May 2022 - Journey With Healthy Me

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling

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Is it possible to eat the Blue Zones way while traveling? I learned the answer to that question recently, when I traveled to Johns Island, South Carolina.

Other components of the Blue Zones lifestyle are easily practiced while on vacation. We naturally move more, hiking, playing and swimming. And often we connect with others while on a trip, such as family, friends or colleagues. How difficult is it to faithfully observe the simple, whole foods plant based diet though?

I found it very doable!

Check out these tips for eating the Blue Zones way while traveling, before your next trip. And appreciate the health benefits that continue to support the body while away from home.

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling title meme

Blue Zones Travel

I completed the four weeks of the Blue Zones Challenge, literally the day I departed on my trip to South Carolina. The freshness of the experience served me well, I believe. My blood pressure dropped into the normal range during the challenge. I lost weight. And overall, felt amazing. Also, I appreciated the simplicity of the meals and the lifestyle.

While traveling, I strongly desired to continue with the lifestyle. In fact, I intend to continue living the Blue Zones lifestyle indefinitely.

For this trek, I flew out of Tulsa Oklahoma at 6:00 am on a Sunday and returned home Wednesday evening about 7:00 pm. I spent two and a half days in the Charleston/Johns Island area and parts of two days traveling.

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling

These are the tips that made it easy for me to adhere to the Blue Zones way of eating.

Plan Ahead

This might seem obvious. However, having a plan and following a plan enables you to keep to the Blue Zones way of eating…or any diet, really.

I stayed at Sailor’s Rest, a wonderful Airbnb on Johns Island with a full kitchen. When possible, choose accommodations that provide a kitchen for preparing your own meals or at the least, a hotel room with a mini fridge and microwave for storing and reheating leftovers.

Before my departure day, I checked out airport restaurants online. Plus, at the Airbnb owners’ recommendation, I added the Harris Teeter Market to my list of places to visit. There I could stock up on groceries for breakfasts and dinners. I also created a list of possible restaurants for lunches.

In my travel notebook, I jotted down meal ideas. When you are prepared, you can deal with challenges or changes more easily. If you “wing it”, you are much more likely to fall back into old patterns and habits.

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling market — Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling – Harris Teeter Market near the Airbnb I stayed in

Know Your Diet

It’s easy to eat things NOT on a healthy diet, while traveling. And I know, for many people a vacation from home is also a vacation from eating healthy. You have to do you. However for me, a move away from my healthy lifestyle is a move toward not feeling well. And I do not want to feel unwell while traveling! I channel all of my high, clean energy toward exploring and having fun.

I carry a notebook with me, full of my meal ideas and key Blue Zones components. The Notes app on a smart phone works well also. Whether you are enjoying Blue Zones or embracing another healthy diet plan, know exactly what you can eat…and what you can’t.

Blue Zones is so simple: grains such as brown rice, quinoa and oats, legumes, fruits, veggies, greens and nuts. That’s it. No sugar, overly salty foods, animal products or processed foods. Knowing that list of acceptable foods made it easier to find meals in the airports and in cafés in Charleston and on the islands.

Travel Day Meals

Leaving Tulsa International Airport so early, I chose to eat my first meal for the day while on layover in Houston. At Peet’s Coffee & Tea I found plain oatmeal available, with the added toppings of wild blueberries and slivered almonds. Perfect! I added a green tea and my meal felt complete.

Southwest Airlines offers a complimentary drink and a salty snack during short domestic flights. I accepted the iced water. And I should have bought a small package of unsalted nuts before boarding the plane. I chose not to eat anything during the flight, making me very hungry by the time I landed in Charleston. The timing of the flight caused me to miss lunch.

A better schedule flying home allowed me to enjoy plain oatmeal with pecans at the Charleston Airport for breakfast, while savoring a delicious grains and greens bowl from Mad About Greens for lunch at the Austin Airport. Hunger satisfied, I didn’t need an inflight snack later.

If traveling by car, carry healthy snacks, pack a picnic lunch full of foods on your diet or plan stops at places that you know offer foods you can eat.

oats for breakfast — Oats for breakfast at Houston Airport

Stock Up and Cook Your Own Meals

Preparation and determination paid off after I arrived in Charleston. I drove past many fast food places in my rental car, on my 30 minute drive to my accommodations. Without a firm plan in mind, the temptation to grab fast food in a drive through might have proved too strong to resist.

Instead, I made it to the Airbnb, quickly unloaded the car, and then drove six more miles down the charming two lane road to the Harris Teeter store in Freshfields Village. There I picked up staples for my meals: fresh fruit and berries, brown rice, canned beans, a fresh chickpea salad for dinner the first night, nuts and a loaf of rosemary sourdough bread.

I loved having a kitchen to prepare meals in. It made it easier to stay with a healthy eating plan. And I like the meditative quality of preparing and cooking my own meals. At the Airbnb, eating those meals outdoors on the spacious, beautiful patio was a treat.

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling kitchen — Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling – having a full kitchen makes meal prep easy

Eating Out While Traveling

With breakfasts and evening meals planned, that just left two lunches while in the Charleston area. I carried a list of possible cafés to dine in. All offered vegan options.

And it’s a good thing I created a list. My first choices for both Monday and Tuesday didn’t open for lunch. Instead, they opened at 5:00. I’m happy though with my ultimate choices, and I found a whole new area to explore on Tuesday in Freshfields.

Lunch Monday at Brown Dog Deli in Charleston was an amazing, filling salad with seaweed, beans, cashews, greens and fried avocado. And Tuesday found me at Café Eugenia in Freshfields Village, dining on herbed potatoes, bean salad, hummus and toasted pita bread.

Before traveling, I looked at menus online, for every café that I considered as a possibility. That helped me tremendously. I knew what they offered and what I could order.

Brown Dog Deli lunch — Delicious lunch at Brown Dog Deli, Charleston

Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling Cafe Eugenia — Tips for Eating the Blue Zones Way While Traveling – lunch at Café Eugenia in Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island

In Review

When eating the Blue Zones way while traveling:

plan ahead…pre-select cafés and check out their online menus. If possible, stay in accommodations with a kitchen for prepping your own meals or book a hotel room with a kitchenette or at least a mini fridge and microwave.
know your diet…what you can eat and what foods to avoid
anticipate travel day meals and preview restaurants in airports OR pack snacks and meals if traveling by car
at your destination, stock up on healthy foods and cook your own meals
create a list of possible cafés for meals out…and check out menus online

And…if you do go off track and eat a meal that isn’t the healthiest, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track with the next meal and move on.

I’m happy to report that I did well eating the Blue Zones way while traveling. With a little planning and prepping, all of my meals, including snacks and afternoon teas, contain Blue Zones approved whole food plant based foods. That means, when I came home, I arrived without guilt or that awful feeling of overindulging.

Do you eat healthy when you travel?

afternoon tea — Afternoon tea – fresh fruit bowl and hot peppermint tea

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The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four

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The Blue Zones Challenge week four…completed! I’ve finished the challenge and I’m excited to share the results. Truly what began as a month long shift became a Blue Zones lifestyle that I intend to continue.

Check out the other weeks…One, Two and Three…and then let’s discuss Week Four.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four title meme

The Blue Zones Lifestyle

The Blue Zones lifestyle is based on the information gathered by Dan Buettner while studying regions in the world with the highest proportion of people who live to 100 years old. They are:

Sardinia, Italy – an island in the Mediterranean Sea
Ikaria, Greece – an Aegean island with the lowest rates of dementia
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Okinawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California – a community of Seventh Day Adventists who on average live ten years longer than other Americans

The challenge presents a shift in health practices that changes life for the better. It’s not just a diet or a fitness plan. Rather, it focuses on behavior, habits and environment.

The long term benefits of living a Blue Zones lifestyle include:

a longer, healthier life
more energy and increased strength
better sleep
weight loss and then weight maintenance
nurturing, supportive relationships
purpose
a better local community

Week Four Activities

Expanding on the last three weeks, week four focuses on food, connection and environment.

Review Purpose Statement

During the first week, the Blue Zones Challenge guides you to discover your purpose. Living with purpose is a key element for those in the Blue Zones. Okinawans call it ikigai – “reason for being”. Costa Ricans call it plan de vida – “life plan”. All recognize that a strong sense of purpose in older adults acts as a buffer against stress and helps reduce inflammation. That in turn helps to prevent Alzheimer’s, arthritis and strokes. Embracing a purpose in life…having something to get up for in the morning…can result in a longer, happier lifespan.

My purpose is to inspire others to live life beyond the edges, of fears, comfort zones and limiting beliefs, and to be healthy at any age.

I used this week to review my purpose statement and reflect on how I am living that every day.

Eat at Least Three Blue Zones Meals

This week I tried three more new recipes from the Blue Zones Cookbook:

Ikarian Longevity Stew
Pasta with Fresh Tomato and Basil (I used gluten free pasta)
Veggie Hash

I haven’t eaten a Blue Zones recipe yet that I disliked! All taste delicious and they are filling and healthy.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four veggie hash — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four – veggie hash

Walk with Buddy

Grateful again for Greg’s willingness to serve as my buddy and complete the challenge with me.

Designate a Space in the Home for Quiet Time

I’m working on this activity still. I’ve selected the space and began clearing the room to create a quiet corner where I can sit on the floor, read, meditate and journal. More on this project another time.

Get Blackout Shades or an Eye Mask to Improve Sleep

I don’t like wearing an eye mask and I didn’t purchase blackout shades. However, I do keep my room dark and cool to help me sleep soundly.

Declutter House

This is another ongoing activity that began several weeks ago, actually. I’m very sensitive to clutter and like the “place for everything and everything in its place” practice. However, it’s a good time to do another sweep through the house and clear away items that I no longer use, need or want.

Listen to Others with Deep Attention

I’m considered a good listener. This week I practiced greater awareness when listening to others. Often we are so busy thinking about what we are going to say next, that we don’t fully listen to the one talking.

Enjoy an Okinawan or Costa Rican Breakfast

Breakfasts in the Blue Zones look very different from the typical American meal. Beans are a common breakfast food in Costa Rica. And in Japan, miso soup and rice are popular. Breakfast looks much like lunch or supper in the Blue Zones

I’ve enjoyed this change for breakfast. Every morning we eat oats with berries, walnuts and chia seeds OR a bowl of rice and beans, in addition to celery juice and a fruit smoothie.

The Blue Zones breakfast basics are beans, cooked grains, fruits and veggies.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four breakfast — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four – a typical breakfast, red beans and brown rice

Start a Container or Outdoor Garden

In the Blue Zones, people continue to garden well into their 90s and 100s. Gardening naturally encourages movement, from planting the seeds to weeding and watering to harvesting. Plus there’s the added benefit of sunshine and fresh air.

I have a large backyard garden, full of plants and herbs, and a raised bed garden for veggies. This week provided the perfect opportunity to work in my garden, planting flowers in containers and tucking some new herbs into the apothecary garden.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four garden — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four – get into the garden

Consider Adopting a Dog or Cat

I have three rescue cats, Shy Boy, Angel and Rilynn, so I did not adopt another. My feline trio would not appreciate a new fur baby in the house.

I checked off all of the activities, or continue to work on them, except for enroll in a savings or investment plan and volunteer for a new group or organization.

Bonus Activities and Daily Check Ins

These remained the same as the last two weeks. See Week Two for a reminder of what those are. I exceeded the daily goal of 12 points. The goal for the entire four weeks is 400 points. I met that goal with a total of 512 points for the challenge.

My Results for the Four Week Challenge

My results for the challenge are so encouraging. I lost 8.2 pounds over the four weeks. My energy came up, joint stiffness improved and I love eating the Blue Zones way.

My biggest win from the challenge is the change in blood pressure. I began the Blue Zones challenge with the hope that I could control my blood pressure, which has crept up the last few months. Although I eat a plant based diet, I know I consumed too much salt, sugar and processed “healthy” foods.

During the challenge I eliminated salt, sugar and processed foods. I carefully adhered to the “rules”, eating 100% whole food plant based with an emphasis on beans, grains, vegetables and fruits. I walked or moved every day for at least 30 minutes. And I worked to reduce stress through meditation, movement, connection with others and relaxation.

Week One my blood pressure was 150/96. This week it was 118/77. That’s a remarkable improvement that I’m so happy about!

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four ikarian stew — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four – Ikarian stew

What’s Next?

Now that I’ve completed the four week challenge, what next? I’m celebrating my results, not with sugar laden foods or a heavy meal at a restaurant but with the determination to continue this lifestyle.

I appreciate the simplicity of the foods, the nudges to move and the connections with self and others. The book has a Part Five, Sustainability. It encourages the reader to turn the challenge into a lifestyle. I love that the remainder of the book includes monthly activities to continue the Blue Zones way of life for a full year.

I really appreciate the Blue Zones Challenge. What began as a way to lower my blood pressure and improve my eating habits has become a wonderful way to boost health and extend my life.

I leave on a trip tonight. While away I’m committed to following this lifestyle and making it work even while traveling. I’ve already planned out meals. One of my stops, before checking in to my Airbnb, is a grocery store to stock up on nutritious, healthy, simple ingredients.

Join Me?

If you are interested in the Blue Zones Challenge, pick up a book HERE. And make sure you visit their website. It is full of helpful suggestions and information.

I’ll post occasionally, to let you know how this Blue Zones lifestyle is going. I’m excited to continue trying new recipes and finding ways to better connect with others who are on health journeys of their own.

Do you have any questions about the Blue Zones challenge? Ask in the comments below.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Four cindy

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three

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I just completed the Blue Zones Challenge Week Three!

This four week challenge is flying by. Check out Week One and Week Two if you haven’t yet, and then read on to see the activities for Week Three and how I’m doing with this new lifestyle.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three title meme

The Blue Zones Lifestyle

The Blue Zones lifestyle is based on the information gathered by Dan Buettner while studying regions in the world with the highest proportion of people who live to 100 years old. They are:

Sardinia, Italy – an island in the Mediterranean Sea
Ikaria, Greece – an Aegean island with the lowest rates of dementia
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Okinawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California – a community of Seventh Day Adventists who on average live ten years longer than other Americans

The challenge presents a shift in health practices that changes life for the better. It’s not just a diet or a fitness plan. Rather, it focuses on behavior, habits and environment.

The long term benefits of living a Blue Zones lifestyle include:

a longer, healthier life
more energy and increased strength
better sleep
weight loss and then weight maintenance
nurturing, supportive relationships
purpose
a better local community

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three books — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three – my guide books

Week Three Activities

This week’s activities focused primarily on connection.

Eat Three Blue Zones Meals

After six years of living a plant based lifestyle, I have plenty of delicious recipes to rotate through. However, I’m really enjoying the recipes provided in the Blue Zones Challenge book and the companion book, Blue Zones Kitchen.

The recipes are simple and yet full of flavor and very filling.

This week I chose to prepare Big Batch Adventist Vegetable Soup, Adventist Brown Rice Salad and Okinawa Three Minute Noodles. I loved all three! The vegetable soup is full of veggies in a rich, vegetable broth, flavored with thyme and oregano. I’ll make this soup often.

The brown rice salad is so unique. Served cold, the married flavors of rice, black olives, peppers and cucumbers in a lemon, turmeric dressing is fantastic. It makes the perfect lunch meal, served with a single slice of sourdough bread.

And you know I love noodles! The recipe called for tofu however I rarely eat soy products. I chose to add a mix of stir fried veggies to the three minute noodles instead. Yum.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three soup — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three – vegetable soup

Join a New Social Group

I confess I don’t really have time to join such a group in real life. It’s a busy season of my life. However the emphasis on connecting with others during the challenge…and beyond…impresses on me the importance of getting together with people more frequently than I currently do.

For now, I joined a social group…on social media: The Thriving Multipassionates. I love it. It’s for coaches, consultants and creatives on a mission to have it all.

Walk with Your Buddy at Least Once

Greg is great to walk with me. We are making use of the tip to park as far as possible from stores.

Volunteer to be an Organ Donor

The Blue Zones is all about helping ourselves to better health and helping others in all kinds of ways. I love that. And I’m already an organ donor.

Call Text or Email Someone I Haven’t Connected with in a While

I selected my friend Lu Ann Cahn, the author and speaker who encouraged me, via her book, to start a blog. I sent Lu Ann a message via LinkedIn. Pick up her book and discover the incredible value of trying new experiences.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three book — Click photo to check out or order book

Plan a Vacation

I leave Sunday for South Carolina! I’m enjoyimg planning what I’ll do while there. Catch the post later about that trip on Cindy Goes Beyond.

I agree that it’s so important to plan and schedule down time. We need it so that our bodies, minds and spirits can refresh. I’m building in plenty of down time while away.

Start a Meditation Practice

I began a meditation practice many years ago. Even during the busiest weeks, I try to spend five minutes a day meditating. There are many ways to create such a practice from walking meditations to quiet times focusing on breath to coloring with soft music playing in the background.

Check out these ten benefits of meditation. And then set up a time to destress and downshift, in a quiet space with a supportive environment.

Put a Lavender Plant in the Bedroom

The scent of lavender relaxes the body and soothes the mind. A lavender plant in the bedroom promotes sleep. My bedroom doesn’t get direct sunlight, something the lavender plant needs. I’ll keep this wonderfully scented plant in my room overnights and put it on the front deck during the day, so it can receive necessary sunlight.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three lavender plant — The Blues Zones Challenge Week Three – lavender plant in the bedroom

Write a Thank You Note

Expressing gratitude in the form of a thank you note blesses the receiver and the giver. I took advantage of Mother’s Day this weekend to write a thank you in the card to my mom.

I didn’t do two activities this week: volunteer for a new organization and schedule a meetup with a friend. Volunteering is something I want to do in the future. And the meetup up with a friend came apart twice, due to changes in both of our schedules. We will get together when we can.

Bonus Activities and Daily Check Ins

These remained the same as last week. See Week Two for a reminder of what those are. I exceeded the daily goal of 12 points. The goal for the entire four weeks is 400 points. I’m on track to meet that goal.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three salad — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three – brown rice salad

How I Did for Week Three

I feel like I’m in the Blue Zones flow this week, even though it was an extremely busy seven days. That presented a few challenges…during the challenge!

Batch cooking helps me keep healthy ready to eat food in the fridge, which is great when I’ve had a long day. I can reheat a prepared meal in minutes and there’s no temptation to cheat.

Greg and I also attended an out of town track conference that two of the grandkids participated in, that turned into an all day event. I seriously miscalculated on the amount of food to pack along. We ended up eating CHIPS (low sodium for me) and TATOR TOTS for lunch because I didn’t bring anything beyond apple slices and cashews to eat. Lesson learned. Better preparation is necessary when away from home.

Otherwise, it’s been an incredible week on the challenge. My blood pressure is back in the normal range. I lost more weight this week than I did during the first two weeks. The weekly grocery bill is much lower, eating these simple meals. And I feel so, so good. All of those things encourage me to keep going.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three noodles — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three – Okinawa 3 minute noodles

On to Week Four

When I began this challenge it was with the intention to do four weeks and then evaluate whether I could continue with this lifestyle. The book continues it for me, with a full year of activities and suggestions. I’m in. This lifestyle is an easy one for me to embrace and yet it also challenges me to shift in the way I eat and connect more with others. As a happy loner who enjoys solo activities and travels, this is an area I can improve in.

If you are intrigued by the Blue Zones Challenge, pick up a book HERE. And make sure you visit their website. It is full of suggestions and information.

I’ll check in next week for the end of the four week challenge…a day early as I prepare to leave on my trip. And when I get back, I’ll let you know how I did with the Blue Zones lifestyle while traveling.

Do you have any questions about the Blue Zones challenge? Ask in the comments below.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Three mother's day photo — My end of week three photo, a Mother’s Day shot.

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

Last week I introduced the Blue Zones Challenge, a four week guide to creating a longer, better life. See Week One HERE. I’ve just completed the second week and I’m loving the positive effect this shift in lifestyle is having.

Read about the new activities in the Blue Zones Challenge Week Two and the changes I’m making.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two title meme

The Blue Zones Lifestyle

The Blue Zones lifestyle is based on the information gathered by Dan Buettner while studying regions in the world with the highest proportion of people who live to 100 years old. They are:

Sardinia, Italy – an island in the Mediterranean Sea
Ikaria, Greece – an Aegean island with the lowest rates of dementia
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Okinawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California – a community of Seventh Day Adventists who on average live ten years longer than other Americans

The challenge presents a shift in health practices that changes life for the better. It’s not just a diet or a fitness plan. Rather, it focuses on behavior, habits and environment.

The long term benefits of living a Blue Zones lifestyle include:

a longer, healthier life
more energy and increased strength
better sleep
weight loss and then weight maintenance
nurturing, supportive relationships
purpose
a better local community

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two blue notenook — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two – my blue notebook

The Next Seven Days

Week One focused on setting up my environment for success. The next three weeks include activities that build on each preceding week and expand the challenge. As with the first week, I recorded my weight, blood pressure and heart rate. All were lower than Week One.

Week Two Activities

Put walking shoes in an easily accessible place

There’s a continued emphasis on walking at least 30 minutes a day. When shoes are out in an easily seen place, I’m more likely to put them on and get my walk in.

Stop eating when 80% full

I continued to wear the blue bracelet this week. I’m getting a better feel for what 80% full feels like, plus my appetite has decreased. Truthfully, I never feel deprived.

Eat at least three Blue Zones meals, using included recipes

I chose three recipes out of the book: Dan’s Dal Palak, Breakfast Cookies and Gallo Pinto. All were easy to prepare, healthy and delicious. The cookies contained only four ingredients: bananas, oats, dark chocolate chips and applesauce.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two cookies — Blue Zones Recipe – breakfast cookies

Walk with my buddy at least once

Greg happily walked with me a couple of times this week.

Fill fruit bowl and leave on counter

This activity is a continuation from last week. I strive to eat at least a banana and an apple a day, along with a couple of mandarin oranges. The fruit smoothies every morning contain an assortment of frozen fruits. And I add fresh strawberries and blueberries to oatmeal bowls.

Limit work to 40 hours

This activity made me very aware of the time I spend working, especially on a computer or my phone.

Drink herbal tea

I do this one already. Herbal teas are rich in nutrients and antioxidants and I drink at least two cups a day. I alternate between green tea and peppermint.

Tape a reminder to car dashboard to park farther away from store

I love this idea. Having the reminder in my car works well as I’m pulling into a store parking lot. I have indeed parked as far from the door as I can, which contributes to my walking time.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two note — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two – place a reminder in the car

Set a reminder to get up and move every hour

I love this activity too! The free StretchMinder app on my phone alerts me every hour, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, with the reminder to get up and move. Additionally, the app has three to five minute routines to ease tension in my upper body and breathe deeply. I’m so happy with tool!

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two app — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two – stretchminder app

This week included new activities and reminders to continue what I learned last week. I checked off these activities except for three. I did not have time to take public transportation to run an errand or participate in a walking meet up. Hopefully I can work these in during the next two weeks. And although I have recipes picked for the hosted meal, I’ve not done it yet.

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two tea — The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two – drink herbal tea

Bonus Activities

These activities award extra points for doing them.

walk with buddy or a group (3 points each time)
volunteer for at least 30 minutes (3 points each time)
try Blue Zones recipes (1 point for each recipe)
complete other Blue Zones activities (2 points for each)
spend 30 minutes engaged in a hobby or passion ( 1 point each time)

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two gallo pinto — Blue Zones recipe – Gallo Pinto

Daily Check In

This week included a list of daily check in items and the requirement to record all food eaten. Research shows that keeping track of what you are doing…and eating…helps with short and long term goals. It’s encouraging to see the progress and it helps with time and meal planning.

Daily check ins included eating a 100% whole foods plant based diet, consuming a cup of beans a day, walking and limiting screen time except when working. Points are awarded for these items or subtracted for eating meat, dairy, processed foods and sweeten beverages. The target is 12 points a day, with the bonus points from the activities above added in. My daily totals exceeded that.

Additionally, I recorded all food eaten daily. It wasn’t hard to keep track of these activities, in my blue notebook. I keep it handy so I can jot down meals and tick off activities throughout the day.

How I Did for Week Two

I continue to greatly appreciate this challenge. During the second week I learned to eat legumes and grains for breakfast and lunch and eat very lightly for supper. Typically that last meal of the day consists of veggies only.

Greg and I both like eating the Blue Zones way. And the lifestyle shifts are so beneficial. Health wise, I feel incredible. I’m leaner, more energetic and my joints are pain free and limber. I climbed stairs this week, with ease. That’s something I haven’t done without pain or stiffness in my legs, in 27 years.

And I love the simplicity of the nutritious, filling meals. I’m excited to try more Blue Zones recipes during Week Three.

I discovered this week that the Blue Zones Challenge book actually provides a year long challenge, if one desires to continue. Yes, I do want to continue. After the initial four week challenge, I’ll post occasional updates and insights, so you know how it’s going.

For now, watch for the Week Three update!

The Blue Zones Challenge Week Two me

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.