“Italia” A place in the world where people enjoy exceptionally long and healthy lives.

I was building a new a two-story villa that clings to a hill and overlooks a spectacular view that makes you want to live forever in my home town of Grimaldi Cosenza located near the Savuto Valley and famous Savuto Wine District of Calabria.





I noticed my 75 year old neighbors Francesco & Maria had started building their own new villa on some land they had purchased from me. Francesco & Maria were in great shape and they did not look a day over 40 amazing! Once a day, he would call me over to sample his home made wine. I was dying to know what I could learn from Francesco, I asked him... what he thought helped him to live long and stay strong… here's what he said:

Live Longer and Stronger
Lesson

1. Chill out! “Relax e non pensarci”
"Don't worry about it too much." Life will always be uncertain and clambering after a sure-fire way to live to be 120 may add some days to your life, but it isn't going to add much life to your days.

2. Live! “Godere del giorno”
"Enjoy the days; that's all that matters." Live every day to the fullest. Sometimes this is easy: think of a gorgeous day at the beach. Other times it's harder: you're busy and you feel trapped by life's demands. These are the days when you can use your creativity to make some aware and lively moments. Take a break, treat yourself to something you enjoy, do some exercise or dance.

3. Rest! “Riposo”
"Every day, we stop and make lunch together. Sometimes I take a nap." Whatever you're doing: take a break. In Italy, it's known as the “sosta” and like the Spanish siesta, it's a chance to slow down. (Compare that thought with gulping down lunch at your desk back home.)

4. Walk! “Camminare”
Lose your car keys -- at least temporarily. They still have their car, and yes, he still drives at 75 but they consider it to be a luxury: something for pleasure and not for everyday use. They walk to their garden, to their vineyard and -- four days a week -- to the market.
5. Eat less meat and more vegetables! “Mangiare meno carne e pui verdure”
Eat less meat and more vegetables. Even though Calabria has plenty of sheep, cows and hogs, Francesco’s family eats meat only once or twice a week. Fish, cheese, bread and pasta -- along with vegetables from the garden make up the bulk of their diet.

6. Drink...Dark Red Wine “Vino Rosso Scuro”
Don't drink too much, but don't drink too little either. With our lunch, we have a small glass (maybe 3 oz.) of red wine -- they call it 'black wine'. There would be another at dinner and one more before bed. We can't all drink wine from our own vineyard, and lunch may not be the best place to enjoy a glass, but wine has been shown to be part of a healthy life.

7. Walk some more “camminare e passi di più”
Move through life. Just the simple task of walking up and down stairs or strolling a few blocks to do the shopping and visit a neighbor ensures that you'll burn calories and stay flexible. All that advice about parking the car at the far end of the lot and using the stairs instead of the elevator seems to be pointing in this direction: even if you're not in Calabria it's good to walk.
8. Amore! How much sex a day? “Twice a day..” “Due volte al giorno” said Francesco. Ouch! Pass the dark red wine…I replied.

Perhaps what's most interesting is that the same things that seem to contribute to a long life also make for a very good life. In Italy we call it “La Dolce Vita”!

Now who wants to join me on a The Calabria Riviera Tour this summer and drink some “vino scuro” I told you that there were hidden secrets in Calabria and I am not sharing anymore until you members request a registration form for the tour.