Blue Zone Dining: Food For a Long(er) Life

This month, team SKORDO is talking about the functions of food. Preparing, sharing, and enjoying a meal can be an expression of love. Or eating can make us break out in hives. It’s fuel. It’s tasty. It has the power to invigorate and the strength to humble. More recently food and cooking have inspired countless docu-series discussions and motivated more than one of our vacation itineraries. Clearly, our team is obsessed with food, but we’re waking up to the fact that we rarely look to our plates for a longer life.  

Food as medicine is not a new concept. Neither is our shared interest in longevity. What is (relatively) new? The recognition of Blue Zones. In 2005 Dan Buettner’s cover article “Secrets of a Long Life” was the cover story of the November 2005 issue of National Geographic.  Buettner’s article told the story of three communities with abnormally high rates of long life: Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Loma Linda, California. In the following years, Buettner discovered two more hot spots: Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica and Ikaria in the Greek Isles. What do they have in common? Clean eating, regular movement, purposeful lives, and friendships.   

Buettner found that along with strong social bonds and active lifestyles, Blue Zones share five core ingredients: Whole Grains, Leafy Greens, Tuberous, Nuts and Beans. We’re here to help with a few SKORDO recipes that celebrate those ingredients.  

Chipotle Inspired Grain Bowl

Lemon + Oregano Greek Potatoes

Buckwheat, Carrot, Parsnip, and Leek Salad with Tahini Poppy Dressing 

Blistered Shishitso Peppers with Togarashi

Black Lentil Salad with Garden Fresh Veggies 

Pair cooked black lentils and chickpeas with your favorite diced vegetables. We went for red cabbage, cucumber, raw corn and red pepper. Toss with a simple vinaigrette. We're fans of this plum dressing from The Vegetarian Silver Spoon: Classic & Contemporary Italian Recipes. 

• 2 tablespoon tamari
• 1 ripe and pitted plum
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Pinch to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients and blend. We added 1 tablespoon of a rich olive oil for extra yum!  

There are plenty of Blue Zone skeptics, but we like to believe good food and long walks with friends are key to a long, full life. 

Dan Buettner has gone on to launch Blue Zone Project in partnership with Healthways to scale Blue Zone health practices in cities throughout the United States.