This and That and Yoga Day…

Good morning.  Here’s to another Friday.  Though I need to keep this morning’s blog on the short and sweet side, I do what to mention a few things…

Yes, Rita…there is a spot in Greece that’s “blue.”  I believe that Ikaria, Greece was the latest blue zone to be researched and labeled.  Over one-third of the inhabitants there live past the age of 90.  Additionally, they suffer from 20% less cancers, a whopping 50% less heart disease and and there is virtually NO dementia there.  They, like in the other “blue zones,” have a great sense of community and connection.  They nap daily and stress less due to their lack of time urgency.  They consume lots of wild greens and beans and eat very little meat and sugar.  They don’t consume as much fish or grains as the other areas, but surprisingly eat a lot of potatoes.  This makes me smile.  I love potatoes and hate what a bad rap they have gotten!  I don’t think potatoes are making us FAT.  I think too many calories and not enough activity are making us fat.  Like all the other areas in the “zone,”  the people of Ikaria are mountain people, obviously getting great exercise just by climbing!  For more information, just google the Blue Zones or Dan Buettner.  There are some great articles and videos.  I think the easiest way to food shop like you are in the zone, is to simply shop the perimeter of your grocery store and avoid the aisles–and the meat!  Just limiting your meat intake to less than once a week can add almost 4 years to your life.   Carole W., you taught me that YEARS ago.  Thank you.

Tomorrow is Yoga Day.  Anywhere you are, you should be able to find a free yoga class, event or workshop near you.  Many studios are holding fundraiser to benefit the people of Haiti, in coordination with their yoga events.  I hope that you can get out and treat your body, mind and soul to a yoga experience and feel the positive energy of the world, uniting.

Rita, commented about the news article yesterday, suggesting that sitting for too long can actually shorten your lifespan and cause health complications.  I clipped that article yesterday morning and put it in my son, Kyle’s room, for him to read when he got home from his day’s work as a web developer.  We all know being sedentary is so unhealthy, yet reading it like that, in black and white was very frightening.  When so many of us are at our desks and computers for hours at a time, we need to make every effort to get up and walk around whenever possible.  Use every excuse you can to move around your offices and homes.  Your life depends on this!

Thanks for checking in today.  Your continuous (and growing!) support is greatly appreciated.  Keep spreading the word, keep moving and thinking hara hachi bu and have a fantastic Friday.