Gardening for Longevity Like the Blue Zones
We’ve learned that one secret to living past 100 is gardening. The centenarians of the Blue Zones garden well into their golden years. Gardening keeps them active and mobile, bending and lifting as they tend to their crops. Watching our gardens grow also gives us a mental boost. Maybe getting our hands in the soil adds beneficial microbes to our systems too. The Blue Zoners don’t use pesticides, so everything they grow is organic.
Their skincare is probably all-natural too. As gardeners and skincare makers ourselves, we know the benefits of organic ingredients. Our products are inspired by nature and made to nourish skin and soothe the soul.
Like the long-living Blue Zoners, we believe gardening and natural self-care are paths to longevity and well-being. Working with our hands in the earth, growing beautiful things, and using the resulting harvests to nourish our bodies inside and out — that’s true health and happiness. The rewards of gardening are both physical and mental. Our gardens sustain us, connecting us to the natural world and each other.
What are you waiting for? Get out in your garden. Plant, weed, harvest, and enjoy. Your longevity and skin will thank you!
The Meditative and Physical Benefits of Gardening
Most of what we know about longevity comes from studying centenarians around the world, and one habit most share is gardening. As gardeners ourselves, we can attest to the many benefits.
First, gardening reduces stress and anxiety. There’s something calming about working with your hands in the soil, watching seeds sprout and plants mature. Our worries fade away as we focus on the tasks at hand like weeding, pruning and harvesting.
Gardening also provides exercise. While it may not seem strenuous, bending, lifting, digging and raking add up. Studies show gardeners live longer and have lower risks of heart disease and other health conditions. The fresh air and Vitamin D from the sun do us good too.
Finally, homegrown organic food just tastes better. Knowing we grew it ourselves from seed to harvest gives us a sense of accomplishment. And there’s no need to question what chemicals it may contain. Everything is natural, just as nature intended.
At the end of the day, gardening nourishes our bodies and souls. For mental and physical well-being, gardening is ideal. No wonder so many centenarians stay spry gardening well into their golden years. What are you waiting for? Get outside and start growing your way to health and longevity.
Growing Your Own Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Living to 100 means keeping healthy habits and an open, curious mindset. One of the best ways we’ve found to do that is by gardening. There’s something meditative about getting our hands in the soil and watching life blossom before our eyes.
Gardening keeps us active and mobile, as we’re frequently bending down, carrying supplies, and walking between our plants. The rewards of seeing those first tender shoots break through the earth and blossom into juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers or sweet strawberries nourishes our soul.
Growing everything without pesticides so we know exactly what’s going into our bodies. The microbes in the soil probably do our immune system some good too, especially when we wipe the sweat off our brows! Our garden sustains us all season, and we preserve plenty to enjoy during the winter.
At our age, gardening reminds us that even though our bodies may move a bit slower, we can still nurture new life and contribute to the cycle of growth. We may not make it to the century mark, but we’ll keep digging in the dirt and soaking in the sun as long as we’re able. Our garden keeps us young at heart, and that’s the real secret to longevity.
Enjoying the Bounty: Organic Recipes From Blue Zone Gardens
As gardeners in the Blue Zones, we’re lucky enough to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of our labor. The gardens we tend so carefully provide us with the freshest, most nutritious ingredients to cook with. Since we don’t use any pesticides or chemicals, everything we grow is 100% organic.
Our gardens yield hearty crops like beans, squash, leafy greens, tubers, and legumes that we’ve been eating for generations. These staples, combined with olive oil, nuts, and whole grains, make up the backbone of our cuisine. Meals are simple but satisfying, letting the natural flavors of each ingredient shine through.
Some of our favorite recipes include minestrone soup with kale, white beans, and pasta; ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs; and hearty bean stews. We top salads with nuts and seeds for extra nutrition and crunch. For a touch of sweetness, we make fruit crumbles or bake figs, apricots and plums from our trees into rustic tarts.
Everything we cook comes fresh from the garden, so we waste nothing. We’ve learned how to use stems, leaves, and peels in our recipes too. Our cooking techniques are simple, focusing on steaming, simmering, and light sautéing to preserve nutrients. Mealtimes are meant for connecting with loved ones, not rushing, so we take our time preparing and enjoying our garden-to-table feasts. For us, gardening and sharing homemade meals together are ingredients for a long, happy life.
Blue Zone Skincare Secrets: Organic Oils and Natural Remedies
As gardeners and natural skincare enthusiasts in the blue zones, we know that what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your body. That’s why we rely on organic oils, botanicals and natural remedies that have been used for generations.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a Mediterranean beauty secret we’ve used for centuries. It’s packed with antioxidants and healthy fats that nourish skin and protect against aging. We use olive oil as a moisturizer, eye makeup remover and to soothe dry skin. For an anti-aging boost, mix in a few drops of lavender or rose essential oil.
Aloe Vera
The gel from aloe vera leaves is great for soothing sunburns, moisturizing skin and reducing inflammation. We like to keep an aloe vera plant on hand to harvest fresh gel. It’s also found in many of our natural skincare products. Aloe vera is especially soothing for dry, irritated skin.
Sea Salt
Sea salt has mineral-rich salts that gently exfoliate skin, remove dead cells and soften skin. We make a simple sea salt scrub with olive oil and essential oils to use in the shower. It leaves skin smooth, soft and glowing. The minerals in sea salt also have therapeutic effects when used in a warm bath.
By using natural ingredients from our gardens and the earth, we nourish our skin and maintain a healthy, natural glow well into our older years. These secrets, passed down through generations in the blue zones, are the key to ageless beauty inside and out.
FAQs About Blue Zones and Their Gardening Lifestyles
As residents of blue zones, we’ve been gardening for decades and want to share some of the most frequently asked questions about our lifestyles.
Why do you garden?
For us, gardening is a way of life. We garden well into our 90s and beyond. Bending, digging, and harvesting homegrown organic food keeps us active and agile. Watching our gardens blossom gives us a sense of purpose and joy. We believe the microbes in the soil even boost our immunity!
What do you grow?
We grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, like leafy greens, tomatoes, beans, and squash. Everything is organic. Chemical pesticides are unheard of in our gardens. We grow food that is native to our regions and well-suited to the climate. Some crops have been passed down through generations.
Do you sell your produce?
Rarely. We grow food primarily for our own consumption and sharing with community. While some blue zones do have vibrant local food economies, for most home gardeners the harvest is for personal use, bartering, or gifting. Nothing goes to waste.
What’s your secret to longevity?
For us, gardening is just one small part of the longevity puzzle. More broadly, strong social connections, daily movement, unprocessed whole foods, and purpose are what keep blue zone residents thriving into our 90s and 100s. And of course, we try not to take life too seriously! Laughter and joy are the best medicines.
Our gardening lifestyles are simple but deeply meaningful. We hope sharing our experiences provides inspiration for living long, healthy, and happy lives. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some tomatoes to pick!