ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 15, 1997 TAG: 9701150005
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PATTY LANOUE STEARNS KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
This year, like last, you've made some resolutions: Get the bod in shape, start exercising, eat healthier.
You've tried all the diets - low-fat, high-protein, the carbohydrate blitz - yet you're feeling bloated and wrung out like an old dishrag.
Perhaps it's time to consult the sun, moon and stars.
``Aside from what one does in the bathroom or boudoir, nothing is more revealing than what and how you eat,'' says Dennis Fairchild, a psychic astrologer in Birmingham, Mich.
He believes certain foods are compatible with the 12 signs of the zodiac - your planetary palate, as he calls it. Each sign has its own set of general personality traits, he says, and governs a different part of the body.
Fairchild himself is a ``spicy Scorpio - give me saffron and cayenne and something that's really going to make me know that I've got food in my belly.''
He says Virgos are analytical and finicky, Taureans are into simple stuff but tend to overeat, and Geminis like small meals because they can't sit still long enough for a feast.
Registered nurse Mary Smith, an Aries with Virgo rising, develops recipes and menu plans for clients around individual sun signs and has studied the astrological-dietary-body connection for many years.
Cancer, a water sign, is drawn to food with a high water content, she says. Fire-sign Sagittarians need red meat, she says, to fuel their highly developed muscular systems.
She adds that people with different sun signs can coexist peacefully at the dinner table by planning ahead and tailoring the same dish by taking advantage of the herbs and spices that fit each sign. Things can get complicated, however, if you're a vegetarian Aquarian and live with a carnivorous Sagittarian.
``Sun signs are really not very accurate,'' sniffs nutritional counselor Robert Lewanski of Troy, Mich. He combines astrological charts with the same ancient Chinese I Ching and Eastern Indian Ayurvedic body-typing methods used by health guru and author Deepak Chopra to come up with recommendations for his clients' diets.
Even so, he agrees there are commonalities that those born under each sun sign share.
OK, so let's go for the generalities and have some fun. If you follow your daily horoscope, perhaps you'll see yourself in the personality and dietary rundowns our stargazing panel provides.
ARIES (March 21-April 20)
``This fire sign is usually hungry and in a hurry. Give them what they want and don't monkey with them when they're starving,'' says Fairchild, who says Aries has no patience with Martha Stewart-like eight-course meals. Aries, the ``cosmic convenience sign of the zodiac,'' lusts for spices, garlic, crunchy pickles, scrambled eggs, pizza and microwaved cuisine, he says.
``They're finicky eaters when they're young, but they need lots of greens - kale, broccoli - and potatoes, yams, squash and green beans,'' says Lewanski, who advises Aries to stay away from fats, sweets, soda pop, drugs and alcohol.
TAURUS (April 21-May 20)
The neck area, including the thyroid gland, is governed by this sign, and Taurean necks are often thick like a bull's, according to Lewanski.
``They need activity and exercise because they tend to get lazy. They like food - a lot,'' he says. ``Taureans make excellent cooks and home entertainers, but they also like to overeat; their life centers around food.''
Fairchild says their taste in food is simple: ``Potatoes are their passion - the more the merrier - and any spud will do.'' They're slow cooks and they love dining out on discounts, prefer sitting in booths and like big helpings.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Those born under this sign are speedy, versatile and quick-witted. Geminis make good actors, broadcasters and salespeople as well as convincing con artists. ``They're bird-like eaters who need variety, small portions and at least two different beverages at each meal,'' says Fairchild, adding that they like to pick at their food and converse between swallows. Buffets and smorgasbords suit them to a T.
``They don't sit still,'' says Lewanski, who recommends yoga as a calming exercise for this restless sign and Earth-type foods to keep them healthy: yams, carrots, potatoes, grains, beets, parsnips and squash.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Ruled by the moon and their stomachs, Cancers tend to get wide, Lewanski says. ``They're patient, make good parents, but they like to sit and eat a lot, so they need to watch it, stick with natural foods and grains because they're very sensitive and gain easily.''
Fairchild says Cancers lust for warm, chewy comfort foods - things hot and thick like mom used to make, such as hearty soups or sauces, but no foreign or trendy items.
Smith says Cancers need nutrient-rich foods with high water content: cabbage, leafy greens, root vegetables, shellfish, watermelon, nuts and ice cream.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
A compliment goes miles with fire-sign Leo, who loves being pampered and treated royally. Leos' hard outer personae are ruled by warm hearts, so Leos must watch out for high cholesterol and other blood problems, says Lewanski. Raspberries help cool the blood and clean the liver, he says, adding that Leos should avoid red meat and go for foods such as cucumbers, lettuce, melons, greens, celery, barley and buckwheat.
``Natural and organic foods are their passion and curiosity,'' Fairchild concurs.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Detail-oriented, practical, analytical and finicky, health-conscious Virgos are ruled by their bowels and intestines and often eat antacids for dessert, our advisers agree, so small meals more frequently work well. Smith recommends mostly fresh vegetables for Virgo, whose tender systems can't digest meats easily.
``Forget saffron, Thai sauce or sushi,'' Fairchild says. ``They expect foods or sweets that they're used to, even though they're usually too shy to complain in front of you.''
Lewanski says Virgos should eat a blend of naturally sweet and bitter foods to prevent stagnation in the system: root vegetables, dates, carrots, deep greens and asparagus. And they should keep moving so their bodies can keep pace with their active minds.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
With a tendency to put on loads of pounds around the hips, this water sign is ruled by the bladder and should be careful about salt intake, according to Lewanski. ``They tend to carry too much water in their bodies,'' he says, and recommends they get lots of exercise and eat warming foods such as soups, ginger, fennel, as well as steamed vegetables.
``Dining alone depresses them,'' Fairchild adds. ``They go for the look and presentation of the food - little touches like origami-folded napkins. Tofu and bean sprouts are terrific, provided they're on a silver or gold serving dish.''
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Folks born under this sign are ruled by their sex organs and kidneys, says Fairchild. They need satisfaction, he says, and don't care what they eat as long as there are plenty of embellishments. ``Make sure there are condiments, condiments and more condiments,'' he insists.
Lewanski warns they must be watchful of too much water and excess protein that will leave them feeling bloated and achy in the joints. He recommends yams as well as squash, hot spices, walnuts and root vegetables.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Walkers, mountain climbers and exercisers are found under this sign, which is ruled by Jupiter and the thighs, Lewanski says.
``They love food and may eat you out of house and home,'' says Fairchild. ``Foreign foods as a side dish are fun, but barbecued meat, fish and chicken are better - they eat to get satisfied.''
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Time is money to those born under this sign, who tend to worry and have problems with their knees, says Lewanski. He recommends they avoid large quantities of meat and stick with yellow foods - lemons, bananas, squash and grapefruit, as well as oranges and red vegetables.
Fairchild says Capricorns prefer foods that will make them stronger and healthier, and go for quality rather than quantity. Noodles and pasta and organic foods are their picks, he says.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
``Let them munch at the free-food happy hour or salt lick; they don't like fuss and they love salt,'' says Fairchild.
Lewanski agrees, adding that water-bearers tend to have bladder and kidney problems as well as arthritis in the ankles. Beans, fresh summer salads and steamed winter vegetables are good for this happy and malleable sign, which dislikes waste and tends toward natural foods and global cuisine. Many Aquarians are vegetarians or macrobiotics, says Fairchild.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
``Fish-folk don't always indulge in salmon, but they love bubbly drinks as a complement to their food,'' says Fairchild. Middle-of-the-road casseroles and moderately spiced foods are Pisces' faves, he says.
This water sign gains weight easily and can be troubled by foot problems, says Lewanski.
He advises avoiding rich foods that can contribute to gout, getting plenty of exercise and staying away from salt.
Recipes for:
ARIES: IN-A-RUSH VEGETABLE STIR-FRY MEDLEY
TAURUS: CREAMY MASHED POTATOES
GEMINI: BARLEY, CORN AND LIMA BEAN SALAD
CANCER: MY MOTHER'S CHICKEN SOUP
LEO: SPINACH SALSA
VIRGO: FRESH GARDEN VEGETABLE POTTAGE
LIBRA: SOLE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PARSLEY
SCORPIO: GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH HONEY-DIJON SAUCE
MARINADE:
SCORPIO: HONEY-DIJON SAUCE
SAGITTARIUS: STEAK AND ONIONS
CAPRICORN: CHIPOTLE TOMATO SAUCE.
AQUARIUS: CHICKPEA AND ARTICHOKE HEART STEW
PISCES: VEGETABLE-RICE CASSEROLE WITH HAM
LENGTH: Long : 182 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: color.by CNB