Will you be in Miami this fall? If so, you’re in luck! While spring and summer are popular times to visit Miami, the city offers tons of spectacular events during the fall. From film and food festivals to art and music events, check out the top 5 fall events in Miami from Hussain al Nowais.

1. bassX – While the Bass Museum of Art is closed for internal expansion, the museum is presenting bassX, a series of solo artist projects, exhibitions, education programs and events. From October 13 to November 15, the work of famed sculptor Rachel Harrison will be on display at the Miami Beach Library across from the museum. Harrison is well-known for her colorful and witty artwork that addresses the conventions of art and mass culture.
2. Italian Film Festival – On October 8 to 13, you can enjoy the best short films and documentaries from Cinema Italia at the Italian Film Festival. The Italian Film Festival has been promoting Italian culture through cinema and art since 2002. The Delano will be the official hotel of the festival and host the Opening Night Party on October 8, while Bianca – one of the top rated Italian restaurants in Miami – will serve as the backdrop of the private Closing Dinner and Award Ceremony on the 13^th. The Regal Cinema in South Beach will screen the best 10 films of 2014-2015 in competition for the Best Film Award.
3. Backyard Bash – On October 10, the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center is kicking off their 2015-2016 season with a free Backyard Bash. On the center’s Concert Lawn you can experience sounds of swing and New Orleans jazz from featured acts, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Hot 8 Brass Band, Aaron Lebos and DJ Le Spam. Food and drinks will be available at the event for purchase.
4. Kitober Festival – Hosted by Miami-Dade Parks and Skyward Parks, the 22^nd Annual Kitober Festival will be held on October 18 at Houlover Park and provide excitement for the whole family. The sky over Miami Beach will be filled with a wide range of colors and figures. You can participate by purchasing or making your own kite or simply come by to enjoy the view with live music and great food.
5. Hess Wines South Beach Seafood Festival – Calling all seafood lovers – celebrate Miami’s wonderful seafood and the kickoff of stone crab season at the Hess Wines South Beach Seafood Festival on October 21 to 24. The festival will feature season selections from celebrity chefs, as well as live music, culinary and mixology demonstrations, a kids’ zone, a health village and VIP hospitality benefits. Ticket prices start at $25 per person and vary depending on the event.

Which fall event are you most looking forward to attending?

When it comes to eating healthy, it’s not just about the foods you eat; it’s also about how you prepare them. There are many kitchen gadgets out there that make whipping up delicious, nutritious meals a lot easier, and some can even help you cut back on excess fat and calories. Take advantage of these four kitchen gadgets for healthy cooking from retired-chef Hussain al Nowais.

1. Immersion Blender – Handheld immersion blenders are great tools for blending ingredients and pureeing food directly in the container. They are perfect for making fruit smoothies, soups and dips. Their slim and functional design lets you easily mix ingredients in pots, cups or bowls.
2. Kitchen Scales and Measuring Cups – Kitchen scales and measuring cups can help you better control your portions and make sure you are not eating more than the recommended amount. A great product for portion control is the Tanita KD-400 compact scale, which measures food in pounds, ounces and grams. For measuring cups, choose a complete set that includes all the major measuring options.
3. Oil Mister – While olive oil is considered a healthy oil, using too much can result in extra calories and fat. Many stovetop recipes call for olive oil, and many people are pouring too much oil in the pan. An oil mister can be filled with any oil you need, and one spritz will cover the whole pan in a single teaspoon of oil, helping you cut excess calories.
4. Portable Food Prep Area – After cooking raw meat, wiping down the counters may not always remove all the germs. A portable food preparation area, such as the WonderTop, makes prepping your favorite meals easy and sanitary. You can use it to cut and season raw meats and then throw it in the dishwasher once you’re done.

Make preparing healthy meals that much easier with these great kitchen gadgets! Which kitchen gadgets do you like most?