The trick or treaters have come and gone and the leaves are bursting their splendid fall colors ... November is officially here! Before things get too hectic planning for the holidays, grab the November issue of Southern Living to check out these features:

Mosey on up to the ranch, for an honest to goodness chat ...

At Home With The Pioneer Woman-- A day in the life of Ree Drummond, the wildly popular Oklahoma blogger who shares her tips and tricks for the busy home cook.

Features Rees very own recipes (cowboy nachos, slow cooked mushrooms, cowboy dip sandwiches -- yum!)

Take in the inspiring sights ...

Why The Everglades Owns My Heart-- SL editor Annette Thompson and photographer Robbie Caponetto shares a glimpse into the gorgeous wilds of Florida.

And in Healthy Living, look for better for you holiday sides, a nonprofit that transforms discarded flowers into bouquets for hospice patients and the retro fun activity of hula hooping for fun and fitness.

Those are just a few of the stories in this month's issue, which is of course full of tips to help you plan for Thanksgiving and the months to come. Sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy.

This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is Katie Anderson of Growing Green, which she describes as a blog "written from the perspective of a Southern, small-town mom with good intentions to be green, but with a lot to learn."  

Katie writes that she is a thirty-something "Green Mama of 2 children, 1 dog, 2 turtles." She blogs about her attempts to help the planet and her family's through things like recycling, planting her own vegetable garden, and learning more about what foods she eats.

Growing Green chronicles Katie's burgeoning green adventure here in the South. She writes:

So, anyhoo, I’ve decided to go green.  Or, greener.  And, I’ve decided to blog about it.  Now, I know if you live in LA or New York, or any city, you are probably way greener than I am.  You were green, when green wasn’t cool.  And you may not remember or even know who Barbara Mandrell is.  But, now green is cool and it’s everywhere to you.  You’re probably going blue now, or some new environmental term I haven’t heard.    However, if you lived in a small town in Georgia like I do, you would not even have recycling curb pickup. 

Katie shares her tips and links to resources that have been helpful to her as she goes green. For that, and for the fact that she is sharing her journey of helping the environment Southern style, we recognize her as the Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week!

Want to recommend a Southern blogger to be featured on Live Healthy? Drop us a line here, or on our Twitter account:

@livehealthyblog

Related Links:

Southern Living: 22 Easy Ways To Save The Earth

Southern Living: Eco Friendly Kitchen

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.

This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is Jen Houck of One Mom's World. Jen (pictured at left with her family) is a North Carolina work at home mom of two girls ages four and six and has been blogging since 2005.

Jen's chronicles daily life, including her healthy weight loss journey. So far she's lost 55 lbs toward her 70 lbs. goal.

Here she is sharing a video update on how she feels healthier since making exercise a daily part of her life (she swears by EA Sports for the Nintendo Wii.)

"I'm just so happy with myself," she says. "I feel like I'm a better example to my girls."

One of our favorite posts on her blog is one about ice skating with her best friend and their families, which puts us in the mood for cold weather activities that are on the horizon:

"You see it has been about 11 years since we both had been. We went together with my church youth group at the time and how neat it was that we went back together 11 years later. This time we got to share in the experience with our children. Let’s just say the children way outdid us. There were falls into the puddles (that would be muah and her daughter M), there was plowing into the sides of the ice skating rink, there were times we wouldn’t let go of the rails, there were times we skated around with the Kid’s bar haha… it was just some plain ole genuine fun ..."

You've inspired us Jen, and for that, you are this week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week!

Also, kudos to the the women of MamaLaw, who organized the successful Blogalicious Conference held in Atlanta last weekend!

     Keep them coming ladies! If you have a mom you'd like to nominate for Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week, please let us know.

Related Links:

Lost: One Tiny Celebrity (Or the Equivalent Thereof)

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

Southern Living: Cool Weather Comfort, Warm and Hearty Stews

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

It's Friday afternoon, so grocery stores in the South are packed with people buying food to go with their football watching.

Regardless of your team, who doesn't love a tailgate? This season Live Healthy will bring you some of our favorite recipes and tips for tailgating -- healthy style.

Today we bring you a slide show from Health Magazine packed with delicious recipes:

A Healthy Take on Your Tailgate.

Pictured here is the white bean and bacon dip with rosemary pita chips. What a surprise and departure from plain old chips and dip, right?

Stay tuned for more tailgate tips as the season continues, and please let us know about your tailgate traditions!

Southern Living: Game Day Drink Recipes

Southern Living: Tailgate Cooler Packing Tips

If you or your coworkers are tuned in to the latest crazy headlines, like me, you probably read this shocker, FDA says residue is frog or toad, about a can of diet soda.  A man had a gross surprise instead of a refreshing sip when he popped the top on his drink on a beach in Florida.  But the standard ingredients in an untainted can make you wonder about reaching for that soda.

I can't pinpoint the exact day, but sometime during high school I realized soda had fallen out of my diet.  I gravitated  to water and 100% juice, simply losing my craving for super sweet drinks.  I feel more refreshed and have more consistent energy after an icy glass of water than an occasional soda.   

I'd rather play it safe and keep myself hydrated with more natural drinks.  It's easy since they are likely already in your home and ready to keep up with your busy schedule.  My full water bottle is glued to my side to remind me to sip throughout my day.  When it feels heavy I know I need to up my intake.

If you're craving something with a bit more oomph,  I can't resist a cup of green tea packed with antioxidants to boost metabolism and just enough caffeine to perk me up.  As a special treat I'll flavor my water or splurge on a carbonated version.  The bubbles tickle my taste-buds and bring a smile to my face.

How do you stay hydrated during these waning warm days of summer?

Tailgating Menus

Drink Your Fruits

Mayo Clinic's drink recommendations

 I can't stop talking about my great weekend.  Partly because it was an ideal active and social one and partly because my sore muscles won't let me forget it . After days of thunderstorms and unpredictable cloudy skies, I was tired of camping out in my apartment. My comfy chair and watching "Friends" re-runs wasn't cutting it. The mild weather was begging me to come outside and play, so I did.  I stayed in my apartment complex, but I kicked my cabin fever with the help of a new tennis racket, an empty court and some fellow interns.

Saturday evening was perfect for tennis, at least in my novice opinion, with a light breeze and low humidity. Maddie from Southern Living's Home & Garden and Jodi from Coastal Living and I chased the little green balls to the far reaches of the court with revised rules to keep the volleys going.  We only launched two balls over the fence, so I consider it a successful outing for we three beginners.

I only started playing tennis one year ago, but I'm hooked. It's a total body workout that doesn't feel like one, until my muscles start screaming at me the next day.  And best of all I get to share the experience and the great cardio with friends.

After two hours we were ready for a refreshing energy boost.  I knew exactly what would hit the spot: popsicles.  Natural Choice Full of Fruit bars work with my exercise routine and not against it like other frozen delicacies.  The pomegranate berry bar is my favorite; with Certified Organic fruit, unexpected nutrient packed ingredients like beet juice and only 60 calories.

I think another popsicle could be a remedy for my achy arms, along with a warm bubble bath.

What revives you after a tough sweat-session?

Related Links:

Southern Living: Keep Your Cool

Cooking Light coaches Tennis

Cooking Light's post-workout foods

With back to school on our brains, we have a new tool to help you and your family navigate your busy schedules.

MyRecipes.com has debuted a new feature: Kid Approved: Food, Fun, And Family Ideas For Busy Moms. (MyRecipes.com is a hub of thousands of recipes from Southern Living, Cooking Light, and our sister publications.)

To kick things off, each day in August they'll post a new Kid Approved recipe -- perfect for back to school meal planning. Having trouble getting your kiddo motivated to get up in the morning? Check out this recipe for a Breakfast Pizza Cup.

Some of our other favorites:

Smart Snacks For Kids -- the puffed up chocolate chip cookies are healthier because they're made with applesauce

Veggies Your Kids Will Eat -- check out what their expert panel (kids ages 4 to 11) loved   

Check it out, and let us know what you're serving your kids as you make the transition back to school.

In the South school tends to start earlier than it does for our northern neighbors. So for some of us, kids are going back as early as next week. (Insert cheers from Moms and Dads alike!) These can be big jumps -- kids starting at new schools holding backpacks containing sharpened pencils, with nerves all over the place.

I remember being so excited and nervous the first day of school I passed out in homeroom. As in literally, right on top of my Earth Sciences text.

(That's me to the left with the Strawberry Shortcake ensemble and bowl cut.)

Granted, this was also Florida, where it's in the mid-90s at the beginning of the school year.

Yeah, I didn't earn any cool points that day. What can I say -- I was excited about diagramming sentences and competing in the science fair. Go ahead, laugh. It's kind of funny.

The moral of the story: sometimes that first day doesn't go as smoothly as we plan.

But, here are some tips and resources to help you minimize first day of school drama:

5. Prepare The Teacher -- Some schools offer tours and "meet the teacher" sessions. Regardless, make sure your child's teacher knows of any special needs or medical issues. Here's a list of ten things to ask the teacher about your child's academic experience.

Let us know: What's your favorite back-to-school memory? What are your family traditions to get your kiddos ready for the start of a new year?

My mom took our picture on the first day of school in front of a tree in the yard. We can't be the only ones who did something like this!

Please share your memories and back-to-school tips.

Related Links:

BlondeMomBlog: Back to School Traditions

KidsHealth.org - Going Back to School

MSNBC: Tips To Calm Your Child's First-Day Jitters

I just moved to Birmingham from Chicago to joing the Healthy Living team as an intern for Southern Living and in three short weeks I've had a crash course in life below the Mason-Dixon line.  My first lesson was sweet tea at Mary Mac's Tea Room,  a local favorite and recommended by a friend born and raised in Atlanta. It fulfilled all my expectations for southern hospitality and scrumptious barbeque, but I was there for the tea.  It's a tea room, technically, after all.

I laughed when the waiter offered un-sweet tea, what's the fun in that?  But after my third icy glass I began to regret my sugar overload.  The initial high gave me a boost to glide through local boutiques and walk along Peachtree street but the crash sent my energy plummeting.  I remembered why I avoid sugary drinks and keep my cupboard stocked with Splenda for my morning coffee. 

But recent research is hinting that these sweet substitutes may cause a similar energy roller-coaster and longterm consequences for you and even the environment, yikes. Scientists found traces of these sugary pinch hitters in the water supply, even after water has been treated.  In the average quantities, the common artificial sweeteners are unlikely to cause major illness but who knows what researchers could turn up next.  And once I tried this Southern specialty, I don't think I can give it up. 

I can be smarter about my sweeteners, at least in my own kitchen.  I plan to try this recent Southern Living recipe for a slightly sweet substitute using honey.

What about you: What's your favorite sweet tea?

Related Links:

Southern Living: Top 10 Tea Rooms in Texas

Health: Fewer Sugary Drinks Key to Weight Loss

National Cancer Institute on Artificial Sweeteners

New York Times: Showdown at the Coffee Shop

As a mom of a toddler, I'm constantly battling the lure of not so healthy food. Everywhere we turn it seems like there are chicken nuggets, pizza and processed meals that look oh so delicious to a three year old. They're called convenience foods for a reason -- they are convenient.

But as someone who has written about health issues for more than a decade, I know that the healthiest diet is one filled with vegetables and fruit (preferably locally grown), with little or no additives and processing.

I'm not going to lie -- every now and then my son gets chicken nuggets. But I'm increasingly questioning what goes into the food that ends up on our table.

I've been going to the local farmer's market on Saturdays to stock up on the beautiful fresh produce that's in abundance in the South. (We've been loving these fresh Chilton County peaches I bought last weekend.)

When we buy meat, I'm looking for cuts that are hormone and antibiotic free. And I try to remember to keep reusable bags in the car for spur of the moment grocery runs.

These are all small changes, but changes that I hope will result in better healthy for my family, and for the environment.

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.

Related Links:

Southern Living: Eat Local, Eat Fresh - Cooking With Kamala

Southern Living: Eco-Friendly Family Ideas

 Enough with celebrities in bikinis boasting about their weight loss (thanks to trainers and personal chefs and paydays dependent on looking good)! I prefer the story of a real Southern woman making it happen through hard work, willpower, and smart advice from the pros at Cooper Wellness Clinic in Dallas.

Meet Peg Williams. 

Peg was a member of my class at Cooper Wellness Program last June. (I wrote about the program for our January 2009 issue. )The Austin resident had recently turned 50 and weighed 275 pounds. As senior vice-president of research and development for a computer company, Peg spends most of her days traveling. The challenges of staying healthy while on the road were formidable. The road was winning. “I finally got to the point where my fat clothes were tight. I knew I needed to do something. I just had to get it drilled into my head that this was about my health,” Peg said. “I saw myself in this high risk category, facing all kinds of health problems.”

Her initial physical exam at Cooper revealed high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint pain.

Peg spent a week at Cooper and left with a plan and a new attitude. “No excuses. I’m on the road at least 20 days a month and I have 1,000 excuses. I just said to myself, ‘This is good for you, good for your health. You have to do it.’”

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!

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

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.

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

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.  

Recently at lunch, my friends and I started talking about our weekend plans. "Anything special?" we asked each other.  No!  Our to-do list (going to soccer games, softball games, grocery shopping, planting a garden, cleaning the house, cooking, etc.) fills up our "supposedly" down-time.  But where's the fun in all this multi-tasking?

Sometimes joy comes in treating ourselves to something decadent.

I try to be good as the Healthy Living Editor.  I get up at 4 every day and go to the gym.  I drink my water, try to watch what I eat, and practice portion control.  But let me let you in on a little secret...every now and then I like to have a Coke (a real Coke) and a bag of potato chips.  It's not all the time, but having an occasional indulgence makes me happy.

We all deserve a little treat sometime.  Tell us about your favorite indulgence in the comments section below.

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.

Recently I have been a plane hopping, car driving, lack of sleep having, super busy individual.  I been from coast to coast in last two weeks!  My most recent/current trip has been back home to California.  This weeks adventures were a homecoming for me as I haven't returned to California in about 7 years. Now, when I come visit my family and friends there is one thing I tend to do a lot of...Cook.  Everyone puts in their requests and we go to the store or more than likely many stores, hole-in the wall produce shops, farmers markets, etc., and I end up coated in food smells and my glasses heavily spattered with oil of some kind with a big ol' smile on my face as I feed the people I love.  This trip was no exception.