Blue Zones
Blue Zones are areas of the world where people tend to live longer and healthier lives than the rest of the population. These areas have been studied extensively by researchers, who have found that there are several common factors that contribute to the longevity and well-being of the people who live there.
One of the key factors in the Blue Zones is a diet that is rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods. In these areas, people tend to eat a diet that is high in organic fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins (especially organ meats) and low in processed foods, particularly sugar, and unhealthy fats (think vegetable oil). Many of the foods that are eaten in the Blue Zones are also grown locally and organically, so they are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides and the consumers actually know their local farmers.
Another important factor in the Blue Zones is a lifestyle that is characterized by regular physical activity and low levels of stress. People in these areas tend to engage in low to moderate-level physical activities on a constant basis such as walking, biking, hiking, gardening, and other forms of manual labor, which helps to keep them active and healthy. They also tend to have strong social connections, loyalty to some form of religion that bridges generations and provides cohesiveness to the culture, and a sense of communal and familial purpose, which helps to reduce stress and promote mental well-being. All of the blue zones consider financial “wealth” to be the least important factor in life and many don’t even factor it at all but consider it a “byproduct”.
In some Mayan cultures (like the Tzutujil of Lago Atitlan), a basic understanding of existence is that humans owe a spiritual debt to the magnificent beauty and complexity of existence. According to this worldview, the goal of one’s life in the world is to create works of unspeakable beauty and gratitude, thereby repaying the spiritual debt to existence. The Tzutujil also recognize that single human beings can never really be effective at gathering and flowing capital if they are separated from their community and thus place community at the top of their list of wealth factors.
At the heart of the Blue Zones is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of living a clean, healthy lifestyle that is grounded in traditional wisdom surrounding a strong nuclear family and a strong sense of community belonging and responsibility. This includes eating clean, ethically raised foods that are grown and prepared in ways that are respectful of the environment and the animals that provide them. When we eat foods that are grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, we support a healthier environment and reduce our exposure to toxins. When we choose to eat ethically and holistically raised meats, we support farmers who are committed to raising animals in humane and sustainable ways all while supporting carbon sequestration instead of soil run-off, the repair of broken water cycles instead of the increase in damage, and the decrease in farmer’s dependence on fossil fuels, artificial fertilizers, and all other forms of expensive and harmful external inputs which make their farm economy fragile and beholden to corporate and government interests. In plain terms, you support farmers in their efforts to produce real, nutrient-dense food instead of cutting corners and lowering quality to appease agencies and shareholders.
Living a healthy lifestyle is about more than just what we eat. It's also about the choices we make every day, such as getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. When we prioritize our health and well-being, we are better able to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. At the heart of blue zones is the belief that life is a sacred right and responsibility and that we must honor it in every thought and action. Does a Twinkie honor life?
In summary, the Blue Zones offer us a powerful example of how to live a healthy and fulfilling life. By prioritizing clean, nutrient-dense foods and a healthy lifestyle, we can improve our own health and well-being, as well as support a healthier environment and a more sustainable food system. So let's take inspiration from the Blue Zones and make choices that support our health and the health of the planet.
By adopting principles such as those found in The Primal Blueprint, the Weston A. Price Foundation, and as found in the world’s Blue Zones, we can turn our own regions into Blue Zones. Start by visiting our farm Shop and filling your pantry with revitalizing and nutrient-dense local foods!
