The year is half way over and for those needing to reignite a few of those New Year’s resolutions, delving into Michael Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto” may just be the answer.

For the second year in a row, Lisa Martin, Kelle Barfield and Beth Palmer will offer a progressive book study, featuring Pollan’s book.

“Lisa likes to refer to the book study,” Barfield said, as a way to help motivate people mid-year.

Last year’s book study explored Michael Buettner’s “The Blue Zone,” which focused on living longer from the people who have lived the longest and once again, “In Defense of Food” will concentrate on lifestyle changes relating to food, and specifically, eating more local and less processed, Martin said.

Barfield said she was overwhelmed with the number of people who turned out for last year’s study.

“We would have as many as 40 people at each session, and I think it was so popular,” Barfield said, because not only was it a topic of interest, it also had a very defined start and finish. “You could stick with it for three weeks because it wasn’t an ongoing commitment,” Barfield said.

This year’s study, Barfield said, will focus on Pollan’s “seven word mantra,” Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

“Some of the book explores the history of food manufacturing and food producing and how big food industry drives eating of processed food,” Barfield said, and how processed food is not the same as “real food.”

The not too much aspect will focus on eating healthy portions and during the study, Barfield said, participants will discuss how to turn this into an actual game plan, which will include  “tips and hacks to make this process successful.”

During the final session, Mostly Plants, Barfield said Palmer will talk about the spirituality of growing plants and nourishing the soil and how our bodies are temples.

And like last year, Martin will prepare snacks for each session and there will be recipe cards handed out that will feature recipes incorporating fruits and vegetables that one can get at the farmers market.

“We are trying to make the book study a broad community way of thinking by promoting the farmers market, and by having some Master Gardner’s tips on how to grow your own herbs and spices,” Barfield said.

The progressive book study is free, and all sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. The first session will be Thursday, at Martin’s At Midtown, with Martin presenting. The second will be held July 19 at Lorelei Books with Barfield presenting and the final session will be held July 26 at the Church of the Holy Trinity with Palmer presenting. All sessions are designed to last one hour, Martin said.

“We call this a progressive book study,” Barfield said, “but it is much broader than just reading a book.”