Dieting Laguna style

Laguna Beach’s influence is expanding — while waistlines around the country could be getting slimmer.

The town’s mystique will soon be linked with the lucrative weight-loss industry in “The Laguna Beach Diet: The Healthy Alternative for Weight Loss, Vitality and Long Life.”

The book will be published in March by Norman Goldfind’s Basic Health Publications, which he operates out of his Top of the World home.

“We’re pretty excited to be publishing this,” Goldfind said.

Several months ago, Goldfind realized that despite his town’s reputation as a tourist destination and MTV hot spot, it had yet to join the ranks of famous contenders like the South Beach, Atkins, Cabbage, Grapefruit and Raw Diets.

“So I said, ‘Why not Laguna Beach?’” Goldfind said.

He recognized the glut of diet books on the market, but thought he could offer something different.

“Either you come up with a totally new idea or you come up with a better mousetrap,” Goldfind said. “We came up with a better mousetrap.”

He got in contact with scientist and author Brooks Carter of Del Mar, who was working on a diet book, to learn more about what he was writing.

Carter’s approach combines aspects of the Mediterranean, Italian and Mexican diets, which Goldfind said suits the culinary sensibilities of Lagunans.

“We really thought this is worthy of attention because we are in the midst of a weight epidemic,” Goldfind said.

He chose to publish the book under the “Laguna Beach Diet” name.

The tome offers dietary and exercise principles that maintain sustained weight loss for a lifetime without purchasing special meals, weighing portions or counting calories.

“I thought he really came up with a superb approach to sustainable weight loss,” Goldfind said.

“It’s a very nutritious diet that is pretty guaranteed to get your weight down and maintain it for your lifetime.”

The publisher has planned a series of media interviews, book signings and other events to promote the diet, which will be distributed to both major chains and independent booksellers. It will also be available online.

The cover design — an idyllic local beach vista — is from a painting by artist William Glen Crooks, whom Goldfind found during a First Thursdays Art Walk stroll.

Goldfind grew up in the New York publishing world, where his subsequent experiences as owner, publisher and editor at past firms garnered him a long list of contacts and clients.

He first fell in love with Laguna about 40 years ago, when he came to a party honoring one of his company’s writers, Glori Fickling of the “Honey West” mystery series.

Later, close friends of the Goldfinds moved to Laguna Beach, and the couple came out to visit them.

They decided to “try out” living in California by renting a cottage for the winter.

“Within two weeks, we started looking for a place to buy,” Goldfind said.

They purchased a condominium with the intent to be bicoastal residents, but soon found themselves living in Laguna full-time.

Within three months, they purchased their Top of the World home and sold the condo.

“Our only regret is that we didn’t do it 20 years ago,” Goldfind said. “It’s just a marvelous community.”

Goldfind’s home office is perched directly over Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park, and commands a stunning view of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

A network of independent contractors around the country enables him to put out about 25 to 30 publications each year without any on-site employees.

The company specializes in health and alternative medicine publications.

For more information on the Laguna Beach Diet book or other Basic Health publications, visit www.basichealthpub.com.