5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (2024)

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5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? ›

Okinawa, Japan is a Blue Zone where a remarkable number of people live to 100. Residents live with intention, have life-long friends, and eat lots of vegetables. Blue Zones are regions of the world where people regularly live longer than average.

Okinawa, Japan is a Blue Zone where a remarkable number of people live to 100. Residents live with intention, have life-long friends, and eat lots of vegetables. Blue Zones are regions of the world where people regularly live longer than average.

Relative longevity

As assessed over 1949 to 1998, people from the Ryukyu Islands (of which Okinawa is the largest) had a life expectancy among the highest in the world (83.8 years vs. 78.9 years in the United States), although the male life expectancy rank among Japanese prefectures plummeted in the 21st century.

The Okinawans are a tribe in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, whose lifestyle of moderation and respect for nature and each other has been upheld as an example by many western cultures. They also have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.

Together, they have what's called a moai. Moais are a friendship tradition from Okinawa, Japan – essentially, it is a friend circle that starts in childhood. Moais offer emotional and moral support, and the effect on people's health can be remarkably positive.

Researchers believe that ikigai, moai and hara hachi bu are three big reasons the Okinawans live such long and healthy lives.

The traditional Okinawa diet is comprised primarily of plant-based foods that offer potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities, which possibly promote a longer lifespan. The diet's low-calorie, low-protein, and high-carb foods may also promote longevity.

Most of the diet was based on vegetables and beans, with the most calories coming from purple and orange sweet potatoes. It's not only a highly anti-inflammatory diet but also a highly antioxidant one.

The Okinawa diet is very low in red meat, eggs, and poultry, but you may still be able to get enough protein from soy, fish, and the occasional pork. You may also be able to get enough nutrition without whole grains and dairy, but it can be difficult to follow a diet that's this restrictive for the long term.

A staple food of this diet? The Okinawa sweet potato, also called beni imo, purple sweet potato, or Hawaiian sweet potato. The Okinawan sweet potatoes are so nutritious that they even became Hollywood famous. They were featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, then Dr.

What religion do Okinawans practice? ›

Most Okinawan holidays are related to a Kami ritual or celebration. As a result of contact with China, Japan, Korea and the West, Buddhism, Shintoism and Christianity have been introduced, but native animism remains the primary religion.

Though many Okinawans still saw themselves as Japanese and Okinawan, they began to question their underprivileged position in relation to mainland Japan.

In fact, a typical Okinawan consumes 70% less sugar than the average Japanese person. With Okinawan food considered supremely high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities, many of the ingredients used throughout these delicious meals are grown in backyard gardens.

The Moai are protected by local law and touching one even comes with a fine; one tourist was fined more than $17,000 USD! This is mainly because, due to time and exposure to the elements, the Moai are naturally deteriorating, but having tourists constantly touching them speeds up the process.

There are many factors that are thought to support the longevity of Okinawans; especially the subtropical marine climate of the islands, which is warm and stable year round; its diverse environment, from beautiful seasides to lush forests, stony karsts, and other natural features; the healthy eating habits and mindset ...

Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words: “iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,” which translates to “a reason to live.” It's a concept that encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and to live a life filled with purpose and joy.

Okinawans call it ikigai or “reason for being.” Costa Ricans call it “plan de vida.” Most commonly, though, it's simply referred to as your life's purpose. In the blue zones regions of the world, purpose has always played a major role in well-being and the resulting extreme longevity.

Blue Zones Project programs are designed to inspire, encourage, and promote well-being within your organization so your employees, members, and customers are more socially connected and equipped to positively impact one another and the entire community.

These areas were dubbed Blue Zones, where people reach age 100 at 10 times greater rates than in the United States. Once these areas were established, they sent in a team of anthropologists, demographers, epidemiologists, and researchers to identify the lifestyle characteristics that might explain longevity.

Achieving A Blue Zone Benefit

"People in Blue Zones eat more plant-based foods, fewer processed foods, they spend less time on devices, they move as part of their daily repertoire, and they value family, faith, and community," says Conley. "They also find time to unwind."