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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.
Los Angeles, CA – One of the American Film Institute’s high-profile film festivals is once again here, in Hollywood: the much-anticipated AFI Fest. Running from November 4th-11th, the festival and related events will take place at: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Egyptian Theatre, The Mann Chinese 6 Theatres, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (home of the nightly red carpet premieres). For the second year in a row, AFI Fest will offer free tickets to all of its screenings, with the support of event sponsor Audi. Check the AFI website for more information on getting your free tickets. Click 
Denver, CO – The fourth annual Denver Arts Week is November 5-13, 2010. Denver Arts Week will celebrate the Mile High City’s vibrant arts and cultural scene with more than 200 events and a kickoff weekend featuring “Know Your Arts First Friday” art walks in eight neighborhoods; more than a dozen free museums hosting extended hours on a Saturday night; and Denver’s on Stage offering week-long discounts, deals, and extra special programming by performing arts organizations. Click 
Atlanta, GA – Learn to create Mexico’s most famous moles at home this Monday, November 8th 2010 at Rosa Mexicano’s Día de los Muertos Mole Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon. Attendees learn how to prepare three distinctive moles and enjoy a luncheon. The demonstration is $35 per person. Click 
Detroit, Michigan – The 5th Annual Veterans Day Parade this Saturday, November 6th 2010 – gives Detroiters a chance to pay homage to its veterans as they march down Woodward Avenue to Hart Plaza. The parade is sponsored by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition and is the only tribute in Michigan recognized by the VA – starting at Woodward Avenue & Temple - Downtown Detroit. Click 
Long Island, NY – The New York Islanders Special Hockey Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The all-day event, which starts at 1 pm, will feature Islanders alumni assisting developmentally disabled children and adults in an on-ice clinic and exhibition. The Islanders will host the Long Island Blues, the Island’s only developmentally disabled hockey team, and other members of the American Special Hockey Association. Tickets to the event are $35 and can be purchased by contacting Cliff Gault of the New York Islanders at (516) 501-6763. The tickets include admission to the Islanders-Flyers game that evening at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Long Island Blues and New York State Disabled Hockey. Click 
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 
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