About the book, "
Happy to 102: The Best Kept Secrets to a Long and Happy Life"
We are living longer than ever. Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of our population. Before we know it, 102 just may become the new 75. As we live longer, though, we want to enjoy improved health-span alongside increased lifespan. Happy to 102 lays out all those factors diet, exercise, sociability, mental challenge, sense of purpose that make the difference not only in how long we live but in how well we live. Based on groundbreaking scientific research of the longest living people on Earth, Happy to 102 spells out precisely what it takes to delay or escape Alzheimer's and other chronic diseases, slow down the process of aging and enjoy better health in our senior years. With an emphasis on aging in place with in-home care, Happy to 102 unlocks the secrets to longevity and inspires us to live happier, healthier lives at any age.
Buy the book on Amazon: Happy to 102
About the authors:
Kathy N. Johnson, PhD, CMC is a Certified Geriatric Care Manager serving the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
James H. Johnson, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and the award-winning author of seven books. A former university professor and department chair, he holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Lily Sarafan, MS is a corporate executive and advocate for aging in place. She holds Masters and Bachelors degrees from Stanford University.
www.BalancedCareMethod.com outlines an exclusive caregiver training system that, like the book, focuses on healthy longevity.
The book highlights 102 ways to live happy & healthy to 102. Here are some:
Healthy Diet
1. Eat less and live longer. Keep the 80 percent rule in mind, essentially not eating any more after you feel 80 percent full.
2. Don't skip breakfast, the easiest meal to skip and the most important.
3. Eat a variety. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy and omega-3 fats better ensures you get all the nutrients your body needs.
4. Limit alcohol consumption, since it can adversely affect alertness and coordination.
5. Maintain an anti-inflammatory diet. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and minimally processed foods reduces inflammation in your body.
6. Eat all natural. Avoid high-calorie foods full of sugar, fat and artificial ingredients and concentrate on eating high-nutrient, high-flavor foods such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.
7. Drink tea. Tea is a proven preventive treatment for hardening of the arteries and has potent antioxidant powers.
8. Indulge your chocolate cravings. Nutritionists recommend 60 percent or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better. Hot cocoa works, too!
9. Know the flax. Flax seeds benefit the heart and possess anti-cancer properties. They also lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels. Sprinkle it on everything in home cooking.
10. Egg it on. Eggs are a superior source of protein, containing all the essential amino acids needed by the human body.
11. Go Nuts! A handful of walnuts or almonds is all that's needed to combat heart disease and meet your daily omega-3 dietary recommendation.
12. A carrot a day. Nothing beats a carrot as a powerful source of beta-carotene. A single carrot (7 1/2" long) delivers 203 percent of the daily RDA for vitamin A.
13. Be Blue. Not only can blueberries lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory. Frozen is as good as fresh.
14. Eat more healthy fats. Healthy fats to include in your diet are monounsaturated fats, found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and some plant foods as well as polyunsaturated fats, found in fatty fish and nuts.
15. Avoid bad fats. Bad fats include saturated fats, which are primarily derived from animal products, and trans fats, which are used in commercial fried foods, margarines and baked goods like cookies and crackers.
16. Read labels. Opt for products with at least three grams of fiber and low sugar content.
17. Spice it up with high-antioxidant spices and herbs such as cinnamon, ginger, curry, rosemary, thyme, oregano and red pepper.
18. Drink up. Drinking water throughout the day can decrease your urges for sweets, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, minimize pain associated with arthritis, migraines, and colitis, hydrate your skin and help with digestion.
