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Which of these downshift ideas do you plan to try this week?

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #longevity #livebetterlonger #stress

BLUE ZONES FOOD GUIDELINES + FREE PRINTABLE | We distilled more than 150 dietary surveys of the world’s longest-lived people to discover the secrets of a longevity diet. These 11 simple guidelines reflect how the world’s longest-lived people ate for most of their lives. By adopting some of the healthy eating principles into your daily life, you too can live better, longer.

Head to the link in our bio to get the guidelines and download our free printable so you can post it in your home as a daily reminder.

https://www.bluezones.com/recipes/food-guidelines/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluezonesdiet

Blue Zones Power 9: Lifestyle Habits of the World’s Healthiest, Longest-Lived People

In 2004, Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner (@danbuettner) teamed with National Geographic (@natgeo), the National Institute on Aging, and the world’s best longevity researchers to identify pockets around the world where people lived measurably better, longer. In these blue zones, they found that people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than in the United States. We then assembled a team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists to search for evidence-based common denominators among all places. We call these nine commonalities the Power 9. Head to the link in our bio to learn more!

Learn more about the 9 evidence-based common denominators among all the blue zones: https://www.bluezones.com/2016/11/power-9/

Which of the Blue Zones Power 9 principles resonates most with you?

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

The Power 9 principle of “downshifting” is nothing new to centenarians in the blue zones—the longest-living people in the world with the highest life expectancy. Designed to help you achieve a high-quality, well-balanced life, these nine principles can also be major stress reducers. Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic inflammation. It also has direct links to major age-related health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike most of the modern world who prefer to shed stress at the gym or the mall, residents in the blue zones turn to traditional down-to-earth practices to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn even more about the daily downshift routines practiced by Okinawans, Adventists, Ikarians, Sardinians, and Nicoyans.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/02/13-unusual-ways-to-shed-stress-lessons-from-the-worlds-blue-zones/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #stress

In the blue zones regions of the world, whole grains are one of the top "Four Always" foods they include regularly in their diets. This bright and hearty dish highlights wheat berries, which are high in fiber and help to regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hour | Total: 1 hour 20 min| Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup red wheat berries
¼ teaspoon salt
1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
½ cup golden raisins
¼ cup pine nuts

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil.

Add wheat berries and salt to boiling broth. Stir and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until wheat berries are soft, about 1 hour.

About 20 minutes later, preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and chop brussels sprouts and green onion. Place chopped vegetables in a baking dish.

Drizzle olive oil over vegetables and toss to coat.

Bake at 425°F until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

In a small measuring cup, combine lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper, whisking to combine.

When wheat berries are done cooking, strain excess liquid out using a fine mesh strainer.

Combine wheat berries, roasted veggies, pine nuts, and golden raisins in a large bowl. Toss to coat evenly and serve.

https://www.bluezones.com/recipe/lemon-vinaigrette-wheat-berry-salad/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluezonesdiet

Health is often assumed to be a personal responsibility. Something that’s viewed as an individual journey of maintaining health in the gym, building consistent healthy eating habits, or following strict routines. But what if the biggest influence on your daily activity had nothing to do with your motivation? What if the biggest factor that shapes your health is simply what’s outside your door and the streets that surround you?

At Blue Zones, it has long been our belief that our environment shapes the people in it and their behaviors. Research confirms what’s been seen in the world’s longest-lived communities, that where you live determines how you move. From the garden-lined streets of Okinawa to the sunlit footpaths of Sardinia, the world’s longest-lived people all share a recurring habit: they all move naturally throughout the day, by simply living their daily lives.

Head to the clickable link in our bio to learn more.

https://www.bluezones.com/2026/04/how-the-cities-we-build-help-build-us-study-shows-built-environment-optimization-is-linked-to-increased-physical-movement-and-overall-well-being/

The mother and daughter pictured here are co-owners of the Daiichi Hotel in Okinawa, one of the world's blue zones where females over 70 are the longest-lived population in the world. Successful centenarians in the blue zones put their families first. This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home (It lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home too.). They commit to a life partner (which can add up to 3 years of life expectancy) and invest in their children with time and love (They’ll be more likely to care for you when the time comes).

Happy Mother's Day! 💙

PHOTO: David McLain (@mclain.david)

#bluezoneskitchen #bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #familyfirst #mothersday

THE GRANDMA COOKING CONTENT BOOM | Pasta Grannies (@pastagrannies) is just one example of a growing phenomenon, surely one of the most wholesome, encouraging, and inspiring cultural trends in years: grandmothers offering cooking lessons and kitchen wisdom in online videos (typically filmed and produced by their tech-savvy children and grandchildren).

The internet is so replete with grandma-based content –and avid followers eager to learn from them – that these wise elder cooks have come to be known collectively as “grandfluencers.” Head to the link in our bio to read What is the Grandma Cooking Trend, and Why Can’t We Get Enough of it?

Comment below tagging your favorite "grandfluencer"!

https://www.bluezones.com/2024/11/what-is-the-grandma-cooking-trend-and-why-cant-we-get-enough-of-it/

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #aging #longevity #livebetterlonger #nonna #nonnamaxxing #grandfluencer

🍿 WHICH OF THESE TASTY COMBOS DO YOU PLAN TO TRY FIRST? 🍿

If you’re having a hard time getting enough whole grains into your diet, corn—and POPCORN!—might be the easy fix you need.

Both a vegetable and a whole grain, corn has been unfairly dismissed in recent decades as little more than a vehicle for butter and salt, and a source of starchy, empty calories. But fresh corn—and popcorn, too—can play a key role in a healthy diet, supplying you with fiber, plenty of vitamins and minerals, and phytochemicals that can improve vision.

Corn has long been a staple ingredient in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, where centenarians have traditionally leaned on their agricultural “three sisters”: corn, squash, and beans.

These popcorn toppings were inspired by the flavors and longevity ingredients found in three of the five original blue zones locations featured in the best-selling Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook: Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; and Nicoya, Costa Rica.

Tap the link in our bio to learn more by reading Don’t Eat Enough Whole Grains? This is One Everyone Loves.

https://www.bluezones.com/2022/07/dont-eat-enough-whole-grains-this-is-one-everyone-loves/

#bluezoneskitchen #bluezones #livebetterlonger #longevity #Ikaria #Greece #Okinawa #Japan #Nacoya #CostaRica #popcorn #popcorntoppings #bluezonesdiet

REPOST:Blue Zones Founder @DanBuettner | Costa Rica proves money isn’t the secret to happiness. It produces more happiness per dollar than any country in the world and more health per healthcare dollar too. Why? They focus on what really matters: meaningful work, strong relationships, a trusting environment, giving back, and real-life connection. 6–7 hours of face-to-face social interaction daily. Not scrolling, but living. Let that sink in.

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #longevity #livebetterlonger #CostaRica #happiness

OKINAWAN BEANS AND RICE

The Okinawan version of beans and rice is called aka kashichi. This nutty, subtle dish—deceptively simple and surprisingly good—is a common ancestor offering at Okinawans’ twice-monthly visits to the cemetery. Glutinous rice, which is used to make mochi, was traditionally used only for special occasions. Even though this has been historically a celebratory dish, it is today also commonly eaten during lunch or dinner.

Servings: 2
Cook Time: 70 minutes

Okinawan Beans and Rice

Ingredients
1 cup sweet rice (glutinous rice)
11⁄2 cups water, plus more for soaking rice and beans
1 tablespoon dried kidney beans, soaked for 4 hours
1 tablespoon dried black beans, soaked for 4 hours
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

Directions
Soak rice in cold water for 30 minutes.
Boil soaked beans for 1 hour until tender, drain and rinse.
If using canned, skip this step but drain and rinse beans.
If cooking with a rice cooker, add sweet rice and beans to rice cooker with water and salt.
Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
If cooking on the stovetop, add rice and beans to a medium pot.
Bring to a boil uncovered and then immediately reduce to a low simmer.
Cover with a lid and cook for about 30 minutes.
Fluff rice with a fork before serving to separate grains.
Add sesame seeds and salt. Serve hot.

This recipe is from The Blue Zones Kitchen (#bluezoneskitchen) by Dan Buettner. Book link in bio.

PHOTOS: David McLain (@mclain.david)

https://amzn.to/42wPLsC

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluezonesdiet #Okinawa #Japan #BlueZonesDiet

OKINAWAN BEANS AND RICE

The Okinawan version of beans and rice is called aka kashichi. This nutty, subtle dish—deceptively simple and surprisingly good—is a common ancestor offering at Okinawans’ twice-monthly visits to the cemetery. Glutinous rice, which is used to make mochi, was traditionally used only for special occasions. Even though this has been historically a celebratory dish, it is today also commonly eaten during lunch or dinner.

Servings: 2
Cook Time: 70 minutes

Okinawan Beans and Rice

Ingredients
1 cup sweet rice (glutinous rice)
11⁄2 cups water, plus more for soaking rice and beans
1 tablespoon dried kidney beans, soaked for 4 hours
1 tablespoon dried black beans, soaked for 4 hours
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

Directions
Soak rice in cold water for 30 minutes.
Boil soaked beans for 1 hour until tender, drain and rinse.
If using canned, skip this step but drain and rinse beans.
If cooking with a rice cooker, add sweet rice and beans to rice cooker with water and salt.
Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
If cooking on the stovetop, add rice and beans to a medium pot.
Bring to a boil uncovered and then immediately reduce to a low simmer.
Cover with a lid and cook for about 30 minutes.
Fluff rice with a fork before serving to separate grains.
Add sesame seeds and salt. Serve hot.

This recipe is from The Blue Zones Kitchen (#bluezoneskitchen) by Dan Buettner. Book link in bio.

PHOTOS: David McLain (@mclain.david)

https://amzn.to/42wPLsC

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluezonesdiet #Okinawa #Japan #BlueZonesDiet

☀️ GET SOME SUN ☀️ People who live in the blue zones region of Nicoya, Costa Rica, regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, but regular “smart” sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement your diet and make sure you're getting enough of this vital nutrient.

Info from The Blue Zones Challenge by Dan Buettner (@danbuettner)

#bluezones #bluezoneslife #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluezoneschallenge #Nicoya #CostaRica