The Obama and Biden campaigns submitted these recipe for Yankee's Presidential Cookie Primary. Winner of that election was Bill and Barbara Richardson's Biscochitos.

Comfort Food Recipes-- Meatloaf, mac and cheese, brownies, and more Food comforts me in any number of ways. Hand-kneaded bread, Barb's Bolognese sauce, Nan's quiche, a pulled-pork sandwich with beans and coleslaw, or sometimes just a Klondike bar have all placated me. Here are a few recipes that always set my wagon straight.

Pies are such an important part of this holiday season -- especially at Thanksgiving -- and everyone has a favorite. In my family, we could go back and forth well until the football games are over before deciding on just one: For Dad, it has to be mincemeat; for Aunt Ginny, it's apple with sharp Vermont cheddar on the side; for me, it's pastry chef Erika Bruce's maple-pumpkin. We make three or four pies for our family feast, and by sunrise on the fourth Friday in November, there's nary a one to be found.

Destination spas are flourishing from Maine to Connecticut, either as day spas or attached to resorts, and a visit can do wonders to chase away the winter blahs. Whether you go to slough off dry, flaky skin or luxuriate in the sensation of expert hands kneading away months' (years'?) worth of accumulated stress, you will leave any of the following spots feeling like you had a mini vacation.