Living & Loving Blue Zone Lifestyle Greek Island Ikaria : Idyllic island Yes Perfect No

This island was spotted with mom and pop stores which sold fresh eggs, goat cheese, local produce

Fresh milk, bakery breads. Then along came this supermarket, you could get eggs anytime of day you wanted, you didn't have to wait like at the mom and pop stores for the the chicken to lay them and the farmer to deliver them. No need to go to the local butcher anymore they have neatly packaged of any kind of meat you want, they have packaged bread that can last a week I don't have to wait for the baker "How convenient"

Look no need to bake tonight they have have pre made cookies!

The kids don't want to wait for Yiia Yia to bake for them,when they can have candy right now

"conveniently"placed next to the cash register.

Look at these nicely packaged sugar laden drinks my child wants one of these

To wash down their candy.

Look what this product can do It will give me more energy"

I can buy my vegatables frozen, no need to grow my own.

Mom and pop stores disappearing

Unfortunately the outside world has arrived here on Ikaria some of the mom and pop stores have already closed unable to compete with this "convenient store" and their prices. ( right now there is only one ) Many of the younger people are adapting to the outside way of eating and it is noticeable in their girth and health. They ride instead of walking, they prefer the sweets on the shelves instead of what nature offers growing off of almost every tree here on Ikaria or what Yia Yia bakes in the oven.The shop owners are forced to carry these products or go under, supply and demand, the younger people want it, the vacationers demand it! When Paschale bought tomato seeds for his garden my husband asked Paschale, why don't you save your tomato seeds he answered I don't have time. I understand this answer because we have all been there?

The elders seem to adhere to the old ways, but I fear that when their generations dies they will take their traditions of cooking, growing and raising their own food,their strong work ethics and the secrets of this amazing Island with them.

I want to stand on the top of the highest mountain here and yell "convenient yes healthy no" don't let this happen you have it right here. Eat what you grow, eat what's in season, pick wild greens from the mountains instead of the frozen vegatables , take the "time" to collect your seeds and herbs, gather the mountain tea instead of buying products off of a shelf If you want something sweet let nature provide it in the form of honey or fruit. Follow your elders for they are wiser and healthier in their ways.

The other worrisome thing we observed, was almost everybody here smokes. Yes even the 100 something year olds have smoked most of their lives. The only way I can explain this away, is the Ikarians roll their own tobacco, at one time they grew it right here on Ikaria or in other parts of Greece, so it's not the highly treated chemically laden cigarettes that are found in the USA.