We're so excited to re-release this episode in honor of Dan Buettner sharing his new Netflix documentary, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones! In his documentary he explores in visual form these 5 "blue zones" that fuel vibrant, extended life. Dan Buettner is is an award-winning journalist and producer at National Geographic who has spent most of his life identifying and studying "blue zones" - the 5 areas of the world where people live the longest, with the lowest disease rates. Today he's telling us all about how a plant-based diet ties into their health and longevity.

Show Notes:

• Dan's unique stories from his many quests and expeditions with National Geographic
• Dan's experience with archeological expeditions
• What is a blue zone?
• How Dan discovered the 5 blue zones and why they got the name "blue zones"
• The characteristics the people in blue zones
• Carbohydrates: the confusion and why you shouldn't be afraid of them
• The difference between good and bad carbohydrates
• How the Standard American Diet came to be
• How the Standard American Diet ended up including so much added sugar
• Why it can be so difficult to make diet changes even when we know something is bad for us
• The role our environment and community play in our health
• Blue zone-like habits that you can incorporate into your life without travelling anywhere
• Why Dan transitioned into a plant-based lifestyle as a result of studying blue zones
• How to make it easier for others to make more plant-based diet choices
• The importance of surrounding yourself with people that inspire your health goals
• Some simple guidelines for adopting a healthier, plant-based lifestyle
• A little challenge for you to start incorporating healthy, delicious recipes into your life long-term
• Evidence-based tips to get young, picky eaters to eat vegetables
• Healthy cultural ways of eating that we should take note of
• About Dan's new book
• Thank you to our sponsors Caraway Home and Yai's Thai (use code PLANTPOWER at checkout for 20% off at yaisthai.com)

Resources:

• Dan's Netflix documentary
• Dan's books
• Dan's Instagram
• Dan's Website
• Plant-Based On a Budget Holiday Resources
• World of Vegan Holiday Resources