“People over 100 are the fastest-growing group in America. People soon will be working ’til 100 – some because they have to – and living ’til 125 or even 135. What do I know, I’m just a weatherman, but I’ve made a hobby of studying this, and it’s phenomenal.” — Willard Scott
Why Do People Live Longer In
Certain Parts Of The World?
I am particularly fascinated by this subject. I want to see my 100th birthday and still be in good health. I want my mind and my body to still be working. My hope is that I am still able to workout six days a week at that time in my life.
Have you heard of the Okinawans who are known to be the oldest, yet healthiest people in the world? There are a few other places in the world known for longevity. Dan Buettner, wrote a book called The Blue Zones. This term refers to the geographic areas where people have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else in the world.
Buettner and his colleagues called the areas Blue Zones because as they were searching these areas, they drew blue circles around them on a map. Not very scientific, but it worked for them. In The Blue Zones book, Buettner describes five known blue zones:
Icaria, Greece: This Mediterranean county eats a diet rich in olive oil, red wine and homegrown veggies.
Ogliastra, Sardinia (Italy): This region has some of the oldest men in the world! This is a mountainous region where the men typically work on farms and drink lots of red wine.
Okinawa, Japan: Okinawa has the world’s oldest women! They eat a lot of soy-based foods and practice tai chi for exercise.
Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica): People living in this region eat a diet based around beans and corn tortillas. They also regularly perform physical jobs into old age and have a sense of life purpose known as “plan de vida.”
The Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California: This is a very religious group that is strict vegetarians. They also live in tight-knit communities.
These “blue zones” contain extremely high rates of nonagenarians, those who live over 90 years and centenarians, those who live 100+ years. Another interesting fact that Buettner and his colleagues found was that genetics only played about a 20-30% role on longevity.
Lifestyle seems to have the biggest influence on longevity. Buettner found a few characteristics that were common among the people living in the blue zones:
People living in the blue zones eat a diet full of whole plant foods: 95% of their diets are comprised of whole plant foods including vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. Although most of the groups weren’t strict vegetarians, most only eat meat about 5 times per month. The people living in Icaria and Sardinia also eat fish often.
People living in the blue zones practice calorie restriction: As an example, Okinawans tend to follow the 80% rule, which they call “hara hachi bu.” This means that they stop eating when they feel 80% full.
People living in the blue zones typically practice fasting: As an example, Icarians are typically Greek Orthodox Christians, a religious group that has many periods of fasting for religious holidays throughout the year. Intermittent fasting which involves fasting for certain hours of the day or certain days of the week has been shown to reduce weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and many other risk factors for chronic disease.
People living in the blue zones consume alcohol in moderation: There is mixed evidence about whether moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of death. However, many studies show that drinking one or two alcoholic drinks per day can significantly reduce mortality, particularly from heart disease. Red wine may be the best type of alcohol, since it contains a high concentration of antioxidants from grapes. Sardinian Cannonau wine made from Grenache grapes, has been shown to have extremely high levels of antioxidants when compared to other wines.
People living in the blue zones build exercise into their daily life: Along with a healthy diet, exercise is a very important factor in aging. People living in the blue zones, don’t necessarily hit the gym, but its part of their daily life by gardening, walking, cooking and other daily chores. A study of Sardinian men found that their longer life was associated with raising farm animals. They also live on steeper slopes in the mountains and walked longer distances to and from work.
People living in the blue zones get enough sleep: Getting adequate rest is very important for living a long and healthy life. People in the blue zones get sufficient sleep and oftentimes take daytime naps. Typically, people living in the blue zones get seven hours of sleep at night and nap no longer than 30 minutes during the day.
People living in the blue zones also have the following traits associated with longevity:
Being religious or spiritual
Having a life purpose
Older and younger people living together
A healthy social network
It appears that what you eat, how active you are, how much quality sleep and good social connections are the keys to living to an old and healthy age. People are living longer today in all areas of the world, but many times people are “existing” and not truly living. Instead, they are being kept alive by medicine.
I wish that you have a long and healthy life. By practicing some self-care we should all be able to live to 100+ years. I am looking forward to my golden years and hoping to be healthy as I age.
Here’s to your longevity! Stacy Source: www.healthline.com – Why People in Blue Zones Live Longer Than the Rest of the World
Join Us for Healthy 4 Life’s next MeetUp Group
Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class at Core Bodyworks in downtown Acworth 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27th
Let’s relax at yoga and then have dinner at Huey Luey’s in Acworth.
Do you have a desire to live 100+ years?
How many of the common traits of centenarians do you currently practice?
Our Annual Beachbody On Demand All-Access Challenge Pack which continues to deliver unprecedented value with the special offer price of $160 through the end of September!
At this special price, customers get the greatest deal in health and fitness with two excellent options to choose from – “either a daily dose of dense nutrition” with Shakeology, or with our Beachbody Performance supplements (Energize and Recover), plus a year’s worth of the best fitness programs on the market and the Portion Fix Container System.
Ingredients 2 cups water ⅔ cup farro 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 summer squash, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces 1½ cups cherry tomatoes 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ¾ teaspoon salt, divided ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar 2 teaspoons honey 1¼ pounds wild salmon (see Tips), cut into 4 portions 1 teaspoon lemon zest ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning Lemon wedges for serving
Preparation
Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Bring water and farro to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until just tender, about 30 minutes. Drain if necessary.
Meanwhile, toss eggplant, bell pepper, squash, onion and tomatoes with oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Divide between the prepared baking sheets. Roast on the upper and lower racks, stirring once halfway, until the vegetables are tender and starting to brown, about 25 minutes. Return them to the bowl. Stir in capers, vinegar and honey.
Season salmon with lemon zest, Italian seasoning and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper and place on one of the baking sheets. Roast on the lower rack until just cooked through, 6 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness. Serve the salmon with the farro, vegetable caponata and lemon wedges.
Tips: Most wild salmon—and now some farmed—is considered a sustainable choice. Get more info about sustainable seafood at seafoodwatch.org.
Prep Time: Active 30 minutes / Ready in 50 minutes Yield: Serves 4
Nutrition Facts:Serving size: 1 cup vegetables, ½ cup farro, 4 oz. salmon Per serving: 450 calories; 17 g fat(3 g sat); 8 g fiber; 41 g carbohydrates; 35 g protein; 77 mcg folate; 66 mg cholesterol; 12 g sugars; 3 g added sugars; 1,738 IU vitamin A; 55 mg vitamin C; 112 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 562 mg sodium; 1,109 mg potassium
HEALTHY 4 LIFE’S CUSTOMIZED PERSONAL CONSULTATION PACKAGES
Customized 3-month packages created after FREE 30 minute discovery consultation session to address your specific health concern for you and/or your child
Discovery session conducted in person or via phone/video conference
Session resources and homework (don’t worry it’s not graded) included
One scheduled one-hour meeting or conference/video call per week
Goal setting & accountabilty throughout program
Continued accountablility in online Facebook support group for all clients
Sign up today for your FREE 30-minute consultation to take control of your health and wellness!
Contact: Stacy D. Fehlinger | Certified Health Coach Healthy 4 Life, LLC (678) 719-2283 | Email: Stacy@longevitycoachstacy.com
Events & Workshops Around Town that may be of interest to you…
Local Farmer’s Markets
>Lost Mountain Park Farmers Market: Every Tuesday: 3pm-7pm: 4723 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127 >Marietta Square Farmers Market: Every Saturday morning January through December, and on Sundays from 12-3 pm from May through October. Located in North Park Square in Historic Marietta Square >Kennesaw Farmers Market: Every Monday afternoon from May through September: Depot Park, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw, GA 30144 >Acworth Farmers Market: Every Friday morning, April 7th to end of October, 8am to noon.
Hiram Xperience Connections Meeting—Fri, October 20
Join us on October 20, 11:30am to 1:30pm, at The Olive Tree Restaurant in downtown Hiram, GA for a unique women-only networking event in a safe, supportive environment with great food and great conversation! Register at http://xperienceconnections.com/spotlight/hiram/.
Does your pantry contain food that could be hurting you or your family’s health?
Schedule your HEALTHY PANTRY MAKEOVER today to find out!
Here are the details of a pantry makeover:
Nothing you currently have in your pantry is thrown out!
Receive handouts on topics such as healthy substitutions
Introduction to traffic light eating
Learn how to read a food nutrition label
A pantry makeover takes approximately an hour to complete and costs $45.
L.E.A.N. is LIFESTYLE, EXERCISE, ATTITUDE & NUTRITION Developed by America’s Pediatrician, Dr. William Sears
L.E.A.N. Start Parent Workshop: Cost: $99.00Sign up for this amazing parent workshop and learn proven ways to boost your child’smood, attitude, behavior, study habits, energy and health!
6 hours of instruction in a self paced environment over 3-week period
Learn the L.E.A.N. program basics with topics including traffic light eating, the skinny on fat, powering up with protein and play, and more!
All materials and homework (don’t worry it’s not graded) provided online
Includes activities & healthy recipes
One scheduled conference call per week
Goal setting & accountabilty throughout workshop
Continued accountablility in online Facebook support group for all partcipants
Online Workshops begin every 3 weeks. Contact Stacy for the next start date.
Workshops Led by Stacy Fehlinger Now offering: >>>Workshops as PARTIES and attendance is FREE for the host who brings 2 guests to their workshop! >>>Online workshops of L.E.A.N. Start and Prime-Time Health. These workshops are self-paced learning and consist of 6 hours of instruction with a weekly telephone conference call. ~Contact Stacy at stacy@longevitycoachstacy.com for further information~
Are you looking for ways toimprove your child’s attitude, boost their energy and improve their health? Sign up for this amazing parent workshop and learn proven ways to boost your child’s mood, attitude, behavior, study habits, energy and health!
Could your child’s behavior be related to what they are eating? Come to my L.E.A.N. Start Workshop to learn how certain foods can affect behavior and more.
Are you pregnant or considering becoming pregnant? If so, join my L.E.A.N. Expectations Workshop to learnthe links between nutrition and a healthy pregnancy.
Prime-Time Health is for you if you want to take charge of your health, prevent disease, avoid disability and spend money on something other than doctors!
Some photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net: “Asian Young Girl Drinks Orange Juice” by Stoonn Man’s Hand Holding Glass Of Natural Water, Isolated On White Stock Photo Orange Juice Splashing On White Background by khunaspix
ligious holidays throughout the year. Intermittent fasting which involves fasting for certain hours of the day or certain days of the week has been shown to reduce weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and many other risk factors for chronic disease.
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