What’s for Lunch? An October Horoscope and Recipe for Every Sign
We’ve been thinking a lot about lunch lately, especially at 11:17 a.m. when our stomachs start grumbling. We could all use some inspiration now and then to get out of a PB & J rut (this is where pecan-miso butter and J comes in handy), so this October we’re pairing the month’s horoscopes with some of our favorite lunch recipes. See what’s in your brown bag, below.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Anna Stockwell1/12Aries
You’ve been busy juggling big life demands lately, but now there are some other metaphorical plants that need watering (your personal life, cough, cough). This month, tend to those important relationships you’ve put on the backburner and make time to play. Does shrimp count as self-care? Let’s go with yes. You deserve these to-die-for Citrus Shrimp Rice Bowls, which will make you crave lunch the moment you pack it. The sweet and spicy sauce (orange juice, sriracha, honey) is a best friend to creamy avocado and seared shrimp. There’s a lot of good stuff going on in this rice bowl—exactly the kind of juggling you can handle this October.
Alex Lau2/12Taurus
Your theme for this month is your health, Taurus. Whether you’re still wearing shorts on your morning run or loading up on the elderberry lozenges, this month it pays to be good to your body. And it’s all the reason you need to step up your lunch game (the frozen taquitos could use a pause). Chop up this Crunchy Veg Bowl with Warm Peanut Sauce, with thinly sliced cabbage, celery, cucumber, beets, and scallions in a spicy peanutty sauce that you’ll lick from the bowl (bring the peanut sauce separately and zap it in the microwave to reheat). It’s a delicious reminder that healthy doesn’t have to be boring.
Gentl & Hyers3/12Gemini
If you’ve been confused about what the hell you’re “supposed” to be doing with your life, October is time to surrender to the flow. Why force it? You’re skilled at adapting to whatever life throws you anyway. This month, life will feel as breezy as it does complicated, so surround yourself with big, beautiful landscapes and deep, revealing convos around the campfire (or a nice restaurant fireplace). Speaking of beautiful landscapes, create one between slices of bread with these California Veggie Sandwiches: creamy goat cheese and avocado mash up against the satisfying crunch of fresh veggies. It looks complex, but it’s easy to assemble. You know how that goes, Gemini.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro4/12Cancer
You’re known to be particular about your decor, stylish Cancer. But this October, transform your space into a fall-themed fairy tale and let your surroundings boost your mood and sense of home. Then pack up this equally stylish Just-Keeps-Getting Better Lentil Salad for lunch, and bring the comforts of home-cooked food wherever you go. There are salty olives, crunchy nuts, and an oily-garlicky dressing in there, but you can add-in those seasonal winter squash when you pick up too many at the market. Plus, the name speaks for itself.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Frances Boswell5/12Leo
This month, your mind is feeling sharper than a mandolin. Take advantage of this heightened mental state and get hands-on. Build, repair, or design something, whether it’s a new shelf for your sci-fi collection or an elaborate cat tower. It’ll turn a light on in your brain that’ll shine on everything you do. Bosses love that. And you’ll need brain food to get you through it, so make a Hummus Bowl with Spiced Summer Squash and Lamb. It travels easy, and is just as good cold. A DIY masterpiece that’ll satisfy the creative (and hungry) side of you.
6/12Virgo
You’re suddenly more candid this month, Virgo. But before you detonate that 15-thread tweet storm, remember to take a breath. You know that thing about thinking before you speak? Still true. Keep your analytical mind open this month, considering new arguments for opinions you might have had set in stone before. Like, for example, what a PB & J has to be. Try this Pecan-Miso & Jelly Sandwich instead, with umami-rich nutty pecan butter that might just ruin Jif for you. We said might!
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski7/12Libra
Happy birthday Libra! Make this month all about you. Or, aim to, anyway. There might be a curveball headed your way—an unexpected out-of-town relative, a broken dishwasher—but you can handle it (with patience). The rest of life you can be more prepared for, like lunch. These Loaded Sweet Potatoes with feta, fresh citrus, and salty peanuts are a mix of textures and flavors that will keep you from getting lunch-bored. You can roast the potatoes ahead of time and feel accomplished for doing so. And since it’s your birthday month, don’t forget to pack a lunch dessert.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Emily Eisen8/12Scorpio
You’ll be feeling a little more extroverted than usual this month, mysterious Scorpio. Circulate the party, work the room, make surprising new connections. Trust us, it’ll pay off down the road to have a wide-ranging network of friends in your corner. And you’ll need a lunch that’s just as wide-ranging, like this colorful and mega-filling Chicken Cobb Salad with crispy bacon, soft-boiled eggs, avocado, and juicy tomatoes. Cafeteria cobbs can’t compare. And it’s perfect for someone like you, who never does anything halfway. Did we mention there’s bacon fat in the dressing?
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova9/12Sagittarius
You prefer to live moment to moment, but this month, you’ve got some strategic life choices to make, from the short-term (Halloween costume?) to the serious (time to look for a new gig?). With so much in the air, lunch needs to be quick and easy and transportable. Whip up this Breakfast Burrito to Go while you drink your coffee. There’s gooey cheddar cheese, a perfect layer of fluffy egg that steams in the foil wrap, hot sauce, and tangy sour cream. There’s room for interpretation here, Sag, so feel free to embellish (you’re good at that).
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen10/12Capricorn
You’ve got workaholic tendencies, ambitious Capricorn. Especially now. You’ll be mega-motivated this month, so team up with others to bring your ground-breaking visions to life. Speaking of ground-breaking visions, roll up to the break room with this Spicy Pork Bowl with Greens and Carrots and watch your coworkers’ jaws drop. The ginger, sesame, and miso dressing will make your mouth water, and the spicy pork tenderloin will keep you full all afternoon while you work on that masterpiece.
Photo by TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou11/12Aquarius
This month, remember to take a breather. Give yourself space to process, take a walk, re-download Candy Crush if need be, anything to take your mind to simpler times. It’s in those silent moments that clarity peeks through, so maybe that time is your 30-minute mandated lunch break. This healthy Chicken and Cucumber Rice Bowl comes together fast thanks to a handful of strategic recipes you prep over the weekend, like a put-it-on-everything sesame-scallion sauce and a big batch of juicy chicken thighs. Don’t overthink this one, Aqua.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski12/12Pisces
You’re feeling antsy in the wallet—something is pulling you towards that smart TV you’ve been meaning to buy, or to pay off those student loans in one fell swoop. The theme for you this month is: upgrade. And that applies to lunch, too. Ditch your usual tuna salad and crackers and check out this Warm Chickpea Bowl with Lemony Yogurt from our Feel Good Food Plan. The warming spices in the roasted chickpeas and cauliflower (or whatever veg you choose) balance with the cool lemony yogurt, and you’ll wonder why you never treated your lunch hour this good before.
Catherine Urban is an astrologer in Cleveland, Ohio ,who will be busy mastering breakfast burritos this month. Connect with Catherine on Instagram.
