Getting Your Daily Dose of Blue

I have to credit my friend, Buck, for this one. My 2010 spring break was spent in Italy, studying the Mediterranean Diet. This is where I learned everything from olives to wine kept this culture thriving. Not once did I see an overweight person, the heart disease rates are beyond low, and how could I not mention the quality of life there? Everyone is so happy. But, then just the other day I was talking to my friend Buck when he mentioned these things called, Blue Zones. The first video he sent me just hooked me. 5 parts of the world that are living longer and HAPPIER... because that's was life is really about, right? They have found a way to be old and happy-- love that.

• Okinawa, Japan
• Sardinia, Italy
• Loma Linda, California
• Nicoya, Costa Rica
• Ikaria, Greece
• Dan Buettner and his team basically ran around the world for 5 years searching for the hots spots of the world-- Who is living the longest? and with that said, are they living life to the fullest. Because it is one thing to be 100 years old and be miserable, but to be 100 years old, healthy and happy is key.
• "Buettner says one such zone, the Italian island of Sardinia, has the highest number of male centenarians in the world, while another, Okinawa, Japan, has the longest disability-free life expectancy. In Loma Linda, Calif., a community of Seventh Day Adventists has a life expectancy that's nine to 11 years greater than that of other Americans. And middle-age mortality is lowest on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula — where Buettner says middle-aged residents have about a four-fold greater chance of reaching age 90 than people in the United States do." --NDR
• I just typed in "blue zones" into google and a whole bunch of stuff came up. Blue Zones even has their own website full of research, books, how-to, and pictures. Now I could write a book about this stuff (just like many people have haha) so I am just gonna give some condensed versions. These things are the 9 common characteristics scientists found in the worlds longest-lived people.

1. Move Naturally-- Americans have adopted such a sedentary lifestyle. Blue zones are full of walkable communities and gardens. Blue Zones says walking is the best exercise for longevity.
2. Know your purpose-- knowing why you wake up in the morning can help add up 7 years on your life. "Know your values, passions and talents–and how to share them on a regular basis."
3. Down Shift-- As aging occurs, inflammation is bound to happen with every again process. Find time every day to meditate, nap, or pray.
4. 80% rule-- Cut 20% of your calories with evidence-based research. Rather that be take a walk with your family, remove the TV from kitchen, or eating with your family.
5. Plant Slant-- Sticking to mostly a plant based diet, adding beans, nuts, and LOTS of greens! If you are eating meat, cut it back to monthly, card-deck sized, portions.
6. Wine at 5-- Up to 2 glasses a wine a day can keep you healthy and happy. I especially saw this in Italy. A small glass was served with about every meal (except breakfast). Red wine is full of Polyphenols which is wonderful for your heart.
7. Family First-- Investing in your children, extended family, and participating in a monogamous relationship can all help extend your life.
8. Belong-- It does not matter what religion, it shows that people who adopt a faith based mindset live longer than people without one.
9. Right Tribe-- Finding your right "tribe" or right group of friends is essential: "healthy-minded, supportive people might be the most powerful thing you can do to add years to your life."

"Okinawans sat on the floor; Sardinians lived in vertical houses; the Costa Ricans had gardens. So they were doing little things all day long that added up significantly over the years and the decades," Buettner says.

Its funny because the more I kept reading over these 9 things and well the same things on different websites... the more I thought to myself, "Wait, isn't religion, exercise, plant-based diet, family, friends, etc, the way life was MEANT TO BE?????" Honestly, I think these are the places in the world where the modern world has not interfered with what life was meant to be. Maybe or maybe not? Just some thoughts. Regardless, these people are living past 100- way more than most of us! I can not stop reading about this topic and honestly could write about it for days. This is just a pinch of information! If you want to learn more, please research! It is some interesting stuff!

I hope you are all getting ready for Thanksgiving!! and having a fabulous break!