#ThankYouMiami for Seafood, Seafood & More Seafood - @SobeSeafoodFest 2017

By now you should have gathered that I'm a seafood addict. If it was financially and/or nutritionally wise, I would eat nothing but crab claws and lobster. But my token nutritionist friend Morgan, who has her Masters in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University, says I can't. She says I have to eat other things because "you need other vitamins and minerals that crab and lobster don't have." I know. I'm disappointed too.

So the experts decree I can't eat all the crabs and lobster every day, but they haven't decreed that I can't eat all the crabs and lobster in one day. Enter South Beach Seafood Festival, the shining beacon of my year. Each October this seafood-focused event descends upon my city with a week of dinners and events to celebrate the start of stone crab season. The main event—my "one day" of seafood gorging of the year—will take place on Saturday, October 21 and feature 18 carefully selected restaurant cafés including some of my favorite Miami restaurants (CIBO, Joe's, Meat Market / Miami Smokers, Nikki Beach, RED The Steakhouse, Toro Toro). I. CAN'T. WAIT.

#ThankYouMiami Fitness Picks: CycleBar Doral

There is this magical land that opened up earlier this year out west called CityPlace Doral and in this magical land is a brand spanking new cycling studio that you need to visit ASAP: CycleBar Doral. In fact, there couldn't be a better time to visit than right now while you need to burn the billion-and-one calorie prix-fixe menus you're annihilating courtesy of Miami Spice.

#ThankYouMiami for Cirque Du Soleil's OVO

Cirque Du Soleil is not your average traveling circus. From the elaborate shows residing in Vegas to the colorful tents that pop up throughout the country— they are known for flawless stunt execution and mesmerizing costumes that are always governed by a unique and otherworldly theme. The kind of extravagance and showmanship perfectly suited for dazzling metropolitan cities like Miami. This summer, Cirque Du Soleil’s latest show, OVO, made a pit stop at the American Airlines Arena and we were lucky enough to get an exclusive peek of the show, including a behind-the-scenes tour.

#ThankYouMiami for Miami Spice (Part 1)

Can you believe there are people out there who don't enjoy food? I can't either and I'm certainly not one of those people. In fact, whenever I go to a restaurant it gives me great anxiety to pick what I want to eat because in all honesty, I want to eat aaaaallll the foods.

When Miami Spice rolls around every August and September, I get giddy with excitement. It's like a two-month birthday present from Miami to me. (PSA: My birthday is September 13.) Not only do I get to eat more of the foods, but I also get to try restaurants that I can't afford the remaining 10 months of the year. Ergo, I lose myself in a whirlwind of three-course menus and emerge on October 1st a pleasantly plump and happy niña.

#ThankYouMiami Talks 5 Miami Chef Cooking Hacks

Growing up, my mom cooked everything from scratch. Even the tomato sauce in our soups and pastas was homemade, Italian grandma style. For some reason, I never valued learning how to cook from her. I was probably too busy being a Boca brat and throwing tantrums about not being able to go to the Town Center mall with my friends. Alas, the first time I tried to cook tomato sauce from scratch to impress a guy it came out a watery, bland mess. Luckily, he was a gentleman about it and pretended like it was edible. (It was not.)

Do you like to cook? More importantly, are you good at it? Whether you're a liability in the kitchen like me or a culinary superstar like mamá, these five hacks from Miami's renowned chefs will bring your cooking game to the next level:

#ThankYouMiami for Seasonal Seafood Specials - Summer Duos at Bonefish Grill

Earlier this year my dad suffered a serious health scare. I know it shouldn't work this way but when my parents told me about it, it made me realize I haven't been spending enough time with them. I probably saw them five times total last year. It's a bit ridiculous considering they live a mere one-hour drive away, in Boca. I mean, there are people who live within flight distance of their parents and probably visit them more frequently.

Since the "incident," both my parents and I have been putting forth a more meaningful effort to see each other. We've settled on a non-negotiable average of once a week, even if our schedules only allow for an hour of catching up at Starbucks. Together we've watched soccer games and Hallmark movies from their couch, explored Miami's cultural gems, moved me into my new apartment, and eaten our way through Boca and Miami.