For snowbirds looking to escape the cold and snow, Miami is a wonderful place to spend the holiday season. When you’re not relaxing on the beach, you can celebrate the season with these fantastic holiday events. Here are the best holiday events in Miami from resident Hussain al Nowais.

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Santa’s Enchanted Forest is one of Miami’s favorite holiday traditions. Featuring over 100 amusement rides, carnival games, shows and attractions, Santa’s Enchanted Forest is the largest holiday theme park in the world. The winter wonderland themed amusement park features exciting rides for the whole family, including kiddie rides, roller coasters for all levels, and thrill rides like the Mega Drop and Windstorm. In addition to the wonderful rides, you can enjoy a great selection of carnival treats, including funnel cakes and fresh donuts, and the kids can get their photo take with Santa and his helpers. The park is open from 5 p.m. to midnight. Visit the official website for more information and ticket prices.

Zoo Lights and Holiday Gifts for the Animals at Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is hosting several special holiday events this year, including Zoo Lights and Holiday Gifts for the Animals. The Zoo Lights attraction features over half a million bright, animal-shaped lights and sparkling tree lights. Along with experiencing the fabulous light display, you can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, carousel rides, Yuletide carolers, pictures with Santa, shopping and more. With the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas, Zoo Lights is open every night from December 18 to 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Humans aren’t the only ones who love the holiday season— animals love it too! Watch the zoo animals enjoy their holiday presents and special treats at Holiday Gifts for the Animals. Each day has several event times when you can see all kinds of animals, from jaguars, elephants and kangaroos to lions, otters and tortoises, open and play with their gifts. Refer to the official website for event details and pricing.

The Nutcracker at Miami City Ballet

Join one of America’s most-beloved dance companies as they perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. With performances set for December 17 through Christmas Eve, you can watch as Marie and her Nutcracker Prince travel through a winter wonderland featuring sugar plum fairies, dancing snowflakes, and heroic toy soldiers. Visit the official website for show times and ticket prices.

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?

Known for its white sandy beaches, unique culture and bountiful wildlife, it’s no wonder travelers from around the world visit Hawaii each year. Hussain al Nowais is a frequent traveler who loves Hawaii for its magnificent views and plethora of outdoor activities. Read on for his top reasons to visit Hawaii.

1. Hawaii is fun for everyone – Hawaii is the perfect travel destination for any occasion, whether you’re on your honeymoon or spending time with friends and family. With so much to do, there’s an activity that caters to everyone. For honeymooners that seek romance and relaxation, Hawaii has world-class spa resorts, where you and your partner can be pampered and enjoy the picturesque ocean views. For families, you can relax on the beach, as well as go hiking, surfing, paddle boarding and snorkeling.
2. Hawaii has magnificent scenery – With Hawaii, you don’t have to choose between a beach and mountain vacation. Hawaii gives you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the sound of the crystal blue waves crashing against the shoreline and watch the sun set over the ocean. You can also experience the breathtaking views of one of Hawaii’s remarkable volcanoes.
3. Hawaii offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure – Hawaii provides the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. After you’ve enjoyed a morning mimosa on the beach, you can take up kayaking, paddle boarding and scuba diving. If you’re visiting in the winter, check out the Pipeline surf competition. Pipeline has the biggest waves in the world.
4. Hawaii has spectacular food – If you’re a foodie like Hussain al Nowais, then you’ll love Hawaii for the food. The Aloha State is a cultural melting pot and has great cuisine from all over the world, including Mexico, Japan, Korea and Thailand. And, of course, don’t forget to try the fresh local food of the native Hawaiians.

With busy work schedules and family life, many people don’t have enough time in their day to put in a full workout at the gym. If you fall into that category don’t worry; you can still maintain a regular fitness routine without having to head to the gym. Walking is a convenient exercise that requires no equipment and produces many physical and mental health benefits. Plus, you can walk anywhere and anytime, such as during your lunch break.

Consider these 5 major health benefits of walking every day from Hussain al Nowais:

1. Lowers your risk for disease – Walking regularly can reduce your risk for developing various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, asthma and some cancers. Walking can also help lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.
2. Reduces stress – Walking lets you remove yourself from the stressful circumstances of everyday life. Walking outside, especially, moves your focus to other things and makes you feel more calm and relaxed.
3. Strengthens bones – Walking is a weight-bearing activity that strengthens bones and increases bone density. In doing so, the exercise helps you maintain healthy joints and ward off conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Walking can also be tolerated by people with arthritis and osteoporosis and help them improve their condition.
4. Aids weight loss – While you won’t shed your unwanted pounds over night, when paired with a healthy diet walking can help you lose weight. Walking for 30 minutes at a brisk pace burns about 200 calories. After about 3 or 4 weeks of power walking, you’ll begin to notice a slimmer, more toned physique.
5. Gives you energy – Believe it or not, but a brisk walk actually makes you more energized. Walking improves circulation and increases oxygen supply to the cells in your body, making you feel more alert and energized. It also makes you feel less sluggish by awakening joints and lessening muscle tension. Going for a brisk walk in the morning could be just what you need to kick off your day.

Summer’s here in full swing, which means it’s finally time for your much anticipated summer vacation. Before you pack your bags and set out for the airport, follow these summer travel tips from experienced traveler Hussain al Nowais:

1. Arrive Early – From difficult airport parking to crowded check-in lines to long security checkpoints, it’s important that you arrive to the airport early. Unless you’re traveling over a holiday weekend, you can’t really anticipate how crowded the airport will be. It’s recommended to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Arriving early will make the travel experience less stressful and give you time to grab a bite to eat before you board.
2. Check-in online – Most airlines let you check-in online within 24 hours of your departure time. By checking in online you can save yourself some time at the airport. Online check-in also gives you the option to pick your seat. If you’re traveling on a budget airline like Frontier Airlines or Spirit Airlines, you cannot expect to be seated next to your family or friends unless you book a particular seat.
3. Know what you’re allowed to bring – Along with the obvious items like knives and razors, you are not allowed to bring liquids or gels on board unless they satisfy the size require. You are allowed to carry travel-size liquids and gels that are 3 ounces or less and fit comfortably in one quartz size zip-lock bag. You are only permitted one bag per passenger, and it must be placed in the screening bin at security.
4. Pack important documents – Before you leave for the airport, don’t forget to bring your essential travel documents and license or passport if you are traveling internationally. In case your license or passport gets lost or stolen on your trip, it’s a smart idea to make a paper and electronic copy. Also make copies of your travel documents, including your hotel information and travel itinerary, and store them in your carry-on bag.

With the warm, sunny weather finally upon us, it won’t be long before you embark on your much needed summer vacation. If you haven’t already planned your ultimate summer getaway, then consider one of these top travel destinations from Hussain al Nowais.

Miami, Florida

If endless sunshine and miles of beautiful coastline is what you’ve after, then you should vacation in Miami, Florida. In addition to relaxing on the beach, there’s plenty of exciting things to do in Miami, which is now the home of Hussain al Nowais. Explore the wildlife by visiting the Miami Seaquarium, Zoo Miami or Jungle Island. If great shopping and vibrant night life is what you’re after, then you can hit up the world-class shops, restaurants and clubs located in South Beach.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is one of the most popular Hawaiian Islands for vacationing. Oahu provides the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. When you’re tired of lounging on the white sandy beaches (if you could ever get tired of it), you can hike up Diamond Head, visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, surf at North Shore, or explore Hawaii’s vibrant aquatic life at Hanauma Bay.

New York, New York

New York City is another great vacation spot, and there’s no lack of activity going on in the Big Apple. Take a day trip to Jone’s Beach on Long Island, enjoy a Broadway show, or tour one of the city’s world renowned museums. If you’ve never been to the city, be sure to check out the city’s most famous attractions, including Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Rockefeller Center, just to name a few.

Salt Lake City, Utah

While Salt Lake City, Utah is nowhere near the beach, it’s home to many great lakes, rivers and streams and some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. The city and the surrounding areas have many top hiking and fishing spots. Looking for a day trip? Adventure to Wasatch National Forest, a 2.1 million acre forest with seven wilderness areas and a diverse array of scenery and landscapes.