a new "look" in terms of what products are sitting on store shelves today.

There's also a radical new look for Better Nutrition magazine. You're now holding in your hands a new Better Nutrition.

This is an answer to what you, the readers, are asking for, now. I'm dying to hear what you think about our face lift!

To me, when I look at the new Better Nutrition, I think words like: Awesome! Intense! Beautiful! But I'm somewhat biased, since I feel like a dad bragging about his child. What you think is what matters, however, since this is your magazine--from cover to cover.

You'll see, now and in coming months, that we've taken nothing away from the breadth and depth of our coverage--we've added to it. For instance, we've added a "Health Notes" news section so you can grab the information you want fast.

We've used elements of color and consistency to make the entire magazine radically flesh, easy to read and to follow. Working with a cadre of top-notch illustrators and designers, we've pulled out all the stops, and I hope it shows.

We are, and will be, including more information on holistic healing and mind-body approaches--since those are other topics you're asking for more information about.

We're also expanding our food coverage, with a spanking new column, "Food Matters," and we're bringing back the award-winning "Earth Watch" environmental column, since you asked for that, too. New and new-look columns include: Supplement Savvy, Nature's Rx, Mind & Body, Weight Matters, My Story, and many more.

When I originally asked a good friend of mine, and mentor, how can I approach the monumental task of overseeing the rebirth of a national magazine, she answered: "Throw everything up in the air and see where the pieces land. That's where you begin. Forget everything you think you know. Forget all of your assumptions. Just ask yourself: `What do your readers want?'"

This is a humble attempt to provide that. No redesign means "we've arrived." It only means "we've begun a new journey."

"These are the voyages of the Starship...." Wait a minute. Different voyage, but same excitement. Same wonder. Same rush you feel about "going where no one has gone before."

Let's enjoy the ride together!

In good health, James Gormley