I just finished reading this book this week. It is a fascinating book on lessons learned from people who live in Sardinian, Okinawa, Loma Linda, California (Seventh Day Adventist), and Costa Rica. Each of these areas have a high number of people who have lived to be 100 years of age.

They studied each group and came up with a list of lifestyle choices that seemed to make life better for these people.

1. Move naturally - be active without thinking

• Balance is critical as you get older - work on strengthening your balance.
• Go easy on the knees - you will need them
• 30 minutes of exercise - five days a week
• Walk, walk, walk, walk . . .
• Plant a garden

2. Stop eating when you are 80% full

• Eat food with low caloric density (fruits and vegetables)
• Make snacking a hassle
• Eat slowly

3. Plant Slant

• Beans, whole grains, & garden vegetables
• Tofu
• Eat meat, but very small portions
• Nuts - each day, but small amounts

4. Purpose Now

• You need a personal mission statement
• You need a people to share life with each day
• Learn something new - never stop using your mind

5. Down Shift - take time to relieve stress

• Life is short, don't run so fast you miss it
• Reduce the noise (turn off electronics - TV, radio, IPod, etc.
• Be 15 minutes early to all events - less stress

6. Belong - Spiritual community

• People who are faithful to their church are happier and healthier
• Social network is critical to good life

7. Loved one First

• Family life is critical to happiness
• Smaller house makes families closer - large houses people tend to go to their own space
• Ritual in family - have a consistency to times together

These are the key points that the book makes for life to be long and good.