What is the first section you turn to when you get your new CL issue?

[brendat4]

I'm just curious if there is a certain section/article feature you just gotta turn to whenever you get your newest Cooking Light issue? I'd say the first thing I do is find the cover recipe. Then I flip to the table of contents and look up the features that look interesting to me or extra yummy. Then I sit down and read the entire thing cover to cover (not necessarily in one sitting though!) What do you do?

[Wendy w]

I usually do a once over where ever the food starts. Then, I will go over it again, then go see which recipes the test kitchen likes. I will usually go over the rest of the magazine at another time.

[Kristi]

I usually flip through all the recipes quickly to see offhand what I'd be interested in for that particular month (that's the part I really look forward to!)and then I read the rest at my own leisure, going over all the recipes more in depth at least several times.

[donleyk]

I usually start at the beginning. I don't read every article but most then concentrate on the recipes.

[DmOrtega]

After removing all of the postcard inserts (one of my pet peeves) I start at the front and work my way to the back with a once over. Then I go back where pictures caught my attention and then later read from front to back.

[emilycat]

I pretty much do the same as all of you -- I flip through and check out all the main topics and section themes, and glance over the recipes quickly; later I read the whole thing front to back (well, most of it, anyway http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

DmOrtega -- I hate those little post-cardy things too -- at least CL doesn't include the perfume sample inserts! Yuck!

[Jewel]

The first thing I look at is the last page! I'm always interested to see the 'Back to the Best' recipe and hope they never give that feature up. I also look for the 'Lighten Up' recipe to see what miracles they've worked since the last issue. I then start with the 'Letters' page to see if someone else had the same question or comment about a recipe as I did! I am almost ashamed to say I don't read most of the articles in the beginning of the magazine on beauty tips and fitness, but usually go straight to the food section and start marking pages!

Count me in as one more that hates the postcard deluge. Whenever I receive my new Redbook, McCalls (oops...Rosie...grrrr) or Ladies Home Journal, the first thing I do is go through and rip all the perfume things out and toss them into the recycling before I've even put the magazine in my 'to read' stack. I've requested 'no scent' magazines in my subscription forms before, but they pay no attention. In the old days, you could request that! Some of us allergy sufferers should get together and complain!

[buddie]

i skip ALL the ads in the beginning and go straight for all the pictures then i page through it

[JJ40]

I always look at the "Back to the Best" section, plus check out what the editors listed as their favourite recipes from that month.

Julie

[mb]

well, when i actually GET the magazine (april was late, and i still haven't gotten may yet!), i patiently give the whole magazine the once-over, cover to cover. then i go back and jot down which recipes i want to try. then i go back again and read the articles when i have time.

gosh, everyone attacks their issue differently. it's kinda like those commercials for reese's peanut butter cups and how there are so many ways to eat them! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Angela]

I'm like DmOrtega I just HAVE to take out those pesky post card inserts first! The whole process is like a ritual for me! After taking out those inserts, I start from the beginning and read everything (usually) and then flip through the recipes and then go grab the post it notes to mark the pages/recipes I'm interesting in trying and slowly go through the recipes again.

Now I'm excited--can't wait for that May issue!

[Mamasue]

The first thing I do is rip those PITA post cards out of the magazine (all magazines). If there is anything I hate most while browsing through a magazine in the store, especially, is when those pieces of worthless paper fall out! Okay, now that I got that off my chest, the first thing that I look at is Back to the Best and agree with Jewel that they don't delete that page. The second thing I do is check the Lighten Up and then go right to the recipes and breeze through, then off to the beginning and read letters from viewers and scan the first 90 or so pages of non-food related articles, and then again back to the recipes where I will take my time reading http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Mamasue (edited 04-23-2001).]

[Lynn B]

Fun thread!
I always turn to the last page first, love that Back to the Best! Then, I start at the beginning, and read my way through! I read EVERYTHING! I don't skip a thing! (Of course I am partial to the Lighten Up section... I have been known to sneak a peek at that!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

[JJeannette]

OH, jeeze, I'm even more weird than I thought! For some odd reason, I always start my magazines at the back and work my way forward. I even read most sections of the newspaper that way. I like to check out the recipes and then look at the pictures to see if that is the way i envisioned them----(shrugging shoulders).

[LaraW]

Usually when I get my new issue, I look through the index first to see if there is anything that looks interesting just from a first glance. THen I start at the beginning.

I used to be so good, sit down with something warm to drink, some music on, and look through it from front to back, but now I just seem to flip through as I have time. I need to start doing that again - I think I miss less!

[elnant]

I start at the beginning, flip through the feature/fitness articles (ripping out the inserts as I get to them -- usually have a big pile sitting next to me by the time I'm done) until I get to the recipes. I look through them, find ones I think I'd like to try. I usually go back later, and read more thoroughly again, from cover to cover.

[funnybone]

I read it from front to back the very first time. I also hate those cards/inserts. What really bothered me about this last issue is that I received an "AOL CD" with it. I hate AOL. I wonder if CL has anything to do with this, or if it is something the publisher does.

[Donnalee]

Of course, the recipes are my favorite, but I start at the front and look at each page (also tearing out those cards as I go). I go through it once quickly, then I will actually start reading the articles or clipping the recipes the second or third time through.

[foodiedelite]

I start at front to back and skim the magazine. Then it goes in the bedroom for late night reading. Once there I will put together a list of recipes to try, while reading cover to cover.

It's no wonder I'm usually dreaming about food. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[woodsl]

If I like the picture on the cover, I go straight to that recipe. Otherwise, I too flip through the recipes first, and go back and read articles later.

Sharon