If you are looking for a quick and easy way to use leftover turkey, this may well be the ticket. The original recipe was nabbed from cookbook author Mark Bittman’s book, “Eat Vegan Before 6:00.” A couple of years ago I started adding leftover Thanksgiving turkey to the mix. Of course, that changes the vegan status, but it is a darn tasty soup.

When I first saw the recipe I questioned the addition of a quarter-cup tomato paste. It seemed like it was too much. But guess what? I made it and loved it. The soup is as delicious as it is simple to prepare.

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Leftover Turkey and Vegetable Soup

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/4 cup tomato paste

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

6 cups vegetable broth or water, plus more if needed in step 4

3 cups chopped firm vegetables, such as carrots, winter squash, cauliflower, broccoli or root vegetables

3 cups chopped soft vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, green beans or any greens

3 cups cooked or canned beans or fresh or frozen corn kernels or peas

1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, boned, skinned, cut into medium dice

Garnish 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS

1. Put oil in large pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until it dries out a bit, a minute or two. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Add broth or water and scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Add firm vegetables and bring to a boil. Adjust heat so the mixture gently bubbles. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the kinds you’re using.

3. Add zucchini or other soft vegetables, along with beans or corn or peas. Return to boil, then lower the heat so the mixture bubbles gently. Cook, stirring once in a while, until everything is quite soft, another 10 to 15 minutes, adding the diced turkey after 8 minutes.

4. If soup is too thick, stir in additional broth. Stir in basil; taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Source: “Eat Vegan Before 6:00” by Mark Bittman (Clarkson Potter, $26)

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at @CathyThomas Cooks.com.

By Céline Gounder, KFF Health News

As misinformation about women’s health spreads faster than ever, doctors say new research on the risks of hormonal birth control underscores the challenge of communicating nuance in the social media age.

The massive study, which was conducted in Sweden and tracked more than 2 million teenage girls and women under age 50 for more than a decade, found that hormonal contraception remains safe overall, but also found small differences in breast cancer risk based on the hormones used in the formulation. In addition, the researchers observed a small, short-term rise in breast cancer diagnoses among current or recent users. Those findings are consistent with prior large studies, including a 2017 Danish registry analysis and a 2023 meta-analysis.

It was published online Oct. 30 in JAMA Oncology.

Doctors say these study results won’t change how they advise patients and that women should not stop using their birth control.

Still, TikTok is flooded with factually incomplete warnings that contraceptives cause cancer and are as dangerous as smoking. Reproductive health advocates warn that studies like this can easily be taken out of context online and be reduced to a single alarming number.

Case in point: The study reported that women who had used hormonal birth control had about a 24% higher rate of breast cancer than women who hadn’t. But because breast cancer is still uncommon in younger women, that works out to an increase from roughly 54 to 67 breast cancer cases per 100,000 women per year — about 13 extra cases per 100,000 women, or about one extra case per 7,800 users of hormonal contraceptives per year.

Co-authors Åsa Johansson and Fatemeh Hadizadeh, epidemiologists at Uppsala University, said the rise is modest and short-term, with risk highest during current use and fading within five to 10 years after stopping.

Rachel Fey — interim co-CEO of Power to Decide, a group whose mission is to provide accurate information on sexual health and contraceptive methods — said that kind of nuance is exactly what tends to disappear on social media. “I get really angry at this because it’s designed to scare people like me away from birth control, which has made my life so much better in so many ways,” she said. “It’s really frustrating … especially when it’s given without context. And then in this era of social media, it can just take off without anybody who knows what they’re talking about providing that context.”

The researchers also found the risk was slightly higher with certain progestins such as desogestrel — found in combined oral contraceptives like Cyred EQ, Reclipsen, Azurette, and Pimtrea — but did not increase with others, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, sold under the brand name Depo‑Provera.

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How to interpret the findings

Some experts say the results should be viewed with care because the study counted both invasive breast cancers and early, noninvasive lesions known as in situ tumors, growths that may never become life-threatening. Including these precancerous cases could make the overall risk of clinically significant disease appear higher than it is.

“A substantial proportion of the ‘cases’ would never have progressed to invasive breast cancer,” said Lina S. Mørch, a senior researcher and team leader at the Danish Cancer Institute. Mørch was not associated with the Swedish study. She added that experts should wait for more data separating early-stage and advanced cancers before making new rules or warnings about specific hormones.

The doctor-patient conversation

Even as scientists debate how to interpret the finer points of the data, physicians emphasize that for most patients, the study reinforces what they already discuss in the exam room: that hormonal birth control is broadly safe, and decisions should be tailored to each woman’s needs and values.

Katharine White, chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston Medical Center, said this study won’t change how she talks to her patients.

“When counseling patients about their contraceptive options, I focus on their past experiences with birth control, their medical history, and what’s important to them about their birth control method and pregnancy planning (if applicable),” White wrote in an email. “Side effects and risks of methods are already a key part of my counseling about both hormonal and non-hormonal methods.”

Other doctors noted there are other contraceptive options.

Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, chief of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, said, “For those who prefer hormone-free contraception, the copper IUD offers safe, convenient, highly effective contraception for over a decade after placement, and is rapidly reversible when pregnancy is desired,” referring to a type of long-acting intrauterine device.

Mary Rosser, director of Integrated Women’s Health at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said this was a large, high-quality study that looked at many types of hormones over many years. But she added that doctors shouldn’t change their advice yet.

Johansson and Hadizadeh stressed that the results should guide shared decision-making, not cause alarm. “It may be reasonable to consider formulations associated with lower observed risk in our data,” they said. They noted that products containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, drospirenone, or levonorgestrel were linked to lower risk, while long-term use of desogestrel-only contraceptives might be best avoided when other options fit.

Keeping the risk in perspective

Hormonal birth control provides many health benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. It can lighten heavy periods, ease pain from endometriosis, and lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers for years after stopping. Mørch noted that even small risks are worth discussing but said decisions should be guided by women’s “values and preferences.”

White said it’s important to see the big picture. “The risk of an unintended pregnancy is 85% for people who do not use contraception—so any risks of birth control need to be weighed against the risk of an unexpected pregnancy,” she wrote.

©2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By NICK KURCZEWSKI, Edmunds

SUVs deliver many attributes that car shoppers love in a vehicle. Thanks to their elevated height, they provide a commanding view of the road. They also deliver lots of passenger space, roomy cargo holds, and often have strong safety ratings.

Less appealing are higher fuel bills and the expense of buying an SUV that’s showroom-fresh. The experts at Edmunds have found five solutions on the used market to keep costs in line. Choosing a used hybrid SUV saves money at the point of purchase, and the hybrid engine helps lower the cost of refueling for many miles down the road.

Using a price cap of $25,000, Edmunds’ team has compiled five used hybrid-powered SUVs that are practical and kind to a car shopping budget.

Ford Escape

This photo provided by Ford shows the Escape, a compact SUV available as a hybrid on the used market for less than $25,000. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP)

The Escape Hybrid is the fuel-sipping cousin of Ford’s popular compact SUV. Getting it down the road is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired to an electric motor. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. In terms of fuel economy, both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive models delivers an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined. Edmunds has complimented the Escape’s comfortable ride, easy-to-use controls and everyday practicality.

Look for:Arriving for the 2020 model year, the fourth-generation Escape Hybrid is a well-rounded driving companion. For 2023, Ford updated the infotainment system and exterior design. For added peace of mind, it’s worth knowing the hybrid has always come standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 bundle of driver assist features.

Honda CR-V

This photo provided by Honda shows the CR-V hybrid, a fuel-efficient compact SUV that can be found used for less than $25,000. (Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP)

The Honda CR-V has long been a top choice for SUV shoppers looking for reliable transportation at an affordable price. During testing, Edmunds complimented the driving refinement of the CR-V with the available hybrid powertrain. Braking and handling are equally polished, though Edmunds noted accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took 8.5 seconds — 1 second longer than the non-hybrid model. Fuel economy is strong at an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined city/highway for 2020-2022 models. The spacious interior has good outward visibility and generous cargo space.

Look for:The hybrid version of the previous generation CR-V ran from 2020 through 2022. Standard equipment included all-wheel drive, a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assist features. Honda dropped the entry-level LX trim for the 2021 model year, so used prices tick upward from that point.

Hyundai Tucson

his photo provided by Hyundai shows the Tucson Hybrid, a compact SUV available used with a price tag under $25,000. (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America via AP)

Making a styling statement isn’t always high on car shoppers’ priority list. Hyundai didn’t get that memo because the Tucson Hybrid’s eye-catching design is highlighted by a sculpted exterior and headlights hidden within the pattern of the grille. Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and electric motor coupled to standard all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is up to 38 mpg combined depending on the trim and model year. Better still, Edmunds notes this peppier drivetrain addresses the non-hybrid Tucson’s sluggish acceleration.

Look for:The redesigned Tucson created a splash when it arrived for the 2022 model year. Its upscale interior matched the bold exterior; the cabin was filled with high-quality materials, and standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity. The Tucson also has an outstanding warranty, including 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

Kia Niro

This photo provided by Kia shows the Niro Hybrid, a small SUV with excellent fuel economy available on the used market priced under $25,000. (Courtesy of Kia America via AP)

The Niro makes a strong case for itself based on its lower price point and excellent economy. Along with the Niro hybrid, there are plug-in and fully electrified versions. Given its small size, the Niro delivers a surprising amount of passenger space and cargo room. The ride is generally smooth, though Edmunds noted it can get unsettled on bumpy roads. A class-leading warranty and up to an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined, depending on the trim and model year, are two additional standout qualities.

Look for:A redesign for the 2023 model year gave the Niro a futuristic shape and improved cabin quality. Edmunds complimented the interior design but found some audio and climate controls overly finicky. The Niro is also front-wheel-drive, with no option to add all-wheel drive. Yet its budget-friendly prices mean used versions readily come in below $25,000.

Toyota RAV4

This photo provided by Toyota shows the RAV4 Hybrid, a popular hybrid compact SUV available used for less than $25,000. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

The RAV4 Hybrid uses the strong foundation of Toyota’s best-selling SUV and adds greater fuel economy and speedier acceleration. Edmunds found the all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid needed 7.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph — a second faster than the non-hybrid version. Fuel economy is excellent thanks to EPA-estimated combined average of up to 40 mpg depending on trim and model year. The RAV4 also has near class-leading cargo space, plus a low load floor that’s appreciated when loading heavy items.

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Look for:The fifth generation of the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid was available from 2019 to 2025. Outside of some upgraded tech touches — such as a larger touchscreen and improved smartphone connectivity — changes were minimal. The RAV4 holds onto its resale value, so older used models will more easily fall under $25,000.

Edmunds says

A well-maintained used hybrid SUV is a savvy way to save money when sealing the deal and in terms of keeping fuel bills reasonable.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Nick Kurczewski is a contributor at Edmunds.

Whether it’s an old classic (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “A Christmas Carol”) or a more contemporary production (“Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical,” “Scrooge in Rouge”), Twin Cities theaters have plenty of options for seasonal stage productions (although a few aren’t about the holidays). Here’s a look at what’s on tap this year.

‘Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical’

Now playing: When St. Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington is tasked with designing an ice palace for the Winter Carnival, he and his wife, Viola, get much more than they bargain for when the magic of the carnival enters their lives. Keith Hovis and Rachel Teagle wrote this new musical, which explores “the strange and wonderful world of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the resilience, imagination and heart that make Minnesota such a wonderful place, especially in the snow.” Through Dec. 21; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $78-$30; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

‘R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium’

Now playing: Based on the popular spooky book series, this musical tells the story of Brooke and her best friend Zeke, who land the leads in their middle school’s new musical. They’re thrilled, until strange things start happening around the theater. Whispers of an old legend resurface, warning that the play might be cursed. Through Dec. 14; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $65-$15; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘White Christmas’

The cast of “White Christmas,” which runs through Feb. 7, 2026, at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. (Dan Norman / Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)

Now playing: Irving Berlin wrote the song “White Christmas” for the 1942 musical film “Holiday Inn” and, at the time, told his secretary that “not only is it the best song I ever wrote, it’s the best song anybody ever wrote.” Not only was it a massive hit — Bing Crosby’s version sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide — it forever changed Christmas music. Berlin later approached Paramount with the offer to write songs to accompany a new movie built around “White Christmas,” which became the highest-grossing film of 1954. The stage version did big business for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres last year, so the company brought it back for an encore. Through Feb. 7; Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen; $131-$98; 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’

“A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater. (Dan Norman)

Now playing: The Guthrie first produced an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in 1975 in an attempt to fill some empty December seats. It worked and it’s now a long-established tradition, with this year marking the 51st production. The company is once again staging a new adaptation by the late Lavina Jadhwani from 2021 that includes a new set, costumes and tunes. Through Dec. 28; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $148-$19; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

Now playing: Children’s Theatre Company is presenting its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ seasonal story for the 13th time, having originally commissioned and premiered it in 1994. In Rob Hubbard’s review for the Pioneer Press, he wrote that “it seems the 13th time’s the charm for its musical adaptation of Seuss’ book. For this is indeed the most charming version of the story it’s yet presented.” Through Jan. 4; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $114-$35; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

‘The Phantom of the Opera’

“Prima Donna,” from left, Melo Ludwig, Christopher Bozeka, William Thomas Evans, Midori Marsh, Daniel Lopez, Carrington Vilmont and Lisa Vromanin from the North American touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s gothic horror novel, which runs at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through Dec. 7, 2025. (Evan Zimmerman / MurphyMade)

Now playing: Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” returns to the road in “a revitalized production of this romantic and haunting tale about a disfigured musical genius known only as the Phantom who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House.” The longest-running show in Broadway history closed in 2023 after 13,981 performances. Through Dec. 7; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $213.90-$58.45; hennepinarts.org.

‘My Fair Lady’

Now playing: One of the most-loved musicals of all time, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” follows Professor Henry Higgins as he takes on the ambitious task of molding flower seller Eliza Doolittle into his vision of refinement. Songs from the show include “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.” Through Dec. 28; Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis: $92.75-$21.75; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.

‘Annie’

Now playing: Based on the comic strip that debuted in 1924, the original Broadway production of “Annie” featured a young Sarah Jessica Parker, ran for nearly six years and won seven Tony Awards, including best musical and original score. It has since lived on through various revivals, tours and regional productions thanks to such memorable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Tomorrow” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Through Dec. 14; Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake; $43-$23; 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org.

‘Scrooge in Rouge’

Now playing: Open Eye Theatre’s latest nontraditional holiday production is a quick-change, cross-dressing musical riff on the perennial holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Parents should be aware of the show’s double entendres with sexual innuendo that are in the spirit of British humorists Monty Python and Benny Hill, according to the theater. Through Dec. 28; Open Eye Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Mpls.; $35.20; 612-874-6338 or openeyetheatre.org.

‘Black Nativity’

Soloist Greta Oglesby in Penumbra Theatre”s 2022 production of “Black Nativity.”

Opens Dec. 2: First staged at Penumbra in 1987, “Black Nativity” features gospel numbers brought to life under the musical direction of Sanford Moore. In a Pioneer Press review of last year’s production, Hubbard wrote that “you might enter Penumbra’s little theater in the Rondo neighborhood thinking you’re going to a show, but it doesn’t take long to realize that you are in church.” Through Dec. 24; 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $45-$10; 651-288-6786 or penumbratheatre.org.

‘Miss Richfield 1981: There’s a Pill for the Holidays!’

Opens Dec. 5: Illusion Theater is once again presenting an evening with Miss Richfield 1981, who hails from the town “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.” The drag-queen alter ego of Russ King, Miss Richfield 1981 was called “the must-see act in Provincetown” by the New York Post, with the Pioneer Press raving that “in these divided times, Miss R. is tonic — and gin — for the soul.” Expect, among many other things, to hear Christmas carols played on a cross-cut saw. Through Dec. 21; Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis; $77-$49.50; 612-382-6406 or illusiontheater.org.

‘Dinner for One’

Opens Dec. 6: Inspired by an iconic slapstick comedy sketch and New Year’s Eve tradition in Europe for more than 60 years, “Dinner for One” follows a butler as he attempts to help his employer celebrate her annual dinner party. Many mishaps follow. Through Jan. 4; Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.; $95-$15; 612-822-7063 or jungletheater.org.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Opens Dec. 9: This sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice is loosely based on the Gospel accounts of the Passion. When the composers couldn’t secure the funding to produce the show, they released the score as an album that quickly became a best seller and led to the musical’s Broadway debut in 1971. It has remained a popular show for touring casts and regional theaters seeking to take a fresh look at the classic. Through Dec. 28; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $161.50-$46.50; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.

‘The Wiz’

Opens Dec. 16: This new take on “The Wiz” launched with a 2023 tour followed by a limited engagement on Broadway in spring 2024. The show reimagines the classic novel with an all-Black cast and music that blends soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk. Comic and writer Amber Ruffin updated the show, just as she did for “Some Like it Hot,” which visited Minneapolis in 2024. Through Dec. 21; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $203.90-$70.45; hennepinarts.org.