We were driving through a small (as in 158 people) town in the far northwestern corner of Colorado when I saw something that made me smile. Several yards from a small farmhouse, a white wooden container was perched on a stand about as high as a mailbox. It had three sides and was open in the front. Out of the elements and neatly placed inside sat three cartons of eggs and a small box with a latched lid.

Above this structure was a well-lettered sign visible from the road that announced: “EGGS for Sale. $3 a dozen. Honor system.”

I hadn’t seen something like that in a long time. A few weeks after that sighting, I read a short article in a magazine titled “An Ode to the Honor Stand.” It highlighted the often forgotten tradition of farmers who set out produce for sale along with an unsupervised box for dropping in payments.

Risky, perhaps. But this article pointed out something interesting. Psychology researchers have found that “acts of trust-building” (such as relying on strangers to leave money for produce and not abscond with the money box) actually induces the release of oxytocin, a hormone that makes one feel good … and even more generous. It’s this fact, they say, that explains the tendency of many honor stand shoppers to pay more than the asking price.

To carry this theme a little further, quite a bit of research exists on how food components influence our thinking, moods and behavior. Making a habit of unhealthy eating, for example, has been linked to an increased risk for depression, according to a 2023 article in the journal Nutrients. Makes sense. Specific nutrients and other substances in food can affect — both positively and negatively — how our brains function.

Here are some interesting examples: Eating healthful foods such as fruit and vegetables has been shown to reduce stress and symptoms of depression. Consuming fish along with a balanced intake of other nutrients from all the food groups has been linked to lower rates of violent behaviors.

These authors also state that there is scientific proof that healthful foods help make us happier. In addition, they point out that “comfort food” doesn’t always make us feel more comfortable … especially if we overindulge.

And then there’s chocolate. Researchers acknowledge that chocolate eases tension and can give us happy feelings. Here’s the issue, though: Too much chocolate can bring on anxiety while a moderate to low intake of this favored food may actually improve our mood.

Water is a mood influencer as well. Women who don’t drink enough of this vital fluid can experience depression, confusion and anger. In men, dehydration is linked to low energy, tension and poor memory.

And why is it important to choose foods from all nutrient groups (proteins, dairy, fruits, vegetables, grains)? The more we restrict the types of foods we eat, the higher our risk for depression and moodiness, say researchers.

So grab some farm fresh eggs and leave a bit extra if you can. It just might make you smile.

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