The Mediterranean diet won't save you
unless you live the Mediterranean lifestyle
This is something I hope you understand. There is no panacea diet.
Now that I am 65, my social world has become tangled in conversations about health, diet and how we are all jumping on the latest bandwagons to live longer.
There is just too much so called “health” and longevity info to digest when it comes to diet and exercise. And once you begin to peruse online, the algorithms will bury you, scare you and seduce you to spend money on quick fixes. From Keto to intermittent fasting to a vegan lifestyle …it’s all fine and dandy, but without a changing your day to day mindset, you are missing the point. Stress, anxiety, fear and anger are worse for you than eating all the bacon in the pan. But following a diet program without truly enjoying the life you lead certainly doesn’t seem like fun to me. And what is life without fun?
As you may know, I spend May and October in Sicily every year, hosting small group tours to explore the LIFESTYLE. Many parts of Sicily are Blue Zones. Blue Zones are geographic areas with unusually high concentrations of centenarians and exceptional longevity. These regions are known for their lifestyles, diets, and social structures that contribute to longer and healthier lives.
The key word is LIFESTYLE. Mindset. Blue Zone areas combine a healthy, seasonal and omnivorous diet of real seasonal food from the earth, moderate daily exercise, and a convivial social structure. The social structure is what is missing all too often when we try to be “healthy.” How could pounding a treadmill in the gym isolated by headphones be more gratifying than having a walk in the park, soaking in the magic nature and humanity.
The most vital thing I have learned through experiencing life through my friends here in Sicily is simple. Life is truly holistic. Health comes from peace and intimacy. I’m am not referring to intimacy as sex, although that helps ;), but as an understanding our relationship with everything and everyone around us. Building your own culture of appreciating relationships- with others, with your inner self, with nature and of course with food, with beauty, and with pain is the Mediterranean lifestyle. Gratitude is important, but it shouldn’t be a keyword or a task, it should come as naturally as breathing.
You can eat the Mediterranean diet all you like, but without the Mediterranean attitude, you’re missing the point.
Here is what I have learned and have put into practice.
Appreciate life.
Appreciate the passagiata.
Spend time outside with friends.
Love your family and friends.
Share what you have.
Make decisions based upon the greater good.
Love beautiful music and art.
Love nature, even the storms.
Kiss and hug with every greeting.
Don’t be squeamish.
Eat what is in season.
Let the weeds make you as happy as the flowers.
Welcome people into your home.
When you hear a crying baby, let your heart be filled with love.
Know your history and don’t let anyone forget it.
Cry and laugh freely.
Love the Earth and all of its quirky madness.
Get out of your private backyard and go to the park.
Say good morning every day.
You can eat all the beans and olives you want, but if you’re eating them because you’re worried about dying, you’re missing the point completely.
Most of all, keep it simple.
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