How to Live to 100

 This article caught my attention today: How to Live to 100

Genetics play a role in longevity, but lifestyle choices may be more important if you want to live to age 100, the New York Times reported Oct. 19.
Research has shown that centenarians are usually physically active, are involved in social networks, and maintain close connections with family and friends. Attitude also is important: studies hint that optimistic people live longer than pessimists, who tend to have more health problems.
Resolution, resourcefulness, and resilience are common attributes among long-lived individuals. Good coping skills are required to overcome life’s many challenges.
“I am blessed and I’ve worked on it. You’ve got to work, be cheerful and look for something fun to do. It’s a whole attitude,” said Esther Tuttle, 99, who walks and does yoga daily and spends hours writing notes to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild. “If you respect what the doctors tell you to do, you can live a long life, but you have to do it. You can’t ignore the advice.”
I absolutely love this! Its never too late start focusing on what counts. Attitude, positive outlook, well being, connection, etc. My great grandma lived to 104 and used to do Tai Chi everyday. Just like Esther, she stayed connected…..mind, body, soul!

Oh and maybe add a little humor, right?

This is such an old picture of our family (minus the nieces/nephews) but its my favorite!

Okay so what really stood out me about this article was that the centenarians basically lived their life in BALANCE. I think knowing when your “off balance” is half the battle. This week, I definitely lost focused on some things that needed to be done but when I actually decided NOT to stress about, I felt “in balance” and in all a sense of peace and well being. Ya ya, I know its sounds so methodical but it’s the first time in a while that that’s happened. Maybe it was the time well spent with family that helped, maybe it was listening to my body and what it needed (a little YOGA and NOURISHMENT), or maybe it was just taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME! 

Some New Yoga therapy- The hubs has officially declared me his new YOGA teacher so I thought we’d better get some new moves. All I am good at is savasana. haha!

Nourishment- Made a HUGE batch of COTTER KOMBUCHA that will be ready our bellies in about a week. Building up the immunity!!

FOOD for the SOUL- after reading HEAB’s post the other day about the GRAIN FREE bread she made from Alex’s recipe, I just had to try it. I mean come on, I already had all those in my pantry.  I did switch out a few ingredients but all in all it was the same. See below.

You must try it!

Grain-Free Pumpkin Spice Bread (adapted from ALEX)

~This recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, & sugar-free!

Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients

• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup almond butter  ( I used sunflower seed butter)
• 3 eggs
• 3 Tablespoons Ground flax
• 3 Tablespoons Chia Gel (For each tablespoon of chia, mix 2-3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 15-20 minutes. The chia seeds will puff into a gel)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I used ground Ginger instead of nutmeg) 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (I used more Vanilla instead)
• 1/4 cup water

Mix together the ingredients…
Pour into a lightly greased bread pan (I used coconut oil  as well)
Bake for 1 hour at 350*. The bread will rise while in the oven….
Let the bread cool for fifteen minutes in the pan (this is necessary for the bread to set since it has no flour in it), and then plop it onto a plate or cutting board.

Super moist and delicious! Goes great with any type of GF pasta/noodles.

Well, I think I’ve said to much. Here’s to AGING WELL!

Cheers,
LC