Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others

When I saw Martha Stewart on a morning news show talking about this new book, Living the Good Long Life, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from it. As with all of her books, I expected this one to contain good information regarding healthy eating, exercise, and other useful suggestions on making our lives better. I expected organizational ideas, decorating suggestions, and maybe some good recipes. I had no idea that she had compiled such a wealth of information regarding virtually every aspect of life for those of us approaching our "older" years. I am in my 50s, and I am grateful to be reading this "early", but this contains vital information for people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s as well.Martha states several times that it's never too late to start a healthy living regimen...not just physically but also mentally. She has established the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center in honor of her mother, and its purpose is geriatric research and development. This book is filled with great information regarding all aspects of life as we age. I started reading and couldn't put it down.In the foreword written by Dr. Audrey Chang, she states that "While nobody can expect to live forever, the goal is to live the time we have with the best health and physical/mental capacity possible." This is so true! But this book is about so much more than that. Martha compares growing old gracefully to the life of a bonsai tree...always changing...growing more interesting through the years. I like that thought.The book is written in larger than usual print, which I really appreciated. The layout is easy to read. You can find the topic you're looking for by following the Table of Contents or Index. Each chapter lists the topics that are in that chapter, so you can go right to the information you want to reference. There's a good listing of resource material at the end, as well as suggested reading material. The chapters are divided into two parts. I'll briefly mention (not by any means a complete listing) what the chapters contain in order for you to get an idea of what's in the book.PART ONE: Healthy Living TodayChapter 1: Healthy EatingThe importance of eating "real food", vitamins and minerals and their natural sources, stocking your pantry, mindful eating, samples of easy and basic healthy meals (including photos).Chapter 2: Healthy Fitness (lots of illustrations)Importance of being active every day; benefits of walking, yoga, stretching; improving balance; strength training.Chapter 3: Healthy BrainCreativity, healthy eating, mental exercises, effects of medications on the brain/memory.Chapter 4: Healthy Outlook ("...age really comes down to spirit___the age you feel you are inside, no matter how old you are outside)Being optimistic, changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts, having a purpose for your life, doing something new, what role pets play in our lives, social connections, laughter.Chapter 5: Healthy Living Every DayMaintaining your health through proper care of your body, immunizations, screenings, and sleep; building up your immune system; eye, oral, bladder, sexual health.Chapter 6: Healthy LooksCaring for and protecting your skin, identifying cancer, makeup, healthy hair.Chapter 7: Healthy Home (pictures)House design, safety issues, organizing, decluttering, lighting, plants, cleaning.PART TWO: Healthy Living Into TomorrowChapter 8: Healthy Living Into the FutureHow to proactively prepare for your older years, choosing your physicians, reducing your risks of health problems, preparing for a hospital stay.Chapter 9: Healthy CaringUnderstanding the options when it comes time to decide on how to care for your elderly family member, financial considerations, insurance, end-of-life decisions, how to make your loved one's final days comfortable and enjoyable, and preparing for the end.I have to emphasize again that this is a very abbreviated list of the huge amount of information you'll find in this book. I especially think the last few chapters on caring for the elderly and making end-of-life decisions is so important. This book covers so much territory.The book is appropriate for men and women alike. It would be good reading for anyone approaching middle age...or older...and will inspire them to take control of the rest of their lives. It would also be good reading for anyone who has aging parents or is a caretaker of the elderly. This is one I'll be keeping for future reference.

There is an abundance of good information in this book to reference easily without having to search online for what I want. I haven't really seen any other book that includes so much in a concise format on how to live a good long life. Every chapter had plenty of information to satisfy me without going overboard on subjects such as what to Eat for a healthier brain: Omega-rich fish, leafy greens, dark chocolate and water. I'm already partaking of three out of four and so now I may add fish oil supplements because I really don't like fish. I didn't know that "walking can decrease our risk for dementia or that vigorous activity causes the brain to releases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which acts as brain fertilizer, increasing the number and the longevity of cells in the hippocampus." It's as though I said to Martha, "Just give me the facts," because that is what she did. If I feel the need to delve further into any one topic, then I will do so. In the meantime, I'm very happy that Martha kept things short and to the point and as a result, I didn't feel like I was reading a text book. Actually, I would have stopped reading if I felt like I had been reading a text book. Good job Martha and thanks for a very useful practical guide. I'm using it. Trish

So the woman is in her seventies and looks amazing. She obviously has insight on the topic of aging gracefully. I am only in my thirties, but she inspires me and I am getting an early start on my plan to look and feel as good as she does when I reach that age.An emotionally driven 4 stars instead of five because sometimes I find her to be a bit smug and I admittedly get jealous of her farms, her apple orchards, her horses, her immense vegetable gardens, and her personal trainers, blah blah blah. I am mature enough to accept that she is stinking rich, and i am not, but still felt like she could have gotten her points across without having to go there. Managing her stress in a tough situation like prison might have been a better use of time. Maybe it's in there; I haven't quite finished the book, but I'm not overly optimistic.But I digress. She offers great tips and recipes, most of which are realistic and manageable. I liked the exercise illustrations, and the tributes to "big Martha" throughout the book. If you like Martha, and even if you love to hate her, this is a good read.

This is a wonderful book that covers so many aspects of life. It is perfect for the woman who is caring so much for others she has forgotten how to care for herself. I don't remember how I first heard about it, but I was able to get it at the library. Once I started reading , I knew I wanted my own copy and was able to purchase it through one of Amazons book suppliers. The book came in very good condition. I am totally happy I was able to get my own copy and I am putting Martha's information to good use in my life. I knew Martha had great household information, but I didn't know she had, along with experts, written a book like this. I am 73 years old and this book has helped me change my life in many positive and happy ways.

OK, I know she has her detractors as well as her fans, but you have to admit she knows her stuff. I happen to be a fan. I'm a baby boomer who is starting to think about my eventual mortality. Not a pleasant thought you say? Hey, it happens to all of us. Who doesn't want to live life to the fullest? This book has good tips to keep you healthy, aware, productive, and enjoying life. Some of the topics we have heard before, but you'll find new things in the book that you may not have thought of. And it's great having it all in one tome at your fingertips. Look inside and check out the table of contents to give you an idea of the topics covered. She has put together an engaging book, with excellent advice.

Yes I am a Martha fan, yet right from the very first page, the content is valid, well written, enthralling enough to keep you reading and then insightful on what is usually a drab overlooked topic. This is good enough to give as a thoughtful gift. Thank you Martha, you are still my hero. Most sincerely Toni-Maree

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but the book is way more detailed than I expected. Really a concise but easy to follow book that helps you sort through all the information you need for a better healthier life. I gave a copy to my mom for mother's day, she's loving it too. Side note, anyone wanting to send a gift through amazon, you won't be disappointed with the wrapping. My mom was over the moon on how pretty the wrapping and note looked when she received her book in the mail. She even sent me a picture of the wrapping she thought it looked so nice. Well worth the extra charge.

I am someone who is in complete denial about the fact that they'll ever age, so it took some doing to buy this book. However, I'm glad I did. A lot of what is in it is common sense and you might already know but it's useful to have it in one book. There are other aspects that were very thought-provoking such as about what might lie ahead. Overall, the book is upbeat, useful and makes you feel that ageing needn't be all gloom and doom. Well worth a read.

Habe mir das Buch zum "erfolgreichen" langen Leben von Martha Stewart parallel zu dem von Jane Fonda bestellt. Gleich vorweg: bin ein Fan von beiden. Jane Fondas Buch ist jedoch oft etwas diffus, sie erzählt viel Persönliches und wird oft philosophisch / politisch / feministisch. Martha Stewart ist viel praktischer orientiert, mit vielen Listen und guter Strukturierung (wie auch anders von ihr zu erwarten!). Troztdem unvermeindlicherweise vieles Amerika-spezifisch. Und letztendlich sagen die Damen nichts anderes, als wir alle längst schon wissen: bewegt Eure Hirne und Eure Beine, genießt in Maßen, engagiert Euch und findet Euren Frieden mit der Welt. Dann könnt Ihr ohne Probleme auch mit 60 oder 70 noch das Leben genießen! Ob man für diese alt bekannten Weisheiten die Bücher kaufen muss, möge jeder für sich sebst entscheiden...

Martha Stewart Living the Good Long LifeI highly recommend this book. The information inside this book should be read by everyone in their fifties, sixties, etc.It really is a practical guide to caring for yourself and others. I have recommended it to my friends to read