Team Franciscan Center: Let's Get Social!

Recently, Dr. Douglas Anderson published an article entitled Foods Consumed by the Healthiest People. He discussed the eating habits and lifestyles previously documented in the book Blue Zones (which we have in our lending library at TFC). Five of the healthiest communities in the world were featured in the book and article. They are Ikaria, Greece; the Barbagia region of Sardinia; the Nicoyan peninsula of Costa Rica; Loma Linda, Calif. (the Seventh Day Adventists); and Okinawa, Japan.

Many people & various groups were and are looking at these regions to find some commonality in diet to prove once and for all which foods are the healthiest for the human race. But guess what they found? There is a wide disparity and difference in the types and amounts of foods eaten by all of these groups. Some were vegetarian. Some ate more meat than others. Some drank more alcohol, some less. There is one thing, however that seems to be a constant in all of the above areas; high levels of socialization

All of the groups studied had high levels of interaction with family, friends, village, etc. They are not cut off by technology. They don’t find excuses to avoid each other. The old saying “It takes a village to raise a child”, is not just a trite phrase. It is a reality.

Through the Vital Life concept of socialization to achieve fun and function, we have a similar opportunity at The Franciscan Center & St. Leonard. No matter what we eat, no matter where we have come from, we have an opportunity to become more whole by being with others. In many ways we are each other’s medicine!

Although regrettably our culture seems to be heading in the opposite direction, we are committed to bring people together in order to live more complete lives. It’s not always about eating exactly what’s right for you. It may be more appropriate to come at life from the perspective of enjoying the things and people you’re with while you’re eating. It’s about community. It’s about fun, and ultimately it’s about improved function through a greater passion and enjoyment of life!