A golden sun spread its hue across the acres of peach trees on the Patel’s farm. Annie and LJ were driving there to help pick the first harvest and visit with Nishi and Uday. It was only seven am but already hot at eighty degrees, which meant a triple-digit day.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been thinking about our food philosophy,” said Annie.

LJ smiled,” Do we have one?”

“Well, if a food philosophy is a guiding principle used to make healthy choices, I would say we have one. But maybe we need to be more explicit, is what I’m thinking.”

“Okay, I’ll start.” LJ turned down the radio, “We view food as a source of nutrition. Therefore, we only eat whole food because it provides maximum nutritional benefits. We practice mindful eating since we know how food choices affect our health. We grow some food and buy the rest from Farmer’s markets; this helps reduce our carbon footprint, which is also good for the earth. How am I doing?”

“You nailed it! Can I remind you again that you are a genius,” Annie declared? “Here are my additions, in the words of Michael Pollan,

“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

I believe he means to make sure what you eat is food. He states,

“Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot. Things like Twinkies that never go bad aren’t food.”

LJ nodded, “Pollen also says,

“Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients.”

Which is another way of saying, eat whole food. I like the philosophy of Sid Garza-Hillman, who writes in The Only Four Healthy Eating Rules You Need to Follow,

“Eat whole, healthy food MOTT (Most of The Time). For most of us who live in the modern world, there will be times and places where we simply don’t have access to healthy foods.”

“Point well taken, a food philosophy’s goal is not to add stress but rather to have a simple framework from which to make good choices most of the time and be okay when travel, parties, and other events mean whole and healthy food is inaccessible,” said Annie. “Another part of our food philosophy is,

Eat three balanced meals daily; this gives your digestive system enough time to extract valuable nutrients.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that the calories needed for adult women should range from 1,600 to 2,400 per day and 2,000 to 3,000 per day for men.”

“We are developing a good framework,” said LJ as he pulled into the farm’s driveway, “Let’s grab our gloves and get ready to pick.”

“I am so glad to see you,” said Nishi happily as she greeted them. Uday is at the first orchard, ensuring the crew eats breakfast before they start and everyone has plenty of water. If we take this path, we’ll be there in about ten minutes.”

Annie hugged Nishi, “Okay. I thought you and Uday didn’t eat until after nine am because you only eat within an eight-hour timeframe? It’s a little after seven now. Does that mean you won’t’ eat after three today?

“We believe in the Circadian Rhythm food philosophy, which recommends eating only while the sun is up. We usually eat seventy-five percent of our nutrition before three pm. We also believe food philosophies should be adjusted according to circumstances. The circadian rhythm is a serious commitment and not for everyone, but it does tend to yield healthy outcomes for those who practice it.”

“I see,” said LJ. “based on what we’ve been talking about, here’s how I would sum up a simple and effective food philosophy:

1. Eat whole food and not too much
2. Eat mindfully; most of the time
3. Buy locally grown
4. Eat three balanced meals every day
5. Eat seventy-five percent of your nutrition early in the day
6. Do not get thirsty

“Nice,” said Nishi. “I’m borrowing it. A food philosophy of simple habits can lead to healthy aging throughout a lifetime.”

Annie and LJ are a fictional couple. Their storyline promotes healthy eating and earth-friendly practices.