Elsa's Own Blue Zone: America's Centenarian Sweetheart's Insights for Positive Aging and Living

By Sharon Textor-Black

Elsa's Own Blue Zone is about a beautiful, strong and active centenarian who defies the stereotypes of age as an astounding example of positive aging and positive living. Her inspiring insights include and go further than the basics of healthful habits. Elsa's Own Blue Zone provides answers to the constant questioning as to what her secrets are. In addition, the author is a Baby Boomer who expounds upon these valuable insights in an entertaining way to appeal to Boomers and Seniors alike for more fulfilling living.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781614484172

Book preview

Looking Sharp

We must never confuse elegance with snobbery.

Yves Saint Laurent

While preparing for a job interview with a perfume company right after college, I found in my research that their perfume was a consistent great seller, even during hard economic times. I found this so interesting that this item, which most would think of as an extravagance easily given up when times are tough, was not affected as one would expect. It was a small piece of happiness women held onto to make them feel good when they started their day.

Elsa feels strongly that looking (and smelling) nice for yourself and for those you encounter during the day not only brightens your outlook, but is a sign of respect for yourself and others. Elsa’s neighbor and friend, Betty Brown, describes Elsa as "always looking like she just came off the pages of Vogue." Even when Elsa is at home, you will not find her in an old housecoat or ripped sweats. She will be ready to go out, or will be found in one of her graceful full length peignoir sets reading, organizing, cooking, on the phone, or watching a good movie.

One day a friend who lives on her floor told me he saw what he thought was an angel in a flowing gown passing by in the middle of the night. He concluded it was Elsa, only because she was carrying laundry (They have a shared laundry room down the hall). When Elsa can’t sleep, she uses the time to do laundry or polish silver (Do any Boomers still bother with or appreciate real silverware?). Anyway, you never know who might see you and when. Family members delight in telling this story again and again.

How you look examples come to mind for me from when my husband Mike and I spent one of our wedding anniversaries at a big, beautiful country club. Our dear cousin Nancy worked there at the time and found us a special weekend deal. The room was breathtaking, and we knew the restaurants were top notch.

Dinner was exquisite, but when the intricate and artful brunch buffet was opened the next day, we were a tad shocked to see some people showing up at this outstanding ballroom-style chandeliered restaurant in swimsuits and barely there cover-ups. Even the good bodies were so out of place. Nobody wants your tanned flaking epidermis in their cream cheese, no matter what size you are. Yuck. At least a sundress or shorts outfit would have been more respectful and sanitary to the other diners … and to themselves and the restaurant. We did see, however, one employee there give a jacket to an underdressed male at dinnertime. It took finesse to do it quickly and without a fuss, but the restaurant had to draw the line somewhere in order to maintain a proper dress code and a certain ambiance within a place that people paid dearly for (even us with our deep discount).

We follow the rule that when you’re not sure how dressy a place is, call ahead or just plan to dress up to be sure. I know our culture has become more and more casual; however, the memorable and fancy family dinners Elsa has planned at her home or at a restaurant all her life just wouldn’t seem right if we weren’t dressed up for the occasion (unless it’s an outdoor pool barbecue). So, even my husband, who wasn’t this way before, learned to accept this way of celebrating and respecting himself, me as his date, and the host, whether it be a restaurant or individual.

Looking nice doesn’t require a lot of time, energy or expense. Elsa will just as easily buy a piece of clothing or accessory she likes at Target (aka Tar-shea) as a fancy boutique or an upscale store like Neiman Marcus (jokingly referred to as Needless Mark-up; I know someone who got some fabulous leopard pattern boots there for a song!), and she always looks great.

Sprucing up your look may mean a more flattering or more modern hairstyle. Perhaps it means getting sized for the proper bra fit (come on, I’ve had it done; it’s not as bad as getting a tooth pulled, and it can make a huge difference). And men, your bodies change, too. Don’t keep trying to wear the same sized Levi’s you wore in your twenties if they are too tight. All of these things I notice due to Elsa’s looking sharp example.

If you ever watch shows such as TLC’s What Not to Wear, you can easily see the inspiring transformation when a person learns how to wear appealing and properly sized clothes for his or her own body type. So, to reiterate, dressing attractively does more for you than demonstrate respect for yourself and others: as Elsa sees it, It also gives you a psychological lift.

You would think that looking nice consistently would be something others would see as a positive. You don’t think twice about dressing nicely to go out with a friend, or to a wedding, or to religious services, so why not everywhere? I understand the come as you are approach when being there is the most important thing, but if you have the brief time it takes to put yourself together nicely first, why not show that respect?

This makes sense to most. Regardless, someone actually told a relative of ours that she thought Elsa had a big ego because she always looked nice. What?! I was so shocked someone thought that way that some spit came out of my mouth when I heard that. It reminds me It reminds me of the criticism some people gave Joel Osteen; they said the popular preacher smiles too much. Who are these critics, the devil’s spawn? Nevertheless, you need to do things that brighten your outlook as Elsa does, and disregard the bad eggs that just don’t get it. As my late dad, Richard Textor, used to remind people, Consider the source.

Be of Good Cheer & Think Beautiful Thoughts

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer, 1749-1832

Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.

John Muir, Scottish American naturalist and conservationist, 1838-1914

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

No one can circumvent all negative influences from people and from life’s challenges in general, but all can use some tricks to protect against them and to more quickly recover from them. Elsa has over 100 years of beautiful things she has seen and felt in her inventory of memories that keep her up when she feels less than positive. She just thinks about these wonderful times in her life that have brought her so much joy, and before she knows it, she is over whatever thought or situation was consuming her. To try this, you may want to write down ten things that are memories that make you laugh or make you smile that you can pull out in a jiffy as needed to alter your feelings from potentially toxic to vibrantly uplifting.

For example, my own ten things written down have included these types of memories and thoughts over the years:

 my wedding day, the adoptions of our girls, and several special holiday memories with loved ones.

 a surprise party I gave to a South American friend. As we came down the steps of the house to the party room, he was so startled to see a bunch of friends there yelling Surprise! that he spread out his arms and yelled Surprise!, too, in a stunned and automatic pilot reaction.

 the feeling I had of buying my first really cool car, an Eagle Talon in polo green.

 When I initially met my husband at a club through friends, he insisted on walking me home. He said he was concerned for my safety in our rural area. He claimed there were recent bear sightings near my condo building.

 I gave my husband a huge surprise party for his 50th birthday. He later thanked me for a great party, but pleaded with me never to do it again because he thought it would give him a heart attack at an older age - (I guess I’m pretty good at surprising people)

 My cousin Craig recently told me that he and his family love the local organic food store, however he has given it a new name, Whole Paycheck.

 a reminder to myself to look online for any of my favorite artists singing one of my favorite songs when I need a quick lift, or, for a disturbing, yet amusing blast from the past: the fake and famous dancing baby video

 When my mom and Elsa stayed over at our place, they were up early with our 4 and 6 year old girls. They asked the girls if they were allowed to eat candy as the children were doing so early in the morning. The girls explained, "We are allowed to eat candy early as long as Mommy and Daddy are still

Reviews for Elsa's Own Blue Zone

[kris1960-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We need inspiration in many ways and from many sources. This book gives it with a true role model for our modern times. She is 101, active, beautiful, healthy, happy ... The advice within is priceless for mind, body, and health from one who has been there through all kinds of economies and life challenges, still smiling! This book is informative and entertaining, with a Baby Boomer author adding her useful and fun commentary on Elsa's insights/secrets. See these websites: elsasownbluezone.com and adlercentenarians.org to learn more and find out if this book appeals to you.