This probably seems like an odd choice of topic for a philosopher who is known for being a tad obsessive about good nutrition, on a website where you can browse and buy half a dozen different nutrition, performance and healthy habits plans.

Over the pandemic period, food has played prominently in our thoughts and deeds. That’s understandable, when there's not much else to do. On Cream is the final in a consumption-themed set of four Philosopher-In-Residence blogs, which took a look at how our relationship with food is changing, and what agency we have in that agenda for change.

Cream has symbolism across several interpretations for this Philosopher-In-Residence. Cornwall's finest clotted, the healthy natural fat of choice to accompany fresh berries or tropical fruits. The superclub and dance music movement. The marker of quality that we all like to aim for (or like to think we aim for). So what do each of these mean for me, and you, right now?

The Cat That Got The Clotted

If you're based in Cornwall, as Make Me A Plan is, you'll be well aware that there is basically only one type of cream - thickly clotted and liberally applied. However, if you subscribe to the traditional media view, high fat products are bad for you, full stop. What I always encourage my nutrition clients to do is READ THE LABEL. Clotted cream is a single-ingredient product which typically involves few processes (beyond basic safety) and few food miles. If you're adding some to fresh fruit, a smoothie or even using as a condiment, there's no reason to keep this tasty treasure out of your diet, or chastise yourself for adding a thimbleful to your dish.

Dance Like Nobody Is Watching

A favoured life motto, I'd probably recommend covering off the most gusto-filled dancing before settling down with that aforementioned dish of cream though. The travails of Covid have made the heady realms of dancing the night away in one of the world's major clubs or festivals seem a very distant memory. Based on roadmap progress thus far, and a highly scientific sample of one - this Philosopher-In-Residence - I was very out of practice getting to the gym when they reopened, attending things that involved being clothed and out of the house at a specific time. So, carpe diem, fans of plans, and use these final few weeks of restrictions to practise your funky chickens before your return to dancing with other people.

Top Of The Crops

Aim high! Citius, altius, fortius! Vernacular and society encourages us to always be aiming for more, better, bigger. Sometimes this pushes us out of our comfort zone and towards making great achievements. Sometimes this pickles our proverbial noggins and makes us feel impostor syndrome or anxious that we don't measure up. When this happens, take a break. We don't always need to be permanently spinning on the roundabout of life. Sometimes, it's ok to dance like nobody is watching and not worry about whether you're the cream of the crop. BUT, your cream should always be clotted. ;)

Next fortnight, we turn our eyes away from our physical navel and return to the more metaphysical realms. I’ll be musing On Experiments.

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this topic you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime,

Happy Planning