Secrets of the Blue Zones

Imagine living a long life without the commonly associated poor health and mental decline. Sounds too good to be true? Well according to my medical nutrition therapy professor and Dan Buettner who is the author of The Blue Zones it's something that is achievable and there are communities throughout the world to prove it!

Sardinia, Italy

Okinawa, Japan

Loma Linda, California

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Ikaria, Greece

Besides being breathtakingly beautiful, these five places have several things in common:

- Healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and nuts. Low on meat, sugar, fat, and processed foods. Essentially, it's the Mediterranean diet. 

- Daily exercise

- Little stress

- Ample amounts of sleep

- A sense of purpose

- Importance of family

- Spirituality

I don't care so much about the number of years that I live. What matters to me is the quality of my time spent on earth. I never want to be a burden to someone or to live in pain, depression, or immobility. There is no predicting the future and anything can happen but I definitely want to give my best shot at the best life possible. So if this means that I need to eat better, catch a few extra zzz's, and take a deep breath every so often, then so be it.  Are you with me? 

My Mediterranean Day

May was the "National Mediterranean Diet Month", but since I dislike the term "diet" and would much rather refer to it as the Mediterranean diet lifestyle I'd like to continue the conversation into June.

The reason why I believe this can easily translate into a lifestyle is because it's not restrictive or difficult to incorporate into one's life. It's a delicious way of eating that will never leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied. I mean, come on, if eating fat is encouraged and drinking wine is okay too it really can't be all that bad!

For more details on this way of eating check out the lessons learned from Italy, France, Greece, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Israel . 

My Mediterranean Day:

Breakfast

Coffee with a splash of soy creamer & a waffle with unsweetened almond butter, banana, and blueberries

Snack

Small pear and about 20 almonds

Lunch

Sardine sandwich with avocado, red onion, and some black pepper

Snack

Apricots and 2 pieces of 85% dark chocolate

 Dinner

Homemade vegetable soup and Gruyere cheese