Longevity

Live longer and healthier.

Great goals as we grow older. Recently I read an article in Delicious Living about longevity. It seems Okinawa, Sardina (an island in the Mediterranean) and Nova Scotia have a higher percentage of people who live to 100. Not only do they live longer, but they tend to enjoy better overall health. For some, longevity can be traced to genetics, but for most lifestyle choices are the key.

One of these lifestyle choices is eating less. "Decades of longevity research suggest that eating less can add years to your life." ~'Longevity Secrets', Delicious Living (February 2010). The article points out, "The longevity superstar Okinawans practice hara hachi bu, or 'eat until you are eight parts full' and consume about 11 percent fewer calories than the amounts typically recommended by body weight. They boast 60 to 70 percent lower death rates from stroke, cancer, and heart disease than their mainland Japanese counterparts." There are a number of theories as to why the lower calorie diet increases health, but whatever the reason there is a connection.

In the most recent issue of Food and Wine, editor Dana Cowin introduces a shift in the popular magazine's recipe line-up.  "Maybe it's because I grew up skinny, or maybe it's because I believe portion control solves all nutritional ills. Whatever the reason, I've long subscribed to a holistic approach to well-being for Food and Wine that embraces everything, even triple-pork pastas. I will always believe in balance, as it allows the magazine to skip over fad diets and questionable science," Cowin writes. 

The interesting portion of Cowin's comments, as it pertains to me today, is that "portion control solves all nutritional ills." These countries with a larger population of Centenarians (people over 100) eat different kinds of foods, usually healthy but not one hundred percent of the time. France, long known as a place with a decent population of Centenarians, continues to promote rich food with cream, butter and other fat. But they're also known to eat small portions over long periods of time during conversation and socialization. Balance. Like Cowin said, that's what makes the difference.

The Delicious Living article also pointed out the need to be active and interactive with people. So the French aren't far off.

Seafood is one food common to all the countries mentioned above. Fish is high in Omega-3's, which means it's good for the heart and fights dementia as well. Following is a simple recipe for a delicious fish maindish.

White Fish, Italian Style

Choose a nice white fish like Tilapia
Prochuitto
Capers
Olive Oil

Wrap the fish in Prochuitto and spray with a little olive oil.
Broil until fish is done. It's quick, like 3-5 minutes, so watch it closely.
Top with Capers.

Enjoy with a salad of mixed greens with olive oil and lemon juice and a side of brown rice or pasta.