happy birthday LIBRA all-stars!

Everything really is beautiful!

september 23 - october 22
ruled by: venus
status: I balance

quickfire:
Libra's proverbial passionate soul makes them the ultimate foodie. You require lots of texture in your foods, friends, and environments. Your need to constantly engage your senses motivates you to experience many cultural and exotic foods and just as many variations of people.

You love to orchestrate events and create experiences, engaging your vast networks. We all appreciate these skills, but please... learn to reign in your inner-control freakieness and the world will truly see through your rose-colored glasses and enjoy the social ride.

Libra StarChefs:
Emeril Lagassi, Robert Irvine, and Thomas Keller

(excerpt from Stars In Your Stomach)
Mangia!

The great news is that our Libras are a extraordinary hosts!  They are passionate caretakers with vast social skills bringing together compelling groups of people in interesting surroundings. Libra’s need to consistently engage their senses motivates them to experience many cultural and exotic foods and just as many variations of people.  The bad news is that they typically want to initiate the event and make all the plans. If they don’t get to, they may be cranky and sulk through the forced socialization they had no control over.

Whenever possible say “Yes!” to hanging out with a Libra.  They are beautiful people, inside and out, and are architects of attraction.  They don’t like to be alone, so chances are you will get frequent opportunities to go out if you are on their network list.  If they must dine alone, their strong desire to be out amongst the world will drive them to eat out solo, but they won’t remain that way for very long.  Libra will genuinely befriend the staff of the restaurant by the time the salad arrives… and lucky you, some of these interesting people will probably appear at the next gathering that you’re invited to!  If you’re in need of a companion, don’t hesitate to call them – if they’re not free, they will usually include you in their plans.

The Libran eating environment can vary greatly.  The necessary components are a variety of food textures, interesting companionship, an attractive atmosphere, and good music.  They are creatures of beauty and romance.  Romance defined in the sense of romantic love, but also in the spirit or feeling of adventure.  They love being with a group of people dining family style, still preferably out in a restaurant.  If this type of eating requires the restaurant be foreign… Greek or Italian, all the better!  Libra is also completely in their element in a candlelit, white-linen hideaway booth with their lover or on a first date.  They are not shy about eating and will indulge whatever whim is present in the moment.  In either situation, they will happily ensure that whoever else is present is well cared for.  Although Libra’s social life may be a constant whirlwind of activity, they like to eat slowly… keep pace and they will love to share meals with you… finish early and watch them eat and they will take even longer!

Copyright 2011, all rights reserved.

mangia mangia! happy birthday Leo all-stars!

leo

Got a band? I'll lead it!

july 23 -august 22
ruled by: the sun
status: I will

quickfire:
Mangiare is not just the Italian verb for 'to eat'. "Mangia!" is the passionate cry that sounds the beginning of every Italian meal with outstretched arms and huge smiles. A Leo must have started this tradition. You are a community cat, magnetic and generous... especially when you have an audience. You love the best of everything and your foodie birthright is no exception. Bask in the warmth of hosting great meals, you're always a crowd pleaser!

From Leo's "Mangia!" chapter...
If Leo can’t be the host themselves, they need to be the recipient of great service and wonderful foods. Please, no buffets or cafeterias with bright lights or loud noise imitating music. Their keen senses are assaulted easily and when turned off, they become cranky.
 
Having said that, it’s not important whether the restaurant is fine dining or a dining dive, it just has to be known for something… the best service, the best chili, or the most interesting environment. Leo is not about being elitist or snobby; they are about passion and indulgence in the best life has to offer at that moment. You can take them to the seediest joint, as long as it’s eclectic and the chili con carne is extraordinary.

Favorite Foods:  Hearty well-presented food served with rich sauces. Savory roasted meats, casseroles and pastas. And for sweets, lots of ice cream or an excellent dark chocolate wrapped in something flashy. If they are forced to eat vegetables they must be brightly colored, interesting and flavorful. A beloved food for Leo can run the gamut in recipe variation. For example, macaroni and cheese can be from the box or gourmet with truffles and Brie! The menu can consist of one dish or five… it doesn’t matter as long as it’s exceptional or involves a warm memory, the service is excellent, and don’t forget… they must have an audience.

happy birthday Cancer all-stars!

cancer - june 21 - july 22
ruled by: the moon
status: I feel
 

quick fire: Our crab-people LOVE their shells and rely on their whole astro-chart to crack them open. The rest of us couldn't survive without these home-loving, sensitive, nurturing, possessive, domestic crustaceons. You are at your best when you are comforting others with food. You derail everyone's diets with love. Your friends will have to drag you out to restaurants, but once there, you are the lifeline of the party and grateful that they made the effort (as long as no one hurts your feelings!).

Excerpt from Mangia!

Cancerians love to gather friends and family at the constellation and don’t mind if you bring extra people… they will gladly set another place at the table. They swoon over a hot stove for days and make way more food than could ever be consumed at one sitting. They are the inventor of the BYOT party (bring your own Tupperware®), dishing out doggie bags and planning your meals for the rest of the week. You will hear their lunar laugh down the block as they pack your take-out and tell stories of the evolution of their recipes.

do Gemini all-stars get two birthday parties?

gemini

Two by two you travel through life!

may 21 to june 20
ruled by: mercury
status: I think

quickfire: Whoa! You're probably reading this on your iPhone en route to your next 'to do'... stop for just a minute and breathe. I promise your world won't disolve like a warp in the Matrix. You are constantly on the go, multi-tasking with moody flair.

By all foodie birthrights, your favorite foods can be eaten while walking, blogging, or debating. Your liberal nature and quick mind makes you a sought after companion for all entertaining activities. Learn to graze, you'll love the scenery.

The triple wallop of two eclipses and Mercury entering your sign this month deepens the depth of your duality. People perceive your extra easygoing charm, but your relentless pursuit of life is fully engaged. Talk less, listen more. Shifting the focus away from you actually reaps many benefits.

Continue your quest for work/life balance by making summer vacation plans early and be sure to include lots of me-time. Since you are happier reading a cookbook on your iPad than actually cooking a meal, maybe a trip to one of the trending food truck Meccas like Portland, Austin, or San Francisco is in order.

Your pairing: Grilled turkey and Swiss burger with fennel slaw and a grassy Fumé Blanc



happy birthday TAURUS all-stars!

taurus

Hear's a tune you'll soon be humming!

april 20 - may 20
ruled by: venus
status: I have

quickfire:
You are a musical being who loves potatoes. Yes, even though you tend to be a mass of contradictions, it's that simple.

You love beauty, converastion, and fine things. These traits transfer nicely to your foodie birthrights... good service, good food, good value. You equally embrace traditional or exotic cooking and you don't like to repeat your recipies. Of course, you're so stubborn, your best bet is to host the dinner party so your guests can't disagree with you!

The bonus is... you're GREAT COOKS!
Of course, Chef Cosmo is a Taurus!