Rose Cottage

 In recent years, many of us have become intersted in Blue Zone areas with higher numbers of centenarians, including Okinawa. There are books and PBS Recently hosted a series exploring Blue Zone lifestyles.  Soup and salad Recently, Aki (Samurai Matcha) filmed a session with Christal, who has been living in Okinawa and researching  the practices of these older adults.  They share tips from her research and visits in this video  - 7 Healthy Habits of Okinawa.   Like my previous post sharing tips from Aki's Japanese lifestyle, anyone can incorporate some or all of these into their own lives.  Aki and Christal open with an invitation to spend time with your friends, and not canceling plans unless it's truly necessary! Spending time with others several times weekly (daily when you can!) supports mental health and happier nature.  Healthy eating - and only till 80% full (hara hachibi bun me) - is common in older Okinawas, (and key in all the B...

 Over a decade ago, my son-in law Matt asked where he could find chia seeds, as he wanted to make a traditional drink for boasting energy, Chia Fresca or Iskiate! 1 cup water 1 T whole chia seeds 1-2 Tbsp fresh lime juice 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey, etc) Mix together & let sit 20-30 minutes. You can experiment with the liquid; coconut milk, sun tea, water kefir . . . Here's a video of the process. Iskiate and Wind Rider I like to add 1/2 tsp of mixed sea salt and cream of tartar (which is high in potassium and comes from grapes), for an inexpensive and easy electrolyte recharge. And yes, Chia seeds are gluten free! And grade B (less refined!) Maple syrup is a lovely sweetener.  This drink became popular amongst runners after the publication of  Born To Run , about the Tarahumara Indians 'a Meixcan group of super-athletes,' who cover great distances running barefoot, and drink Is kiate.  Like flax, Chia seeds are high-fiber, omega-3, high-protein, antioxidant ...