Is it just us, or have you looked up and seen holiday decorations everywhere you go? Starting to get save- the- dates to parties and calls from relatives about who is doing the cooking? Wondering how you are going to do it all and actually enjoy the meaning of the season?

With Thanksgiving a little more than a week away, we're soon to be in the middle of one of the happiest -- and potentially stressful -- times of the year. To help you keep feeling good in the coming weeks, we'll bring you some of our favorite tips here at Live Healthy.

To kick things off, here's a Southern Living Web Exclusive with Molly Gold, who is the subject of a story in our December issue. Molly, a North Carolina resident, is the founder and CEO of GoMom Inc., a business devoted to helping women of all ages and life stages control their schedules.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Molly and her family during a photo shoot last summer, and enjoyed learning the time management tips she uses to stay organized. In fact I left so inspired I created my own family command center, a bulletin board that helps me keep track of everything from permission slips to party invites.

We think you'll enjoy her tips too -- to stay organized now and all year.

We'd love to know: how are you staying organized this holiday season? Please share your tips with us!

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.

My friends used to tell me that I was an old lady, because I'd always try to get to sleep around 10 p.m.  I thought that was a respectable time to be in bed, and necessary, considering the fact that I get up at 6 a.m. during the weekdays to get ready for work.

If I'm really tired, I can fall asleep in just a few minutes. However, when I'm restless, it can be quite a battle finding that internal snooze button. However, one thing that always works to help me fall asleep is wrapping up in my polar fleece blanket.

I first became attached to having a polar fleece blanket when going to sleep a few years ago, when I was on a long flight and an attendant handed me a thin fleece throw to wrap up in.  It was so soft and cuddly, that it did the trick.  When I got home, I bought a dark gray polar fleece blanket, and soon wore that one out. Now, I have a light blue one that keeps me wrapped up at night. I have to have it to get a good night's rest.

Getting the right amount of sleep is so important in staying healthy--physically and mentally. According to a Washington Post article:

"The amount of necessary sleep varies from person to person, with some breezing through their days on just a few hours' slumber and others barely functioning without a full 10 hours, experts say. But most people apparently need between about seven and nine hours, with studies indicating that an increased risk for disease starts to kick in when people get less than six or seven, experts say."

On the other hand, according to Harvard University research, getting the right amount of sleep can help your:

• Memory
• Metabolism
• Cognitive functions
• Body repair tissue

So, it seems that my polar fleece blanket is, in a way helping me to stay well by helping me get to sleep. 

We want to hear from you: "What kind of nighttime rituals do you have to prepare for a good night's sleep?"     

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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

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.

I just got my first electric bill and my mouth gaped at the numbers waiting for me at the bottom of the page.  I thought I had minimized my AC use and turned lights off whenever I left a room.  And I live in a Studio, how much electricity can one small girl use in 500 square feet?  According to Alabama Power Company, quite a bit.

This bit of info has thrown a wrench in my limited intern budget.  I need to make changes and fast.  Plus it's just the motivation I need to put a serious dent in my carbon footprint too.  I've discovered there are more green options in my new southern way of life than fried green tomatoes.  I'm starting small and working my way up.  I just bought eco bulbs for about $2.50 each and swapped out my standard energy guzzlers.  These use 75% less electricity and should last 13 times longer.  So far I'm sold, they are bright enough for evening reading and give off a subtle blue glow that's surprisingly relaxing.  I'm actually quite excited because it's not only going to help my finances but give the environment a much deserved boost.  And that too will bring a smile to my face.

We want to hear from you:

Tell us about how you incorporate organic, all-natural and earth-friendly products into your daily life. Please leave your thoughts in the "Comments" section below.

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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

A few weeks ago, I thought that I had found it. Sure, I was leaving on an early morning flight, but I'd dropped my son off at school on time, packed my bags (even remembering all the chargers and files I needed for the trip), and had allowed sufficient time to get to the airport. As a mom who frequently travels for work, I work hard to find balance in my day-to-day.

Then it happened: with one good intentioned wipe of the kitchen counter tops I managed to get bleach all over my dress. Then the cell phone rang: I'd forgotten my son's nap mat. After changing faster than Linda Carter in a phone booth and rushing to his school, I realized I'd left my laptop back at the office.

Ah, balance.

It's something my friends and I spend a lot of time talking about, thinking about, and in my case, writing about. We may be at different life stages and with different circumstances, but the themes are similar: how do we manage our time so that we are physically and emotionally healthy? Or at least not completely frazzled? It's the subject of much discourse, from the blogosphere to the boardroom.

Finding balance is an ongoing process. Some of the things that help me are blocking out time on the weekends that are "errand free" -- time to take my son to the park or go to the farmer's market. I also practice yoga, which helps relieve stress and keeps me focused. And when all else fails, I turn up music and have a mini dance break. Dancing -- and humor -- help me relieve stress and then get back to the things that are most important.

Question: How do you find balance in your life? Please let us know 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.

As Southerners, we love to entertain. Now that summer is in full gear, it's a great time to take your party outdoors and do it with style.

Today Southern Living's Kristi Crowe shared our tips for stylish outdoor entertaining on the CBS Early Show. This look features colorful, eco-friendly tableware -- a lot more fun than boring old white plates and plastic cups.

Kristi demonstrates three looks: classic, bold, and relaxed. Check out the video below, and for sources check out this link.

Unwinding with friends and surrounding yourself with green tableware: good for your spirit and the environment!

Related Links:

Southern Living Live Healthy: Recipes for summer entertaining

Southern Living: Healthy Appetizer Party

 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.’”

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

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.

  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

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

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

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

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 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.