Christmas is behind us and it’s finally time to party, New Year’s style. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are both a perfect time to host a gathering, and I think every good party should have a signature cocktail. A signature cocktail does two important things for the host or hostess — it gives a personal touch to your soiree, and it gives a bit of ease to your party budget.

With only one signature cocktail to deal with, you can concentrate on the other elements of your party, such as food and decorations. It makes going to the liquor store a breeze, because you can plan on buying only the few ingredients you need for that one beverage. An open bar, after all can be both costly and difficult to set up, because you need to stock so many different types of liquor as well as mixers.

You might think that having only one (or even two) signature drinks will be too limiting, but I have found the contrary to be true.  Most people will try the signature cocktail, especially if it’s made with known ingredients such as champagne, vodka or rum. I usually also offer one white wine, one red wine and a beer selection as well as soda and sparkling water. Most guests will be able to find something that they like from this selection.

So, If you’re planning a get-together this year, start planning on a signature cocktail.  Below are a few ideas from around the web that you might consider.

•The Barbotage is a delicious spin on the traditional champagne cocktail.

•Gin And Honey is another sparkling choice, using pink champagne and could easily make use of an organic or local honey.

•The classic Martini is always a good choice for a crowd.  Easy to mix for many guests and sports that au courant Mad Men vibe.

•Strawberry Cranberry Mule is a festive drink that makes use of in-season cranberries.

•For a refreshing non-alcoholic libation, try Pear Sparkler. It’s bubbly mix of pears and rosemary syrup hit just the right note.

“To such an extent does nature delight and abound in variety that among her trees there is not one plant to be found which is exactly like another; and not only among the plants, but among the boughs, the leaves and the fruits, you will not find one which is exactly similar to another.” -Leonardo da Vinci

 As 2014 rolls to a close, hopes and dreams for the year to come are in the air, waiting to be turned into resolutions. Before committing to a particular goal, I like to take stock of the year’s lessons and see how they might shape the new chapter- some can be built upon, while others point in new directions. Of all the places to glean inspiration, nature provides abundantly.

This urban-garden-meditation came about from the miraculous recovery of a French lavender plant; at my old house, the plant bloomed incessantly, and grew to outrageous proportions. When I moved over a year ago, it seemed to go into hibernation- nary a bud to be seen. For nearly a year, it was dormant. I watered it and fretted over it, but neither seemed to make much of an impression. As with so many good gardening tips, the saving grace came from my mother- “Plants are like people,” she said, “when they are in the right place they thrive.”  I moved the lavender further into the sun, a difference of 2 feet, and within a matter of weeks the plant was blooming.

Why is this on my mind as I muse on the year to come? Because both Da Vinci and my mother are right- each creation in nature is unique, and each have their own set of needs to thrive. This holds true for each of us, as well. It is sometimes true that the difference between thriving and surviving can be a simple matter of inches.  Paving the way for loftier goals by making the easy shifts first is one way to stay motivated.

Each year, the top resolutions tend towards diet, health, wellness, and these are all good goals (I know I will need a green & clean menu to recover from holiday feasting!); more importantly than the what, however, is the who.  Who are you? What do you need to grow, to support your efforts, to aid in your success? Are you in the right place to thrive?

Here are a few fun ways to stimulate thought: a quiz to determine the ‘best resolution’ for you, a classic personality test, and a few ideas on how to set achievable goals. Wishing you all the very best of luck in 2015- may you find your place in the sun and thrive.

Hot Chipotle Deviled Eggs Recipe:

Makes 16 halves

• 8 organic eggs, boiled
• ½ cup organic mayonnaise
• ¼ cup honey mustard
• 1 tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Wild Oats organic hot chipotle sauce
• ½ teaspoon Wild Oats organic cayenne pepper (omit if you want a less spicy deviled egg)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Wild Oats organic paprika for decorating

Peel and cut the boiled eggs in half. Place egg yolks and the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and mash together until the texture of the mixture is smooth.

Put the egg yolk mixture into a large plastic zip lock bag and seal it, removing any air beforehand. Cut off about ¼ inch of the corner of the baggie.

Squeeze egg yolk mixture out of the slit in the baggie, as you would when using a pastry baggie, into the egg white halves, filling them over the brim.

Sprinkle paprika over them to decorate.

In a study conducted at Penn State University, there are “nutritional advantages of raising hens on pasture as compared to on an industry diet in cages: the increases in omega-3 fatty acids and in vitamins A and E. [The study] also found that differences in omega-3 levels in plants have an effect on the eggs.” Vitamins A and E are cancer-fighting antioxidants, and omega-3s support healthy heart and brain function.

Wild Oats Marketplace offers Cage Free Large White and Brown Eggs at Fresh & Easy stores. They are produced without antibiotics, fed vegetarian feed, and free to run, play and nest!

Happy Mission Monday! The New Year is just around the corner. Have you started thinking about how you plan on eating healthier in the new year? Here at Wild Oats we hope it is something such as cutting back on your calorie intake or switching to an all organic diet to focus on a better you in 2015. No matter what your resolution is, we want to hear it! We hope you take a moment to answer and play along on Twitter or Facebook.

Share with us how you plan on eating healthier in the New Year to help yourself become a better you.

If you’re playing along on Facebook, simply comment in our Mission Monday post before 11:59 p.m. ET tonight to be entered to win!

If you’d like to play along on Twitter, simply tweet us your answer with #wildoatsmission #sweeps by 11:59 p.m. ET today to be entered to win!

Good luck! Full Sweepstakes rules and details can be found here Twitter and Facebook.

It’s happened again…you’re up at 3 am looking at the clock and wondering why you are wide awake. You are not alone: According to the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health, about 30-40 percent of adults report symptoms of insomnia within a given year. Thankfully, there are some easy natural products for better sleep you can use–some may even surprise you!

Himalayan Crystal Salt Lamps
Himalayan Crystal Salt originated from the Himalayan mountains about 500 million years ago. The salt lamps utilize ionization to help neutralize common air pollutants like dust, animal fur, smog and electronic devices. Yes, the electronic devices that you depend on each day like your computer, television and microwave influence the air quality in a room because they give off charged ions.  These charged ions can influence our ability to rest and relax. Try placing a salt lamp in your bedroom to create a more calming sleep environment or plug a lamp into your computer to help combat the emotional and physical effects of sitting at a computer all day.

Natural Pillows
Did you know that your pillow can have a huge impact on your ability to get a good night’s sleep? Not only is it important for your pillow to properly support your neck and head so your spine is aligned, more experts are recommending natural, chemical-free pillow options. Not only do these pillows often last longer, they are keeping your head away from synthetic materials, chemicals and questionable allergy-inducing fillings. Popular natural options include pillows made from wool, organic cotton or Kapok. Kapok fiber is a sustainable material from the Kapok tree that makes for a snuggy, firm pillow that is great for allergy sufferers. Also, make sure to shop around for the best sales price (like on Amazon). You’ll be surprised what wonderful deals you can find!

Foods and Supplements for Better Sleep
There are a variety of natural foods and supplements to help you get better quality sleep. For instance, In a pilot study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester and the V.A. Center of Canandaigua found that tart cherry juice helped to prevent insomnia. Yes, tart cherry juice! Also, when it comes to vitamins and minerals, Vitamin B6 helps with  serotonin production and calcium and magnesium has shown to help people with chronic sleep problems. Finally, homeopathic products like Calms Forte and Bach Rescue Sleep earn high marks from users for helping them to get sleep without the drowsiness and drugged-out feeling that over the counter drugs are known for. Of course, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.