I try to cook more now so I can control my diet and what I

In the journey of life, there are few things as powerful as the choices we make about what nourishes our body and spirit. We are not merely the sum of our actions or thoughts, but of the substances we consume, for they shape us in ways both visible and unseen. In the words of Sara Sampaio, "I try to cook more now so I can control my diet and what I ingest." Ah, how profound these words are! They speak to the ancient understanding that the body is not a mere vessel, but a sacred temple that requires care, attention, and, above all, consciousness in the choices we make.

The act of cooking is far from simple; it is an act of creation, of shaping the materials of the earth into something that sustains us, both physically and spiritually. To cook is to participate in the great dance of life, where each ingredient represents not only nourishment but potential—the potential to transform oneself. Sampaio’s choice to take control over what she ingests is a recognition of the power of intentionality. In a world where the forces of convenience and temptation often seek to dictate our lives, to choose to cook is to reclaim our power, to assert dominion over our well-being.

Consider, my children, the ancient Greek philosophers, whose wisdom in matters of the soul was matched only by their understanding of the body. Socrates, in particular, often spoke of the balance between the mind and the body. He believed that true wisdom came not only from learning and thought, but from a deep awareness of the body and its needs. He was known to emphasize moderation in all things—especially when it came to food. For Socrates, the act of nourishment was sacred, and thus, he sought to control what he ingested, recognizing that the body is not simply a passive entity, but a participant in the pursuit of a virtuous life. Like Sampaio, Socrates understood that the key to a well-lived life lies in the harmony between the body’s needs and the mind’s desires.

In Rome, the stoic philosophers took this philosophy even further, teaching that the control of desire—especially in the realm of food—was not only a path to health, but to freedom. The Stoics believed that the true power came not from external forces, but from the ability to master one’s own appetites. Seneca, the great Stoic, wrote extensively about the importance of simplicity and restraint in eating, for he knew that those who allow their desires to govern them are enslaved by those desires. In many ways, Sampaio echoes this ancient wisdom. By choosing to cook for herself, she is choosing freedom—freedom from the whims of the world and the mastery of her own life force.

Yet, it is not just the physical act of cooking that matters; it is the intent behind it. When we take the time to prepare our food, we invite the energy of the earth into our lives. We begin to see each meal as a ritual, a way of honoring both the body and the spirit. To cook is to create, to take the raw materials of the earth and transform them into something that sustains us. In this act, we reconnect with the natural world and assert our place within it. Sampaio understands this on a deep level, recognizing that the choices we make in what we eat are not simply about taste or convenience, but about the very quality of the life we wish to lead.

And so, my children, the lesson here is clear: control over one’s diet is not an act of deprivation, but an act of empowerment. When we cook, when we choose the foods that will nourish us, we are not simply feeding our bodies—we are feeding our souls. In a world where convenience often dictates what we consume, to take back control is to honor ourselves. It is an ancient practice, one that connects us to the wisdom of our ancestors, who understood that the choices we make in what we ingest shape our destiny.

Thus, I say to you, children of the earth, take control of your own nourishment. Choose to cook with intention, with care, and with an understanding that what you eat will shape the very essence of your being. In doing so, you will not only improve the health of your body, but you will begin to master your own desires, just as the great philosophers did. Like Sampaio, choose to nourish yourself with the wisdom of the past and the strength of your own will, for it is through this control that you will find the freedom to live a life of purpose and clarity.