Chasing the Carrot
The opening chapter of The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner references a woman named Sayoko, who was part of the National Geographic team researching areas around the world, hoping to unlock the mystery of human longevity. Sayoko was a young executive in Tokyo heading up a team of translators. When Dan reached out to her several years later to do a more in-depth story on the lifestyle of Okinawans, he had a difficult time finding her. He learned that she left her high-powered job to care for her family.
Sayoko had been so moved and inspired by the 104-year-old woman they interviewed years before that she made some major changes in her life.
Sayoko’s dreams had always been related to business. When she realized that she was like a horse chasing a carrot, she made the decision to stop chasing and start living. She spent time learning to cook and “put love into her food.” She focused on her children and husband and the people around her and what was important to her. She began taking time to reflect and slow down. She stopped chasing the carrot.
As a life coach, I have the privilege of learning about things that work in people’s lives as well as things that don’t. A recurring theme with many adults I work with is they don’t have enough time or their lives are out of balance. They don’t have time to eat healthy, exercise, be with their families, or visit with friends. Very often they are so stressed or burnt out that they don’t have any energy left over to do things that bring them joy.
I’d like to share one concept a month from the Blue Zones book and ask that you consider it and try to incorporate it in some small way into your life. Dan Buettner’s “Power of Nine” is a compelling framework for anyone looking to bring about balance and create a healthier lifestyle. In addition to introducing a different concept each month, I will include a reflection question, an action challenge, and a “plant slant” recipe.
Are you ready to shift from chasing the carrot to eating the carrot?
The “Plant Slant”
This month’s recipe is one of my favorites to make ahead of time.
Our first Blue Zone concept teased out from the research done on centenarians relates to eating a “Plant Slant” diet. Feel free to read The China Study or watch the documentary Forks over Knives. There is so much research-based information to suggest that eating a diet that consists mainly of whole-grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and limited amounts of meat, plus staying away from processed foods, will impact your health in a positive way.
Taking some small steps that can lead to healthier habits may just add years onto your life. Let’s do this!
Reflection: What small change in your diet are you willing to make this month?
Action Challenge: Incorporate one plant slant recipe into your meal planning each week this month.
Recipe: Kale and Quinoa Salad
Try out this recipe my sister-in-law shared with me years ago and let me know what you think! I make this salad in a large tupperware container and eat it all week for lunch. Kale doesn’t get soggy like lettuce and I think the flavors get better over time.