Perhaps 2011 was filled with a lot of ho-hums and not so many ho, ho, hos. However, one brilliantly bright spot of 2011 was the increasing popularity of DIY culture. Making do with odds and ends has - and will most likely continue to be - a fine, emerging art. Celebrate the resurgence (and help the movement gain popularity) of the do-it-yourself atmosphere and celebrate 2012 at home with your best buds and loved ones at a DIY New Year's Eve Party. After all, who really wants to drive to an overblown, booze-infused party that's way overpriced (and probably has a carbon footprint the size of Montana)?

If you're anything like most and ate yourself into a Christmas food coma yesterday, you're most likely feeling the repurcussions today. So. in the spirit of lightening things up a bit, this week's Meatless Monday brings you the healthiest, most nutritious and diet-friendly fare to have come out of the blogosphere this last week. No need to wait 'til the New Year... 

If you frequent your local farmers market, you may have seen something that looks a bit like a cross between ginger root and a yam called a Jerusalem artichoke. This tuber, also known as a sunroot, a sunchoke, an earth apple or a topinambour may seem way too complicated to use, if only because of how many names it has! Never fear: This member of the sunflower family, which is neither from Jerusalem nor an artichoke, is actually an easy addition to soups and salads and has the added bonus of being in season throughout the fall and most of the winter, which gives you more than enough time to try it out!

The organic wave has taken longer to crash on the Gallic coast than one might think, especially from the point of view of someone from a country where pretty much everything, from milk to produce to clothes, is available in an organic and all-natural version. But the French, for all their love of tradition, are slowly coming around, and the jury is out on organic French wines.

You don’t want to be bothered with cooking up a storm first thing on Christmas morning—you want to be exchanging gifts and listening to Bing Crosby carols with the fam. Instead, save your breakfast prep work for the night before. Here are fantastic make-ahead recipes for Christmas morning. Get started on them the night before while sipping cocoa in your Santa jammies, and sleep tight knowing Christmas morning will be full of merry and food.

We make it our mission to inspire you to eat beautifully, organically and deliciously. And the holidays are one of our favorite stomping grounds. From grandma's recipes that have survived generations to a more conscious approach to otherwise overindulgent fare, we've been flooding you with holiday recipes, because, let's face it, you can't beat the comfort of a traditional, seasonal spread. Here is the official roundup of our holiday recipes. We hope that your family and friends enjoy them as much as ours have. 

I must say, this week we were particularly impressed with the inspired dishes that came from meatless bloggers far and wide. Perhaps as we hunker down indoors, creative juices start flowing to keep us happy and healthy, and ward off that pesky seasonal depression. Whatever it is, we hope it's a trend that continues! Check out these divinely informed dishes that will make Meatless Monday surely trickle into Tuesday...

The story of the chestnut is a familiar one: An American native, it has been all but wiped out during the past century. The invader: A foreign blight. These days, very few people have seen a true American Chestnut tree -- but thanks to Nat King Cole and The Christmas Song, roasted chestnuts are still a romanticized element in our holiday celebrations. And though you may not have an open fire to roast them over, you can still live out that romantic celebration with home-roasted chestnuts. As it turns out, the roasting part is easy; finding the chestnuts will be your biggest challenge.

Gift-giving. Menu-planning. Traveling. And, of course, spending time with family: Actions associated with the December holiday season. As a result, "drinking" is often associated with it, as well.

We've already covered a plethora of organic wine and beer selections to keep you calm and comfy through your times of cheer. But, if your celebration lasts as long as twelve days or eight nights, you'll be itching to mix it up. Luckily, we've come across a new legion of organic beverages: hard cider. Below are five - count 'em - five types of organic hard ciders to accompany whatever merriment comes your way this season.

To your health!

It’s crunch time for holiday menu planning, and you’re undoubtedly considering sustainable options for the table from appetizer to dessert. Often overlooked, the wine you serve with your special meal is just as important as the entrée. It’s what gets your party toasty and enhances those warm, spiced flavors of the meal. Etty Lewensztain, certified wine professional and owner of Plonk Wine Merchants, spoke to us about hot sustainable wines that will complement traditional Christmas fare. Here are her top picks for sustainable wines during the holidays.