Extreme lack of sleep leads me to write this post. My lovely little girl has been suffering from flu and a hacking cough, which seems to be particularly bad at night! Husband away and Matilda has become a permanent feature in my bed. Propped up beside me, coughing directly into my face! I have much sympathy but today i am sleep deprived and considerably grumpy. School Xmas fete on Friday, for which i am supposed to bake Gluten Free cakes (i confess, not Sugar Free), making bird costume for sons Nativity Play and preparing for visitors. Whoopee…. what happened to that carefree drunken run up to Christmas? Miss those days…. Anyway, i  digress.

Whilst unable to sleep last night, i read an article about the ‘Blue Zones’. Ever heard of these? Well i hadn’t. They are the five areas in the world where people live the longest with many members of their communities living well past 100. I wanted to know their secret and to discover if there are any little adaptations i can make to our diet and lifestyle to increase on longevity (and happiness). Check out this website for more info.http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/

The research Concluded that, ‘People in the Blue Zones nurture strong social networks, consume a plant-based diet, eat in moderation and incorporate daily, natural physical activity into their lives’.

The researchers found 9 common factors in these communities. http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/power-9/.

In summary, have purpose, eat a diet heavy in beans and pulses, eat only until 80% full, belong and put loved ones first. These factors struck a chord with me. They are the simple building blocks of life but ones that modern society is so far removed from. This also fits well into my philosophy of ‘simplifying life’.

1. Keep food simple. Natural, plant based ingredients. I am focusing on beans, veg and nuts.

2. ‘Family’ and ‘Friends’. That is where you get your sense of belonging and worth.

3. Walk everyday – relieves stress, keeps you fit and provides thinking time!

This is what i’m gonna do….. maybe i will live to 100 too but perhaps i need to cut down on the drinking and smoking first…… Note to self…. red wine with food, good. White wine, no food, bad! x