[Villages PL]

The reason I object to blanket statements about "happiness" or "a circle of friends" providing the best plan for longevity, is that it depends on the context of what the group is about.

The following people all had their circle of friends:

Osama Bin Laden

The terrorists who destroyed the Twin Towers

Saddam Hussein

Hitler

Charles Manson

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

I grew up in New Mexico eating hot chili daily. In high school a buddy and I used to have Jalapeño eating contests. One would think my taste buds would be shot by now but I ended up living much of my adult life where the food was pretty bland. Today when I am in New Mexico I find I can not handle the hot chili anymore so I stick with mostly mild, medium at most.

Moreover at age 73 I am still quite picky about coffee and wine so I must have enough taste buds left to discern their quality and characteristics. I still thoroughly enjoy what I eat and drink.

Might it be a use them or lose them proposition?

That's a good question. I know that certain things can be repaired or replaced. The medical community used to think that once you lost brain cells, they could never be replaced. Research now shows that the brain can create new cells (neurogenesis).

Too bad it doesn't seem to work with Alzheimer's. My father lost his sense of smell about 20 years before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Now it's said that loss of smell can be an early warning sign of this disease. In the case of Alzheimer's, I doubt that his nose changed, it was his brain that was changing. So now I wonder if loss of taste might also be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's. It may be that the food one tastes just doesn't register in the brain.

They say that loss of balance can also be an early warning sign of dementia.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The reason I object to blanket statements about "happiness" or "a circle of friends" providing the best plan for longevity, is that it depends on the context of what the group is about.

The following people all had their circle of friends:

Osama Bin Laden

The terrorists who destroyed the Twin Towers

Saddam Hussein

Hitler

Charles Manson

Well, it was their circle of enemies that brought them down! Their friends had nothing to do with their demise.

We don't know how long they would have lived in their circle of friends, than God.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

VPL, you take the cake! Comparing a group of supportive friends in The Villages to terrorists and murderers?
Come on, you can do better than this.

That was the most extreme example, just to prove the point that there is a whole range of possible behaviors coming from different "circles of friends."

You want something on the other end of the range? Okay, I got it hot off the press from yesterday's Daily Sun. The article started on the front page and continued on page A7. The heading: "Up for the Challenge"

The article concerns the ever increasing national weight issue and the weight issue in The Villages. On page 7 it stated that the biggest obstacle for villagers is the many neighborhood potlucks and potlucks at club functions.

The article stated that, last year, USF researchers surveyed 144 Villagers and found that social eating is a common and sometimes excessive occurrence.

In the article, a Villager was quoted as saying, "There's food and drinks with everything you do."

My point is: One's circle of friends can be a big influence on one's behavior, for better or worse.

[mgjim]

I've been looking for some good recipes using bird nests, tofu and cardboard. Can anyone suggest a source? (Google was no help at all).

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by mgjim

I've been looking for some good recipes using bird nests, tofu and cardboard. Can anyone suggest a source? (Google was no help at all).

How about a recipe for roast duck?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

My point is: One's circle of friends can be a big influence on one's behavior, for better or worse.

We are in agreement!
Isn't it great there are so many healthy recreation activities in The Villages?
And also many weight loss clubs and healthy eating clubs.

However I was talking more about friends that provide love and emotional support when it is needed.
A strong congenial support group of friends is one of the most important factors in healthful living as we grow older.

[graciegirl]

What is the reason to live longer without a television or a computer or some chubby friends?

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

We are in agreement!
Isn't it great there are so many healthy recreation activities in The Villages?
And also many weight loss clubs and healthy eating clubs.

However I was talking more about friends that provide love and emotional support when it is needed.
A strong congenial support group of friends is one of the most important factors in healthful living as we grow older.

And we have been growing older everyday since the day we were born.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The reason I object to blanket statements about "happiness" or "a circle of friends" providing the best plan for longevity, is that it depends on the context of what the group is about.

The following people all had their circle of friends:

Osama Bin Laden

The terrorists who destroyed the Twin Towers

Saddam Hussein

Hitler

Charles Manson

You're forgetting someone.

[buzzy]

Some people want to live longer because they realized that there are others who they have not annoyed yet.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

A long time ago I mentioned on this board that we tend to lose our sense of taste as we get older. That's because someone said, "health food consists of items like birds nest, tofu and cardboard."

Evidently, a study was done on this subject and I now have the result.

Average number of taste buds remaining at 75: 36%

This may partly explain why people in their 70s suffer rapidly declining health. Healthy whole foods don't taste good to them while fast food tastes great.

I myself haven't noticed any decline in my sense of taste. I continue to eat natural whole foods and seldom add any salt. I never buy any groceries with added sweetener. Fats in my diet come mostly from nuts.

Most all of my friends in their seventies and eighties and nineties are in pretty good health. I have one friend in his eighties who is a dragon boat team member. One in her 90's plays very good golf every week with us, Another fellow who will be 80 this coming May runs five miles every day and his wife does ballet and jazz and clogging three times a week.

They all have dined on pie at my house.

[DougB]

Someone mention pie?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Evidently, a study was done on this subject and I now have the result.
Average number of taste buds remaining at 75: 36%

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The taste bud issue was one of ten things that decline with age.
No study was mentioned and different studies may yield different results.

Was there a study done or not.

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The reason I object to blanket statements about "happiness" or "a circle of friends" providing the best plan for longevity, is that it depends on the context of what the group is about.

The following people all had their circle of friends:

Osama Bin Laden

The terrorists who destroyed the Twin Towers

Saddam Hussein

Hitler

Charles Manson

Newsflash, Charles Manson is still alive at 80 years old........