Check out my progress on The Secrets to Longevity
This week in my Lifecycle Nutrition class, we are discussing centenarians (i.e., those aged 100+). In honor of this week’s topic, we had the opportunity to speak to a healthy, happy 92-year-old woman named Mary. She was kind enough to chat with us about her life and to discuss potential secrets to longevity. Below are a few highlights:
- Be active. Mary explained that she has been active for much of her life, engaging in sports as a child and walking as much as possible to complete errands. She even parked several hundred feet away from the nutrition building (rather than in one of the available curbside spots) to come speak to us today.
- Eat mostly plants. Our guest today indicated that she eats a mostly vegan diet; she consumes yogurt and occasionally eats fish at her daughter’s house. Otherwise, she eats mostly plants.
- Grow your own vegetables. Speaking of plants, Mary has always enjoyed growing her own food in her vegetable garden. As she says, “They taste so much better that way!”
- Make time for a family meal. Growing up, Mary and her three brothers always sat down together for the evening meal to unwind from the day and discuss each others’ lives. She continued the tradition with her own family and considers it invaluable to a overall well-being.
- Stay social. Mary has been volunteering daily at the local hospital for 26 years, wearing the same Red Cross Uniform she wore back then, indicating very successful weight maintenance.
- Never stop learning. Mary’s most recent addition to her daily agenda is art class. Although she doesn’t consider herself very artistic, she has discovered that she loves painting with watercolors.
- Drink wine. “The occasional glass of chardonnay is just lovely!”
What do you think are the secrets to living a long, healthy life? I’m taking a tip from my 85-year old grandmother, who happens have beautiful skin—wear your sunscreen!
My personal favorite of Mary’s suggestions is the one about eating lots of plants. Judging by the pictures I took today, I’ve got that one down pat!
Remember my Girl Scout Oatmeal kick from a few years ago? Well, I think my oatmeal creations have a new muse—Halloween candy. First Monday’s Butterfinger oats, now today’s Almond Joy version. YUM.
For lunch today, I packed yet another huge, Technicolor salad. I made a quick dressing out of tahini, lemon juice, stevia, and garlic salt.
Last week, I made a pasta dish with a pumpkin “cream” sauce. I used that same sauce today, but this time I use it for simmering tofu. The sauce was even more delicious than I remember it! Oh yeah, I forgot—tofu makes everything taste better.
I’m on my own tonight, so I think I’ll go unwind with the latest edition of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Ciao!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Secret to a long, healthy life = being surround by amazingly supportive, loving people.
I would like that breakfast tomorrow. Will you be available to come and cook it for me?
i totally agree with veggie girl! healthy life: great friends, great family, great nourishment
can i tell you how much i love your containers in the last post? you’re so foodie organized! come organize my goods puhlease!
i think i would like that pumpkin cream sauce!
great tips! I think the key for longevity is eat right, exercise and be happy!
I love sitting down and listening to what older people have to say. They are so full of knowledge!
I like Mary’s tips! I think I’ve got most of them covered already, and I’m only a little more than 1/4 her age. Barring anything freakish
I should make it to 92 as well – that’s good news! Definitely key to surround yourself with people who love you. 
i loove old people! theres a great blog full of them something like advancedstyle.com
How cool- GREAT tips. Especially agree about staying active and eating lots of fruits/veggies. Sunscreen is also a must. I like the sweet potato in your salad. I bet that added a great fill factor. Happy Friday!
We can all learn something from listening to older people. I think that being loved and loving, being happy, being active, and eating mostly plants is the key to a good long life! I think having pets helps as well, as they make me very happy.
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-Sophia
those are some darkkk oats! and who are we kidding, she looks that good from all the wine, not sunscreen!
really love this post, Caroline
nice tips!!
i think having a good sense of humour and being forgiving are helpful for a good, long life as well. eating an antioxidant-rich plant-based/vegan diet is wonderful, too, of course, and not overeating/caloric restriction also seems to have positive effects.
have a nice day!
Jasmin
I’ve gotta get on the pumpkin cream sauce bandwagon! Looks delish.
I think longevity is a matter of eating plants, avoiding too much booze, sleeping, and staying active.
I would say that not stressing about the little things is another one to add to the list of “living for a long time”. I figure I at least have some longevity genes on my side, as all of my grandparents have lived well into their 80′s. Whether I make it to the big 100 is yet to be seen, but barring any unexpected tragedies, I’m hoping to continue the trend to at least emulate Betty White
Please post your recipe for tofu and pumpkin cream sauce! Great post!
Great post! Very informative. That oat bran looks wonderful.
Mary is a wise woman! Great tips…
Happy New Year!