We're excited to partner with Christy Jordan of SouthernPlate.com in our NEW Quick-Fix Suppers how-to video series that will help you spend less time in the kitchen, and more time around the table with your family!

Here's a little of what you can expect:
• Daily time-saving tips every week 
• Meal ideas with Christy Jordan anytime! 
• Hundreds of recipes, ideas, and tips for family suppers
• Quick fixes for chicken, beef, pasta and more!

All of these ideas will be quick, simple, budget friendly, and really tasty!

To celebrate, we're giving away 10 copies of our book Quick Fixes with Mixes: Fast Favorites Using Bagged, Boxed, and Bottled Ingredients--5 here, and 5 on SouthernPlate.com.

How to Enter: Describe for us here in 50 words or less your favorite Quick Fix Supper Tip or Trick. Entries should be typed into the comments field of this blog post. Entries are due by Saturday, May 7 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Head over to SouthernPlate.com for another chance to win!

Editors will select their favorite based on originality, creativity, and how well you address our question. Winner will be notified via email by Monday, May 9. For full contest rules, click here. 

Most of you guys know me as food stylist and TK pro here are the magazine. Often times we write about our day to day hijinks at the magazine, wonderful products we find from around the south or answer your reader questions on the blog. Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to be the Wellness Guest Editor of the month for Newbalance.com. Each month New Balance invites an individual to share their personal approach to fitness, nutrition, motivation, and time. Well this month they asked me!!! I know crazy but I was thrilled and honored to be asked.  So of course I thought ya'll would enjoy taking a peak on how I juggle my busy work life, continue to explore my passion of healthy food, and balance my family obligations. Plus I share some silly anecdotes and fast recipes on how my husband Lee and I keep it all together. Give it a read and tell me what you think, I'd love to hear what works for your family. Enjoy!

Tweet with Scott Jones @ScottJonesin and Christy Jordan @SouthernPlate and win cookbooks!

Monday, October 11
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Central
#SouthCooks

Our experts, Scott Jones from Southern Living and Christy Jordan from SouthernPlate.com, will be discussing the fresh flavors and beloved food traditions of the South. Join the conversation with hashtag #SouthCooks to contribute, ask questions, and win cookbooks!

We will be giving away a copy of Southern Living Classic Southern Desserts cookbook and Southern Plate cookbook by Christy Jordan every 15 minutes during the party.

How to Enter to Win Southern Desserts Cookbook

Twitter Users: Comment on this post and share share your twitter name and your favorite Southern food. Comments must be posted by 12 p.m. Central.
Facebook Users: Post a link to this blog post on your Facebook wall. Comment on this post and share a link to your Facebook profile and your favorite Southern food. Comments must be posted by 12 p.m. Central.

Cookbook Giveaway Rules

Enter to win Southern Plate: Go to SouthernPlate.com and share your twitter name and favorite Southern food in the comments section. Comments must be posted by 12 p.m. Central.

We recommend joining the Twitter party on TweetChat, http://tweetchat.com/room/southcooks. Simply follow the link and log in with your Twitter name and password. This site will constantly refresh new tweets and automatically add the hashtag #SouthCooks to tweets you write. The site does not count your characters, so you might want to use another tool to do so.

The forward-thinking folks at Underdog Wine Merchants have introduced a line of high-quality wines (that are, frankly, a real bargain!) in their Octavin Home Wine Bar collection -- all packaged in stylish 3-liter octagonal boxes.

More Giveaways: Be sure to follow Eating My Words and Live Healthy blogs, "like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to learn about future giveaways. 

 Q:

-Melissa ‘Missy’ Dyches, Via Facebook

We're giving away 25 copies of our new book,  1,001 Ways To Cook Southern! Our most comprehensive cookbook ever published, its 928 pages are packed with all the distinctlyv Southern recipes, tips, and menus you love. Learn how to bake flawless fluffy biscuits and the perfect praline, straight from our test kitchen, plus so much more.

Thinking about getting away for the weekend? Greenville, SC has something to offer.  After recently spending a couple of days eating my way through this small town, with big attitude, I can honestly say it was much more than I expected.  It has all the charm that you would expect a city of its size to have, and a cultural overtone that may surprise you. Check out the line-up at the Peace Center (Greenville's top notch performing arts center).

Best places to eat in Greenville, SC

Soby's By far the best shrimp and grits I've ever had! Thanks to Chef Shaun and Carl Sobocinski for their hospitality. The restaurant has a casual elegance that makes you feel comfortable and welcomed!

The Lazy Goat Please, please, please try the truffle fries! Chef Vicky Moore's creative menu will have you wondering how many things you can actually fit on your table.

High Cotton (photo at left) The food here is clean, and simple. Chef Anthony Gray's menu highlights locally grown ingredients, but his creativity brings his recipes to life.

Devereaux's (photo at right) If you're looking for a special dinner, you have to try Devereaux's. I highly recommend an orb! (If it's on the menu, which changes.) Everything I ate was fantastic, though. If you want to feel less formal, have a seat in their beautiful bar area.

Rick Erwin's West End Grille If you love steak, like I love steak, I highly recommend Rick Erwin's. Bring your appetite! This place is exactly what you want from a steak and seafood house. Beautifully decorated, attention paid to every detail and one of the best steak's in town. Rick Erwin's experience in the restaurant industry really shines through.

American Grocery Last but definitely not least! My new favorites: farro and sea island red peas. Chef Joe Clarke's appreciation for locally grown ingredients translates into food that is harmonious and unpretentious. I think you'll love this place as much as I did!

There's a wonderful Westin Poinsett Hotel located right in the heart of the city. The rooms are spacious, the location is unmatched, and the breakfast is five star. Say hello to the GM, Fabian Unterzaucher.

And if I haven't said enough about Greenville already, I have to tell you that they have a food and wine festival this month (Sept 23rd-26th) that is a must see. Chefs from all over come in for just a weekend to give you a show you won't likely forget. Food, wine, and music; what else can you ask for?  Check it out!  Euphoria Food and Wine Festival.

Congratulations to Cheryl Holmes from Memphis, TN (home of some of our favorite BBQ), winner of last week's Big Book of BBQ giveaway. 

Winning Comment: Labor day is the coming together of my remaining family, my mom, sister, brother, their kids and mine. Reminiscing of relatives who have passed on and cooking the recipes passed down and thanking God for all our blessings.

We enjoyed reading about all of your Labor Day celebration traditions. Thanks for sharing!

Get the Cookbook: Southern Living's Big Book of BBQ is available for purchase online and in retail stores.

More Barbecue Recipes: We also have tons of tasty recipes online.

More Giveaways: Be sure to follow Eating My Words and Live Healthy blogs, "like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to learn about future giveaways. 

If you love cheese like we do, here's a great deal: get a $5 off coupon for Kraft cheese and dairy products, and Kraft will donate 5 meals to Feeding America hunger-relief charity. Print the coupon on Kraft's site.

Kraft will also donate one meal for Feeding America if you sign up to join the huddle to fight hunger. It's super simple to do.

Then try out your dairy staples with one of our favorite recipes:

Shredded Cheddar Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese (pictured)

Sour Cream Recipe: Caramelized Onion Dip

Cream Cheese Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

What is your favorite cheese or dairy product, and how do you like to prepare it?