the pantry

Entries in zodiac (5)

Thursday
Jun232011

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.

 

 

Sunday
May222011

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



Monday
Apr112011

Aries - it's your month!

aries

I didn't see that comin'!

march 21 - april 19
ruled by
: mars
status
: I am

You’re first in the Zodiac for a reason... the rest of us depend on you to take the lead and field the hits. Mars in your ruling planet intensifies your already abundant energy and draw on the spotlight. You’re foodie birthrights are no exception... furious hunger, fast food, no fuss. Keep the flow balanced by embracing leisure time. Your playful spirit makes you a joy to be around when you can slow down long enough for others to see it. The entrance of Uranus in Aries for the next seven years spurs curiosity in unique areas - the perfect time to explore new hobbies. Enter a local cooking contest. Food is the perfect outlet for your creativity and it doesn’t talk back! Win, win.

Your pairing: Flame grilled, cocoa-spice rubbed NY strip and lobster tail with roasted asparagus and caramelized lemons paired with a peppery Zinfandel.

StarLite!
• You can’t always fight illness with willpower… force yourself to rest more to keep energy charged.
• Hungry in a hurry isn’t a healthy combination, try to plan for meals ahead of time to mitigate crankiness!
• Make sure you have lots of bright color on your plate: spices and ethnic foods, or just put purple food coloring in your oatmeal!

 

Sunday
Feb202011

happy birthday Pisces all-stars!

pisces

Dream a little dream for me!

february 19 - march 20
ruled by: neptune

status: I believe

Quickfire:
Pisces all-stars are the compassionate psychic blend of all the Sun Signs paired with uncany insight and imagination. You believe in everyone and everything, which makes you a sensitive, caring friend. People love to share meals with you, there's always great music, warm aesthetics, and lots of bubbles. Luckily they will always be patient while you change your mind on which entrée
to have... several times! If you could have dinner and a massage at the same time, you'd totally do it!

Your month:
Two important concepts for you to embrace right now: 1. Relax-time grounds you so creativity can harvest greatest results… spend time away from the fray with simple pleasures like cooking, writing, mixology, and dancing, and 2. You never know which hobby will become a career; use your innate über instincts to open the possibilities. A beach picnic with oysters and bubbles is the ticket in any season… the full moon in Virgo on 19th illuminates relationships – bundle up and enjoy time with friends!

Your pairing: Plank grilled trout with Asti caper tapenade and a spicy arugula salad paired with a crispy Tyler Florence Sauvignon Blanc.

StarSight:
Purpose: envision, we depend on your magical insight to spark creativity
Gift: empathy, your compassion gives safe haven
Challenge: indecision inhibits your forward movement

Affirmation: “I am true to myself and grateful for my resources.”

StarChefs: Tyler Florence, Jeff Smith, Anne Burrell, Scott Conant, Jean-Christophe Novelli

 



Saturday
Jan012011

If not now, when?

- a dash of info for your health... SALUTE!

Your StarLites give you a quick glimpse into your strengths and weaknesses where food and exercise are concerned. Awareness is the key… you can make healthy choices and still honor your astro-influenced individuality. There’s no fun in fighting your foodie quirks, just understand yourself and make smarter choices.

aries

march 21 - april 19
ruled by
: mars / status: I am

StarParts: head, face

StarLite
:

  • You can’t always fight illness with willpower… force yourself to rest more to keep energy charged.
  • Hungry in a hurry isn’t a healthy combination, try to plan for meals ahead of time to mitigate crankiness!
  • Make sure you have lots of bright color on your plate: spices and ethnic foods, or just put purple food coloring in your oatmeal!

taurus

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

StarParts: neck, throat

StarLite:

  • Stick to your dogma of not being rushed and chewing slowing, they can wait.
  • Explore the vast world of non-starchy vegetables, err on the green side!
  • Unplug your iPod and buy a Wii or Guitar Hero to get off the sofa. Or better yet, join a community garden and grow non-starchy vegetables.
  • Take the time to enjoy your practical hobbies... work is not officially a relaxation.

gemini

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

StarParts:
hands, arms, shoulders, lungs

StarLite
:

  • Monitor caloric intake by watching portions… all those quick meals add up!
  • Make sure you’re as physically active as you are mentally; use a personal trainer (your alter-ego doesn’t count).
  • Respect the “no snacking while spinning” rules at the gym.
  • Increase your intake of Vitamin B complex to sustain nervous system and maintain energy.

cancer

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


StarParts:
heart, back, spine

StarLite
:

  • Go out to eat more often, you’ll be forced to eat portions.
  • Add a gym extension to the kitchen and set your timer!
  • Use demitasse spoons to taste test while cooking.
  • Find hobbies that don’t revolve around food, I know it’s hard, but you can do it!

leo

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

StarParts: heart, back, spine

StarLite
:

  • Monitor your intake and portions of sauces, casseroles, and ice cream!
  • Yes, we know you're not inclined to veggies, but force yourself to eat more colors!
  • Get a personal trainer and wear Prada to the gym!

virgo

august 23 - september 22
ruled by: mercury / status: I analyze
 

StarParts: intestines, colon

StarLite:

  • Not too many indulgence issues here… just try to control portions of grains and starches, try eating outside of the granola box for fun!
  • Lighten up on the personal perfection trip; stress will melt and life will relax.
  • Embrace your nature walks by sharing them with friends, they would love to have more of your company!

libra

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

StarParts: kidneys, adrenal glands, lower back 

StarLite:

  • Are you eating out too much?  Focus on fresh veggies and salads while at home.
  • Join a walking group or find a cardio-buddy at the gym.
  • Find healthy ways to cope with the stress from being alone (and that doesn’t mean making plans to go out with someone).
  • Keep your spaces in serene harmony and pamper yourself regularly at the spa or golf course!

scorpio

october 23 - november 21
ruled by: mars / status: I create
 

StarParts: heart, back, spine

StarLite
:

  • Pay close attention to what you eat; your all or nothing approach can backfire!
  • Fussy eating habits cause stress, find your grey area and embrace it.
  • Total emersion physical exercise is great for you… focus your passion and commitment on your health.

sagittarius

november 22 - december 21
ruled by: jupiter / status: I understand

StarParts: hips, thighs, liver

StarLite
:

  • Overindulgence you say! Excess sugar and fat are bad for the liver!
  • Try to curb the nibbling habit – taste... but don’t eat all those carbs.
  • Your innate positive outlook helps to quickly overcome illness, use it to your advantage.
  • Satisfy your urge to travel, walk 2 miles a day!

capricorn

december 22 - january 19
ruled by: saturn / status: I use

StarParts: joints, knees, bones

StarLite
:

  • Monitor the starchy comfort food you love so much, it won’t help a gloomy mood.
  • Choose more seafood restaurants by a busy harbors for light meals, it will help with a new look on life.
  • The need for calcium is a no brainier for you… make sure vitamin D and magnesium are the side dishes.
  • Structural and physical exercise is the prescription for those bones and joints, climb to the top of the gym!

 

aquarius

january 20 - february 18
ruled by: uranus / status: I know

StarParts: ankles, circulation

StarLite
:

  • Try harder to eat on a schedule and watch salt intake (invent a sodium level monitoring watch)!
  • You can’t save the world if you don’t stay fit… exercise!
  • Keep your hunger tantrums in check, your friends are immune to them!
  • Make sure your weird food combinations include lots of vitamins and magnesium.

pisces

february 19 - march 20
ruled by: neptune / status: I believe

StarParts: feet, hormonal system, immune system

StarLite
:

  • Flip on the caution light with your intake volume on everything from bread to champagne; food does not replace love!
  • Turn up your iPod while dining; creating a satisfying atmosphere will help curb caloric self-indulgence!
  • Dreamers need a consistent regime of holistic fitness to care for body and soul, embrace some structure.