Comments on: The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest (2008) Dan Buettner

James, this is a must read.  Author studies groups of people who live the longest on this planet, the centenarians, and derives some lessons.


1. Eat plants.  eat meat rarely, if at all.  Avoid refined and processed foods. There is no need for vitamins;


2. Have a faith.  It reduces stress;


3. Exercise.  But you don't need to join a gym or pay money for it.  Incorporate exercise into your activities of daily living such as walking up hills or gardening;


4. have a purpose in life, a reason to wake up;


5. have a social and strong family network.


Genetics and luck both play a roll in how long we live and how many productive years we have, but so does life style choice and plain hard work. 

comments on The Last Week: Marcus Borg & Dominic Crossan (2006)

Easter is about the victory of justice and nonviolence-- God's way-- over the "domination system."  These authors read the gospels as parable, and their interpretation is spot on.  They sidestep whether the gospels are factually accurate, which detracts somewhat but still is an inspiring meditation on Easter.


James, you have to read this one.