Group to get in the ‘Zone’ about living longer

Published 7:14 pm Tuesday, August 1, 2017

: BOOK REVIEW: Linda Martin poses with Dan Buettner’s New York best-selling book, “The Blue Zone.” For four consecutive Thursday’s in August, a study will be held on Buettner’s book, which deals with living a longer, happier life. (Courtland Wells | The Vicksburg Post)

Aging is inevitable, but how long one lives, could be a choice.

Today, research shows more than 300,000 individuals worldwide are preparing to mark their 100th birthday. In an effort to find out their secrets, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner conducted a study of some of the world’s longest-living people.

His findings are revealed in his New York Times best-selling book, “The Blue Zone,” and during the month of August, Martin’s at Midtown, The Church of the Holy Trinity and Lorelei Books will partner together to offer a study on Buettner’s book.

Martin’s at Midtown owner Lisa Martin said she read Buettner’s book and felt like this would be a good thing to offer the community.

Last year in August, Martin said the restaurant held a study series on the spirituality of wine.

“Everyone that attended really enjoyed the study,” Martin said, and so we wanted to offer something similar this year.

Martin added that she thought Vicksburg could benefit from some ‘blue zoning.’

In Buettner’s book, the blue zone refers to an anthropological concept, which describes the characteristic lifestyles and the environments of the world’s longest-living people.

During his research, Buettner studied five geographic areas where people live statistically longest. The areas were Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, Icaria, Greece and the Seventh-day Adventist in Loma Linda, Calif.

From the data and observations, Buettner concluded there were common denominators that aided in a longer life and breaks these lifestyle habits down into nine power principles in the form of a pyramid, Martin said.

Kelle Barfied, who is the owner of Lorelei Books, said these philosophies are aimed at a “holistic mind, body and soul approach to longer living.”

The series will take place on Thursdays throughout the month of August with the first of the four-part study kicking off Thursday, Aug. 4, at Martin’s at Midtown, 1101 Belmont St. The focus of the first session will revolve around food and wine.

Martin said she and her husband, John, who have been “blue zoning” for a while, will also prepare a couple of recipes that are consistent with the nutritional foods in Buettner’s book.

On Thursday, Aug. 10, the study will be hosted at Holy Trinity, 900 South St., and the focus on spirituality, family and friends.

The two final sessions will be held at Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington St.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, the study will focus on a sense of purpose and downshifting, and the final series, which will be held Thursday, Aug. 24, will deal with natural movement.

The study is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 601-618-4754.

“August means back to school for some, and one last shot at a summer vacation for others,” Barfield said, adding this could be the perfect timing for a focus living life to the fullest.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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