It's almost July 4th, and whether you are going to the beach, the mountains, or your own backyard, we're wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday.

This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is a Southern ex-pat who is spending her vacation in beautiful Destin, Florida.

This Ain't New York is written by Melanie, a Georgia native who describes herself as a "dislocated Southerner" living in New Mexico with her husband and daughter.

We've chosen Melanie for her spot-on description of that stress reliving moment when you arrive at your favorite beach:

As a Florida native, this description rings true, and I can practically feel the sand in my toes reading her blog. This post describing summers shelling peas with her grandmother also evokes memories.

Thanks for sharing Melanie, and keep blogging!

Question: What's your favorite Southern summer memory?

Also, if you have a Southern blogging mama you would like to recommend for this weekly feature, please leave your suggestion in "comments."

Related Links:

Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week: Serenity Now

Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week: Rocks in My Dryer

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Planning a Fourth of July get together? Fire up the grill, mix up some sweet tea, and enjoy these lightened versions of summer classics from Southern Living:

Guilt Free Grill Menu -- Everyone expects burgers. But flank steak with radish salad, balsamic grilled vegetables, and grilled banana splits are a tasty surprise.

Herbed Potato Salad -- Your guests will never believe that this creamy potato salad is lower in fat than traditional potato salad recipes, but is just as delicious.

Lemon Grilled Salmon -- Packed with heart-healthy Omega3s, salmon is good for the heart. This recipe gives tips for grilling on cedar planks, which adds flavor.

Let us know if you are planning a special July 4th meal, and if you are planning on lightening up any of your favorite dishes!

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Confession:  I'd rather shop for lotions and potions than eat.

Listen up ladies!  I found this impossible sale on the Miami Herald site and had to share. E.L.F. (eyes lips face) is celebrating its birthday (or anniversary or the fact that it's Thursday...something to that effect) with a $1 sale on their makeup, lip gloss, brushes, and more.

Stock up now and you'll be set for the rest of the year! Read the article, then shop til you drop!

QUESTION FOR YOU:  WHAT ONE BEAUTY ITEM CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

For me, it's lip gloss.

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/fashion/story/1109766.html

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/home

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Happy Friday Mama Bloggers!

This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the week is Amanda from Serenity Now, A Mommy's Solution To Staying Sane.

Amanda is a Virginia stay-at-home mom of two. We've enjoyed reading about her sister's challenge to run a 5K as an alternative bridesmaid get together (her sister is getting married and wanted to find a fun, healthy way for her bridesmaids to bond).

Her sister has challenged her to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in March 2010. The idea is that the bridesmaids, who live in various places, would all train to run the race. Kind of a fun alternative to a traditional bachelorette party, don't you think? Then, post-race, they could celebrate at Disney.

Amanda writes:

"If she can find a training plan that involves a stop at the Starbucks drive-thru window, sign me up!"

    We think this sounds like a great idea for a girls' trip. What do you think? Have you had a similar healthy girls getaway? Let us know in the "comments" section.

    And Amanda, we think you should do it. In fact, we're cheering you on, lattes in hand.

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    Last weekend I stayed at Loews Nashville, one of my new favorite hotels. It was a pleasure for many reasons, including the fact that dogs were welcomed guests. I was sans pups, but loved seeing breeds of all kind with their owners.

    Loews Hotels welcome pets (they call them "VIPs" - "Very Important Pets) and pay special attention to making them feel at home. From the Loews Vanderbilt website:

"At Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, you have everything you need to feel right at home with your four-legged friend:

• Gourmet room service menus for cats and dogs, prepared by our award-winning Master Chef
• Creature comfortslike specialized bedding, leashes, collars, litter boxes (and litter), pooper scoopers and more
• Tail-wagging amenitiessuch as dog-walking routes, pet placemats, water bowls, treats, doggie poop bags and more
• Purr-fect indulgences like rawhide bones, catnip and scratch poles.
• Pet-walking and pet-sitting services"

    Now through September 5 select Loews are offering the "Grrreen Dog" package, which includes a room service meal for your pet made with local ingredients, an organic cotton bandanna and toy that can be recycled.

    Loews has hotels in a number of Southern cities, including Atlanta, Miami, St. Petersburg, New Orleans and Washington, D.C.

    Hotels that welcome pets and care about their health -- now that's something to bark about.

Let us know: Do you travel with your pets? How do you keep them healthy when you (and they) are on the road?

Related Links:

Southern Living: Health Magazine Ranks America's Healthiest Hotels

Southern Living: Healthy Benefits of Owning Pets

Pets On The Go - a website devoted to travel tips for you and your pet

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  Today's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is Shannon of "Rocks In My Dryer."  

Shannon is a "30-something mom" of four kids who hails from Arkansas and lives in Oklahoma.

We love this post about her relaxing anniversary weekend with her husband at a bed and breakfast called  Aaron's Gate outside Guthrie, Oklahoma.

And if a bed and breakfast is not in your weekend plans, her photos will inspire you to at least take a little time off for some unplugged fun.

Another one of our favorite posts from Rocks In My Dryer is:

Works For Me: Organizing Bedroom Clutter 

Here's an excerpt:

"Each boy now has his own treasure box, about twice the size of a shoe box.  All of their treasures (rocks from the playground, a letter from their beloved uncle, unused Chuck E. Cheese tickets and anything else they CAN'T POSSIBLY throw away) belong in the box.  When the box gets so full that the lid won't close, it means it's time to go through and throw some things away.

I love this, because it teaches them to prioritize and to understand that some things (a postcard from Yosemite) are not.  It helps keep loose pieces of clutter contained.  And the best part?  With their permission, I like to poke through their treasure box.  Seeing what they hold dear helps me treasures, while other things (an empty wrapper from their favorite candy bar) are really know them a little better."

Shannon shares great tips for busy moms. And really, is there any other kind? Hats off to Shannon and all of the Southern Living Mama Bloggers!

If you have a Southern Mama Blogger, please let us know in "comments" below. Your nominations are important in helping us choose our weekly honoree.

Related Links:

Southern Living Mama Blogger Of The Week: Joshilyn Jackson, Faster Than Kudzu

Southern Living Mama Blogger Of The Week: We Are That Family

101 Free Things By State - Oklahoma

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Summer's almost here and its starting to warm up around here.  I love summer, the heat and humidity (that's right, I said humidity), its the time when fresh produce just rolls in and overflows my shopping basket. In my opinion a key flavor of summer is cucumber and I have done almost everything imaginable to them...or so I thought. Erin, in our Features Department, stopped by and was raving about a cucumber cosmopolitan and cucumber mojito she recently had.  She loved the refreshing taste and enlisted my help so she could recreate the flavors at home. Now I have had a cucumber mojito before, but the cucumber cosmo threw me for a loop. So I hustled to the store, picked up a couple of cucumbers, and headed back to the Test Kitchens to try out some ideas I had floating in my head. The only way I could imagine  you could get a concentrated cucumber flavor into a martini glass without dicing half of a cucumber and letting it soak for 2 hours, was to make a concentrated juice.  So I came with a great recipe for cucumber juice (and yes it really is that green). 

2 large cucumbers, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tsp. sugar

Pinch salt

Process all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.  Strain through a fine wire mesh strainer.  Rinse out strainer and line with cheesecloth. Strain juice through cheesecloth and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Makes about 1 cup.

I stirred about 1/3 cup into a pitcher half filled with lemonade, a few of cups of seltzer, and loads of crushed ice for a truly refreshing drink; add some vodka and it's even better. This recipe is definately worth a try so pull out your bar kit and drizzle a couple of tablespoons of this elixir into your favorite fruit based cocktail for a refreshing taste of summer. 

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You might know Joshilyn Jackson from her novels. This Atlanta-based novelist, is the author of "Between, Georgia," "Gods in Alabama," and "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming."

She's also a mom and blogger who, among other things, writes about trying to make better eating and exercise choices not just to fit into her favorite jeans but for her health.

Jackson, whose blog is called "Faster Than Kudzu" is the Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week

Joshilyn, 41, has joined the American Heart Association as one of their "Better for You Bloggers." Starting next week she and three other "Better For You Bloggers" will write about what they are doing to reduce their risk for heart disease.

In this video for the AHA she shares that she is taking small steps to health so she can be around for her two children.

You can join Joshilyn in a 12-week challenge to lower your risk of heart disease (not to mention a ton of other health benefits by signing up here). This free program, called "Go Red For A Better U"  includes tips on nutrition, stress management, and exercise from national experts, as well as an online journaling tool to keep track of your progress.

There's even a downloadable coaching tool you can put on your desktop or phone, where you can access new information every day.

Kudos to Joshilyn for taking steps to take care of her heart and for sharing her journey with all of us. Also, check out MamaLaw, which we featured here just a few weeks ago. These three D.C. moms are also contributing to the "BetterU" Bloggers campaign.

Do you have a Southern mom blogger you would like to recommend for "Southern Mama Blogger of the Week?" Let us know in Comments.

Related Links:

American Heart Association Go Red BetterU

MyRecipes.com: A Month of Heart Healthy Recipes

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I brought my running shoes to St. Louis for Memorial Day weekend, even though they took up a good chunk of my bag. I'd like to think I'd pack my gear no matter what, but I had a specific goal in mind with this trip: run a lap around Francis Park.

This park has been a part of my life since kindergarten. My grade school is one on corner, so we often used it for activities like soccer practice, field day and fifth grade tree journals (don't ask).

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Since it's Memorial Day weekend, summer is officially here!

To jump start your summer, check out this story from from the pages of June's Southern Living Healthy Living:

My Week at Surf Camp - Travel and Livings Associate Editor Amy Bickers takes us along for her week at a North Carolina surf camp with her 12 year old son. How cool of a mom is she?

Find out here, where Amy shares her experience of shredding the waves Carolina style.

Inspired?

Check out the best Southern beaches for surfing.

Related Links:

Healthy Getaway: Miami

7 Reasons To Get Outdoors

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I recently received a comment from a Ms. Allison and she wanted to know how to keep boneless skinless chicken breasts moist when cooking. Most of the time when I observe folks cooking chicken breast, and most other meats, that come out tough and tasteless, their heat source is often times entirely too high to properly cook the meat.  Whether is grilling, searing, baking, roasting, or most other dry-heat cooking methods, proper heat control is the name of the game.  In order for the protein to get the correct color and retain its moistness, one must have the correct heat for the desired application.  In most cases many of ya'll are probably going to sauté or pan roast your chicken breasts.  To be successful I recommend having your heat source dialed somewhere in-between medium-high and medium (I like the 4 o'clock position on most ranges).  Once the heat is correct, we'll need the proper cookware.  To get a good color I suggest using a heavy bottomed skillet, my preference is cast iron (they maintain a consistent heat and are so Southern).  Place the empty skillet over the heat source about 2 minutes before you are ready to cook to get the pan up to temperature. Add a small amount of oil to the pan (I'm talking 1 to 2 tsp. for a skillet about 10 inches in diameter and your cooking no more than three average size breasts) and wait 30 seconds or so to the the oil heat up before adding your meat.  When you add the meat to the pan, it is important to let the heat do its job and cook.  Poking, prodding, and fiddling only increases the likelihood your chickens will be colorless and pale.  Leave them be.  Usually for an average size chicken breast of about 3/4 to 1/2 inch thickness it should take about 5 to 6 minutes per side to cook properly (meaning it has a good brown color and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees). Now here is a crucial step most miss: Let Your Meat Rest for about 5 minutes before cutting.  Resting allows the moisture and juices inside the meat to resettle and nestle their way back into the tissue; cutting a piece of meat open right out of the pan will usually yield a puddle of liquid on the plate and a dry, often tough jerky like texture.  If you follow these tips I am pretty sure that your chicken breasts shouldn't be dry and tasteless.  I hope this answers your question.

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This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week Kristen hails from the great state of Texas: We are THAT Family. As she writes:

Each Wednesday Kristen hosts "Works for Me Wednesday," in which bloggers from around the country share links to their blogs, with an emphasis on tips that have made their lives easier. An upcoming "Works for Me Wednesday" (on June 3) will feature tips from moms with ideas to keep their kids' summer boredom at bay.

This is a great way to access a ton of great information from moms like you, organized in one spot each week. Now *that's* a time saver.

Do you have a Southern mom blogger you would like to recommend for "Southern Mama Blogger of the Week?" Let us know in Comments.

Related Links:

Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week: MamaLaw

Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week: The Velveteen Mind

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Confession:  I used alcohol on my face this morning. I know, I know. That's like the cardinal beauty sin that will send you straight to a place where you'll be tormented with pimples that pop up on the tip of your nose so that all your friends and co-workers will call you "Rudolph" behind your back. However, I felt like my skin needed a really deep cleansing and I'd already exfoliated, exfoliated, exfoliated. So, I wanted to just strip it.  I am happy to report that so far my face has not fallen off. I will keep you posted.

You often hear me tout the merits of Shea butter as a skin healer, blemish eraser, and dry-patch softener.  I recently called out L'Occitane's pure shea butter and realize that I did not give equal attention to brother Cocoa. 

Before Shea ever got popularized in the modern beauty world, Cocoa butter was a staple of my household for skincare.  The familiar coconutty smell of lotion containing Cocoa butter, rubbed on arms and legs to a glowing shine, was as familiar and recognizable as that of fresh cut grass in summer, or honeysuckle in spring.

So, to that end, I'm calling out a tried and true friend:

Beauty Buzz: CocoCare 100 percent Cocoa Butter Stick. Comes in a push up tube, for easy application.

Why I love it:  Priced at a whopping $4 or less (I could stop right there...), it's a low-priced secret weapon every man, woman, boy, or girl should keep on hand. With loyal and dedicated use, you can fade out scars, stretch marks (my personal battle, and no I will not post a picture so you can compare), and mosquito bites. Find it at on line or neighborhood drugstores.

CAVEAT:  After applying Cocoa butter, it's best to try to rub it in as well as possible, as it is an oil and might be slippery to the touch.  Wouldn't want anyone sliding off of a chair or staining a leather seat. 

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Late Saturday afternoon, I was craving hot dogs with sauerkraut, a box of red vines, and chicken tacos.  I decided to stop and buy a hot dog while strolling through the park at Doo-Dah Day, skip the red vines, then head to the store to buy some chicken for my tacos.  Shopping in the store with red bull's eye, I came across a package of three boneless skinless chicken breasts for an amazing $3.49.  At this point my evaluative thought process vanished as convenience was a primary objective in order to satisfy my craving as quickly as possible.  But given the fact that I make such a big fuss to my family and friends about buying single chicken parts vs. doing the work and breaking down a whole chicken, I re-examined the shelves and found that a whole chicken was the exact same price.  Next came the dilemma: should I save time by just buying the chicken breast or get almost 3 times the meat out of a whole chicken which I am going to have to take the time break down?  

After 5 minutes of pacing around the meat case I made my decision, checked out, and went home.  As I cut the wrapping from my  whole chicken, rinsed it, and patted dry with paper towels I began to appreciate my choice.  I broke down the chicken into 9 pieces: 2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, 2 legs, and 1 back.  I used the breasts to make my tacos, then made a quick chicken stock from the back, and bagged up the remaining pieces into 3 separate bags and tossed them in the freezer.  I was surprised that after my desire for instant gratification wore off the answer was clear.  This fact makes me question how many times I don't take the time to evaluate my purchases in the store and how much further my money could go by stepping back and using some brain power vs. going with the desire to get things done in a hurry. I know everyone is not going to take the time to break down a chicken, but with 3 times the uses as compared to chicken breasts, maybe some should consider learning.  Click HERE to learn how-to cut up a whole chicken.

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This week's Southern Living "Southern Mama Blogger of the Week" is not one, not two, but three sassy D.C. moms.

MamaLaw is written by three attorneys who, between them, have seven kids. Their names are Fergie, Ny, and Jonesie.

Together they write about finding balance between home and work, all the while trying to take care of their health too.

Each Tuesday one of the moms writes a "Better Tuesdays" post in which she shares how she is taking steps to improve her health. In this post Ny shares that some of her changes include switching to whole grain English muffins, wearing a pedometer to make sure she gets in her 10,000 steps a day and, as she writes,

"The biggest little change that I've made is engaging my hubby in a discussion about healthy eating - that's what I'm most proud of."

In fact the MamaLaw writers are joining with the American Heart Association to promote healthy lifestyles, and have worked with Texas' Cooper Institute to assess risk factors (as seen in Healthy Living).

It's not all calorie counting. MamaLaw is about real women trying to figure out how to keep their careers, homes, and families running, all while having a little bit of fun. Rock it out mamas, and keep on posting your dispatches from the front.

Related Links:

Southern Mama Blogger of The Week: The Velveteen Mind

Southern Mama Blogger of the Week: The Wii Mommies Guide To Fitness

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Confession: I use sponge rollers in my hair.  I know, I know. That doesn't make me glamorous, Hollywood fabulous, or chic. But, they're really easy to sleep on, and if it's between a good night's rest or the perfect coif, well, I choose sleep. 

I usually call out a product or two in my Buzzes, but this week, the New York Times did such a great job on this article about sunscreens, that I'm going to let them do the talking for me. Here's a quick excerpt for you:

"A sunscreen’s SPF, or sun protection factor, measures how much the product shields the sun’s shorter-wave ultraviolet B rays, known as UVB radiation, which can cause sunburn. It used to be that SPF topped out at 30. No more. These days, a race is on among sunscreen makers to create the highest SPF that R&D can buy.

If adequately applied, sunscreens with sky-high SPFs offer slightly better protection against lobster-red burns than an SPF 30. But they don’t necessarily offer stellar protection against the more deeply penetrating ultraviolet A radiation, or so-called aging rays."

Hope you learn something that you can use during these sunny months.There's another article on the NYT's  Well Blog that might be of interest to you, too. By the way, did you know that Chapstick has SPF 4?  I know, right?

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I did it! I ran a 5K, and it went better than expected. I only stopped once, just long enough to drink a cup of water. I will say the Jazzercise really helped me. I had zero stamina before I started it, and going consistently to class is what made me want to add something to my routine.

But I probably wouldn't have started running if it wasn't for my roommate Kaitlin. Full disclosure: Kaitlin happens to be a licensed personal trainer in addition to a fellow intern. Yes, I'm pretty lucky, but you could get the same benefit from any (relatively patient) friend. Or group of friends!

Read on for four ways my workout buddy helped me, plus three online resources for finding a group.

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Recently, I have been helping a number of family and friends with their plans to slim down for swimsuit season.  In my research and analysis of their diets, I took a look at my own eating habits and determined that my current diet had not been as regimented as it once was.  I have been seriously slacking.  Skipping breakfast, not eating enough vegetables, and a host of stomach issues signaled that I have gotten out of balance.  In an effort to regain my balance, keep up my energy, and help my tennis game improve, I wrote myself a new eating plan and a mainstay has been a morning smoothie.  This habit began about 2 weeks ago and has now turned into an all out obsession.  My freezer is packed full of tropical mixed frozen fruit blends, peaches, strawberries, and pineapple. and I am having trouble finding room for anything else. I also journeyed to the store to stock up on a new Kitchen Aid stick blender, flax meal, fresh ginger, cayenne pepper, plenty of juices, and buttermilk (yes, buttermilk it has just as many active cultures as yogurt and is easier to measure. Try it.).  I feel like a mad scientist in the mornings adding different herbs and spices, like turmeric and cayenne pepper, to boost the antioxidant qualities of my drink.  I am writing some of my favorites down and hope to tweak some in the Test Kitchens and come up with a great smoothie story; but in the mean time try this great Orange-Berry Swirl to start your day.  

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Confession: I have a true fear of getting the West Nile virus from a mosquito bite.  Every time I feel that dreaded nip from one of my flying foes, I have this quick rush of dread that this bite, this particular one, is the one that will take me away.  You'd think that after all these years of living through Southern springs and summers, I'd know better.  I don't (smiles).

Beauty Buzz: This one's a quickie for all those who hate getting bug bites as much as I do. I get these dreadful marks on my arms, legs, etc. from the bites. The absolutely best remedy I've found for fading out the spots is putting pure Shea on them.  It literally works like a charm.  The best Shea?  I use Bath and Body Works' Too Shea, which is a jar of 100 percent pure Shea. However, they don't sell it anymore (or at least I couldn't' find it on line for you). So, here's an equally good pick from our friends at L'Occitane--Pure Organic Shea Butter.

Why I love it: I've found that Shea fades out scars and marks (both old and new). It's virtually scent-free, which means you can wear your normal daily fragrance without worrying about it clashing. 

BONUS: L'Occitane's Shea it also comes in a smaller-size travel tin, so you can pack it up and go. And it's fair trade from Burkina Faso (West Africa), so you're doing good for yourself and for others.

End Note: Shea butter cannot protect you from the West Nile virus. However, it can leave your skin soft, glowing, and scar-free, which is an acceptable alternative.

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In honor of Mother's Day we feature a special Southern Mama Blogger of the Week - Mississippi resident Megan Jordan of The Velveteen Mind.

The Velveteen Mind has provided a place for Megan (mom of two toddlers with one on the way) to share her experiences of motherhood during challenging times. From her blog:

"I am a stay-at-home mom of two toddler sons, am married to a young lawyer, and am a former Hurricane Katrina refugee.  That means I get no sleep, have no money, and am rebuilding our lives from scratch.

I relish the velveteen of the golden plush days and revel in the threadbare fabric of our well-worn lives.  And I tend to do it using a lot of words. I hear that makes me a rather articulate mommyblogger  I think that means I need an editor.   

Please join me, along with my oldest son, Q,  my youngest son, Goose, and my harried husband, Maguire, as we discover what comes next."

    Megan explains that after she lost years of personal journals in Katrina she started her blog. Now it's a vehicle for her to connect with other moms (and help them tell their stories through social media). She writes from Bay St. Louis, sharing stories of life on the Gulf Coast (shrimp po boys and all).

    We like this entryabout how she has grown into her own as a mom in her 30s. An excerpt:

"I didn’t even know we had honeysuckle in this yard.  But this morning, it is blooming.  And filling our yard with the warm scent of simpler days, superseding the rich layers of the bayou, so close to our home.

I live in Mississippi.  On the Gulf Coast.  Not in New York.

Perfection here comes covered in powdered sugar and doused in sweet tea.  Our fingers hint at crawfish boils enjoyed with friends and the air wafts by with a hint of Zydeco."

You said it Megan. Happy Mother's Day. Keep writing mamas.

What are you doing for your mom this weekend to let her know you appreciate her?

Do you have a Southern Mama blogger you'd like to nominate for Southern Living's "Southern Mama Blogger of the Week?" Please submit your suggestions in "comments" below.

Related Links:

Southern Living Mother's Day Menus

Southern Living Mama Blogger of The Week: The Wii Fitness Mommies

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