Over the years, in numerous circumstances, I’ve treasured the wisdom of others, especially when it comes to living a healthful life. Some has come from personal friends, others from those in the public eye…some serious, others witty.

Hippocrates, for example, was an ancient Greek physician who is often referred to as the “father of medicine.” He famously advised: “Let food by thy medicine, and medicine by thy food.”

Hippocrates also said, “If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.”

Then you have Yogi Berra, professional baseball player and coach, who said,

“You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six.”

My friends Roy and Marge imparted wisdom by how they lived. They were a few decades older than me and every facet of their lives was filled with energy and enthusiasm. When I asked them to share their insights about food and eating, Marge replied, “My mother told us, ‘Remember children, at every main meal have two vegetables — one that grows above the ground and one that grows below the ground.’”

Very astute. Combinations like broccoli and carrots, tomatoes and onions, green beans and yams provide a variety of health promoting compounds that guard against chronic disease.

Roy then chimed in: “Sit around the table and enjoy the food together.”

He was right. Studies suggest that shared meals in a relaxed environment may reduce stress and improve how our bodies digest food.

And don’t forget that eating together is only partly about nutrition, my friend and nutritionist co-worker Lisa reminded me. “It’s mostly about connection and love, listening and sharing.” Amen.

This old English proverb continues to hold true: “Enough is as good as a feast.”

And these quotes are worth pondering:

“Train your body to crave healthy foods.” -author unknown

“There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal to make everyone feel happy and loved.” Ina Garten, "Barefoot Contessa" cookbook author

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Mother Teresa, Catholic nun and founder of the Missionaries of Charity

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." – Adelle Davis, American writer and nutritionist

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie.”– Jim Davis, Garfield cartoonist

Lastly, Julia Child, American chef and author of "The Art of French Cooking," is known for these zingers:

“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then I just ate.”

“You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces -- just good food from fresh ingredients.”

“If you're afraid of butter, use cream.”

She lived to be 91.

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