Blue Zones Life:
Easy, Awesome Meals

Centenarians from the blue zones typically eat a mainly plant-based diet. They favor beans, greens, yams and sweet potatoes, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds. This recipe combines a few centenarians staples. "Poppy seeds and hempseeds add texture and healthy fats to this unusual but…

While pumpkins may be synonymous with fall, centenarians in the longest-lived places in the world eat squash year-round. Pumpkin pancakes pull together the warmth of cinnamon and sweetness of honey for a cozy combination.

A French classic that tastes decadent without any cream, this soup is luscious and comforting. It’s also simple to whip up and is loved by everyone. Serve it with a green salad and good bread to make it a full meal. Even though this is…

In the Blue Zones area of Loma Linda, Seventh-Day Adventists gather for community meals after church or host family dinners on the Sabbath. By surrounding themselves with like-minded friends and family, they support each other's healthy behaviors and create strong relationships. This potato and vegetable…

Corn chowder is universally appealing, especially among children, because of its sweet taste and creamy texture. Here you will find that creaminess without the heaviness of traditional recipes. Makes about 10 cups Ready in 50 minutes

The longest-lived people in the world eat about a cup of beans per day. This easy, one-hour chili is packed full of kidney beans and is a mild rendition, but can be spiced up with your favorite hot sauce or with the addition of jalapeños.…

[sg_popup id="1" event="onload"][/sg_popup]Though miso soup is usually considered an appetizer for lunch or dinner in American Japanese restaurants, this miso soup recipe is inspired by Okinawan centenarian Kamada Nakazato who preferred to eat it for breakfast, spiked with vegetables she picked from her garden. In…

Don’t want bread for your sandwich? Make your ‘wich any which way! Ditch the bread and wrap the fixings in a big lettuce, collard or kale leaf, or pile it on a bed of greens for a refreshing, lighter lunch! (Just be sure to add…

Forget boring meat and potatoes - tonight it's all about beans and sweet potatoes! Sweet potato is one of the foundational foods for centenarians in Okinawa and it is a great fuel food with its combination of simple and complex carbohydrates. When combined with kale…

[sg_popup id="1" event="onload"][/sg_popup]We love using polenta cornmeal as a delicious alternative to traditional pizza dough. Its bright yellow color makes it a beautiful canvas for toppings galore. Stacked with gorgeous vegetables and sprinkled with nutritional yeast and walnuts, this polenta cornmeal with pizza flavors is hearty,…

[sg_popup id="1" event="onload"][/sg_popup]This colorful pesto pasta from the Blue Zones® Meal Planner is full of veggies and flavor—without any oil or cholesterol that you'd find in traditional pesto. The quick, throw-it-together sauce is made creamy and nutty with walnuts, refreshing with basil, and lightly garlicky with - yep!…

This Pad Thai from the Blue Zones® Meal Planner may taste like restaurant fare, but it’s quicker, cheaper and lighter than what you’ll find on any menu. Extra firm tofu brings clean protein to this dish, and frozen broccoli packs it with additional micronutrients. Unlike…

The Whole Foods Diet book describes the optimum diet for health and longevity, which includes the Essential Eight foods - many of which are included in this delicious, classic tex-mex bowl recipe. It meets all the "whole foodie" basics: fresh greens, whole grains, plant-based protein, extra…