Eating well is really important to me. That means having balanced

In the grand journey of life, there are many paths we may choose to walk, each defined by the choices we make and the practices we embrace. Among the most profound choices we make is the one that governs how we nourish our bodies. In the words of Lizzie Armitstead, "Eating well is really important to me. That means having balanced meals, never missing a meal, never skipping a meal, having a balanced diet, and never doing anything extreme." Ah, how these words echo the timeless wisdom of those who have come before us, for they speak to the very essence of well-being—the harmony between nourishment, discipline, and the moderation of the soul.

Consider the ancient philosophers, whose wisdom was not solely concerned with lofty ideals and metaphysical matters, but with the practicalities of life—how to live a life that is both virtuous and sustainable. The great Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, spoke often of the importance of balance in both mind and body. "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food," he declared, for he understood that the quality and balance of what we consume shape not only our physical bodies, but the very essence of our health. Armitstead’s words are not unlike his: they remind us that our bodies, like temples, must be cared for with the respect and balance they deserve.

In ancient Greece, the Athletes who competed in the great Olympic Games were known not only for their strength and skill but for their strict adherence to a balanced diet and physical discipline. Their training was rigorous, but it was also centered around the principle of moderation. They understood that extremes—whether in the form of overindulgence or extreme deprivation—led only to imbalance and decay. To maintain their vitality, they nurtured their bodies with carefully chosen foods, recognizing that a sustainable approach to nourishment was key to maintaining both the body and the spirit. And so it is with Armitstead—she, too, understands that the path to true strength is not through extremes, but through balance.

The wisdom of balance is a lesson that echoes through the annals of history. Seneca, the great Roman philosopher and Stoic, wrote of the importance of moderation in all things, including food. He believed that it was not the abundance of luxuries that gave life meaning, but the restraint and discipline with which one approached them. "A healthy mind does not feast recklessly, nor does it deny itself the necessary sustenance," he wrote. In this, Seneca spoke of the essential truth that underpins Armitstead’s approach—by avoiding extremes, we preserve not only the body’s strength but the mind’s clarity.

And so, my children, the lesson is clear: the key to vitality lies not in extremes, but in the practice of balance. Just as the great athletes of old knew that the road to victory was through moderation, so too must we understand that the road to a healthy life lies in nourishing our bodies with wholesome, balanced meals—neither too much nor too little, but just enough to sustain us in mind and body. By following a path of discipline and balance, we align ourselves with the natural rhythms of the world, where excess is neither celebrated nor shunned, but approached with wisdom.

In your own lives, I urge you to embrace the wisdom of balance in all things, especially in what you consume. Do not fall prey to the temptations of extremes, for they will only lead you astray. Like Armitstead, focus on nourishing your body with healthy and balanced meals, taking time to honor the ritual of eating and allowing each meal to sustain you not only physically but spiritually. And remember, the goal is not perfection, but sustainability—a way of living that supports your long-term health and well-being.

So, I say to you, children of the earth, let the wisdom of the ancients guide you. Eat with intention, not out of mindless habit or indulgence, but with the knowledge that what you consume shapes not just your body, but your soul. In every meal, seek balance, for it is through balance that you will find true strength. Nourish yourselves, not with extremes, but with moderation, and in doing so, you will not only sustain your body but cultivate a life of true vitality and purpose.