Issue #328: Find Your Moai
Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 11th.
Stat of the Day
In the last 20 years, American men reduced their time hanging out in-person with friends by 30 percent! The average American woman now spends more time with a pet than she does her friends.
Learn
Better Off Together
We don’t hang out anymore.
I think back to 2003 when I had just graduated from college. I was living with a roommate in DC. We commuted from our apartment in Arlington to work via the Metro and I spent nearly all day surrounded by young, energetic 20- and 30-somethings.
When work was over we’d go to the gym together, we’d go to happy hour together, we’d play kickball together, we’d watch sports together. In short - I never really felt like I was alone.
Seems obvious that this social schedule would end at some point - we find partners, we have kids, we slow down.
That didn’t mean we needed to stop spending time with people.
Americans have always been uber-social - finding connection in every type of group you can imagine - going to church, building your business through the local Chamber of Commerce, supporting your community through groups like Rotary International, even bowling in a league every Tuesday night.
But somewhere along the way this stopped.
Screens have replaced real life.
I didn’t know anyone when I moved from LA to Tampa - but thankfully a few guys have taken the lead to create a group that gets together and actually connects.
Not to just talk about March Madness and the Masters - like really talk. We dig into when life gets real with kids, with work, with partners.
“We come into this world craving the presence of others. But a few modern trends—a sprawling built environment, the decline of church, social mobility that moves people away from friends and family—spread us out as adults in a way that invites disconnection.”
This need and urge aligns with another key point of longevity from Okinawa (see Part 1 of Okinawa & Longevity in Issue #327) - MOAI.
Moai is a really strong social circle. They’ve got your back when shit hits the fan. But they’re also there to laugh with and make life more fun. These bonds usually form early and continue on basically forever.
Unlike my best friends - where I can go days or weeks without catching up (and even then it’s often a text), these groups stay connected all the time.
It’s considered one of the core reasons Okinawa was a Blue Zone full of vibrant, energetic people into their 90’s and 100’s.
Makes sense - it’s simple really: health & happiness is based on good relationships.
Try
Find Your Moai
Reach out to your friends from the past or create a group where you live today.
If you don’t have a local crew that gets together for bike rides, walks, or even happy hours - make it happen.
Trust me - I get it, it’s not normal for me to put myself out there.
But I’ve never regretted getting to know more people who live here in Tampa - and the days that start off with 6am walks with friends are always, ALWAYS way better than days that don’t.
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Eat
Garlic
Garlic is a tiny, but powerful food - some may even say medicine. It’s part of the Allium family - think onions, leeks, chives.
Garlic is low in calories but rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, fiber and allicin (which actually lowers homocysteine). It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients.
Health benefits
Immune health: boosts immune function - allicin makes garlic a natural antibiotic and antifungal agent
Heart health: may lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels
Brain health: contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Reduces inflammation: those same antioxidants reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of chronic disease and certain cancers
Gut Health: may help stimulate digestion by promoting the production of digestive enzymes
How to eat
Serving Size: 1-2 cloves, minced to the size of a penny
Best Time to Eat: with a meal - garlic can be consumed at any time of the day, but avoid on an empty stomach to avoid potential digestive discomfort
Go With…: freshly minced garlic over powder or salt when possible. Aged garlic extract is also available as a supplement
Pairing: garlic pairs particularly well with ingredients such as olive oil, tomatoes, onions, ginger, herbs like parsley and basil, and citrus fruits like lemon. These combinations can create delicious and flavorful dishes ranging from pasta sauces to marinades and soups
Disclaimer: while it promotes gut health in some, others may experience bad breath, heartburn, gas or diarrhea. Individuals with certain medical conditions or sensitivities may need to exercise caution or consult with their doctor before consuming it in large quantities or in supplement form
Cook
Creamy Garlicky Chicken with Cauliflower Rice
This family-friendly meal is perfect for weeknights and leftovers - blending cauliflower rice with a sauce so good, even picky eaters will love it. Packed with longevity-boosting epinutrients from garlic, onions, and chicken, it supports immunity, digestion, and health. Key ingredients include apigenin in cauliflower and fisetin in onions, enhancing overall wellbeing.
In the News
The “Little Brain”: New brain imaging techniques are turning our understanding of the cerebellum on its head. Associated mainly with movement, neuroscientists are learning how the “little brain,” home to 75% of our neurons, regulates working memory, emotion and more. (WIRED)
He Did It: Last week we profiled Russ Cook about to finish his run across the entire continent of Africa - well he made it. Raising $900K for charity, Cook encountered an armed robbery, blood and protein in his urine, and intense heat in the Sahara Desert. (BBC)
Old and Young, Together Again: Some university programs are fostering intergenerational conversations. Age segregation is growing - according to one researcher, “a society in which members of different generations do not interact is a dangerous experiment.” (NYTimes)
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.