Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 26th 2006, 2:33pm By queenseyes

Chinese New Years- iGuo Niani (Survive the Beast). Are you hibernating? Well good, except its time to celebrate Chinese New Yearis! This year it starts on the 29th of January, the official beginning of the new lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the full moon with the Lantern Lighting. The legends say that iNiani was a monster beast that preyed on people before the New Year. He was subdued by an immortal god who led him astray then advised people to put up red lanterns and use firecrackers in case it snuck back again. Itis traditionally a family celebration, but for many of us, our friends are our family.

So letis throw a party! Try using these key ingredients to create a simple and memorable time. For many of these food items, Iid look at:

-Lexington Co-op 807 Elmwood at Lancaster Ave 716-886-2667 -AiChau Oriental Grocer on the corner of Rhode Island and Niagara is full of Asian foods and gifts. 716-882-3867 -Your favorite Chinese take out for any prepared dishes

Tangerines - a symbol of Good Luck and Oranges and Pomelos-for Wealth. Our most optimistic fruits, bring sunshine, warmth and playfulness to our homes in the gloomy days of winter.

Dumplings - for Wealth- (aka Pot Stickers) the perfect comfort food, vegetarian or not. Easy to find in the frozen food section, unless you want to make your own

Lettuce - for Prosperity - we can never get enough greens

Noodles - for Longevity- a kid favorite in any culture

Oysters - Receptivity to Good Fortune. We can add this to the other reasons to eat oysters- as an aphrodisiac as well as a good source of zinc.

Seaweed - for Good Luck. Try different kinds in a seaweed salad with a ginger n tamari dressing, or nori makes the best scoopers for dips.

Whole Fish- a symbol of Abundance and Togetherness. If itis too much to make, order it in from your favorite Chinese Restaurant.

1. Celebrate your New Year coming by cleaning your house in preparation, but once the New Year starts, donit keep cleaning or youill sweep away all the prosperity and fortune you have brought in.

2. Use red decorations, even simple red flowers will be great. Our friends timed a perfect Christmas gift of a red amaryllis thatis about to open. A good one to remember for next year.

3. There are wonderful Chinese New Year treats at the Asian stores around town. Look for traditional Lai See envelopes- tuck a little good luck money into them to give the children. Also beautiful lanterns to light.

4. Have the kids make their own safe fireworks with dark construction paper, lots of colored glitter and glue. Put a glob of the glue on the paper, blow through a straw to create bursts, then add glitter. This wonderful website has all kinds of crafts and educational downloads for fun: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/

Stop hibernating, at least for now. Find out your Chinese astrological sign, invite a few friends over, and bring on the New Year!