Confession:  I recently turned 28 and I am getting my first wrinkle.  It's a barely-noticeable line that goes across my forehead.  No, I'm not panicking. However, I am upping my use of moisturizer.

I found a wonderful new line of products made by a fellow Southerner that I'm just in love with!  Garden of Eve Skin Care includes facial cleansers, masques, creams, and toners for a variety of skin types, including aging, dry, pregnant, and so on. 

The owner, Eve Stahl, is from Virginia and started developing her own skin care products after she got really sick. She started using herbal remedies and found they made a difference for her. 

As I've been using her products, what I notice most is that my skin doesn't feel filmy (like there's too much oil in her products) or ashy (like there's too much alcohol).  Instead, it feels fresh and renewed.  I've never been a moisturizer type because I find they break out my skin (hence, the confession about the wrinkle).  However, I've been using Eve's Nature Renewal Face Cream and haven't had any breakouts to speak of. 

My favorite part is that Eve offers her products in trial size versions, so you can experiment with a few without a hefty investment.

Check her out and let me know what you think.

Confession: It's been raining nearly every day here in Alabama, so, in order to keep my hair somewhat tame, I've been using more heat (i.e., flat ironing, blowing out) than usual.  Please, please do not tell my stylist.

We've all been told to eat fruits and veggies to gain their nutritional value. Many of the nutrients found in the earth's harvests can heal, protect, and enhance beauty from the inside out. However, can fruits and vegetables be just as beneficial when used topically on your skin in beauty products such as washes, soaps, masques, and scrubs? 

Here, I've provided a breakdown of some of the season's most iconic fruits and veggies, and the power-packed nutrients they hold.  I'm also offering suggestions for products that contain these Fall favs.

Pumpkin--According to Care2.com, pumpkin contains vitamins A and C, zinc, and alpha-hydroxy acids.    
(PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Peel)

Apple-- Juice Beauty touts green apple's  antioxidant resveratrol  and vitamins A, B, and C. (Juice Beauty Green Apple Eye Cream)

Pomegranate--According to BeyondJane.com, pomegranate is said to regenerate and repair skin. Thedermblog.com says that it contains ellagic acid, which may prevent skin cancer. Plus, this superfruit contains more antioxidants than green tea. (Eminence Organic Cranberry Pomegranate Masque)

Grapefruit--Globalgourmet.com says that grapefruit's citric acid acts as an astringent. (Mario Badescu Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion)   

Pear--Contains hydroxy acids (antioxidants). (Eminence Organic Pear and Poppyseed Microderm Polisher )

As for enjoying these delicious foods on your Fall table, check out this Health.com slideshow for recipes and more nutritional inspiration.

Confession: I went over my friends house and she was telling me how her hair had been really brittle lately. I know I'd read before that you can put raw egg in your hair as a conditioner to make your hair soft and shiny.  So after shampooing, we cracked two eggs, mixed them around with our fingers to break up the yolks, and let them sit in her hair for a while. Then we rinsed them out. The egg treatment didn't help though. Turns out, her water pressure was low and that's what was causing her brittle hair.

Sept. and Oct. are pomegranate, apple, and pumpkin season in the South. I love to smell these fresh aromas during the season because they remind me of the time of year when we get cooler temperatures and the upcoming holidays.

Aromatherapy works on the premise that scents can be linked to memories, and memories can trigger emotions.  For instance, the smell of candy apples might remind you of going trick-or-treating.  If trick-or-treating is a good memory for you (dressing up in costumes, getting sacks of candy, sharing with friends), then that scent eventually leads to you having happy and upbeat feelings. 

Well, according to Medicinenet.com, the way your house smells can affect your emotions. If your home smells nice, it can bring about a positive effect on your mood. To bring the scents of the season into your home, you could make a table scape of fresh apples, gourds,   and pomegranates.  You could also bake delicious and aromatic treats using apples, pumpkins, pomegranates and such.  I like to burn candles that have pleasant fragrances. The scent from candles is just enough to waft through my home and create a very welcoming and warming environment. If you're wary of burning candles because you have curious pets or children, then you can try  Gold Canyon's pod warmers. They create the same effect, but without the flame and come in seasonal scents including: apple orchard, autumn walk, and cobbler on the porch.  The warmer is about $30 and the pods are about $6 each. 

Here are a few scents and the benefit they are said to have (from Aura Cacia) :

Allspice Berry - The oil has a warm, spicy-sweet aroma. It is used in spicy or masculine scents. It combines well with orange, ginger, patchouli and all of the spice oils including cinnamon, cassia and clove. Aromatherapy benefits: warming, cheering, comforting, nurturing

Cedarwood, Red- Red cedarwood essential oil actually comes from a type of juniper known as Juniperus virginiana, whose common name is eastern red cedar. The balsamic-woody aroma of cedarwood oil evokes a feeling of inner strength and centeredness. It is quite useful in times of emotional stress and anxiety to overcome feelings of powerlessness.

Cinnamon Bark - Also known as Ceylon cinnamon, this is the true cinnamon of world commerce. Its aroma is similar to cassia, or Chinese cinnamon. The aroma of Ceylon cinnamon is preferred to cassia for perfume where it gives a warm, floral-enhancing effect. Cinnamon oil blends well with oriental-woody notes and is often combined with frankincense. It is a skin irritant and should be handled with care. Aromatherapy benefits: comforting, warming.

Nutmeg - Nutmeg oil is distilled from whole, dried nutmegs that have been cut into small particles and pressed to remove the fixed oil, also known as nutmeg butter. The oil has the characteristic aromatic, volatile, oily-spicy fragrance of whole nutmegs. Nutmeg oil is a component in men's fragrances and spicy perfumes. Aromatherapy benefits: rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing.

Peppermint - Peppermint has a powerful, sweet, menthol aroma which, when inhaled undiluted, can make the eyes water and the sinuses tingle. Aromatherapy benefits: vitalizing, refreshing, cooling

We've been working hard on the new Southern Living. As our Editor-In-Chief Eleanor Griffin sums it up:

“We’ve listened to thousands of our readers and we know that the Southern woman is changing. She is embracing the future as much as she values the traditions of the past. She is busier than ever and wants to cultivate her own Southern style in a new, modern way."

The new Southern Living has 15 new franchises. These include features like "Mama's Way, Your Way," which highlights a traditional Southern recipe and a more streamlined version, and "Made By Southern Hands," a roundup of stylish products made in the South.

In Healthy Living we are thrilled to debut "Lighten Up In," in which we spotlight healthy activities to do in great Southern cities.

This month we feature New Orleans. (think: less Bourbon Street and more exploring on foot and eating fresh local seafood). Yes, it can be done.

October's Healthy Living also features a Q&A with Domenica Catelli, chef and author of Mom-a-Licious: Fresh, Fast Family Food For The Hot Mama in You. Domenica shares her secrets to looking and feeling good, including recipes.

Both of these are just the first of many we're excited about.

We're looking forward to continuing to share stories about enjoying all that we love about the South, with an emphasis on taking small steps to health and balance.

As always, we want to hear your ideas about healthy living in the South. Let us know! And thanks for reading.

Related Links:

Video Tour of Southern Living's New Look

Confession: If my cuticles are dry and I don't have hand lotion available, I'll use a dab of my lip gloss to moisturize.  It does the trick.

What does the Southeastern Football Conference have to do with keeping your lips healthy?  There's a new lip balm out from a company called Twist and Pout that represents several of the Southern teams.  The lip balm inside each team-themed ball is SPF 20. So, you can enjoy being outdoors at the game without worrying about your lips getting chapped. (I know what you're thinking: "Who thinks about their lips while cheering their head off at a SEC football game?"  Well, as the months get colder, you'll be glad you're packing these spirited lip lubes.)

My favorite part of the balms is that they can be ordered with a handy clip, so you can hook it onto your jeans belt loop (no more lip-balm bulge in your pockets!).

I'm representing a few of the teams they have available below. Who's your favorite team in the SEC?  And, how do you keep your skin in check at outdoor events during fall and winter?

Confession: I have very oily skin. So, at night I've been sleeping on a cotton towel (I just drape it over my pillow) and it's been working beautifully to keep my skin from becoming excessively oily at night.

I went overboard with the carbs this month.  Between the fresh buttered biscuits I made in the mornings (sweetened with a light drizzle of syrup, of course), the cheese straws I snacked on at parties, and the crispy coating on my Southern fried chicken wingettes at lunch, I sort of lost track of how many carbohydrates I was consuming.Sometimes it's not so much that we don't know to eat well, it's that we eat more of something than we expected and not enough of another because we weren't paying attention.

I once went to Weight Watchers for a six-week study, not to lose weight, but partially to learn how to keep sight of the types of foods I was eating. Their "points" system allows you to see how many of each food group you're getting in during your daily intake. Was I getting in my 5-a-day of fruit and veggie servings?  Was I drinking more sweet tea than glasses of water? The system worked well, and helped me be accountable to myself for the choices I made, while also allowing me to visibly see those choices in front of me (so I'd eat consciously). 

When I recently heard about Count Me Healthy jewelry, I thought it would be the perfect solution for someone like me, who could use a little help monitoring their daily intake. The Memphis, TN company's owner, Chelsea Gossett (pictured left...isn't she beautiful?!), came up with a fashion accessory that keeps health in mind--literally.It's a silver bracelet that has slide-able beads, for counting. You can start with all the beads on one side, and move one over for each time you eat or do something you're trying to keep track of, so you keep a mental and visible tally. For instance, pop in a serving of cheese straws, slide a bead over. Scarf down that buttered biscuit with syrup, slide two beads over.  Whatever you limit is (say you only want to consume 4 beads worth of carbs a day), you'll be abe to track your progress right on your arm.

I'm a glamor girl at heart, so it's nice to see something that's healthy and fashionable at the same time.    I'm wearing the bracelet now (that's me, on right, wearing it at the office) to keep track of the carbs I'm consuming each day. So far, I've had a biscuit and a cup of sweetened coffee, so I'll slide over two beads. I'll be sure to report back in with you.

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

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

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. 

A few weeks ago, I was standing in line for Dunkin Donuts (for what was surely a low-cal breakfast) at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. While checking out the selection and hoping to not miss my boarding call (I *needed* some coffee), a woman in line turned to me and said the following:

"Don't all those bags hurt your shoulders?"

This being the South, it is of course perfectly acceptable to strike up such a conversation while waiting for a latte. But I was a little taken aback that someone noticed my dirty little secret: I carry far too much in bags draped on my person. That day I was sporting the following: Kate Spade work tote, pink laptop bag, black patent leather Coach purse, and camera bag.

The best part: these bags represent the scaled down version of what I carry when traveling for work. Yep, they are scaled down because I've been dealing with neck and back pain. And after doing the research on problems caused by heavy bags, I do know better.

My solutions: I try to streamline my bags, bringing only what is absolutely necessary. I'm leaving behind extra folders with printed directions, because my handy iphone leads the way most of the time now. I switch bags from one side to the other. I try to stay mindful of my posture and self-correct when it's out of whack. I go for massage twice a month, which eases the strain caused from bags and my not so great posture.

I know I'm not alone -- tons of women have the same issue. My question: how do you deal with hauling around all the stuff you need to while minimizing strain on your body? What are the tricks of the trade for women who are going from work to gym to home -- how do you do it without breaking your back carrying gear? Please share your tips (and favorite products) in the comments section below.

New York Times Well Blog: When Your Purse Is A Pain

Healthy Living: Strengthen Your Core

Confession:  I don't deep condition my hair nearly as often as I should. I love to wash my hair, work in a dollop of conditioner (preferably something by Pantene or Optimum, because they smell delish!), and then just walk around with it in my hair (wrapped up in a towel) for 20 minutes or so.  It's recommended that you sit under a hot dryer for 10 minutes at least once a month...but who has time for that?

As warm weather approaches and winter hats become a thing of the past, it's crossed my mind that I need to do a major mane overhaul. 

I recently had all my dead ends clipped off--you should have seen it.  it could have been the next inspiration for M. Night Shyamalan's new horror film "MAD MANE!!!" 

But anyway, I realize that with the tossing away of hat coverage, my hair will need more protection against the elements. 

So, this week I'm highlighting my favorite new product to use to combat UV rays and keep your hair healthy and beautiful.

Beauty Buzz: Aveda's Brilliant Damage Control Spray

Why it's Healthy:  This pre-styling agent keeps hair from heat damage from hot curlers which is great.  But what's better--it also contains UV protection for all hair types (YAY!).

Why I love it: Bonus--Spraying this on before styling reduces damage from combing (Which means less strands down the sink. Score!)

ATTENTION: I'm throwing an extra one in this week because it's just so great.  If you're like me and your hair frizzes out in the humidity, try Aveda's plant-based, organic jojoba enriched tresses tamer: Light Elements Smoothing Fluid. Okay, now you have everything you need for warm-weather hair.

I'm starting a new series that will answer every question you've ever had about living beautifully--the Southern way.  There are so many components that make Southern beauty unique--our climate and seasons (or lack thereof); our style and culture; our access to fresh ingredients--all of which combine to create a glowing natural essence.

Each week, the Beauty Buzz will cover some aspect of what we define as beauty--be it body care, body therapy (aromatherapy, etc), or healthy home care that benefits your overall well-being and beauty. We'll even feature people we think have it right (If you know of any you'd like to see featured, let me know in the comments section below or email me at healthyliving@southernliving.com).

It's only fair that we're in this together, right?  Great.  So, I'm looking forward to this series helping both you and me build a "beautiful" relationship between ourselves and our bodies--blemishes, wrinkles, discolorations, and all.

I'll start each post with a confession.  If I'm showing my skin, I'm sure you won't be opposed to showing yours (smiles).

Confession No. 1: I'm a product junkie.  I'm always in search of the miracle serum to heal my skin and hair woes, which usually results in a colorful collection of dozens of half-empty bottles under my bath sink (and that's half-empty if I liked them...many products never reach that half-way mark...). This weekend, I counted 6 different types of shampoo, 5 skin discoloration creams or oils, 6 nail polishes, 5 lotions.... I am ready to clean out the beauty clutter and streamline to products that I truly work and those that I truly love.

And now, what you've been waiting for...

Beauty Buzz:  I'm always going gaga over new scents that I can wear--here are some scents my sheets can wear.  Refresh your senses with these linen sprays from Gold Canyon. They add a kiss of fragrance to your sheets, slipcovers, and upholstery.

Why It's healthy: The sprays are infused with essential oils which give you a healthy awakening sensation. They are beautifully packaged and add that extra touch of comfort to your linens.

Why I love it: Scent names, such as "Quiet Moments" and "Harmony," evoke a de-stressing sense of peace.

Today we kick off a new feature on Live Healthy: The Featured Southern Blogger Mama Of the Week. Each week we'll spotlight a Southern mom's blog and why you should be following it.

Topics of the blogs we choose will range, but will focus on issues that we Southern moms are interested in. This includes blogs that address work/life balance, family friendly cooking, traveling with children -- you name it.  If moms are talking about it, we want to share it with you. After all, we moms have to stick together!

We hope that you will join in the conversation. If you have a Southern mom blogger you think should be featured, please leave a note in the "Comments" section below.

And now, for our first Southern Blogger Mama Of The Week:

Name: Anne Glamore

Site: Tales From My Tiny Kingdom

Why we're following her:  Anne shares her candid stories of raising three boys in the South, served up with a side of humor.

One of our favorite posts: He Shall Overcome, about helping her child overcome a fear.

Excerpt: "When you’re a mother, seeing a child overcome his fear is like winning the Super Bowl of parenting."

Question: What's your favorite post of Anne's? What other Southern mom blogs are you reading? Please let us know in the "Comments" section below.

Coco Chanel once said, "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." Now that seems a little extreme, but we Southern women do love a little fragrance.

A story on NPR's "All Things Considered" about the re-opening of the French Museum of Perfume yesterday made me think: Are there quintessential Southern scents?

A quick and non-scientific poll amongst colleagues comes up with some similar scents: gardenia and wisteria, to name a few. So inextricably tied to memory, scent is part of the way that we tell stories about places, people, and experiences.

I'm curious: what scents evoke the South to you? Is there a particular perfume or beauty product that you are drawn to because of its connection to the South? Please leave your thoughts in the "Comments" section below.

Related Stories:

The Ultimate Southern Living Gift Guide

Live Healthy: Find Your Favorite Scent

Gardenias: A Fragrance That Captivates

What price beauty? 

In the South, we pride ourselves on unparalleled hospitality. We invite you into our home, offer you a drink, and run around to please. Sometimes this hospitality, however, takes a toll on the host or hostess.  It can be tiring to serve (even when with love).

Today I gave a couple of building tours of our Southern Progress facilities to a group of well-mannered and very attentive high schoolers.  As I was getting ready this morning, I put emphasis on looking my best--what I forgot to do was put emphasis on comfort.  I really wanted to serve the groups well as possible and be a good (and good-looking) hostess. So, I decided on a pair of spiked heels. 

You guessed it. By the end of the second one-hour tour, my feet were killing me.  I have a co-worker who says it's better to look good than feel good.  While I most of the time accept that as true advice, I would have given my right arm today for a pair of flats!!

Healthy footwear is a balance between style and comfort.  Check out our Southern Living shoe story, "Fall in Love with Comfy Shoes."

Look what I got in a press e-mail today!   You have got to watch this video of this arm fat concealer--Rachel Ray is wearing it!!!

http://www.flabulessu.com/video.html

Many of you are trying to save money, any way you can. The economy has worsened, plus you still have a long holiday shopping list. Welcome to the world of frugalistas.

Or to borrow a Jeff Foxworthy phrase, you know you're a frugalista when ...

• You're a stay-at-home mom looking to work at home, too (but trying to avoid the scams).
• You're trading coupons on eBay. [More tips from Al's Morning Meeting at Poynter.]
• You never miss updates from the Frugalista Files, written by Natalie McNeal of the Miami Herald. Hot tip for shopping at the Salvation Army and other thrift stores: "*Make friends with the sales associates at the stores. Tell them what you are looking for and they will let you know if it enters the store. For instance, if you need a a size 10 little black dress, let the friendly associates know and if they like you, they will be alert you when the store has it available."
• You weigh in on your favorite money-saving tips, as these NPR listeners did for this entry. Rachel says, "Hooray for closet shopping! My girlfriends and I used to regularly trade paper bags full of clothes, with the implicit understanding that if you didn't like it, you could donate it to Goodwill. To me this is even better than shopping for new clothes, because I get to share a part of my friends' lives, and share my life with them."
• You prefer the term to recessionista.

How are y'all pinching pennies these days?

---

Related posts:

• Leftover Madness
• At the Pharmacy: A Prescription for Time (and Gas) Savings

We all know beauty is only skin deep, but having great skin is part genetics and part maintenance.  I have a friend who follows certain beauty rituals every day and her skin is flawless.  Personally, I wash my face with a certain soap that my mother recommended and wear sunscreen 365 days a year, rain or shine. That's about it.

What about you? Help us by answering the following question. Your answer could appear in an upcoming issue of Southern Living!

When it comes to keeping your skin beautiful, tell us about the best tip that has been passed on to you.

Please send your tip to healthyliving@southernliving.com.

Your above submission to SouthernLiving.com, including contact information, gives us the right to modify, use, distribute, reproduce, publish and display the submission indefinitely in all media, means, and forms without any payment to you.  You hereby represent that you haven't copied the content from a book, magazine, newspaper, or other commercial source.

Here’s a great article I found in the Miami Herald about how to achieve your most beautiful self.  Much of what you need for healthy skin, hair, and more is right there in the aisles of the supermarket, rather than the aisles of a beauty store. 

The article says:

The best way to look healthy and attractive may not be inside a $100 jar of cream or under a surgeon's knife. Rather, what you put on your plate may be just as important as what you put on your skin.

An increasing number of studies and clinical trials are underlining the importance of ''beauty foods'' -- super-nourishing fruits, vegetables, nuts, teas and other everyday foods that may replace a trip to the spa with a stop at the neighborhood grocery store.

Did you know that eating salmon and other foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids could result in fewer wrinkles? That you could brighten your smile with cranberries? That spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard contain vitamins that help produce an oily substance that acts as a natural hair conditioner?

Now, I’m not one to mix up pastes and potions at home, but if I’m about to have an entrée and know that my nails and skin have been dull lately, I’ll probably opt for a fish dish with that lovely Omega-3 fatty acid.  According to the article:

Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain cell membranes so they allow water and nutrients in and keep toxins out. Foods rich in omega-3s -- wild salmon, walnuts, flax, canola oil, soybeans and sardines -- also seem to be able to protect skin against sun damage, according to Bauer.

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/health/top-story/story/687585.html

I'm fascinated by new technology designed to help us live a healthier life. Recently I've written about treadmill desks and iPhones. My newest healthy gadget find: iPosture.

Invented by a husband and wife team of neurologists in Memphis, Tennessee, iPosture is a small, non-invasive device designed to tell you when your posture falls into a slouch.