Taurus (April 20-May 20) rules the throat and the neck, including the vocal chords, tonsils and palate. So is it any wonder that this sign of the zodiac has a lavish love for food? A Taurus wants only the good things in life. They will never have an empty fridge, but one with an array of the best quality comfort foods. In their approach to life, Taureans assume an outlook that reflects their desire to live with security, harmony and abundance. The foods mentioned below are not solely reserved for the Bull, but provide a variety of benefits for all signs.

Beef
Lean beef is an excellent source of protein, providing 64.1% of the daily value in just one serving, and only has one more gram of saturated fat per serving than that in a boneless skinless chicken breast. Lean beef contains a large amount of your daily value in various vitamins and minerals, too: 36% for zinc, 14% for iron, 48.7% for vitamin B12, and 24.5% for B6. This is the perfect entrée for the Bull; they can indulge and reap the healthy benefits.

Bread
Bread has been a staple food since prehistoric times. Still thought of as the 'staff of life,' bread is used in a variety of religious ceremonies. Even the Christian prayer requests of God to 'Give us this day our daily bread' -- meaning not merely loaves, but moral sustenance. Bread is perhaps the most important item in our diet. Despite the amount of carbohydrates, when used in reasonable amounts, it is extremely satisfying and beneficial. A government survey showed that flour and bread provide us with more energy, protein, iron, nicotinic acid and vitamin B1 than any other basic food. So don’t let that new stigma of too much carbs get in the way of your craving. The Taurus will be delighted to use bread in any preparation as a comfort cushion.

Cherries
Dating back as far as 300 B.C., cherries have held a place on the tables of gourmets for centuries, such as the Roman conquerors, the Greeks, Chinese noblemen and many others. Their unique qualities even landed them their name, which was coined after the Turkish town of Cerasus. These luscious beauties were shipped to America with the early settlers in the 1600s, and soon after, were exchanged throughout the world. It is not only their beauty and taste that makes them so appealing, but also their healing abilities. Cherries contain anthocyanins that reduce pain and inflammation, bioflavonoids that have significant antioxidant properties, ellagic acid that helps combat cancer, and last but not least, modest amounts of potassium and vitamin C. Being a lover of sensual and soft fruits, the Taurus is sure to enjoy cherries by the handful or in a freshly baked pie.

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Chickpeas
The chickpea, also known as the garbanzo bean or ceci, is one of nature's most perfect foods. Chickpeas are part of the legume family and a little firmer in texture than other beans, with a nutty flavor. Like most beans, they are rich in the best sort of fiber -- soluble fiber -- which helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body. They are a useful source of folate, vitamin E, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and calcium. Because of their high-potassium, low-sodium attributes, they help reduce blood pressure in every bite. Eliciting nature in every taste and smell, the chickpea will create an earthy nostalgia for the environment around the Taurus.

Coriander
Coriander is a member of the parsley family, and is sometimes called cilantro or Chinese parsley. Dating as far back as 5000 B.C., coriander was spoken of in the Old Testament -- 'manna' is described as 'white like coriander seed.' (Exodus 16:31) Coriander seeds top the list of the healing spices and have many health-supporting benefits that can be primarily attributed to their high phytonutrients. It is clear that this plant is a cosmopolitan medic. Whether the Taurus is venturing out of their comfort zone or preparing a traditional dish, this friendly herb will provide them with a nice familiarity.

Mint
Mint has been used for its healing properties and as a popular ingredient in dishes from around the world for centuries. Mint was once thought to be the Greek nymph, Mentha. When she claimed to be superior to Pluto’s wife, Persephone, she was transformed into this aromatic herb. There are many varieties of mint, the most popular being peppermint and spearmint. Mint can be used in tea to settle an upset stomach and is capable of whitening teeth. The Taurean, with a mere cup of mint tea, can be calmed and relieved of any chaos or change that may be disrupting their centered life.

Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice, and for good reason. It takes up to 75,000 handpicked blossoms, each with only three strands of saffron, to make just one pound of the high-maintenance ingredient. Thousands of years ago, saffron was used not only to flavor food and beverages, but also to make medicines and to dye cloth and body oils a deep yellow color. It is said that in minimal quantities it controls women's menstruation and helps nurture a women’s fertility. It is a fact that, even since antiquity, crocus was attributed to have aphrodisiac properties. Saffron is internationally known to be an excellent stimulant. Since Taureans love the finer things in life, they have a great appreciation for saffron and its rich, unique flavor.

Scallops
Throughout history, the scallop shell has been considered a symbol of beauty. Artists so admired their symmetry and grace that they oftentimes used them as ornaments in paintings of Venus, which gained them great prestige starting in the medieval era. Scallops have many important nutrients for cardiovascular health including vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and potassium. This popular bivalve mollusk also has two beautifully fan-shaped shells that can be used as a serving dish to present such classics as Coquilles St. Jacques. The scallop is the perfect combination of culinary delicacy and aesthetic beauty. Visually and orally-oriented, Taureans will be delighted at the unison of the physical beauty and wholesome taste that scallops possess.

About the Author
Sabra Ricci is a chef to the celebrities and a world-renowned caterer on the beautiful island of Maui, as well as an accomplished astrologer. She is renowned for her healthy, delectable menus. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Sabra worked in Paris for YES Catering Company and as a consultant at Grail Springs Spa in Canada. During the 2003 fashion week in New York City, Sabra was one of four chefs selected to participate in the 'Five Star Feast', a 'Chef to the Celebrities' cooking extravaganza and live demonstration hosted by Joan Lunden.