Thursday, October 21, 2010

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

20 comments:

Kristina @ spabettie said...

this is AWESOME news... my great grandmother lived to 100... and many of my other relatives did too... :D

I saw that bread from HEAB also... I cannot wait to make it!!

april said...

Haha I love that picture! Especially the guy next to your hubby..that face is priceless!

Ohh I love your subsitutions!! I'm going to have to make that..been having a bread craving lately!

Bre said...

Life really is all about finding and creating a balance. Glad that you found some peace this week. Can't wait to try that pumpkin bread. And I don't even try to pretend that it's savasana...I call it "nap-time" ;)

AM! said...

nice post as always.

now go work the DH in yoga maybe w/some bikram?;-)

and mostly love the article you read and share. yah..so true;-)

Maggs said...

This will be my last attempt of this year to like anything pumpkin.

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Love this post. My grandparents all passed in their 60's but all from lung cancer from smoking. Reading this does make me stop and think a bit. And you're right about recognizing when you're off balance. It's so easy to let yourself falter a bit. Hope you're having a great Friday friend!

Dorry said...

Wonderful post - I agree that attitude will take people a long way! My grandfather lived into his 90s and he was so active with such a wonderful outlook on life. I like to think I got my healthy eating habits from him. :)

I love HEAB's recipes!

Nichole said...

Things I love in the post, that your hubs is doing yoga (mine literally told me last week he's interested, it's a start) and the pumpkin bread!

Viviane said...

Totally agree with that article! Being healthy is all about balance. I might drink raw kale every day, but if I'm stressed out all the time and never take time to truly nourish my body AND soul, I wouldn't be living a healthy lifestyle, however physically fit I am.

Love the family pic! LOL So funny!!

Anonymous said...

AMEN about balance and getting focused and re focused and back into gear! sometimes we NEED weeks like that, and thank God when they are over!! I love some good ole relaxation and nourishment after a crazy period of time!!
that bread sounds DELISH!!! whats the protein count? I bet its high! love you!

Kelly said...

Yum! I love any kind of moist bread, but I have yet to try chia seeds. I know, crazy right?

One of my great-great grandfathers lived to be 104 and one of my grandfathers lived to be 99. I hope I got their genes!

Unknown said...

I definitely have a few relatives that have lived to 100+ years. Attitude is EVERYTHING!

Mo said...

That bread looks delicious. i might have to jump on the bandwagon!

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said...

oh my - that bread is going on my ' to make' list!!!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

love the article, BALANCE yes is key

the bread, nice work! i love sunflower seed buttahhhhh!

and you're gonna be a great yoga teacher :)

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said...

oh my - that bread is going on my ' to make' list!!!

Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free said...

I am so glad you made it and liked it!!! Yay!!! I love this bread...

Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free said...

I am so glad you made it and liked it!!! Yay!!! I love this bread...

Mo said...

That bread looks delicious. i might have to jump on the bandwagon!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Love this post. My grandparents all passed in their 60's but all from lung cancer from smoking. Reading this does make me stop and think a bit. And you're right about recognizing when you're off balance. It's so easy to let yourself falter a bit. Hope you're having a great Friday friend!