Heather Ray, Editor

What Heather's Eating Butternut Squash and Roasted Pepper Soup I was so happy to get butternut squash in my CSA delivery so I could make this soup. The recipe came to us from Stacey Peterson in New Haven, Connecticut, and won first place in our Oct/Nov 2012 Thanksgiving side dish contest. Get recipe»

Dear ##firstname[Friend]##,

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On any given day, I'd rather be at home than elbowing my way through a crowded shopping mall—especially among a sea of holiday sale seekers. That's why this year the gifts are coming from my kitchen. Actually, from yours. We received so many wonderful submissions for our lightened-up holiday cookies and bars contest (published in the December/January 2013 issue) that would make tasty little presents. The best gifts come in small packages, right? Speaking of which, my homemade vanilla extract (from reader Becky Jo Smith in Kettle Falls, Washington, p. 44) is nearly ready to be bottled and tied with ribbon. And I saved a few vanilla beans to make vanilla sugar (from reader Jackie Termont in Richmond, Virginia, p. 45), in case I need several last-minute Secret Santa items.

Looking ahead to 2013, as magazine subscribers know, the December/January magazine is the final issue of Healthy Cooking magazine. We're teaming up with the editors of Taste of Home to share more of your healthy recipes with millions of readers beginning in the February/March issue. You’ll still receive a healthy recipe newsletter each month, and you’ll still be able to find plenty of healthy recipes, tips and advice for your life at tasteofhome.com/healthy, including recipe makeovers, healthy menus, special diet recipes and more. In addition, we'll still be publishing our best-selling Healthy Cooking Annual Recipes cookbook.

I look forward to seeing your healthy recipes and tips come to life on the pages of the No. 1 food and entertaining magazine in the world. To share your favorites, visit tasteofhome.com/submit.

Best,
Heather Ray

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	• p. 9 Cranberry Recipes • p. 12 Kitchen Fitness Quiz • p. 23 Recipe Makeovers • p. 25 How-To Cooking Tips & Techniques • p. 32 Healthy Brunch Recipes • p. 43 Potluck Recipes • p. 86 Recipes & Tips for Heart Health • p. 87 Top 10 Gluten-Free Recipes