The Age-Well Project

Change the way you age

Get our posts direct to your inbox

Search

  • About The Age-Well Project
  • Books
    • Our Books
    • Reviews
    • References
  • Blog
  • Recipes
    • Recipes By Ingredient
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Family
    • On The Go
    • Soups and Salads
    • Treats and Snacks
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Press

WHY CARING FOR OTHERS (AND RED CABBAGE) COULD PROLONG YOUR LIFE

May 22, 2015 2 Comments

red-cabbage-&-carrot-slaw

A few weeks ago, a girlfriend and I were discussing the Nepal crisis over supper when she mentioned that her father, a top surgeon at Montreal General Hospital, was just off to Kathmandu to set up a trauma centre. “What?” I spluttered into my healthy, vegetarian meal. “Isn’t he too old?” Well, shame on me! He’s approaching 73, still working full-time (yes, spending up to 14 hours a day on his feet) and yes, still travelling to scenes of total devastation to set up trauma centres where he operates on people, in horrific working conditions, round the clock. He’s made it clear to his family he will work until he dies.  No gentle golfing days, or peaceful bridge mornings, or daytime TV for him! And nor does he follow any special diet or exercise regime (although my friend assures me he eats a healthy diet with no red meat).

The following day, two of my daughters were discussing one of their teachers – a man in his eighties who chooses to spend three days a week teaching hormonal teenage girls and trains the school’s running team on his other days (and yes, he’s still running marathons. See our last post for more on running).

The connection between longevity and purpose has been shown in numerous studies.  People with a clear sense of purpose have longer and healthier lives.  People with a close network of family and friends (those with ‘the capacity for intimate relationships’) or those who live in supportive communities also live longer.  But when I started digging, I also found those who cared live longer too.  This has been beautifully articulated as ‘a strong sense of purpose… directed outward’ in an inspirational article in the Reader’s Digest.  I urge you to read it http://www.readersdigest.ca/senior-health/secret-power-aging/?page=0,2#OBCvSvbbbuo4uAiH.97

Several studies have found correlations between altruism and stronger immune systems and lower levels of inflammation, as well as longevity in general.  Stanford School of Medicine in the US has its own Centre for Altruism Research.  You can read more about its research findings here: http://ccare.stanford.edu/psychology-today/the-best-kept-secret-to-longevity-love/

At Kale & Cocoa we feel strongly about this.  We don’t necessarily want everyone to live forever so they can take more cruises (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but so that we can carry on giving something back.  The next generation may well face challenges we never had to.  Rather than burdening our children with a surfeit of health problems and a shortage of hospital beds, shouldn’t we look after ourselves now so that we can help out later?  And while not all of us are qualified to set up trauma centres, any of us can help a local charity, a sick friend, an unloved dog (and yes, correlations between longevity and dogs have also been shown in many studies, read more here http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/live-like-royalty-the-many-health-benefits-of-dogs-mans-best-friend/253744/)

This is National Dementia Awareness Week, so I’ll conclude with a quote from Professor Andrews, an expert on the prevention of dementia: “Doing something for other people gives you a positive mental boost and sense of purpose, not to mention keeping up your skills and connecting and making friends – all of which provide the mental stimulation we need.”

We’d love to hear about any inspirational older people you know, so please leave a comment.  In the meantime, as we’re all going to be very busy sharing and caring, I thought I’d share my current super-speedy recipe.  Not only is it fast and delicious but it uses red cabbage – which a Cornell University study found reduces the build-up of plaque in the brain  – something scientists now think causes Alzheimer’s. Red cabbage, rich in phyto-nutrients and Vitamin A, has also been linked to lower levels of inflammation and reduced rates of breast cancer. Oh – and it’s dirt-cheap…

I make a large bowl of this every week – my eldest daughter’s home on study-leave and it’s her favourite vegetable dish (which is saying something as she’s not a keen vegetable-eater at the best of times!).  I leave it in the fridge and she tucks in every lunch time before wolfing down a few chocolate brainies and a slice of green tea cake.

SWEET N’SOUR RED CABBAGE SLAW

  • ½ small red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 4 carrots (or use apples, Jerusalem artichokes – or your favourite raw root veg.), grated
  • ½ red onion, finely sliced (optional but adds extra prebiotics for your gut)
  • 3 tbsp sesame seeds (black or white, dry-fried for a few minutes)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (I like brown rice vinegar but any is fine)
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Mix well and serve. Great with anything!

Annabel

  • Meal Types: Dinner, Family, Soups and Salads
  • Conditions: Ageing, Brain and Dementia, Cancer, Gut, Immunity
  • Ingredients: Carrots, Red cabbage
« WHY EXERCISE WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE – AND SWEET POTATO BEAN CAKES
SALMON: LET ME COUNT THE WAYS, AND THE EASIEST AFTER-WORK SALMON SALAD »

Comments

  1. Marianne says

    May 22, 2015 at 9:50 am

    I enjoyed that readers digest article.
    My mother in law is 80 and still skis, swims, walks and lives a full life, with a social calendar I couldn’t manage!

    Reply
    • annabel abbs says

      May 22, 2015 at 6:20 pm

      She sounds amazing … ask her if she has any special secrets we should know about!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Welcome to The Age-Well Project

Welcome to The Age-Well Project!
Here you’ll find easy changes for a longer, happier life. We’ve immersed ourselves in the science of longevity and distilled the research to make it work in our everyday lives. You can change the way you age: here’s how.

The Age Well Project Book
The Age Well Project Plan
Windswept why women walk
52 ways to walk
the power decade
sleepless
the walking cure

Favourite Posts

WHY I’VE THROWN OUT ALL MY BEAUTY PRODUCTS (nearly…)

Why Alzheimer’s Is A Women’s Issue

HOW HAVING A DOG CHANGED MY LIFE

GREEN SPACE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, SADNESS AND BRAIN-BOOSTING BISCUITS

WHY ‘INFLAMM-AGEING’ COULD START IN THE GUT AND HARISSA-ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD

POLYAMINES – THE NEW SECRET WEAPON FOR AGEING WELL & MOROCCAN SPINACH AND CHICKPEAS.

THINNING AGEING HAIR – WARM CHICKEN LIVER SALAD

About The Age Well Project

This site is for anyone who wants to make the second half of their life as healthy, happy and disease-free as possible. Sign up to get the latest research on ageing – and delicious recipes to match – direct to your inbox.

agewellproject

⭐️Change the way you age
📚The Age-Well Project + Age-Well Plan ⭐️Get tips & recipes on our blog - sign up ⬇️

Excerpts from Annabel’s new book, The Walking Cu Excerpts from Annabel’s new book, The Walking Cure in today’s @dailymail … find out where to walk to help heal mind, body, spirit.
Fascinating interview with our very own @annabelab Fascinating interview with our very own @annabelabbs in today’s @guardian on the astonishing impact of a city walk on our mental and physical health. Just make sure you walk among old buildings and avoid traffic pollution where possible … 

#agewell #citywalk
Annabel will be talking about the little known eff Annabel will be talking about the little known effects of landscape and walking on our mental and physical health this Saturday (5 April) in Canterbury. 3.30 pm in the Augustine Hall, Canterbury Christ Church University. We love meeting fellow Age-Wellers so do come and say hello….
Celebrating the launch of Annabel’s new book, Th Celebrating the launch of Annabel’s new book, The Walking Cure! Such a fun and inspiring event 💚💚💚
You can hear Annabel talking about the remarkable You can hear Annabel talking about the remarkable and little known effects of landscape on our mood and health at new podcasts from @thewellnesswaypodcast and @standardissuepodcast - find them wherever you find your podcasts.

#thewalkingcure #agewell
Follow on Instagram

Contact Us

For any enquiries please email theagewellproject@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2025 The Age-Well Project