by Kristina Nelson

Created on: October 22, 2010

“Taste of Home” magazine is published 6 issues per year, and contains 75 recipes in each issue.   Also, each issue includes 32 “clip and keep” recipes for readers.  These are recipes that can be clipped and fit nicely into a recipe box or book.   A photo is provided for every “Taste of Home” recipe that is included in each issue.

This cooking magazine is very colorful and full of activity.  Pages are loaded with side bar tips, captions, links for more information on-line, and lots and lots of advertising.  On the plus side of all the advertising, they often contain a manufacturer’s coupon or recipe.  However, readers may find that the additional “on the side…” captions to be adding too much busyness to the magazine’s recipes.

Advertising in this magazine is often a full page ad and are sometimes back-to-back, which hinders the reader’s enjoyment.  They often include several full pages of advertising.   Readers will also find advertisements such as brand name products that offer recipe contests.

“Taste of Home” includes many recipe contests, and invitations for reader’s to mail in recipes for possible publication.   Editors also include a “hide & seek” contest where readers search for a picture of food and report where they found it.  All entries are then put in a drawing for one winner.   Readers are also invited to mail in four recipes with a background story for “mom’s best,” and earn $75.00 if published.

The magazine basically includes many topics found in their other magazine publications.  For example, in “Taste of Home” there are sections for “party of two, “and “healthy choices.”  However, it also includes a section for cooking with kids, menu savers and sections specifically related to “cooking school.”

The busyness of this magazine may be overwhelming for someone who clips magazine recipes, or is searching for new recipes.  For other readers, it is a large source for several types of recipes and for different occasions.  Readers who prefer to use the Internet will find this magazine’s Web site, www.tasteofhome.com packed with recipes as well.  The tabs on their Web site provide a convenient way to navigate while searching.

“Taste of Home” is printed on recycled paper, and is one of many magazines published by Reiman Publications.  Others include “Country Woman,” “Cooking for 2,” “Simple and Delicious,”  “Healthy Cooking,” “Taste of Home Holiday,” “Backyard Living,” “Birds & Blooms,” “Reminisce,” “Country,” and “Farm & Ranch Living.”

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