There are three parts to the Ageless Gourmet: your physical health through nutrition, happiness through attitude and longevity through lifestyle.
The physical health will be addressed by showing how foods effect your body, teaching you complimenting flavors, optimal food combinations, easy recipes, and learning a little about wine.
The emotional health will be addressed by making you aware of choice. The power of choice. As in it’s your choice. It’s how you choose to respond to life. How you choose to see your place in this life. How you choose to use this life. The lifestyle you choose plays a big role in your emotional health and happiness as well.
We are also going to learn about longevity. There are five places in the world known for having the most people that live to 100, as in years old! That’s what I call an ageless lifestyle! These areas are known as “Blue Zones.” The five zones are the island of Sardinia, Italy: Okinawa, Japan: Ikaria, Greece: Nicoya Penninsula, Costa Rica: Loma Linda, CA.
This study, by National Geographic and Dan Buettner, showed that all of these regions share nine traits for longevity. and here they are.
The Power 9:
- More Naturally – The centenarians don’t lift weights or run marathons. Instead they do activities that are fun, entertaining, and have purpose, like gardening, walking, swimming, etc.
- Purpose – These people have a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning, which is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy.
- Down Shift – Stress leads to chronic inflammation, which is associated with every major disease. These centenarians have routines that lower any possible stress in their long lives.
- 80% Rule – They stop eating when they are 80% full. Less food, better health, especially in the evenings.
- Plant Slant – Most centenarians eat a plant-based diet, only eating meat, and mostly pork, 5 times a month.
- Wine @ 5 – Moderate drinkers out live non-drinkers, especially if shared with friends.
- Belong – Attending faith-based services 4 times per month can add up to 14 years to life expectancy.
- Loved Ones First – These regions “keep parents and grandparents nearby, commit to a life partner, and invest in their children.”
- Right Tribe – choose a social circle that supports healthy behaviors.
How does your life reflect the Power 9? Do any or all of these traits make sense to you? Do you share any of these traits?
Maybe we should think of how to dial some of these into our lives. Can’t help but make us more ageless!
Until next time,
Be Ageless! Be Happy!
Christia
