Live to 100- The Blue Zones

I am obsessed with the Blue Zones!  If you aren't sure what I’m talking about, the short answer is: the blue zones is a term used to name a few areas in the world where the rates of people living to be 100 years old (young) or more are much higher than average.  Too old for you, you might say?  Not if you can still dance while balancing a Sake bottle on your head as you can see a centenarian is doing in Okinawa, Japan, one of the Blue Zones.

This article highlights the researcher’s findings.  Additionally, you will find links to a few of the mainstream news articles out there on these concepts, as well as the Netflix original mini-series, which is hosted by the head researcher, Dan Buetiner.

So, what are these folks doing that others aren’t?  First, Blue Zones tend to be very steep locations with a longer tradition of walking. Actually, there is a lot of walking to get from place to place, and cars are only used for traveling long distances.  The Blue Zone lifestyle tends to include a high level of activity, but not in the ways that we typically think.  No workout plans or gym memberships, those living in a Blue Zone, instead they spend about 4-6 hours per day doing some form of physical work.  This could be chores, cleaning, cooking, farming, chopping wood, or gardening, just to name a few.  In all of the Blue Zones, the people eat about 3% or less of their diet from meat and fish.  They eat a lot of vegetables, legumes, fresh herbs, tofu, whole grains, and fairly large meals.

In the Blue Zones, people value community and take part in activities with others in their area.  Family is also very important in these areas with parents staying involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.  Not only that, the Blue Zones don’t have retirement homes (which take 3-6 years off our lives). Rest is also very important.  So, go ahead and have that afternoon nap after all.

For more on how to live like those in the Blue Zones check out one of two NPR articles from earlier this week here and here.  If you are still interested in learning more about Blue Zones, you might also consider Dan Buetiner’s book on the topic, which you can find here.  Additionally, Dan Buetiner has a website where you can take a deep dive into everything Blue Zone.  Again, LOVE!… find it here.

Dan Buetiner also wrote a cookbook for Blue Zone cooking.  I am adding this to my cookbook collection and can’t wait to crack it open.  It’s called The Blue Zones Kitchen.  Find it for purchase here.