Best Diet to Help You Live Longer and Healthier

Donna Nichols • January 4, 2021

What’s the Best Diet if You Want to Live a Long, Healthy Life?

There’s a lot of controversy about what type of diet helps you live a longer, healthier life.

Most “specialists” say the Mediterranean Diet is the best, and while it’s full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil, what happens when you can’t eat most of those foods?

Quite a few people can’t eat nuts, seeds, or whole grains, then you have doctors tell you to stay away from carbohydrates, so there go the potatoes and bread from the diet.

So, that leaves you with vegetables, fruits, legumes, herbs, spices, fish, seafood, and olive oil.

Then you hear about shrimp being bad for your cholesterol, what does a person do or believe?

After all, if you want to live longer, you want to be healthier, right? Who wants to be sick while living longer? Plus, if you live healthier, you can live independently longer.

The funny thing about diets is that none of them mention chocolate, but yes, DARK chocolate can help you live a healthier, longer life!!!

Cocoa beans are found to be chock full of antioxidants which can lower your risk of heart disease! Just make sure you don’t overdo it, one square of dark chocolate a day is enough, sorry you cannot eat a bag of Hershey bars !! Darn it!!

Another item not mentioned in many diets is coffee .

According to Dr. Joe Vinson, a professor at the University of Scranton found that the flavonoids contained in coffee can prevent heart disease.

He says that “antioxidants are your army to protect you from the toxic free radicals, which come from breathing oxygen and eating sugar, that start chronic diseases”.

They ward off diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, but it can raise your blood pressure, so you may want to drink decaf.

Garlic is one item that seems to be mentioned in every diet that helps you live longer and healthier!!!

This is the one staple that I can’t live without.

I love garlic and put it on/in everything I make. The way I eat garlic, I should live forever!!

Garlic contains immune-boosting ingredients that fight cancer!!

Red wine is one of the main foods in the Mediterranean Diet.

Can you say yes, please??

Every personal trainer and doctor I spoke to say the same thing, red wine (as opposed to white) is the best alcohol to drink for your health.

Red wine contains a natural plant substance that fights disease. As with everything else, not a bottle of wine a day, one or two glasses a day is the recommended dosage.

Moderation is the key.

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are the best for you because the natural pigmentation that gives them their bright colors are what helps fight cancer.

Dark green and yellow are the best, along with sweet potatoes. So, eating your kale and spinach is not just a wives tale, it’s true to help you live longer and healthier.

When you choose what kind of fish to eat, opt for the oily varieties, salmon, mackerel, and trout.

These fish are chock full of vitamin A and D, two of the vitamins many of us lack in our diets. These two vitamins are perfect for our immune system and the omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to lowering your risk of heart disease. These fatty acids have also been shown to help combat Alzheimer’s disease.

So, let’s make it a point to eat your fish at least twice a week.

What type of diet helps you live longer and healthier?

Who knows, but if you eat smarter and watch what you eat, you don’t need to follow a specific diet.

Can you cheat once in a while? Yes! If not, why live longer??

If you need help or encouragement as a Caregiver give us a call at  386-847-2322  or check out our  Caregiver Support Group. Our  Senior Advisors  are here to walk with you through this journey.

The Heart of Guidance: The Role of a Senior Advisor in Elder Care

By Donna Nichols • September 5, 2025
In a world that often moves too fast, senior advisors offer something rare and essential: time, understanding, and a steady hand. Unlike their counterparts in the business world, senior advisors in elder care aren’t focused on profit margins—they’re focused on people. Who They Are Senior advisors in this space are often seasoned professionals, caregivers, or community advocates who help older adults and their families navigate complex decisions. They may work in senior living communities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, or independently. What They Do • Guide families through transitions: Whether it's choosing assisted living or downsizing a home, senior advisors help make sense of it all. • Advocate for dignity and autonomy: They ensure that older adults’ voices are heard and respected in every decision. • Connect to resources: From transportation and wellness programs to Alzheimer’s and grief support, they know where to turn. • Offer emotional support: Sometimes, the most valuable thing they offer is a listening ear and a calming presence. Why It Matters A senior advisor isn’t just a resource—they’re a lifeline. They help families breathe easier, empower older adults to make informed choices, and bring compassion into moments that can feel overwhelming. If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” you’re not alone. Many of us play this role informally, answering questions, calming nerves, and connecting dots. Whether you’re a professional advisor or a trusted neighbor, your presence makes a difference.  If you or someone you love is facing a big decision and could use a calm, caring guide—we’re here. No pressure, no jargon, just real people ready to help. Call us today on 386-847-2322 to start the conversation. Sometimes, the first step is simply knowing you’re not alone.

Grandparents Day: A Celebration of Heart, Humor & Heritage

By Donna Nichols • September 4, 2025
September brings a quiet kind of magic—the golden light, the hint of fall in the air, and a moment to honor the everyday heroes who’ve shaped our lives with love, laughter, and legendary stories: our grandparents. Whether you’re a grandparent yourself, a grateful grandchild, or someone who’s been “adopted” by a wise elder in your life, Grandparents Day is a chance to pause and celebrate the beautiful bridge between generations. What Makes Grandparents So Grand? • They’re walking history books—with tales of jukeboxes, moon landings, and the original recipe for Sunday gravy. • They’re master cheerleaders, showing up with hugs, cookies, and the kind of encouragement that sticks for life. • They’re wisdom whisperers, offering advice that somehow makes more sense with each passing year. And let’s be honest: they also have the uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. A Legacy of Love Grandparents teach us that love doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. It’s in the quiet gestures: the handwritten birthday card, the saved newspaper clipping, the way they remember your favorite snack or ask about that thing you mentioned weeks ago. They remind us that resilience is built over time—through hard work, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Their stories carry lessons we didn’t know we needed until we suddenly find ourselves living them. And for those who’ve lost a grandparent, this day can be bittersweet. But it’s also a chance to honor their memory—by sharing their stories, cooking their favorite dish, or simply whispering a thank-you into the September breeze. Celebrate with Us: A Little Fun for the Big Day This Grandparents Day, we invite you to: • Share a memory: What’s one moment with a grandparent that still makes you smile? • Send a shoutout: Post a photo or quote from your favorite grandparent on social media and tag us.

Honoring Our Elders: National Senior Citizens Day

By Donna Nichols • August 14, 2025
On August 21, we pause to celebrate the heartbeat of our communities—our senior citizens. This day isn’t just about marking a date on the calendar. It’s about recognizing the wisdom, resilience, and warmth that older adults bring to every conversation, every gathering, and every generation. Wisdom That Lights the Way From stories of first jobs and family traditions to lessons learned through love and loss, seniors carry a lifetime of insight. Their experiences are more than memories—they’re guideposts for those still finding their way. Today, we honor those stories and the voices behind them. Connection That Matters Whether it’s a neighborly wave, a shared recipe, or a quiet moment on the porch, seniors remind us that connection doesn’t need fanfare—it just needs heart. National Senior Citizens Day is a chance to say, “We see you. We value you. We’re better because of you.” Ways to Celebrate Host a storytelling circle or memory-sharing event Share a favorite photo and the story behind it Create a “Senior Spotlight” wall with quotes and wisdom Invite younger generations to learn a skill from a senior (gardening, baking, crafting) Spend time—listen, laugh, and learn A Day of Gratitude Let’s make August 21 a day of genuine appreciation. Whether you’re a senior yourself or someone lucky enough to know and love one, take a moment to reflect on the richness they bring to our lives. Their legacy is living, breathing, and beautifully unfolding every day.  This is a day to be celebrated every day! Senior citizens bring so much fulfillment to our lives, and we need to embrace the moments we spend with them, for they are precious.