I’m hot for blueberries right now – obviously. as i might have mentioned, these tasty little ubiquitous berries are ruled by the planet of Jupiter. This is due to their bountiful and seemingly endless nature. Pisces is co-ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Where as, Sagittarius is ruled solely by Jupiter. To paint a blue picture for you, think about Elvis (sag rising) & anna nicole (sag sun). Gluttony, hedonism & expansion (ahem, waistline) were but a few of their Sagittarian qualites.

If there’s anything I could possibly hate about my favorite season, summer, it’s that everything is ripe all at once! arghhh… so little time, so much to pick. or buy, whatever. that’s why we have freezers, right? now if i could just learn how to use them! but back to blueberries… when it rains it pours. all spring and summer, i painstakingly watch those little balls go from a pale shade of green to pink to finally a deep blue hue. YES… FINALLY! what gives? weeks and weeks of no ripe berries, but then, one day they all decide to get ripe. together. blue ball overload! here’s the way to handle that girls…

BAD GIRL SMOOTHIE

yield: 2 drinks

1/2 c silken tofu
1/3 c honey
full tray of ice
tsp flax oil
2/3 c blueberries
4 oz vodka

throw it all in the blender at the same time and puree until ice is smooth. (created by gwen sutherland kaiser)

even the goodest girl has to be bad sometimes. well no time like the present, so go ahead girls, adulterate those hyper-healthy ingredients. and like it too. who’s to know your smoothie’s kickin? that’s your dirty little secret, you bad girl you. drink for breakfast and walk to work with a spring in your step. or, drink for dinner and have some really sweet dreams.

ABOUT BLUEBERRIES

Once ubiquitous throughout the United States, an unthinkable plague killed almost all of our grand Chesnut trees. Jupiter is the planet of proliferation, abundance and largeness. If the Chesnut tree, whose diameter could be as great as 17 feet, didn’t epitomize the qualities of Jupiter, I don’t know what did. Sagittarius’ heart, appetite and mind are as large as the trunk of a Chestnut tree. They will drink till there’s no tomorrow. They will dance through the soles of their shoes. They will pick up the gigundo bar tab. They will eat all seven courses of their six course meal. They will heavy pour when mixing your drink. They will stay out ’til dawn, and then go to an after hours club. This is a sign with not a whole lot of limits, and a soft spot for anything decadent. Hence, Sagg will delight in this rich, cream-based cocktail.

CHESTNUT CHILLIN’ (CHESTNUT TODDY)

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 oz Chestnut Syrup
- 1 oz Scotch
- 1 oz SILK soy creamer or real cream
- 12 chestnuts

INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add Scotch, SILK creamer or cream, chestnut syrup and shake. Strain into frosted martini glass. Slit a whole chestnut for garnish (baked or raw).

* CHESTNUT SYRUP:
Bake 12 chestnuts in oven. Slit the pointed end of
each nut with an X. Place on baking tray and bake on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Allow to cool, peeling shell and skin from the nuts. Chop coarsely and place in sauce pot with 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar. Bring to boil, stir, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain into final storage container, adding 1 oz vodka as a preservative. Store in
fridge.
***pureed or vacuum sealed chestnuts may be substituted in the off season.

ALSO TRY: Caramelized Chestnuts & Chocolate Fondue

(Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)