Healthy eating, exercise, mindfulness, and meditation have been central to our company’s values since we began in 1989. We’re thrilled that so many people around the world are now inspired by the blue zone regions, famous for their high number of centenarians, to start growing their own food. This movement highlights how eating organically grown, nutrient-rich produce can significantly improve your health, well-being, and longevity. However, embracing life in the garden offers much more than fresh produce. Here are some highlights from the Netflix™ special “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones™”.
The Centenarian Guide to Homegrown Happiness
Nourish Your Body, Extend Your Years
Supercharge your diet. Blue zone residents prioritize fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Growing your own ensures you get the ripest, most nutrient-packed fruits and veggies, bursting with vitamins and antioxidants that keep your body humming.
Ditch the toxins. Commercial produce often carries a hidden burden—pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives. By cultivating your own food, you control the quality and avoid these harmful chemicals, promoting gut health and overall well-being.
Boost your immunity. Growing herbs is a natural way to fight off disease and improve your health. Refer to our article “5 Garden Herbs for Flu Season“
Move it, grow it. Gardening is a fantastic form of exercise, engaging your muscles, boosting your mood, and lowering stress. The satisfaction of tending your plants and harvesting your bounty adds a sprinkle of purpose to your day, keeping you active and engaged.
Bloom Beyond the Garden Bed
Connect with nature. Get your hands dirty, breathe in the fresh air, and marvel at the cycle of life unfolding before your eyes. Gardening fosters a deep connection with nature, reducing stress, improving mental clarity, and sparking a sense of awe.
Savor the seasonality. Growing your own food teaches you the rhythm of the earth. You’ll appreciate the fleetingness of a perfectly ripe strawberry and anticipate the arrival of your favorite autumn squash. This mindfulness enriches your relationship with food and promotes mindful eating.
Build a community. Gardening isn’t just a solitary pursuit. Share your bounty with neighbors, barter seeds with fellow green thumbs, or join a community garden. These connections foster a sense of belonging, combatting loneliness and boosting social well-being.
Start Small, Reap Big Rewards
Beginner? No problem! Start with herbs, easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes or lettuce, or even a container garden on your balcony. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can reap the rewards.
Embrace the blue zone philosophy. Incorporate the lessons of these long-lived communities. Prioritize movement, connect with loved ones, and savor the simple pleasures of homegrown food.
Make it fun! Gardening should be joyful, not a chore. Play music, get the kids involved, and experiment with different plants. Remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
So, grab your gloves, dust off your trowel, and step into your own blue zone. With every seed you sow and every tomato you pluck, you’re not just nurturing your garden, you’re cultivating a life of health, happiness, and longevity. Happy growing!
Bonus Tips
- Research plants that thrive in your climate and soil.
- Start composting to enrich your soil naturally.
- Don’t be afraid to get messy!
- Celebrate your successes, big or small.
Remember, the most important ingredient in your garden is you. So, get out there, dig in, and let the centenarian principles guide you on your journey to a greener, longer, and more fulfilling life.
What are the most nutrient-rich plants to grow?
While the documentary doesn’t explicitly rank vegetables by nutrient richness, it does highlight several superfoods that stand out for their abundance and potential health benefits:
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, beet and turnip tops, chard, and collards: These nutritional powerhouses are packed with vitamins A, C, K, and folate, along with fiber and minerals. The documentary mentions Ikaria’s 75+ varieties of wild greens, some boasting ten times the polyphenols found in red wine!
Beans
Black beans (Nicoya): Rich in protein, fiber, iron, and antioxidants, these versatile beans are a staple in the Nicoyan diet, often eaten daily.
Lentils, garbanzo, and white beans (Mediterranean): These protein-packed legumes provide essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to heart health and longevity.
Soybeans (Okinawa): Fermented soy products like tofu and miso are a cornerstone of the Okinawan diet, offering protein, fiber, and gut-friendly probiotics.
Root Vegetables
Purple sweet potato (Okinawa): This vibrant tuber, also called an Okinawan Sweet Potato, is high in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and cognitive-protective properties.
Sweet potatoes and yams (Sardinia): These starchy vegetables offer vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, contributing to energy levels and gut health.
Other Notable Plants to Mention
- Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are rich in sulforaphane, a compound with potential anticancer properties.
- Tomatoes: A good source of vitamins C and K, lycopene (an antioxidant), and fiber.
- Onions and garlic: These pungent vegetables offer a range of vitamins, minerals, and sulfur compounds with potential health benefits.
It’s important to remember that variety is key to a healthy centenarian diet. While these vegetables are undoubtedly nutrient-rich, incorporating a diverse range of fruits and vegetables remains crucial for optimal health. Download our Year-Round Planting Planner to learn when to plant these and other nutrient-rich vegetables in the Growing Dome.
Transform your Community
The final episode of the documentary provides a roadmap for how you can turn your community into a blue zone. Take Arlene Harms, CEO of Rio Grande Hospital Clinic, who has a vision to create a blue zone in her community in Del Norte, Colorado.
“We are doing this project totally for our community’s health and wellness. I’m basing our plans around the documentary’s concept of health with one of them being nutrition.”
The plans also incorporate a 33’ Growing Dome Greenhouse which will serve as a place for hospital staff and guests to be able to meet and have a place to center away from noise and anxiety in a beautiful place with the sound of water in the background.
“Everywhere in the wellness center, there will be education on health and wellness. The greenhouse will fit in perfectly and I believe we will be able to change the health of our community over time. We are a nonprofit hospital in a very poor area, so some of the healthy food we grow, we will be giving away to our poorer community and teaching a wholesome diet in the process. It is sometimes difficult here to grow healthy fresh food.”
Longevity in Your Backyard
The real secret to a long and vibrant life might be sprouting right in your backyard. By focusing on homegrown, seasonal produce, and prioritizing these nutrient-dense options, you can take inspiration from the centenarians and add a touch of longevity to your plate!
Having a Growing Dome greenhouse in your backyard will enable you to grow nutrient-rich food all year long! And the benefits go well beyond the produce you grow. Staying active in the greenhouse will keep your body and brain fit and alert. It is also a great retreat to practice mindfulness and meditation.
We hope you can take some lessons from the centenarian lifestyle and apply them to your daily life. If you want to learn more about healthy living and sustainability sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Happy Grower!
