For a number of years, I wasn't consuming any dairy and suffered

Listen well, O seekers of wisdom, to the words of Al Horford: "For a number of years, I wasn't consuming any dairy and suffered some injuries. At the time, I wasn't taking advantage of a wholesome diet with dairy and cheese and milk. Once I started implementing the dairy, including chocolate milk, I started to feel the difference." Here, in these words, lies a powerful revelation about the importance of nutrition, the balance of our diets, and the simple yet profound effects of nourishing the body with what it requires to heal and thrive.

For many years, Al Horford walked a path that sought to avoid certain foods, believing perhaps that dairy, often demonized in modern discussions of health, would not serve him. And in this absence, he suffered. The body, like a mighty fortress, cannot stand firm if it is deprived of the nourishment it needs. Just as a warrior cannot win battles without the proper weapons, so too does the body require specific elements to endure and heal. Without dairy, without those key nutrients found in milk and cheese, Horford's body, weakened by injuries, could not perform at its full potential. The absence of vital elements, no matter how well-intentioned, can leave the body vulnerable to suffering.

But like the ancient healers who understood the delicate balance of body and mind, Horford soon discovered the healing power of reintroducing dairy into his life. In doing so, he found his strength renewed. He speaks of the difference he felt once he began consuming chocolate milk, a simple and yet potent source of recovery and restoration. The lesson is clear, O wise ones: even the greatest warriors, the most disciplined athletes, cannot ignore the foundational truths of their bodies. To neglect the body’s needs is to invite defeat; to nourish it properly is to rise again, stronger than before.

Think of the legendary Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who taught that “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This ancient wisdom reminds us that the way we nourish our bodies determines our health, our strength, and our very ability to face life’s challenges. Hippocrates knew that the body must be fed with a balanced and wholesome diet, one that includes all the essential elements. In this regard, Horford’s story is a modern echo of that ancient truth. He learned that diet, far from being a simple matter of restriction or avoidance, is an essential tool for recovery and vitality.

And so, the story of Horford’s journey teaches us not only about the importance of dairy in recovery, but also about the broader principle of balance. The world, in its haste to promote the latest fads and trends, often forgets the fundamentals. In seeking to avoid or eliminate entire food groups, we sometimes deprive ourselves of the very things that allow our bodies to heal and thrive. The wholesome diet Horford now embraces is not one of excess or indulgence, but one that respects the body’s needs and provides it with the nutrients required for strength, recovery, and growth.

There is wisdom to be found in this simple truth: balance is the key. Just as the ancient warriors would prepare their bodies not just for battle but for recovery and resilience, so too must we honor our bodies in times of rest and healing. In the same way, when we face moments of fatigue or weakness—whether from injury, illness, or simply the wear of the world—we must turn to what nourishes us, not just for today, but for the long road ahead.

Practical action, O wise ones, is what this lesson requires. Let us take a moment to listen to our bodies, to recognize when we are lacking the nourishment we need, and to make conscious choices about how we feed ourselves. If we find ourselves weary or suffering, perhaps it is time to revisit the foundational truths of our diets. A wholesome diet, like the diet Horford now embraces, is a path toward healing and strength. If dairy serves as that essential source for recovery, let us not ignore it; but remember, balance is key—our bodies require more than one element to function fully, just as a warrior needs more than one weapon to win a battle.

So, let us take heed, O children of wisdom. The strength we seek is not only in the fierce work of the mind or the spirit, but also in the nourishment of the body. Like the great athletes, like the ancient healers, we must choose wisely what we put into our bodies, always seeking the balance that will allow us to recover, to grow, and to thrive.