Hello 1-1-11! So nice to meet you. I know you will be bringing me 365 days of joy. Before I dig in, though, allow me to share how I dined on the last day of 2010.
Chico, California has a fairly decent hippie population so I wasn’t too surprised when our brunch on the 31st at Cafe Coda had delicious vegan options aplenty.
In addition to the two huge french presses (see above), we ordered champagne for the whole table. It’s never too early on New Year’s Eve right?
I got the Veggie Masterpiece which came with golden herb potatoes sautéed with cremini mushrooms, spinach, roasted red bell peppers, caramelized onions and rosemary, topped with seasoned tofu, salsa, and avocado and served with fresh bread.
I chose whole wheat bread, despite several other tempting options (including focaccia, cornbread, sourdough rolls, etc.). It came with a fabulous crunchy exterior almost like it had been toasted in a pan (similar to the outside of a grilled cheese sammie). It was so so yummy.
The herb potatoes were also crazy good…but the avocado and tofu completely stole the show. 
All in all, it hit the mother effing spot.
After brunch we parted ways, but a group of us went to see Black Swan. We actually didn’t “go” to see it per se (our friends who we were staying with had a copy). I guess there are perks to being in the film industry…like saving $20 on movie tickets. So the 6 of us cozied up on the couch and inflatable mattress and took in the psychological mind f%$* with open arms. It was creepy and amazing and I’m still thinking about it.
After the movie I was so sleepy. Having arrived in the wee hours of the morning the night before, after working non-stop the past week, I was running on empty. More than anything I wanted to nap before the New Year’s Eve festivities began, but unfortunately, that wasn’t really an option.
Kyle and I ran to the local co-op to grab dinner for me (before the place closed) since the options at the NYE party were going to be non-veg. I got a Hawaiian Teriyaki tempeh burger with grilled pineapple, avocado and vegan mayo “special sauce.”
Looks mangled in this picture because I was carrying it in my purse.
Is that a tempeh burger in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?
It was incredible, but I’m fairly certain my taste buds were dulled by booze by the time I ate it, so who knows if it was actually delicious or merely average.
But anyway, the night was a blast. We pre-partied at one friend’s apartment before continuing happy hour after we arrived at our other friend’s house.
These boys never ever spend December 31st/January 1st apart. Kyle’s high school buddies are closer than any group I’ve ever seen. Who knew guys could be so sentimental? This was the first year that the ratio of girls to guys was even too. Oh couples.
Previous New Years post here.
Drinking games aplenty.
Rocking my crown.
Random shenanigans and poor decisions.
5,4,3,2,1…
Happy New Year!!!
2010 was pretty damn perfect (moved back to CA, got married, got my dream job, etc.), so 2011 has a lot to live up to. That said, I’m pretty excited for the future.
Cheers!
And now without further ado, the winners of the Three Sisters cereal are:
Jess who said “Cinnamon sweets! Definitely a hard choice, though :)”
Squigglefloey who said “Would LOVE to try the cinammon sweets! You and you sissys are SO beautiful!!”
Molly who said “I am one of three girls, too! I’ve never tried any of the Three Sister’s products, but the Graham Crackerz cereal looks delicious!”
Rachel who said “TWIN! cinnamon sweets look EXACTLY like my old favorite cinnamon toast crunch, but without the fake crap ingredients! YUM. haven’t had those in ages! too bad Whole Foods is so far from me……(or maybe a good thing for my bank balance), but I may have to trek to the westside for those, that is, if i’m not one of the lucky winners…”
So refer to your comments and see if you are one of the lucky ones (so many people with the same name!) then email me with your address and your cereal will be on it’s way!
I love that you had champagne with your brunch. It’s never too early for champagne, ever. And Black Swan creeped me out so much…I couldn’t sleep after it!! Good, but a little too dark for my taste.
Happy 2011!
that tempeh burger sounds lovely!!!
That omelet looks amazing!!! I like to have champagne with brunch too 🙂
happy new year! congrats on all your great successes this yr
Your breakfast at Cafe Coda looked amazing! I went to Chico State, but haven’t been back in YEARS. I should go someday and stop by Cafe Coda for that exact same breakfast. 🙂
aren’t industry screeners the best? they save so much $$$. that said, i’m still spending way too much going out to see movies. at least it’s a tax write-off! happy new year!!!
Love your quinoa recipes. I tried it with apple and cashews yesterday!
Happy New Year! It looks like you had fun celebrations! I have heard so much about the movie Black Swan that I really want to see it but I’m pretty sure it is not my hubbys cup of tea at all. I think I’ll have to wait until it comes out on DVD!
Seems like a fun and delicious NYE! Happy new year 🙂
WoHooo for 2011! I don’t know if you remember me because you probably get tons of emails, but I e-mailed you earlier this year about advice for ABSN interviews and I’m just now getting ready to start UNC’s ABSN program!!! I love to read about how much you love your job and how you fit fun, fitness, and family into your busy schedule. Thanks for being such an awesome blogger 🙂
I can tell you guys had a blast on NYE 🙂
And, sure – it’s never too early (or too late, for that matter!) for champagne when it comes to the New Year celebrations!
Hahaha.
Happy 2011, Elise!
xoxo
It’s never too early to start the party on New Year’s Eve! That veggie plate looks amazing!
yay i’m glad you’re out of your starbucks angriness. starbs needs to know you’re subbing out lattes for b-monies or moneys? i don’t know hahahaha
happy new year girl 🙂
Glad you had a wonderful New Years!! I wish I had a friend in the film business 😉 I hope to see Black Swan soon.
Whoa–that Veggie Masterpiece looks ah-may-zing!
Congrats on a wonderful 2010 :)! I know 2011 will be even more amazing (it’s possible if you believe :D). The sayings at the end of this post are so cute. I’m definitely going to save the picture for a reminder to think positive and enjoy life.
Have a lovely day!
xox
That breakfast looks amazing! And you had me literally laughing out loud at this:
Is that a tempeh burger in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?
Happy New Year, Elise! Thanks again for all of the time and work you put into your blog…I can’t imagine how time consuming it must be, but it is truly appreciated 🙂 Thank you!
Courtney
Love the post. Makes me hungry and wish we were are still in Chico. Film industry…priceless!
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