In a month filled with resolutions, diets and promises, everyone deserves a cheat day.

Make yours tomorrow when Calgary’s famous baker boy Aviv makes a stop at Bird Dog Video. In addition to his Monday Bike Delivery and his regular list of shops, Aviv has introduced a weekly drop-off at the independent video store.

Pre-order the bread and scones by tonight (flavours updated weekly on the site) and tomorrow eve, enjoy a carb-filled night with Meryl Streep.

At Bird Dog Video, 1333 16th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-398-2283, www.birddogvideo.ca

Cold weather is typically a going-out hazard this time of the year, but with a new downtown hotspot, there’s no excuse for staying in.

Located in the historical Lougheed Building and co-owned by an industry veteran (think Mescalero’s, Teatro and Divino), Sociale Bar and Grill's serves up lunch, dinner and late-night noshes.

For the weekday corporate crowd, a tapas lunch is served upstairs, or in the more lively downstairs space, a lengthier menu applies. The garlic and smoked paprika soup ($8) is a winter must-have, as is the BBQ pork flatbread ($14). A handful of heartier choices like the chorizo-crusted wild salmon ($26) and the citrus ponzu sablefish ($24) are added to the menu for dinner.

If it’s cocktails you’re in for, pull up a stool at one of the four bars and you’ll be socializing in no time.

Sociale Bar and Grille, 606 First St., SW, Calgary, 403-262-2279, www.socialecalgary.com

As we squeeze one more glass of champers out of 2010, here are a few things you can do before the clock strikes midnight to make 2011 the best yet. Cheers to another great year.

Animal Crackers
We’re usually in the Swiss Alps, where local tradition is to stroke a pig’s snout for good luck on New Year’s Eve. This year we’re in Toronto so maybe I’ll dress up in a ball gown and take my family out for bacon sandwiches. Ha, ha, Happy New Year.
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the sparkliest of them all?
They say that you should always take a look in the mirror before you leave the house and remove one accessory. Since my New Year’s resolution for this year is to accessorize more (I tend to stay simple with my diamond studs), I’m going to add one. Maybe two. Watch out!
Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor (English edition)

Return to Sender
The Babylonians were the first to make a New Year’s resolution and this is what it was: return anything borrowed from a friend in the previous year.
Tonya Albulet, Western Sales Manager

Go With the Flow
As one of my yoga instructors often says: “You’ll never be as young as you are this very second.” So instead of resolutions that are restricting, this year is about celebrating life and all its frivolity. And if this means, shopping more, drinking more wine or eating another cookie, try to enjoy every moment, every bite and every sip because it will never be exactly like it is in that moment.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

The Three P's: Pajamas, Postcards, Positivity
Tradition: "Party Top Pajama Bottoms" party. The photos taken from the waist up make it appear everyone dressed up, but from the waist down it’s all comfort. Makes stumbling into bed that much easier at the end of the night.
Resolution: Send more postcards, for no particular reason, to the people I love.
Superstition:  The surest way to ensure a happy new year is to fix my thoughts on something positive the moment the clock strikes 12.
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

It’s the day before Christmas and if like Frank Constanza, you’re “Serenity Now” is ten decibels louder than it should be, it’s time for tea.

For last minute gifts, final stocking stuffers and some R&R for yourself, head to The Naked Leaf. The tea emporium stocks hundreds of different teas—may we suggest the Happy Day blend today—and an amazing assortment of teaware including handcrafted pots, mugs and quirky combinations like the toaster teapot (pictured, from $65).

After a cuppa, you’ll be refreshed and ready to brave the upcoming madness.

Happy Holidays to you and yours, from Vitamin Daily Calgary.

The Naked Leaf, 305 10th St. NW, Calgary, 403-283-3555, www.thenakedleaf.ca

The presents are wrapped, the cards sent out and you’re set for Santa. But sadly, cookies and milk won’t do for the rest of the gang.

This holiday, give yourself a kitchen break and grab a turkey dinner to go from The Main Dish.

Order by tomorrow and pick-up by Christmas Eve, and Santa will have nothing on you as you feast on roasted turkey breast, vegetables, cheddar and garlic mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, house-made gravy and cinnamon orange cranberry sauce ($14.99).

Bon appétit.

The Main Dish, 903 General Ave. NE, Calgary, 403-265-3474, www.tmdish.com

Death by chocolate? Not for master chocolatier Bernard Callebaut.

The founder of the eponymous Calgary company fell on hard times earlier in the fall when he had to close shop, but he’s raised the chocolate bar with a sweet new venture, Papa Chocolat. A fresh updated look and new recipes, combined with three generations of chocolatiers, is behind the new business. And when it comes to smooth dark chocolate pralines and silky milk chocolate squares, we’re glad to have Bernard back.

Stay tuned for two retail stores to open in the New Year. For orders, call 1-855-322-7272.

Whether you’re hosting, gifting or attending, herewith, five wines to get you into the holiday spirit.

Pedal Pusher
From the little bike on the label to its versatility and Chilean roots, the earthy/fruity Cono Sur Pinot Noir ($9) is our organic pick for the eco-conscious person in your life. At Real Canadian Superstore Liquor Store, www.superstore.ca

California Cool
A blend of Napa and Sonoma grapes, Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied perfection ($16) and ideal paired with a hearty meal. At Real Canadian Superstore Liquor Store, www.superstore.ca

One Love
The Malbec is the universal crowd pleaser and that includes impressing feisty holiday guests. Altos Las Hormigas winery in Argentina does Malbec best. And when the snow melts, think of the full-bodied red for your next picnic (las hormigas is Spanish for ants). $16.80 at Highlander Wine and Spirits, 2919 Richmond Rd SW, Calgary, 403-233-2629 and 2033 16th Ave. NW, Calgary, 403-777-1922, www.highlanderwine.com

Pretty In Pink
She’s got a new movie coming out so it’s only fitting to celebrate with a bottle of the Sofia Coppola Blanc De Blancs ($36.35). The fruity and light sparkling white is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat and perfect to share with your bestie, even on a cold winter night. At Highlander Wine and Spirits, 2919 Richmond Rd SW, Calgary, 403-233-2629 and 2033 16th Ave. NW, Calgary, 403-777-1922, www.highlanderwine.com

The Rebel
When you’re hosting the party, go big with the Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel. Rich with blackberry fruit and a hint of velvet vanilla oak, this full California red ($37.49) is sure to impress. At Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary, 403-283-8000, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Snowmen melt, Christmas trees shed, stars lose their sparkle and gingerbread figures are just so boring. No, we haven’t turned into Scrooges just yet, but when it comes to holiday baking, it’s time to get in on some action.

Instead of traditional Christmas shapes, we’re filling our tins with the adorable Ninja Bread Men ($11.98). Available as a set of three, each ninja is in a different attack pose ready to cut, bake and decorate in traditional ninja garb, or more festive attire. 

At Reid’s 710 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-229-4400.

When the secret’s out on your go-to watering hole and your regular booth is crowded with unrecognizable faces, it’s time to switch time zones.

Forget the Local 510's nightly crowds and head to the hotspot at the crack of dawn (bar-staff dawn, that is) for the new brunch menu.

Well edited with just over a handful of choices, the menu includes classic omelettes, eggs benedicts and chorizo scrambles and a few specialty items like a French toast baguette and chilaquiles.  Or, go light with scones and English muffins with house-made jam served up with bottomless Phil and Sebastian coffee.

But hurry, the secret is out.

Brunch from 11 a.m., Local 510, 510 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-229-4036, www.localtavern.ca

All apples are not created equal. In the case of the Ambrosia, the variety is a chance seedling whose parentage is not 100 per cent known and was discovered by a B.C. family on their orchard in the 1990s. Famed for its sweetness, versatility and beauty (pink blush on the outside and slow to turn brown), the B.C. Tree Fruits apple can be used in a variety of dishes. Former Calgarian, chef Ned Bell, shared a recipe that’s perfect for cold winter nights.

Ambrosia Apple, Winter Squash, Corn and Cheddar Soup


Ingredients
1 lb peeled and grated Ambrosia apples

1 lb frozen cubed winter squash
2 cups frozen corn
1 litre vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup cream (or half milk to reduce fat)
¼ stick butter
1 white onion, diced 

2 cups grated white cheddar

Method
Sauté the onions in the butter for five minutes, add the Ambrosia apples, the cubed squash and corn and cook for 10 minutes. Add the stock and the cream, cook for another 10 minutes and then add the grated cheddar. Puree with a hand blender until smooth and season with salt and cracked black pepper.