Now that I'm over 40, I spend a lot more time pondering LONGEVITY.  It's so weird to watch yourself grow older in the mirror...to see those lines begin to appear on your face and watch things drop that were once so perky.  Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about if you are over 40.

I want to live to see my great-grandchildren AND still be agile enough to horseplay with them.  I not only want to live a long life - I want to LIVE a good life.  You feel me?  We only get one body people!  We must take care of it.  Here are some foods that promote LONGEVITY and help in anti-aging...all given to us by God.  (He kinda knew what he was doing....thus, he didn't create the twinkie.)


LENTILS

Lentils are high in cholesterol-lowering fiber and are great for regulating blood sugar and preventing diabetes.  Lentils also provide excellent amounts of six important minerals, two B-vitamins, and protein --all this goodness with virtually no fat.

I hadn't had lentils before trying lentil soup and discovered I LOVED them.  (be sure to check out my recipe for some awesome lentil soup)  If you are trying to cut down on your meat intake (and you probably should be) this is a great substitute because they are one of the best vegetable sources of iron.

MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms are loaded with significant amounts of selenium, a trace mineral that is considered an antioxidant that works together with other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to protect the body's cells against free radicals, which can promote the development of cancer and heart disease.

Findings from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging found that men with the lowest blood selenium levels were four to five times more likely to have prostate cancer than those with the highest levels.

Mushrooms contain three B-vitamins: riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid and are also a great source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.  One portabella cap provides more potassium than a banana or an orange...and they're virtually fat free.  In two words: Mushrooms rock.

RED GRAPES

Red grapes contain an antioxidant called resveratrol.

Check this out - Dr. Christoph Westphal contends that new research likens resveratrol to the fountain of youth. Westphal and his partner David Sinclair, a biochemist who 5 years ago proved that the lifespan of yeast could be extended, formed a research company, Sirtrus, to explore the effects of concentrated resveratrol on longevity. What they have found so far is exciting. Comparing fat mice fed resveratrol to fat mice not fed resveratrol, the resveratrol group live 20% longer and can run twice as fast. The resveratrol mice also do not gain as much weight from food consumption as mice not fed resveratrol. The post-mortem exams on the resveratrol mice disclosed internal organs that appeared youthful and fat-free.

I'm sold.  If that's not enough, one cup of red grapes has only sixty-one calories while providing vitamin C as well as the B vitamins. It’s also a good source of the minerals manganese and potassium.

FISH

Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids that our body doesn't produce on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in every kind of fish, but are especially high in fatty fish. Good fish choices for Omega-3’s include salmon, tuna (not the tuna soaking in oil in a can), trout, sardines, sea bass, oysters, crab, perch, shrimp, and cod.

Numerous studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids:
decrease heart disease
reduce blood pressure
help prevent arthritis
help prevent abnormal heart rhythms
promote healthy brain function

TEA

I personally HATE tea, but want to love it.  : (  It's so good for you...why can't I even stand to smell it?!  For those of you who love it - here's what you are getting:

Tea contains antioxidant polyphenols, which are supposed to fight a bunch of different cancers. Some studies have found that polyphenols also help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels.

The amino acid L-theanine, found almost exclusively in the tea plant, actively alters the attention networks of the brain. It has been proposed that theanine is absorbed by the small intestine and crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it affects the brain's neurotransmitters and increases alpha brain-wave activity. What does all this jibber-jabber mean?  ...A calmer, yet more alert, state of mind.  The fact that I don't drink it could explain some things...

HERBS & SPICES

Spices such as turmeric and ginger contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The antioxidant substances in garlic and onions can protect against heart disease and cancer, while cinnamon may help lower blood sugar.

I just started an herb garden this year and man - fresh herbs make my meals AMAZING.  The first step to eating healthy:  learn to love your spice rack.

BROCCOLI

DON'T TURN YOUR NOSE UP!  If you think broccoli is yucky, try different ways of preparing it.  Seriously - this stuff is so friggin good for you that I could start a blog just talking about broccoli.  I may lose one of my 10 readers if I do that tho.  Here's a summary:

The high amount of vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and prevents the development of cataracts.

The folic acid in broccoli helps women sustain normal tissue growth and is often used as a supplement when taking birth control pills and during pregnancies.
                                                        
The potassium in broccoli helps those battling high blood pressure.

The large amount of calcium helps combat osteoporosis.

It's fiber-rich, which helps you clear your pipes ; ) as well as helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

I3C (indole-3-carbinol) promotes "good" hormones, while working against destructive ones.

The sulforaphane in broccoli also helps to increase the level of enzymes that block cancer.

The beta-carotene transforms into vitamin A within the body, providing an effective antioxidant that destroys free radicals (responsible for weakening the defense of cells).

I'll stop now, but all this stuff in broccoli has been linked to preventing and controlling the following medical concerns: Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, calcium deficiencies, stomach and colon cancer, malignant tumors, lung cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and even the aging process.

If you don't like it, hold your breath and cram these little green things down your throat.

BLACK RASPBERRIES

Black raspberries have astonishingly high antioxidant levels and consuming foods high in antioxidants helps prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke, and possibly Alzheimer's disease.

They also contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins not only give raspberries their deep, dark color, but have been known to have anti-inflammatory and vaso-protective properties.
The anthocyanin found in black raspberry is believed to improve vision, enhance cardiovascular health and memory retention in old age, and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Studies at Ohio State University have found a significant decrease in colon tumors in rats and esophageal tumors in mice, after feeding them black raspberries.  http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/brberry.htm