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Guest Contributor: Miss Cozy
Holiday weight gain seems guaranteed, but the fact is – the holiday season doesn’t mean your scale will become your worst enemy! Some easy ways to prevent holiday weight gain include:
• Practicing portion control – All things in moderation. Keep your serving sizes in check at all times and you really can enjoy your favorite holiday treats without gaining weight
• Stay active during the holidays and those extra pounds won’t creep up on you. A 30-minute brisk walk most days of the week can do wonders for maintaining your waistline. Get outside if the weather permits or hit the mall before it opens for a workout while window-shopping
• Try some new ways to make your holiday meals healthier. Small changes can add up to a big difference. This can be as simple as serving steamed vegetables instead of casseroles or removing skin from the turkey. Just choosing fruit instead of a desserts can save hundreds of calories
• Food cravings are a part of life, but they can be especially daunting during the holidays. You seem to smell or see tempting food nearly everywhere you go. If you can’t avoid food cravings, the best way to fight back is to be prepared with a plan for an alternative activity to eating
(Check out CozyWallet.com for more swank ways to save money, and look good doing it.)
If you have the chance, try to stop by one of these great events this weekend:
Los Angeles, CA – Give thanks by giving back – Volunteer to help out before or during the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium’s community Thanksgiving celebration. The Celebration relies entirely on donations from the local community. On Thanksgiving morning, volunteer chefs line up outside the Santa Monica Civic Center to deliver up to 300 piping hot roasted turkeys between 8 am and 10 am – Click here for more info.
Washington, DC – Reston Town Center hosts many holiday activities including a holiday parade, visits with Santa, a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and much more. The Reston community kicks off the holiday season with a full day celebration on the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 26, 2010. Click here for more info.
Chicago, IL – The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual tradition for Chicago residents, and this year is no different. The parade, which celebrates its 77th year and is sponsored by McDonald’s, will once again march down State Street on Thanksgiving (November 25). Click here for more info.
Lousiville, Kentucky – Stop by Jefferson Square Park to Light Up Louisville from 3pm – 10pm. This day-long celebration draws more than 75,000 attendees and features music, a parade, and a market, ending with the lighting of Jefferson Square and the Louisville Christmas tree. Located at Jefferson Square Park, 6th & Jefferson street, enjoy the Holiday Market, Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk, Winter Wonderland Parade, and the lighting of Jefferson Square and Metro Louisville Christmas tree. Click here for more info.
Long Island, NY – Stop by the Fourth Annual Miracle on Main Street – and Holiday Parade in Sayville, NY this Saturday, November 27th 2010 – starting at 9 a.m. Come see the floats, classics cars, bands and an early-in-the-season appearance by Santa Claus. Miracle on Main Street, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., features a gingerbread house competition, favorite classic movies playing in the streets, a tree lighting, live music and other performances, FREE carousel rides for kids all night and more. Click here for more info.
Huntsville, Alabama – While we’re celebrating culture, we’re also
San Diego, California – Another celebration of culture, will be featured this weekend while *Fiesta de Reyes hosts an Irish-Mexican Festival* on Saturday November 13th. The celebration honors Saint Patrick’s Brigade, a legendary artillery unit led by Irish immigrants who became a one of the Mexican Army’s most highly decorated brigade during the Mexican-American War. Featuring traditional Irish music and a blend of Mexican and Irish food, the event will feature members of the world-famous Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band making a rare appearance in full dress kilts followed by traditional Irish dance and song. In the Fiesta de Reyes plaza, $2 Guinness beers, corned beef tacos and potato flautas will be offered to the celebrants. The event begins at noon and ends at 3:30 pm – click 
Washington, D.C. – This weekend you sample tastes from around the world,especially Italy at the *The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show*. This show will include appearances by Food Network stars Paula Deen, Bobby Flay and newcomer Rachael Ray, as well as cooking demonstrations by award-winning local and national chefs. This event will be held this weekend, November 13-14, 2010 – Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm and Sunday: 10 am – 5pm – Click 
Baltimore, Maryland - While we travel around celebrating culture, stop by the *Maryland Irish Festival*. The 35th annual festival kicks off Friday, November 12th at 6 pm at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The menu features Irish favorites like corned beef and cabbage, plenty o potatoes. Don’t forget some Irish whiskey and beer to wash it all down. While you’re there, enjoy some of these events: Irish baking contest, Darts tournament, Speaker’s tent, Piping lessons, and Men in kilts competition. There’s also traditional Irish music, book readings and signings, and Irish dance on the entertainment bill. Click 
Long Island, New York - A great opportunity to taste culture this week will be at The Fifth Annual *Long Island Restaurant Week*. This promotion offers diners three course, prix fixe meals for $24.95 (not including tax and
Huntsville, Alabama - Who is the angry ghost in the courthouse? What is the story behind the haunting tune phantom children singing while playing on Walker Street? Does time still stand for these spirits? From October 22nd through October 23rd, at 6 pm, enjoy the Huntsville Ghost Walk at Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 South Side Square, Downtown Huntsville. For more info, call (256) 509-3940 or Click 
Orlando, Florida – Park Avenue’s Fourth Annual Fashion Week will include luxurious runway shows and a swanky VIP event. Stores will host trunk shows and welcome the designers for meet-and-greets throughout the week. Admission for the Fashion Show: daytime $20, evening $30 – Enjoy Fashion Week in Florida, which will be celebrating local Fashion Boutiques and the Design Community until October 23rd 2010 – For more info call (843) 478-0396 or click 
Louisville, Kentucky – This Sunday, October 24th at 1pm is the the Louisville’s American Cancer Society’s 13th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk. “We’ve made great strides against breast cancer, but our crusade won’t end until we find the cure. Join us in making strides toward a world with more birthdays!” “Each step you’ll take is personal. And each step will help save lives.” Stop by Waterfront Park to participate. Click 
Detroit Michigan - Beer-related activities at local breweries and bars can only mean Detroit Beer Week is here. This includes a charity beer event at St. Andrews Hall, a multi-chef beer dinner, beer & cheese event, pub crawl, and a bike tour. The week culminates with the 2nd Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market on October 23rd, an event that showcases more than 200 Michigan beers and includes entertainment by Alison Lewis and the String Ponies, Ceremonial Firkin Tapping, and The Octopus. Click 
Memphis, Tennessee - Calling all artists to the RiverArtsFest 2010 this Saturday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 24th with the opportunity to experience:
Phoenix, Arizona – If you’re looking to expand your business and connections, stop by the Arizona Farmer and Chef connection this Monday, October 4th 2010. This is meant to be “a gathering designed to foster collaboration and wholesale direct market opportunities between local farmers, ranchers, chefs and other food buyers who are committed to expanding and strengthening local and seasonal food networks.” Check out their featured speakers, breakout sessions, networking, and a wine and cheese reception at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa – 4949 E Lincoln Drive – Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 Click 
Los Angeles, California - Thanks to the LA County Fair, this rustic festival encourages us to forget those soy lattés and milk some cows, pet some horses, and enjoy some wine, beer and an array of food. Some extra features include the Budweiser Clydesdales, the all Creatures Barnyard Racers – a group of fast racing pigs run through the mud, live music performances from the Summertime Concert Series – some headlining performers have included Jessica Simpson and The Village People, special performances like the aerial high wire show put on by The Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean and Circus regulars like the Stars of the Peking Acrobats from China perform. Click 
Denver, Colorado – “Dust off your running shoes and set your alarm for Sunday, October 3 when 60,000 participants are expected for the 18th annual Komen Denver Race for the Cure. The race, which starts and ends at the Pepsi Center, has three events: the 5K Co-Ed Run/Walk at 7:00am, 5K Co-Ed Walk at 8:00am and the Family 1-Mile Fun Walk at 9:00am.” Click 
New Orleans, Louisiana – Oktoberfest is done New O’leans style.. Featuring live bands, German food and beer, wine and schnapps, and Souvenirs from Germany – it’s held every year at Deutsches Haus, which is located at 200 S. Galvez Street in New Orleans. The Haus opens at 5:00 PM each Friday and 1:30 pm Saturday through October 25th – Meals are available at 5:00 PM until 10:45 PM. Click 
St. Louis, Missouri – The best restaurants in town will be showing off their finest dishes at the 2010 Taste of St. Louis. This three day event features food, art, music, cooking demonstrations and more. The Taste of St. Louis is held at Soldiers Memorial at 12th and Market Streets in downtown St. Louis. Click 
Denver, Colorado – Now that Fall is officially here, the Denver Botanic Gardens has put together one of the most ‘attended’ corn mazes in the country! “Maze design is cut in the shape of a marmot (a large ground squirrel native to the Rocky Mountains that is also the mascot for the new Mordecai Children’s Garden at the Gardens’ York Street location).” Enjoy tasty fall treats from their food vendors, two observation bridges that provide a bird’s eye view to help you navigate, and Hayrides as well as pony rides will be available on the weekends for an additional cost. Click 
Washington, DC – September is known as Hispanic Heritage Month, so to celebrate traditions, this weekend – September 26th 2010, enjoy the Latino Festival hosted in Washington DC, also known as Fiesta DC. This is an annual celebration featuring highlights of the Latino culture with a Parade of Nations, a children’s festival, a science fair, a diplomatic pavilion for embassies and consulates, arts & crafts, and international cuisine. The free festival is huge and takes over the Columbia Heights neighborhood bringing together dozens of non profit organizations, community leaders, and members of the community. This Sunday, September 26th from 11 am til 7 pm Parade: 1:30 pm til 3:30 pm – Located at Mt. Pleasant St. NW, between Argonne Pl. and Park Rd., Washington, DC. Click 
Atlanta, Georgia – Fall couldn’t be a more perfect time of year to enjoy an outdoors-y afternoon with friends, without heat exhaustion! This Saturday, September 25th 2010, check out the Miller Lite Chili Cookoff Festival at Stone Mountain. Running from 10am until 7pm, stop by for a fun filled day of beer, music and chili from around 300 chili booths that will be providing free samples. Located at Stone Mountain Park, GA; Coliseum Meadow (Special Events Area) Click 
Great Neck, New York – Antique Cars for sale, international food and live music by the Meade Brothers – what more could you ask for from a Car Festival?? This Sunday from 12pm til 5pm, stop by the Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival. There will also be a petting zoo, pony rides and carnival rides. Classic cars like the Alco-6 Racer – winner of the 1909 and 1910 Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Race, will be displayed as well. Click 
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