Dan Buettner, author of a book on the world’s famed “Blue Zones” where people live remarkably long lives, recently hosted an intimate dinner party in New York. The event, recounted by the New York Times under the headline “My Dinner With Longevity Expert Dan Buettner (No Kale Required),” aimed to recreate the kind of meal typically enjoyed in Ikaria—a small Greek island near Turkey known for its residents’ surprising longevity and their relaxed approach to life.
As I’ve mentioned in my previous writings on the “Ikaria” cookbook by Diane Kochilas, this island’s cuisine embodies both vibrant flavors and life-enhancing values.
Stew and Red Wine
For the dinner, Dan served a hearty Ikarian stew, the kind that’s a staple in Kochilas’ cookbook. This one was brimming with black-eyed peas, fennel, onions, garlic, carrots, and tomatoes, enriched with extra virgin olive oil for a deeply satisfying, nutrient-rich dish. He paired it with a robust red wine from Sardinia, another Blue Zone region. The dinner shopping list was colorful and plant-focused: vegetables like broccoli, celery, chickpeas, avocados, plus frozen berries and honey for dessert. Missing from the menu? Butter and meat, which Dan believes should be used sparingly.
Going Beyond Kale
Dan also highlighted what wasn’t served: raw veggies or “hedge clippings,” as he humorously put it, opting instead for long-cooked, flavorful stews that are traditional in Ikaria. He pointed out that whole fruits and vegetables are preferable to juicing, which he feels doesn’t control glycemic impact.
More Than Just Food
But it’s not just the food. The Ikarian lifestyle includes daily, gentle physical activity like walking on hilly terrain—a low-impact, natural exercise Dan actively promotes. Also central is the close-knit community life. Ikarians surround themselves with a “secret sauce” of friends and family, creating natural stress relief that contributes to their well-being. Dan’s dinner party reminds us of the medical value in the intangibles: laughter, friendship, and social connection—a powerful recipe that goes beyond “precision medicine” and into the science of well-being.
The Joy of Living
In Ikaria, residents “forget to die” because they are so immersed in the joy of life. Their secrets—be it diet, a close social network, or a life at ease—are not just practices but deeply held values. As we learn more, we’ll keep sharing updates on this compelling story of longevity and joy.
