Last week I challenged readers to dispense wisdom in just seven words. More than 1,000 of you offered ideas, adding up to more than 7,000 words of sage advice.
The goal was to mimic the haiku-like catchphrase found in the best-selling new book “In Defense of Food.” On the cover, author Michael Pollan distills his message down to a seven-word edict:
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
Based on an idea by Times Book Review editor Dwight Garner, the Well blog asked readers to tweak the original and create their own 2-3-2 word sequences.
The readers did not disappoint. We heard advice about food:
Eat pie. Very good pie. Not often. (#350)
And exercise:
Get exercise. Frequent and regular. With sweat. (#103)
There was romance:
Think deeply. Live with relish. Marry Carolyn. (#19)
(I checked, and the author is planning to marry Carolyn in April.)
Advice for relationships:
Accept him. Or dump him. Relationship fixed. (#277)
And many pleas to call your mother:
Call Mom. Let her talk. Don’t argue. (#845)
Readers gave us fashion advice:
Wear clothes. Not too many. Mostly spandex. (#138)
And financial advice:
Earn ten. Only spend nine. Happy one. (#66)
Some posters expressed frustration that so many readers didn’t seem to understand the contest instructions:
Follow directions. Two-three-two. Not whatever. (#131)
Others mocked the whole concept:
Spend time. On useful things. Not this. (#321)
There was pandering, which we encourage:
Stay informed. Read the Times. Every day. (#159)
And there were helpful driving tips:
Drive safely. Use turn signal. Not finger. (#432)
And insight:
Know thyself. But not completely. Need surprises. (#176)
Finally, some entries scared us a little:
Go outside. Watch neighbor shower. Post photos. (#327)
With so much great wisdom out there, how could we possibly choose a winner? Well, we didn’t. We chose six. Five honorable mentions will receive a farmers’ market tote bag with the original “Eat food…” mantra and book cover. One lucky winner will get the tote bag, plus a signed copy of Mr. Pollan’s book. And the top five picks have the distinction of being personally selected, from a list of finalists, by Mr. Pollan.
I picked number six, because if there’s anything better than seven-word wisdom, it’s seven-word wisdom from a seven-year-old, and I’m a sucker for little kids. So the first tote bag goes to Emma, age 7 1/2, for:
Be nice. Love your mom. And dad. (#795)
And the top five winners are:
5th place: Read Pollan. Take his advice. With salt. (#31)
4th place: Make promises. Don’t break them. Find loopholes. (#554)
3rd place: Seek wisdom. Think for yourself. Avoid maxims. (#356)
2nd place: Enter contests. Don’t ignore rules. Try again. (#81)
And the 1st-place prize goes to reader A.K., whose post (#33) not only managed to challenge Mr. Pollan’s original edict but also made us laugh:
Ate plants. A big heap. Still hungry.
For the complete list of contest entries, click here.
Healthy living doesn't happen at the doctor's office. The road to better health is paved with the small decisions we make every day. It's about the choices we make when we buy groceries, drive our cars and hang out with our kids. Join columnist Tara Parker-Pope as she sifts through medical research and expert opinions for practical advice to help readers take control of their health and live well every day. You can reach Ms. Parker-Pope at 
The easiest and most pleasurable way to eat well is to cook. Recipes for Health offers recipes with an eye towards empowering you to cook healthy meals every day. 
From 1 to 25 of 49 Comments
Sorry this one is late:
Hug, breath. Warmth, light. Serve only others.
Tashi delek!!!
— Gyurmethis doesn’t fit the criteria but I think it’s VERY relevant! M. Pollan also said (and with even few words):
You are what you eat eats.
I’d still say it is food for thought.
great con
— bird rosstest.Darn I
missed it.
oooh..It causes a hot discussions on the forum page of gothicmingle dot com today, many guys there love this kind of topic very much
— aliceMarvelous Stuff! Want Read More. Where list?
From TPP — I updated the story to include a link to the original list. Click HERE.
— WizzyDidn’t enter. Wish I had. Too late.
— ken baltimorePsah!
The contest was rigged! It’s soooo obvious that Diebold has gotten as well, TPP.
— ObserverGoofing off. Should be Working. Nap Time
— MitchI know it’s too late, but here’s my cynical take on things:
Simple answers. To life problems. Usually wrong.
— rickiEntered often. Not a winner. Feeling glum.
From TPP — Many entered. Everyone a winner. Kind of. (also i particularly liked your eviscerated surfer entry.)
— Tim SLife’s mysteries. In seven words. Totally solved.
— ObserverGreat Winners. Will it end? Speaking in 2.3.2 now!
— lparkerSuggestion for. Next column or. Web post:
Brain stuck. Seven word mode. Any cure?
From TPP: I’m laughing. Stuck here too. No advice.
— MNBComfort myself:
— Juan Hoo Shudno“I’m too sophisticated
For NYT.”
Tell self:
— Soar Looser“Remember Vincent never
Won once.”
Great idea: Perfect bathroom literature. From Entries.
— Charhhhhmmmm… and the winner is… lacking the first rule. dispense wisdom. how can that be? and in fourth place we have the great american ideal. find loopholes! (guess the winner did)
— tomsonFrom TPP — Actually, i think there is a sort of wisdom in the winner. Its’ easy enough to tell people to eat more vegetables, but they don’t fill us up as much as other foods do they? But really, it was mostly just funny i thought. Who would you have picked? It was a pretty tough job i have to say. So many good entries.
Oh well. Life goes on. For sometime.
— Cynikal_Sykoactually yes, tpp, vegetables do fill you up as much as “other foods”. volume is volume. basic science. something someone in the health field i am sure knows. as for my pick for the winner(s).
— tomson#281
live simply
love without conditions
give generously
#659
#693
#705
#1215
these dispense wisdom, are not gross, lack profanity and follow more closely the cadence of haiku and mr pollan’s advise for the world we live in.
a little late -
— don’t need to knowLive life. To the fullest. Play soccer.
it was all too self referential
— amyno wisdom in the winner
smarmy choice
I submitted better
#16
Actually Tomson, I believe TPP was referring to the concept of satiety. Vegetables do not produce the same level of satiety as foods that are higher in carbs and fat (and thus more energy dense).
Fill up on a salad.
Fill up on a turkey burger and baked fries (mmm still healthy! yet more filling than a meal of just lettuce!)
Which meal will leave you hungry sooner???
It’s a no-brainer.
rob
— robGreat advice from Emma. Well done sweetheart!
— Katrinato rob, #21
— tomsonas for the “no-brainer” well rob i guess it would depend on the size of the turkey burger and baked fries and the size and contents of the salad. if you “fill up” on both then again the volume is the same. (of course the fiber of the salad may actually “leave you hungry” LESS quickly. btw. i do believe you meant to day “which would leave you hungry again sooner” also, i do wish someone could explain to me why anytime someone says something negative about a plant based diet the word “salad” is what you hear. (the winning entry stated “ate plants” not ate vegetables.) i eat a plant only, low processed diet and i hardly ever eat “a salad” and NEVER “just lettuce” (i do have salad greens, just not as a main course) how about vegetable stew. sourdough bread. baked squash with corn, red pepper, and tomatoes filled with spices from around the world. dolmas. pasta with pesto, black olives, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms. pita filled with falafel. all vegetable. all very filling. all high on the “satiety” scale. btw. change the turkey burger to a grilled portobello mushroom with smoked cheddar and you have your suggestion without the dead animal.
Parker Pope; Thanks for contest; Much fun.
— Gina G.Didn’t win; Don’t really mind; Had fun.
All entrants; Who didn’t win; Stop complaining.
Life is; Not always fair; So what.
Can’t stop; out of control; Ending now.
End war. More people alive. Make peace.
— Maria