The Pits and Pieces

  The Netflix series Blue Zones examines areas in the world where there is a higher concentration of centenarians (people who live to 100 or more). And what are their secrets?  It breaks it down into 4 categories: 1.        Eat wisely. Many eat foods that are mostly plant- based and  come from the earth nearby. Also – eat until you’re only about 80% full. 2.        Have a purposeful outlook on life. A Plana Vida . They wake up each day knowing there is something they will do. But they also have a lack of stress, or if they do, it is very short-lived. They work hard, in short, concentrated hours, and then they rest and enjoy life. Contrast this with how we sit at our desks from 9 to 5, even eating lunch there, the keyboard collecting weeks of crumbs. 3.        Move naturally. No gyms for them, but they’re walking everywhere, often uphill; they chop wood and lift heavy pails, ride horses, grind food by hand. No gym membership or machines or weights required. Movement is part of the

  September has always seemed like the start of a new year, especially if you’ve had kids going back to school. But even once my child grew up and moved out, I still get that new-start-to-the-year feeling after Labour Day. A new year implies new beginnings, new goals, new challenges, new routines and learning. But, does it really have to be? What if we focused on what we already have and dug deeper? Or . . . tried to unlearn habits and beliefs we’ve held onto that no longer serve us? Over the past three years I’ve taken up a lot of new things which bring me joy and fulfillment. I’m not sure I have room in my days for more. What if I spent my energy going deeper instead of casting my net wider? On a recent podcast, I listened to an interview with a woman who is 102, Dr. Gladys McGarey , a doctor who still has a 10-year plan. She advocates giving wild energy to your life, not pulling back on the things you love doing just because you’re getting older. I love the idea of spending your