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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2020 7 By Clare Mendez, Resident According to Wikipedia, Blue Zones are regions of the world where Dan Buettner, who studies these populations for the National Geographic Society, claims people live much longer than average. The term first appeared in his November 2005 National Geographic magazine cover story, The Secrets of a Long Life. Buettner identified five regions as "Blue Zones" (a term he trademarked): Okinawa (Japan); Sardinia (Italy); Nicoya (Costa Rica); Icaria (Greece); and among the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California. Of course, on this list, we are excited to see Loma Linda, California since it is less than an hour away. But why specifically the Seventh- day Adventists? Adventist culture is focused on healthful habits such as vegetarianism, and warns against alcohol and smoking. It teaches that being healthy helps us to make good decisions. Besides the healthful habits integral to their belief system, Adventists drink plenty of water, eat lots of nuts, exercise regularly and tend to maintain a healthy weight. They nurture emotional and spiritual health, value their family relationships, and prize volunteering. One other thing the longest-lived societies tend to have in common: they have limited or no consumption of refined sugar and other processed foods. Knowing about the Blue Zone diet and other books I've read on living a long and healthy life, I'd like to share with you what I have learned. Throughout this year I'll forward on to you some things I have read about. As I go through 2020, I plan to make it my best year yet. I recently read The Longevity Paradox How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age by Steven R. Gundry, MD. Again, more information to feed into my brain about diet and exercise, which we have all heard plenty of times before, but unless I make some of these life changes, I will be right where I am now plus one year older next February. Here's my game plan: I'll start by eating less meat, and processed foods. Thank goodness the holidays, which are a haven for sugary desserts, are over for now. I'll limit my intake of fruits (which are high in sugar) and eat more leafy green vegetables, and nuts (but not peanuts which are not nuts at all. They are legumes). Then, when at the gym, I'll use weights to build up any muscle I still have. I'll do squats and practice balance exercises. I'll work out in my garden or take long walks outdoors (with sunscreen on of course) to get some of that natural Vitamin D. Volunteering, socializing and laughing, well, that's easy. And, this is just the beginning. We have so much of what I need to live a longer, stronger, healthier life here at Solera. Whatever reason you chose to live here, be glad you did. I think we will find out we are the next "Blue Zone" discovered. Cheers to us and a long and healthy life. The Blue Zone LOMA LINDA, UNITED STATES OKINAWA, JAPAN SARDINIA, ITALY

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