I always feel so strange on New Year’s Eve because I’m just getting ready to go out around the time I normally am ready for bed.
This year, before leaving for a party, I ate a healthy dinner, making sure to incorporate at least one “lucky” food:
The “lucky” food was my Ginger-Cashew Kale.
And yes, I did also make the gumbo I wrote about a few days ago, but that was part of my New-Year’s-Day lucky dinner. One can never have too much luck.
Also eaten: grilled veggies, cherry tomatoes, and my favorite Home Alone Pilaf.
At around 9PM, I set off to start the night, which included lots of noise and dancing. I was super-tired by the time I climbed into bed around 2:30AM, but it was so worth it. And I was the designated driver, which meant no hangover!
Ginger Cashew Kale
(serves 1)
- 1 and 1/2 cups cooked or frozen kale (120g)
- 1-2 tbsp sesame ginger salad dressing (such as Newman’s Own)
- Raw or roasted cashews, sliced
- grated fresh ginger, optional
If the kale is frozen, microwave the kale for 2 minutes, then add the salad dressing and stir. Throw in some cashews and the ginger, if using. I usually like this cold, but it’s good hot, too.
How did you spend your New Year’s Eve?
Did you eat anything off the List of Lucky New Year Foods?
*Andrea* says
i went out to a bar with hs friends in boston and went to bed around 3am at the hotel we shared… i drank but only 1-2 vodka drinks and 1 champagne flute, enough for me (not for the others ha). anyways, this meal looks deeeeeelicious. i absolutely love pilaf and bulghur, etc.
Picky Nicky says
I also had my lucky kale on new years eve but in the form of a green monster 🙂
Happy new year!
Gina says
I ate some poms on NYE because you said they were eaten by the Greeks and symbolized prosperity! Couldn’t hurt right?
I also ate some Peanut Butter Pie. Ahh-may-zing!
Thetreadmilldiaries says
Love the colors in your meal and dish. They make for a great pic. The hubby and I had a pretty low key new Year’s Eve celebration so we’d be in good shape for our New Year’s day 5k race. We had a blast with it.
Jess of Midwest Vegan says
My boyfriend and I started off the New Year with a nice homemade spicy juice made with lots of greens including kale and spinach. Hopefully, luck can come in liquid form. 🙂 And no hangover for me, I felt great!
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says
I wass LAZZZYY – i had quite a chill celebration, but it was perfect for how i was feeling! your partying sounds like a blast 😀
Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA says
I had a pretty similar NYE – went to a bar with friends and danced up a storm. But I almost didn’t get in because I accidentally brought the wrong ID! But my friend helped me sneak into the bar!
Alexandra (Veggin' Out in the Kitchen) says
I loooove kale – will have to try your recipe!
I spent New Year’s Eve making tamales with my mom, and then I went to bed around 9 (ya, boring – but that’s pretty late for someone who usually goes to bed between 7 and 8 🙂 . Glad you had a good New Years!
Maryann says
We started the night early so I didnt have time to eat any of the lucky foods (or dinner for that matter) but I did eat a chocolate coconut Luna bar, which was delicious. Your food looks amazing as usual!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I don’t like New Year’s Eve as much as most people because I hate going out so late!
Anna B says
I fed my brother and dad vegan versions of our traditional New Year’s food (fried doughballs), we played monopoly and watched the new year’s eve comedy show. Good times 🙂
Oh, and for dinner… grilled veggies with quinoa 😉
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw what a lucky brother and dad to have someone make them vegan food. Plus… Monopoly!! Best game ever :).
Healthy Chocoholic says
Yummy!
We went to our friend’s house for New Year!!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I’d be lying if said I wasn’t fantasizing about those blueberry larabars. In Austin I still have never even found the chocolate chip flavors, so I’m probably never going to get to try the blueberry one either! I don’t know what in the world is wrong with our stores here… I’ve looked everywhere! Harumph! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Wha?? Seriously? In Austin? LOL I was in love with your WF when I went there. I think I even got lost in it; it’s so huge!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I know!?!? You’d think our giant WF would have those dang bars, but noooooo. And not Sprouts, not Wheatsville, not Sun Harvest. It’s a conspiracy! 🙂
grocery goddess jen says
I hung out with friends and family – and actually watched the ball drop! I’m usually asleep by ten pm!
Camille says
I was a lazy girl on NYE. In fact, we didn’t even stay up until midnight 🙂 I’m just an old fart!
melissa @ the delicate place says
i was in bed by 1am on nye but i had fun anyway and no hangover for me (just not worth it). also, i swear it takes me 2 days to recover anyway lol
Blog is the New Black says
My NYE was spent on the couch, and I fell asleep before the ball dropped. Oops! 😉
Krystina (Basil & Wine) says
Lol, I spent it flying, buying underwear because I couldn’t check my bag that had underwear in it, enjoying a delicious dinner, and passing out at 9PM because I was exhausted. 🙁
Melissa says
You’re driving?!… How old are you? I could’ve sworn you were 16 or 17 at most!
Anyways, looks yummy!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL! I’m actually in my 20s :).
Moni'sMeals says
Just wanted to say Happy New Year Katie!
Great Kale recipe here, yum! I also posted Kale recently. It is the best!
We ate amazing food and champagne and felt great the next day, love that. 😉
Liz says
I would kill for grilled veggies. Unfortunately, It’s around -10 degrees up here. : /
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Yikes! I guess I shouldn’t complain about it being in the 20s here!
Katherine: Unemployed says
get lucky? ow owww!
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
Lucky New Year’s dinner=black eyed peas and cornbread. Always!!!!
Jennifer says
Happy New Year, Katie!
Very much like you, it is always strange for me to be going out at 9pm when I am ready to go to bed, though there is a level at which it feels like an adventure. Anyway, just went to my grandparents’ house. They throw a New Years’ Eve party every year and I would be disowned if I went anywhere else for New Years’.
Best wishes for the new year!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hehe aww I wish my grandparents were cool like that and threw a New Year party! 🙂
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
Sounds like you had an amazing night! 🙂
And I had grapes! Don’t think I had exactly twelve(?) though…
HAPPY NEW YEAR KATIE! 😀
Embodying Freedom says
I ate white chocolate macadamia cookies, frozen pizzas, and drank margaritas with my friends until 5am. Might not be the luckiest health-wise, but I’d say it was a winning combination. Thumbs up.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
I love your lucky foods 🙂 I did happen to have some kale the other day, so I guess I am green and lucky too…haha!
I worked NYE so that was my big excitement. Not. I love that you went out. And started much later than usual. All you early 20something girls who are usually in bed by like 10pm crack me up…you need to come to San Diego and I’ll keep you up past your bedtime!
🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Wait, an offer to come to San Diego? I’m already there! Haha my friend’s motto is “I’ll sleep when I die.” She’s silly, but I sometimes have to remind myself not to get too obsessive about my health that it starts to interfere with having fun. ‘Cause who’s healthy if they’re not happy too, right? 😉
Jess says
I spent mine with family, eating roasted veggies, and playing Scrabble! I’m a party animal 😉
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I spent my new year’s eve at a friends house dancing right up until the ball dropped. 😛 And I’m the same way, going out at bed time’s a weird feeling!
Disturbed says
Well I had collard greens, black eyed peas, and lentils. So, I hope that means this will be a great year lol-I need it.
Namaste Gurl says
I spent my New Years eve working– sadly– then falling asleep to The Notebook while drinking sugar cookie tea 🙂 Quiet New Years Eve, just the way me likes.
Ashley C says
Im from the south so our lucky dinners include collard greens (for lots of money in the new year) and black eyed peas (for lots of coins) I really dont like either but i had a spoonful of each in hopes of good fortune this year. I cooked up some yummy butternut squash just becuase its lucky to me in the fact that its SOOO good!! haha
Fi says
happppy new year!!!!! i didnt eat any “lucky” foods persay, but i did come 3rd in a big poker game on NYE so i must have done something right!! xxx
BroccoliHut says
You’ve inspired me to get some red onion this week–I’ve forgotten how pretty it looks on a plate!
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
I went to a party on new years eve night, and we went to our traditional movie and dinner on new years day!
Claire says
Haha I’m like you in ragards to the early bed time, before I got out I usually have to have a nap because it’s so late. For New Years Eve i went to a party at a friends house, we watched the fireworks in the city from a park near his place then went back and talked until 2:00 by the pool. Bed (also at 2:30) was most welcome!
Mike says
This looks really good. I’ll stick with a fork though so as to be able to get the food in my mouth without having to lift the plate to my mouth.