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Develop a comfortable & environmentally-friendly home
When I picked up a recent issue of Natural Home, I was pleasantly surprised.I enjoyed the magazine so very much! If you get a chance to flip through it, and want validation for your salvage instincts AND your love of great design ....you may find it just as inspirational.

From the article about adding pretty (and smart) shutters to the interior of a home for cold winter nights (they go under the window treatment and help increase the R-ratings for insulating any window against the cold--this technique has been used in other countries for centuries); the use of ventilation and healthy air is already an obsession of mine; and getting rid of clutter by thinking about things we own and the spaces we put them in a new way was refreshing. "Try this project" appeals to the "use it, don't just throw it away!" girl in me.

Finally, designing the structure of a house around its usability is something that I really like. There is so much wasted space in today's new construction...I really don't understand it.Natural Home challenges you to create something new out of what you already have...a breathe of fresh air.

Wonderful magazine!
I was really pleased when I recieved my first issue. I wasn't sure what to expect from this magazine, but it was wonderful. The design and layout are so much more interesting than other magazines, that alone makes it a joy to look at. The articles are so great, and really offer insight into living a more "natural" lifestyle in the home. I am really happy that someone has put together this resource, because it can be diffucult to find good information on natural products and alternative housing. I was very inspired by the stories about building straw bale homes and can't wait to see more. I wished the magazine was longer so they could show more photos and insights. This is really a great resource for the eco-minded.

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AMEN TO "A SHADOWOF ITS FORMER SELF"
i too have stacks of organic gardening and farming. i love to go back and visit Robert Rodale.Too bad it has become a political bullypulpit. I would not subscribe again with out a major change.

A shadow of its former self
I have read and subscribed to Organic Gardening (and Farming)since mid-70's but dropped my subscription in and around 2000. I pick up an issue now and then in newstands, just to "check in" and hope for a return to the "good ole days". The publication used to be superior (find old issues in a library to see the what I mean - especially the 70's) and gave tons of information to all levels of gardeners (some issues used to have 100's of pages, almost all text - though in a smaller format). I still have old copies and to this day find inspiration in those articles. Now its just LARGE glossy pictures, sparse writing, reduced page counts, basic gardening info/lists and more than a dose of Maria Rodale's opinion/politics. I guess their surveys/advertisers tell them this is what "organic" gardeners want...but I would bet Robert Rodale (who edited the mag back in 70's and early 80's) would be upset to see how his daughter has screwed up the magazine. Save your subscription and read the old ones at a library. Yeah...the varieties will be out of date (that's what a seed catalog is good for and/or seedsavers.org) but the info is pure "organic gardening".

Organic but thin
Still the leader for US Organic resources, techniques, and current resources, _Organic Gardening_ has been deeply downsized since its inception as _Organic Gardening and Farming_ decades ago.It now contains beautiful pictures, but not much in-depth information in each issue besides A) a plant that can't grow in your zone, B) birds that you'll never see, C) yet another article about tomatoes and D) occasionally good information to help you grow a healthier garden (celery growing tips, Clopyralid in municipal compost heaps).

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Offers Healthy Alternatives, but beware
I guess I don't have the agendas of other reviewers.I prefer to use organic foods, healthcare, and body products, and find this magazine offers much useful information on alternatives to conventional offerings.I am not familiar with the "old" Natural Health magazine, maybe it was more "earthy-crunchy" or something, but I found nothing offensive in the "new" format.I would recommend this magazine to my mother and my siblings and friends, who I'd like to see dip their toes into the world of natural health/beauty/food products.Just be aware that not everything in here is purely organic.I find this magazine much less offensive than "Organic Style", which in its last issue had models wearing leather coats, uber expensive consumer goods, and advertising from merchandisers who are definitely NOT on the organic band wagon.

Mind numbingly boring
I loved this magazine in 1995, until a few years ago.They have changed editors a few times and now it is not even worth reading the ads.

No new information.Glossy pics of models with bright red lips.What is about health here?

Get Life Extension magazine and Alternative Medicine Magazine.They've changed too over the last few years, but still a far sight better than this one.

Shell Of It's Former Self
I wrote a glowing review of this magazine a while back before they changed the content.I felt the need write another review, so no one would be misled by the earlier one, thinking this was the same magazine.

The magazine has recently been revamped and is shallow beyond words.It's now nothing more than the usual glamour magazine targeted toward women with a fluff article or two on alternative healing thrown in for appearances sake only.After years of getting a magazine with indepth and very informative articles on alternative medicine, I routinely throw this new model in the garbage the moment it arrives at my home.

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5 PLUS 5**********
It always seems like a holiday when my UTNE arrives.It has never failed to delight me in the 15 years or so that I have been a subscriber and fan.With so much of our "news" actually being political spin and hype, with that forced-fed feeling, it is so refreshing to be able to read interesting, tasty, thoroughly satisfying stuff that is not the run-of-the mill, banal, overly celebrity-focused junk.The focus here is on improving one's life and, perhaps, one's corner of the world (or just a corner of a room).Sure, there is a progressive bent to the content (after all, it's dubbed "the best of the alternative media"); have they made "progressive" a dirty word, too??? GO FOR IT.YOU WILL BE AMPLY REWARDED.Like entering a fresh, new world.

Addendum to the other reviews on the first page
Hello, this will be the third time in the last many years that I've received, and read, UR on a regular basis.I agree with most of the other reviews.However, what I find most outstanding about the magazine is how uplifting, and ultimately positive, it is.I subcribe to several dozen web sites, from the media from around the world, most of which are far left of "liberal."While I take everything that I receive, through all forms of media, with a very large "grain of salt," I do tend to put much more stock in what I read on the web than I do in what the mainstream media feeds us, especially that from the U.S.Therefore, as a result of that reading, I often feel sorrow, rage, cynicism, and/or depression.Utne's positive spin on issues, even when the subject is inherently distressful, inspires me, as almost no other form of media does (except, sometimes, music), to rise up out of any negativity that I may be indulging in, and take positive steps toward helping to make our world a better place for us all.For that, I am very grateful to everyone who is responsible for such a fine magazine.Thank you, Utne.

Like Reader's Digest, except for Liberals
I love Utne Reader. A friend gave me an issue several years ago and I've subscribed ever since.

When people ask me about it, I say "it's sort of like Reader's Digest" with lots of articles that have already been published in other publications. The difference is, the Utne staffers search through little known and not so common magazines for their stories. It should also be mentioned that Utne picks a topic for each issue. Here are some past topics:

Imagine the America You WantMarch/April 2003 (Issue 116)
The Future of HealingMay/June 2001 (Issue 105)
Great American SelloutNovember/December 1999 (Issue 96)
Gender blurSeptember/October 1998 (Issue 89)
The future of loveNovember/December 1996 (Issue 78)

You can buy past issues as well.

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It's Good!
Prevention (which is the size and format of Reader's Digest Magazine) isn't the best magazine ever made but it's good. Yes it has too many ads but most magazines seem to be taking that route these days and I like this magazine for it's articles and for the recipes which is actually the main reason I buy magazines and my only real complaint is that they don't put in enough recipes in an issue but anyway I recommend Prevention magazine to anyone who is into reading magazines and like ones that deal with health and fitness, etc.

What Happened to the "80's" Prevention with Real Articles??
I started my first subscription to this one in 1980-81. It was EXCELLENT!! It had all kinds of great advice and help on real issues relating to "preventing" ailments/conditions.Now it's a little advertising manual for drug users and fad dieters!Wow...what a change now. I'm not interested in "paying" to read ads. I'll get my motivation and information on more reliable sources.Besides, I got tired of all the little order forms that kept falling out on my lap while I rode the stationery bike!What a waste of trees. :(

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Great for the gardener and herb enthusiast
This magazine is focused mainly on offering information about herbs in their gardening and food aspects.This is a nice change from the many books to be found concerning the medicinal aspects of herbs.I enjoy growing herbs for spices along with the medicinal purposes, so this has been a valuable resource.One feature in this magazine that I have really valued is the section offering information on regional herb festivals and other organized events.I also particularly like the featured herb articles-- especially the one on lavender.There are many, many interesting advertisements as well.

Each issue has various herbal themes
Her Companion is focused on the raising and use of herbs. There are different magazines that focus on different aspects of herbs. This one mostly covers herbs a food and food supplements. The pictures are glossy and there are many slick ads for commercial herbs and items as containers for bottling your own. I have actually used this subscription to help design and build a small raised garden in the back yard.

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Worth investigating.......
You might try subscribing to this periodical if you have a desire to learn more about herbs, be they medicinal or culinary or for some other human purpose. It's just coincidence of course, but I had a migraine headache this past week and what is the lead article for the Spring 2005 issue?"Chart a course for Migraine Relief".Now how's that for currency? I find various HQ articles are "right on the money" in that respect.

Notice how human use drives human classification schemes in amateur approaches, while botany or science often often takes a different view? I was pleased to see that some of the articles in HQ included scientifically based information such as Latin naming so that I could cross-reference suggested uses. (I read the HQ issues cover to cover, However, I continue to cross-check everything as I don't want to poison myself and/or develop a horrible rash.)

The editors have made a wise decision which is to create a distilled journal with apparently fact-checked information.Rushing into print monthly may cause more than migraine headaches or rashes. Some monthly publications may 'increase' market share because they appear to be more current than a quarterly report, but I am not convinced material hastily prepared will be more useful.You cannot rush solid thinking and distilled knowledge, which some folks still call herbal wisdom.

This journal is full of wisdom.

Home Grown
Herb Quarterly has a wonderful home-grown feel that results from the marriage of watercolor and other fine art with all sorts of articles concerning herbs.While there is a quaint look to HQ the articles are up-to-date, thorough and very informative.This magazine will appeal to all types of people interested in herbs, from beginners to more adept herbalists, there is always something of interest.HQ features a diverse approach and coverage of herbs, crossing cultures and various orientations making it open to medicinal herbalists, gardeners, product formulators (handmade soap & other natural products) aromatherapists and magical herbalists.

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great recipes
I love the fact that this magazine is quarterly. Veggie life arrives in time each season for me to give me fresh ideas about seasonal ingredients and techniques. Each month the magazine features an inset of recipes which can be removed and put in a notebook for easy reference. I switched to Veggie Life from the other veggie magazine because the recipes here are more creative and draw on a wider variety of techniques and seasonal foods.

Not for Me
I subscribed to this magazine after having read all the great reviews its received, both here and elsewhere, and I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed.

First of all, for a quarterly magazine, this is quite small.True, part of this may be due to the fact that there are less adds cluttering the pages than many magazines on the shelves today, but I still found it rather slim nonetheless.Furthermore, Veggie Life seems to average about two to three readable pages of text in the form of articles, health advice, and vegetarian/vegan issues.The majority of this magazine is all recipes.Don't get me wrong, I love to try out new recipes, and magazines can be a great source of seasonal-type dishes, but I find many of these recipes to be either things that can simply be found in a good vegetarian or vegan cookbook, or dishes that I would more likely than not never ever try.It seems as though many of these dishes are geared towards entertaining, which I don't do very much of.In cooking for merely myself and my husband, I highly doubt I will take the time after a long day of work/school to come home and make Mexi-Scotch "eggs" wrapped in soy chorizo or Candied Citrus Zest.Nor do I ever think I'd take the time to make my own homemade vegan marshmallows when I can buy them at the local natural foods store to save time (and if I ever did really get the urge to try making my own, I have a vegan cookbook with this recipe in it already).I just don't find many of these recipes very practical for those with busy schedules.

However, to give credit where credit is due, the recipes do seem fairly simple for the most part, and few of the ingredient lists are too huge or too obscure.I also appreciate the fact that many of these recipes are vegan and not merely ovo-lacto vegetarian.Plus, as I have already mentioned, there are few advertisements to sift through in between recipes.

I would recommend this magazine to those who can afford to put a little extra time, money, and effort into their vegetarian and vegan cooking, and to those who frequently find themselves entertaining friends and family.Otherwise, it would probably be more practical to find a great cookbook or two instead.If you're looking for a few more articles on up-to-date vegetarian issues, and you don't mind a few added advertisements, then I would recommend Vegetarian Times magazine.

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Asin: B0000633EC
Sales Rank: 2210
Subjects:  1. Nature & Wildlife   

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Great Environmental Magazine
I recently subscribed to E! and the two magazines I have read have had some great articles.

Finally, Independent environmental reports
E is a publication I recognize for its solid reporting on key issues. But most importantly, it is the independence of the solid, in-depth special reports that is most valuable to me and my fellow environmentalists.

Not found in E are the typical political grunts and trite statements. I do not feel I am reading a political manefesto, or degrading my life by reading E. Just as important, when passing it on to others, I do not feel that I am an extension of some action group, but know that what I pass on is solid, quality reporting that take into account all sides of an issue. In addition to the solid reporting on an issue, E has expanded so every issue contains information on personal health, Green travelwith a nice section on Green Investing that I found is truly effective for me.

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Good articles with a slight new age flair
I have been extremely pleased with these magazines.They cover many different topics, eating right, treating your body better, relaxation techniques and many other similar topics.Unlike other similar magazines, this one has more text and advertisements.Their articles go in depth, and inspire you to learn more. This is one of the magazines you like to keep around so you can refer back to.
Wanting to make some changes in your lifestyle?Are you positive towards non-western ideas about health, diet, stress, and more; this magazine would be a great fit for you.

Finally a magazine without all the fluff!
I ordered a subscription from my babysitter for this magazine and I'm sure glad I did!I'm trying to live a more healthy life, and this is the magazine to help you do it.I've only received three issues, but they are all chock full of great articles on everything holistic.How to develop intuition, great recipes, bath spa recipes, new ideas for meditation, interviews with doctors about what herbs to take and much, much more!Usually I toss a magazine after I read it, but I will be saving all of these!