Eating our way through the zodiac ~GEMINI~
Marie Kondo’s statement ‘ideally you should have no more than 30 books’ spawned outrage on social media by Geminis and bibliophiles everywhere. Now, I have not read her books nor watched her Netflix series, so I don’t know if she really meant those words… did she? Could she? I started looking around my home, taking note of how many books I have. There are books everywhere! I would say that 85% of my books are work related- I have Gemini on my Midheaven! My work requires and will always require eternal study, so I am sure to keep cluttering my space with more and more books. My desire to accumulate books is not out of obligation to my chosen craft, it’s because knowledge, insight and understanding bring me copious amounts of joy and peace!
Now that being said, I am preparing for a move… a big move. When I look at the amount of books and translate them into how many boxes… I have too many books! I do have to lighten the weight before my departure; I do have to part with many treasures. So right now I have a dining table stacked with books and I am trying not to look at them to long, for they tug at me. I dare not open one up, as I will cave and take it out of the pile. Maybe I will take them to Seekers bookstore on Bloor and give some gems to a place where I have found so many riches.
Gemini hungers for intellectual stimulation and the chatty Gemini can juggle people, conversations, and task like no other. Being an air sign, Gemini has a nature that is generally cheery, friendly and optimistic. They are connectors, communicators who can navigate the social realms. Its ruling planet Mercury influences this mutable sign to be almost chameleon like at times as it navigates and shift from one environment to the next with ease.
The main systems in the body that Gemini governs are the nervous system and respiratory system. Air signs have a sanguine temperament of being warm and moist so we will often see imbalances where there is too much heat (generally in the thin, angular Gemini) or too much moisture. Kali Mur (Potassium Chloride) is the Cell Salt for Gemini. This compound is essential for the formation of brain and neural tissue. It is also used for conditions where there is excess mucus in the lungs. Kali Mur aids with the assimilation of nutrients from food and so helps for those who are underweight or have malabsorption issues.
No matter how much I plan to write this Zodiac piece ahead of time, I am always scrambling to make my deadline. So with a mountain of books on my dining table I put out a last minute call to friends luring them in with food but having an ulterior motive to send them home with books. First plan a menu! Gemini likes variety and snacky food. I wanted to include foods good for the nervous system and high in antioxidants for this busy and sometimes stressed out sign. I came up with a colourful meal that was fun and popping with flavours.
The Gemini Social
Carrot and Turmeric Hummus, Beetroot Dip, Lemon Candied Salmon and Jerk Smoked Salmon, Olives with Fermented Lemon and Rosemary, Crudités and Chocolate Match Energy Balls
Egyptian Beet Dip- courtesy of Richa @ myfoodstory.com
5 medium sized Beetroots
3–4 Garlic Cloves
1 cup Greek Yoghurt
1/4 cup Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground Coriander Powder
1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon ground Pepper
Toasted Pine Nuts, Pistachios and Feta for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 220 degrees celsius.
Cut off the beetroot stems 1 cm from the roots. Scrub the beetroots and wrap them individually in aluminium foil. Wrap the unpeeled garlic pods also in foil.
Bake the beetroots for 1 hour in the oven. Place the wrapped garlic pods also in the oven 40 minutes after placing the beets to bake.
Cool the beets. Peel both the beets and the garlic. Chop the beets roughly. Place the beets, garlic, yoghurt, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and paprika in a food processor and process till smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill till required. Serve with warm, crusty bread or crackers.
CARROT AND TURMERIC HUMMUS- COURTESY OF DELPHINE FORTIN@DELSCOOKINGTWIST.COM
INGREDIENTS
2–3 carrots, sliced
1 Tablespoon ground turmeric
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon virgin olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
14 oz (400g) canned chickpeas, drained (I used cannellini beans)
1 Tablespoon tahini
2 large lemon (juice)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven on broil position and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Place the carrot slices onto the baking sheet. Season with 1/2 Tablespoon of turmeric, sprinkle with one clove garlic (minced), and drizzle some olive oil all over. Season with salt and pepper and put in the oven on broil position for about 20 minutes until tender, stirring often.
Add the carrots to a food processor together with all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Slowly add 2 or 3 tablespoons of water with the processor turned on in order to obtain a creamy consistency. When ready, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Pour the hummus into a bowl, drizzle about one tablespoon of olive oil over the top and sprinkle some additional turmeric on top.
Chocolate Matcha Energy Balls - courtesy of Maven @ thehealthymaven.com
½ cup soft, pitted dates* (make sure they are sticky)
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T matcha green tea powder + more for dusting
1 T unsweetened almond milk
INSTRUCTIONS
Add dates and almonds to a food processor and process until they come together into a sticky ball.
Break up ball and add in cocoa powder, matcha powder and almond milk.
Process until all ingredients have been combined and form into a large sticky ball again.
Roll into 10 small balls and dust with more matcha powder.
Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or longer in freezer.