What's with the Aug./Sept. 09 issue?

Thanks Joan.  I wondered because afterwards, I also googled it and couldn't find subscription info.

Hope I'm not sending the wrong message that I don't like TOH.  I subscribe to 2 myself, 2 for my DD, 1 for my DSIL and 1 for DFriend.  And also Reminisce for DFather.  So I am a customer.  LOL 

Aleida

I sure hope the editors are listening...years and years of quality, down-home, country simplicity and goodness...that's what we enjoyed about Taste of Home...and it's the very feeling they appear to be avoiding with this new format!  Sure, I understand they have to advertise. But soon they'll be advertising to fewer and fewer folks who won't re-subscribe to flashy, snobby nonsense. Hope they bring back what we liked about it in the first place.

Hello!  We get Cooks Illustrated and have for years.  The recipes are very accurate and always turn out if you follow the directions.  The final products are always delicious too.  There are a lot of directions though.  My husband enjoys how they explain the science of why this works and why that doesnt, etc.   I like to get right down to cooking though and don't necessarily want to read 2000 words about Swedish Meatballs. 

My favorite cooking magazine is  Everyday Food which is pretty inexpensive and very useful.  It's also small and easy to carry with you to the grocery store if you want.

I just recently re-subscribed to TOH after receiving a special offer in the mail.  I was disappointed that the magazine was updated and really enjoyed the kitsch of the other format.  That said, it's still fun to look at and has usable recipes.

I'm also disappointed with what TOH has become. I've subscribed since 1995, and the magazine has completely changed. The features (if you can call them that) are very lightweight and I find fewer and fewer actual recipes to try. This Aug/Sept issue has 1 page on canning tomatoes with a great big picture and a short story about someone who likes to can. What about recipes for all your tomatoes, tips on canning, what is new in canning (Ball's 125th anniversary, they have lots of new products), etc??? This issue should be all about recipes for what is coming from the garden right now, not how to serve coffee to guests. And, nothing personal, but this new editor's columns are always so lame--she doesn't come across as genuine or knowing anything about real cooking. The worst thing they did was change the way "Taste of Home" is written with the catchy little "cooking-caring-sharing".  I miss my TOH and am sad it appears to be gone.

I also subscribe to Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country, both provide good practical recipes and don't have advertising. Many others (Rachael Ray, Cooking Light, Paula Deen) just don't have sensible recipes my husband and children will eat and have way too many ads.

Hi Aleida,

 You may want to look into Cooking Club of America, website is www.cookingclub.com.  I'm not sure how much it would be to send to Canada, but I love this magazine.  You get some good recipes, new ideas, and good product reviews.  If it's allowed for Canadians, look into becoming a lifelong member.  It's a little bit of money upfront, but you never have to pay another subscription fee.  Hope this helps. 

 Mandie

I have to agree with MTGritz, I miss the old way Taste of Home used to look.  It had a real home and community feeling about it and it was as if you really were connecting with real home cooks.  As the saying goes, " if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"  I miss the section, "Does anyone have?.." because people could respond to other's request and some would even become pin pals.  I am a subscriper but I don't know for how much longer.  I find myself browsing through the old issues sometimes just for a since of community and REAL recipes, not this gourmet stuff they sometimes try to slip in.

I subscribe to Pillsbury and Betty Crocker. They are helpful when you don't have a lot of time and can throw mix or can of biscuits together with something.

momtomatt:

I miss the old mag style,

I sure do miss the old TOH too!!!  I've subscribed to TOH since the premiere issue and I just can't get used to the new style----------I just don't like the new set-up!! 

I Just  subscribed to Country Woman. Do any of you have it and do you like it?

I am glad to hear others say how different TOH is.  It's sad when bought out by RD that they did this.  Way too much gloss and not enough recipes.  I will have to say although that the Sour Cream Peach Pie recipe was absolutely delicious and will do that one again. 

Why can't they just do recipes like they used to.  I understand if they need to advertise, but they can do a better job.  What happen to all of the people at TOH in Wisconsin - they did a terrific job and made you want to try all the recipes.  I also get a little tired of something from "scratch" has a can of this and a can of this soup, etc.  Those can go in Simple and Delicious not TOH.  Oh well, there is my gripe!

Thanks Mandie.  I will check it out.  Sorry I didn't respond earlier.  I have been holidaying and have only jumped on here in small doses -- mostly on CC.

Aleida

I agree with not liking the "new" Taste of Home, its not like it used to be and the layout is disappointing, making me think they are targeting a younger audience...at the expense of their more mature audience, who probably have more stable jobs?  Oh well, I'm not a marketing exec, so I can simply choose to buy another magazine and they can continue to target another audience.  The older ones had more meat on their bones, parden the pun.  I've liked them since they sent me their first issue, but now prefer looking at Rachael Ray an other magazines. 

I stopped suscribing a few years ago because I wanted the recipes more than the articles.  I had gotten it for years, I think I even still have the premiere issue somewhere.  However, between buying the cookbooks and the TOH website, I get all the recipes I'd ever need or want.  I like the single topic cookbooks like the Crockpot/Casseroles, Soups, Appetizers etc.

 Redbook also has good recipes and their website is delish.com and I've found some good recipes there - however, I always look at the TOH website first.

 So I guess I'm in the minority that I want to see the recipes not all the other stuff.

I've always loved TOH, and I still like it, though I, too do not like the new format, either.  I miss the days of old, but not sure I'd pay even more $ for an ad-free magazine, either.  I'd stick with my old issues, first, as I have YEARS worth.  The other mags have ads galore!  (Martha Stewart is more ads than anything else - I won't even pick on up!)  I rarely give an ad a look, they annoy me so much. 

Question: 

When my subscription ends (it was always a gift before) do I get bumped from the website access?  Will I no longer be able to access my recipe box and search here?

I really love Cooking Light magizine.  They don't give you low fat stupid recipes - they make the really fattening ones better for you.  They also travel to a destination and the article is usually over 4 pages about where to eat and places to rent bikes or do some other healthy fun stuff.  I use thier recipes all the time.  Like I said,  They may not be low fat or low cal but they are they are healthier than most and still delicious!!!