My wife went shopping during our scouting trip... 3 hours later, she arrives at our AirBnb - empty handed, where was she? At a pop-up medical test centre!! Blood pressure, pulse, blood tests - chorlestorel - glcose - gout (luckily she doesn't eat breakfast), stress test - walking fast etc etc... "well it was free and they were very nice!" That's Portugal!!
We end up having good climate year-round because we live in Texas when the weather is at its best and then we live in England when the weather is at its best, lol!
Hello Dara! Absolutely love the 2 locations you live and you are amazing at documenting it on your channel. One day we will most likely follow suit with 2 locations. It’s the best of both worlds! Cheers! M&D
Very good video with very informative points. Leo clearly is living in his blue zone paradise on the sofa😀👍. The old Madeiran people used to live longer. They used to eat plenty of fatty foods, just to give an example many households use to grow a pig and the mentality at the time was the fattest the pig, the better. Obviously they used to eat plenty of vegetables too because pretty much everyone back in the day had their own plot to grow whatever they wanted. One essential point here that we shouldn’t forget is that back in the day, pretty much everything was organic. Even what the animals used to eat, was pretty much all organic. Nowadays, people have no clue about how many chemicals go into vegetables and consequently into the food chain that also goes into animal food. So in my view, just a plant based diet, if not organic, I don’t see the point. But if you don’t grow your own vegetables, how do you know it is properly organic, you just have to trust the labels and it is the labels I have an issue with. No offence to the vegetarians and vegans, I’m a carnivore and fish eater and I love it.
Hello Rui! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. You make some excellent points especially about buying organic, and you know this island and the history. We always appreciate your point of view and no offence taken as vegan/ vegetarians!! Hope all is well friend! Cheers! M&D
It's funny listening to you talk about eating a more plant-based diet. I'm having friends over for dinner tonight, and I am making stirfry vegetables with tofu, peanut sauce, and cashews on top! I have definitely been eating lots of sweet potatoes and beans since Learning the blue zones information!
@@Track_Us_Down interesting! I am evolving... definitely vegetarian 95% of the time (pretty much only eat meat when we go out to a restaurant with other people). I have been becoming more plant-based in what I eat, but with my bone density issues I'm still pretty dependent on dairy products. And we are also trying to eat a higher protein diet, and aren't ready to give up eggs!
My wife and I spent two weeks on Madeira last September and loved everything about the island and it's people. Having been born in Portugal I know very well the failings of the Portuguese diet and they're very evident on Madeira. The focus on animal based products as staples of the diet contribute strongly to the health issues seem on Madrid and in Portugal as a whole. As Doug and Monique stated, the proponderance of scientific evidence points to adopting a plant based diet as being the basis for a healthy first and second half of life. Having switched to a whole food plant based diet 10 years ago we found it very challenging to find plant based items on restaurant menus on Madeira and Portugal as a whole (excluding Lisbon). There were a few very good restaurants that had incredible vegan selections but not many. So, eating out was a challenge. But, as stated, the freshness and selection of the produce is unparalleled and since we planned on cooking most of our meals, it wasn't really a problem. But it makes socializing a challenge. The other aspect of Madeira that we found challenging was the driving culture and difficulty in finding suitable places to cycle or run. We made our home base just outside of Funchal and we found that we had to drive too often to get to hiking trails or just to shop for groceries. The traffic, pollution and noise were also problematic. But I agree that you can make it your own blue zone by making good choices as concerns diet, exercise and stress management. This is very possible on Madeira. Even though you didn't ask for it, my advice to you Doug and Monique from a slightly older person: keep heading in the direction of a whole good plant based diet, cut out the alcohol and junk and exercise as much as you can, cardio, resistance training and mobility training. My wife and I are in our 60's and have no health issues and take no medications which is more than I can say about most of our family members and friends. Lifestyle is everything. As they say, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger, especially what you eat.
Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your insightful comment. We have been vegan for a decade now along with our sons. We appreciate your advice about whole foods and exercise and stress management. It’s great to hear of others a little older than us, who are taking great care of themselves and striving for a better second Half of life. It’s inspiring. Having lived here now for years, we have cultivated a list of vegan friendly restaurants and more and more options are becoming available. Thanks again! Cheers! M&D
Can we all agree to disagree? 😀 let me start to say that I’m not against vegetarians or vegans, you have the right to enjoy whatever you like. Just don’t take my right to eat meat. Unfortunately a certain part of the society is going in a certain way to impose that meat has to be banned and vegetables is the only way. It sounds like a dictatorship is coming. So here it is my 2 cents. For those who are vegetarians think that a vegetable diet is the most healthy way, just stop for a moment. We live in a planet that food is in such mega demand that everything is going genetically modified to grow as fast as it can be, bigger as it can be and to get as much yield as possible. Plus all this is not possible without fertilisers on the larger scale, and chemicals on a large scale too. How healthy is this? How organic is the label “organic food” when those vegetables grow under the same polluted air as normal vegetables grow😀? Obviously, everyone can buy a plot of land and make use of it to grow organic vegetables without chemicals, not only you will get healthier foods and it will keep you fit if you use the old way of farming and you don’t need to go to the gym to “pump iron” to get fit. However I will throw another spanner in the works, you found a nice plot to plant vegetables, but is the ground free from chemical fertilisers? Even in Madeira pretty much everyone was using fertilisers of some sort for at least 50 years if not more. So the soils are already full of nasty stuff. So in my view, nothing is perfect. My decision is eating with moderation, a bit of everything with moderation. Just my 2 cents and as I said, we all agree to disagree. “A gentlemen’s agreement or a ladies understanding” as Doug and Monique usually say. And we can still have a beer down the pub together. Mine with alcohol obviously. 😂
@@Track_Us_Downthat is so great to hear! There is so much information out there regarding the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, if only more people read the work of researchers and doctors like Dr. Neal Barnard M.D., Dr. Michael Greger M.D., Dr. Klaper M.D., Dr. Dean Ornish M.D., Dr. Esselstyn M.D. And the list goes on. The evidence is overwhelming, just follow the science. Have you read Dr. Greger's latest book, How not to Age? Keep up the good work.
Can we all agree to disagree? 😀 let me start to say that I’m not against vegetarians or vegans, you have the right to enjoy whatever you like. Just don’t take my right to eat meat. Unfortunately a certain part of the society is going in a certain way to impose that meat has to be banned and vegetables is the only way. It sounds like a dictatorship is coming. So here it is my 2 cents. For those who are vegetarians think that a vegetable diet is the most healthy way, just stop for a moment. We live in a planet that food is in such mega demand that everything is going genetically modified to grow as fast as it can be, bigger as it can be and to get as much yield as possible. Plus all this is not possible without fertilisers on the larger scale, and chemicals on a large scale too. How healthy is this? How organic is the label “organic food” when those vegetables grow under the same polluted air as normal vegetables grow😀? Obviously, everyone can buy a plot of land and make use of it to grow organic vegetables without chemicals, not only you will get healthier foods and it will keep you fit if you use the old way of farming and you don’t need to go to the gym to “pump iron” to get fit. However I will throw another spanner in the works, you found a nice plot to plant vegetables, but is the ground free from chemical fertilisers? Even in Madeira pretty much everyone was using fertilisers of some sort for at least 50 years if not more. So the soils are already full of nasty stuff. So in my view, nothing is perfect. My decision is eating with moderation, a bit of everything with moderation. Just my 2 cents and as I said, we all agree to disagree. “A gentlemen’s agreement or a ladies understanding” as Doug and Monique usually say. And we can still have a beer down the pub together. Mine with alcohol obviously. 😂
Looks like Leo was blue zoning! Sounds like the key ingredients needed for a positive blue zone experience can be found in Madeira. I agree, the negative aspects can be turned positive by one's own choices.
Hey guys. It's Rita. I'll be there in just about 3 weeks and I'm looking forward to meeting you. This video really has me excited to make Madeira my last home. It offers so much of what I'm yearning for. I also hear you about the smoking thing. When I was in Portugal in 2020, that was something I really disliked, especially sitting on the patios and trying to eat. And the smell is sooo much stronger than the cigs here! I'm not a smoker or a drinker, and I eat very cleanly and healthy. I just turned 62 in February, and I'm proud to say I'm on absolutely NO prescription drugs and never have been. Only supplements for me. Can't remember the last time I saw a doctor. So I think I may be able to live to 100 on Madeira. But I don't think I want to. 😅 I'll be there on April 7th. Can't wait! See ya soon! 🙏
Hello Rita! We are so pleased that you enjoyed the video and that you found value in the content. Yes Madeira awaits you! The sun is shining ☀️ and the weather is beautiful. See you soon! Cheers! M&D
I think a grass fed piece of meat is better than a highly processed soy bean burger from the supermarket, add organic fruits, better organic vegetables and eliminate alcohol, stress, limit your carbs and your medications! From my POV like this you already make a good step in the right direction for longevity! We're privileged to have the financial possibilities to buy the right food. For many people in the last years with the high inflation world-wide, creating much mental stress they're more in a surviving mode than living a good life. I think in the next decades we'll see everywhere a decline of the life expectations, because of the situation in which many people are living today.
Hi Monique, Hi Doug, it's a pleasure to follow your channel! A very sympatic couple who shares their life experiences in Portugal with great love, it's visible in every video!!! My wife and I are on a similar track. I fell in love with Madeira already several years ago, but until summer last year, it didn't happen to visit the island, but now we look for a ground to build a house. For now and the next years for vacation purpose only, especially in winter, to escape the "cold" from the north of Italy and in the future to stay there constantly. Keep up the good work! You're close to 10k subscribers! Greetings from Lago Maggiore Oliver
Hello Dara! It’s great that you recognize that. We also lived in the flatlands - the prairies- and we sure did have to learn to walk hills! Try to seek out hill walking when you are out and about- or come for a visit!! 😜Cheers! M&D
Agree wholeheartedly with your observations and conclusions. If you live in an area with a moderate climate, wide availability of fresh food, and proactive health care, it's much easier to have the discipline to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a long life...rather than suffer through a long but not great live. I love to walk, but living in the Chicago metro means we can go weeks with icy roads and sidewalks, and I must admit, I do not have the discipline to use a stationary bike or treadmill regularly. It's just too boring. We also were shocked at the level of smoking in Lisbon and Porto, and to be honest, more by the number of younger people who smoked. As someone else noted, we'd have enjoyed more outdoor dining areas had there not been so much smoke around. One of the huge drivers in the poor performance of the US with respect to life expectancy ***at birth*** is economic disparity and lack of quality food and proactive healthcare in disadvantaged communities, something that the world's largest economy should be terribly ashamed of, in my not-so-humble opinion. It's important to consider that life expectancy at birth is kind of meaningless for those of us who are 60+ and healthy, as our remaining life expectancy is generally higher than the difference between life expectancy at birth and our current age. All that being said, genetics play a huge role. My parents both came from just-above-poverty-level upbringing, smoked but quit, were not life-long fitness addicts by any means...and lived to be 91 and 92 even with some chronic illnesses. Our financial plan assumes we'll live to 96.
Hello Stephen! Thanks as always for watching and for all your insights. You make some excellent points to consider regarding climate- which coming from the tundra- we are older people sitting inside for months- it’s tough. As well your point about how life expectancy is for at birth. We are also planning for a long life! Good for you! Thanks as always for being here. Cheers! M&D
Hello! Very interesting. We have not found it difficult to avoid smokers. Maybe just the places we are choosing to go? 🤷♀️ Sorry that was your experience. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
I'm concerned about the air pollution, especially in the summer months in Portugal - in towns and cities. I even looked up today - poor in a lot of places here.
Air pollution is the worst, considering the isolated location of the island. With so many old diesel cars going uphill it is impossible to enjoy a walk in Funchal or drive behind cars on highway. Its amazing how the government is not doing anything to decrease the pollution in otherwise such a beautiful island.
@@envision25That is true. And have you seen that a lot of people are burning their garbage or wood near the house? Many little fire places and a lot of smoke.😮
@@Johann-xw5cy Burning stuff or agricultural left overs is an old mentality that needs to change. As a native Madeiran, I don’t like that either because it will decompose itself with time or even make more compost with it. However I don’t know if I understood your point about little fire places. Are you talking about the barbecue places you find around the island for people to use?
Hello Tinglestingles! That’s interesting. The pollution didnt stand out for us on mainland as we travelled, maybe time of the year? We also don’t find Funchal or Madeira particularly polluted. 🤷♀️Thanks for watching and sharing your insight. Cheers! M&D
Is difficult to have your own blue zone. Why? All the pesticides, preservatives , colorants and estrogen we get in our food is not good. Exercise is a must. Good nutrition is also necessary. But the most important is FAMILY.
I have never been somewhere that eats as much meat as the Madeirans do. We loved nearly everything about the island, but the 1) smoking 2) dogs barking and 3) meat based diet were things that were difficult to deal with for the 8 weeks were were on the island.
Hello! We hear ya!! The smoking we feel we are able to avoid- mostly. The dirt bike or motorbike engine noise is insane at times and rattles us to the core. We have gotten used to the dogs barking - mostly it breaks our hearts 💔as they are bored and craving contact. We have started to find small ways to help with the animal problem here. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers! M&D
I'm sure there are other places that eat more meat than Madeirans. I have a friend living in Mexico and he says they love their meat too. The size of burgers there are mega. For a meat lover like me, that is paradise. Sorry if I offended anyone here😀
@@ruinunes8251No you are entitled to your opinion and your diet! I was a vegetarian for most of my life, but had to change for health reasons (ironically). But eating at restaurants on Madeira made finding vegetables more difficult - it would be easier if one were cooking most meals at home I am sure.
Interesting. And the expectancy of life of poor people is in all countries 8 years less. I think that is important. Portugal has unfortunately a lot of poor people. And they are not thinking about sports, red meat or health systems - they have a lot of other problems.
Hello! You are so right, many have much greater problems and they are just trying to get by. It’s always important to keep that in mind. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Cheers! M&D
Is Madeira good for a family with small children? That would be an interesting video on the topic. If there is one already please point me to it. Thanks for great content!
Hello! That’s a great question and a great video idea. Short answer- I think so! The culture is very family oriented as in lots of kids everywhere- dinners out, festivals … There seems to be all the usual sports and activities. It’s peaceful and beautiful- full of outdoor activities year round! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down another way to put it, would you wanted your kids to be rasied there if you would be in that phase in life? :) and thanks for the answer and considering a video on the topic! You guys are doing a great job of spreading knowledge! Keep it up! 🙌🏻❤️
Hello Paul! There are a few dedicated restaurants on the island. Our favorite is Fala Fala in old town. Amazing food! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
@TrackUsDownInRetirement Yes , we've subscribed 👏. We're now looking at September or October of 2025. So I'll watch more videos ....but I nay have some questions
My wife went shopping during our scouting trip... 3 hours later, she arrives at our AirBnb - empty handed, where was she? At a pop-up medical test centre!! Blood pressure, pulse, blood tests - chorlestorel - glcose - gout (luckily she doesn't eat breakfast), stress test - walking fast etc etc... "well it was free and they were very nice!" That's Portugal!!
Hello Tinglestingles! Ha ha good for her! Like you say… that’s Portugal!! 🇵🇹 Thanks for watching and sharing. Cheers! M&D
I'm obsessed with Blue Zones! I loved the Netflix documentary.💙
Hello Dar!! Us too! So good!! 😃
You should check out Mary Ruddick...she travels the world to study this stuff (and would not agree with these parrots).
We end up having good climate year-round because we live in Texas when the weather is at its best and then we live in England when the weather is at its best, lol!
Hello Dara! Absolutely love the 2 locations you live and you are amazing at documenting it on your channel. One day we will most likely follow suit with 2 locations. It’s the best of both worlds! Cheers! M&D
Very good video with very informative points. Leo clearly is living in his blue zone paradise on the sofa😀👍. The old Madeiran people used to live longer. They used to eat plenty of fatty foods, just to give an example many households use to grow a pig and the mentality at the time was the fattest the pig, the better. Obviously they used to eat plenty of vegetables too because pretty much everyone back in the day had their own plot to grow whatever they wanted. One essential point here that we shouldn’t forget is that back in the day, pretty much everything was organic. Even what the animals used to eat, was pretty much all organic. Nowadays, people have no clue about how many chemicals go into vegetables and consequently into the food chain that also goes into animal food. So in my view, just a plant based diet, if not organic, I don’t see the point. But if you don’t grow your own vegetables, how do you know it is properly organic, you just have to trust the labels and it is the labels I have an issue with. No offence to the vegetarians and vegans, I’m a carnivore and fish eater and I love it.
Hello Rui! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. You make some excellent points especially about buying organic, and you know this island and the history. We always appreciate your point of view and no offence taken as vegan/ vegetarians!! Hope all is well friend! Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down Hi Doug and Monique. We are all good. We just fed up with the cold weather. 😀
It's funny listening to you talk about eating a more plant-based diet. I'm having friends over for dinner tonight, and I am making stirfry vegetables with tofu, peanut sauce, and cashews on top! I have definitely been eating lots of sweet potatoes and beans since Learning the blue zones information!
Hello Dara! Oh wow that sounds delicious. We have been vegan for a decade. You sound like an amazing cook! Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down interesting! I am evolving... definitely vegetarian 95% of the time (pretty much only eat meat when we go out to a restaurant with other people). I have been becoming more plant-based in what I eat, but with my bone density issues I'm still pretty dependent on dairy products. And we are also trying to eat a higher protein diet, and aren't ready to give up eggs!
My wife and I spent two weeks on Madeira last September and loved everything about the island and it's people. Having been born in Portugal I know very well the failings of the Portuguese diet and they're very evident on Madeira. The focus on animal based products as staples of the diet contribute strongly to the health issues seem on Madrid and in Portugal as a whole. As Doug and Monique stated, the proponderance of scientific evidence points to adopting a plant based diet as being the basis for a healthy first and second half of life. Having switched to a whole food plant based diet 10 years ago we found it very challenging to find plant based items on restaurant menus on Madeira and Portugal as a whole (excluding Lisbon). There were a few very good restaurants that had incredible vegan selections but not many. So, eating out was a challenge. But, as stated, the freshness and selection of the produce is unparalleled and since we planned on cooking most of our meals, it wasn't really a problem. But it makes socializing a challenge. The other aspect of Madeira that we found challenging was the driving culture and difficulty in finding suitable places to cycle or run. We made our home base just outside of Funchal and we found that we had to drive too often to get to hiking trails or just to shop for groceries. The traffic, pollution and noise were also problematic. But I agree that you can make it your own blue zone by making good choices as concerns diet, exercise and stress management. This is very possible on Madeira. Even though you didn't ask for it, my advice to you Doug and Monique from a slightly older person: keep heading in the direction of a whole good plant based diet, cut out the alcohol and junk and exercise as much as you can, cardio, resistance training and mobility training. My wife and I are in our 60's and have no health issues and take no medications which is more than I can say about most of our family members and friends. Lifestyle is everything. As they say, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger, especially what you eat.
Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your insightful comment. We have been vegan for a decade now along with our sons. We appreciate your advice about whole foods and exercise and stress management. It’s great to hear of others a little older than us, who are taking great care of themselves and striving for a better second Half of life. It’s inspiring. Having lived here now for years, we have cultivated a list of vegan friendly restaurants and more and more options are becoming available. Thanks again! Cheers! M&D
Can we all agree to disagree? 😀 let me start to say that I’m not against vegetarians or vegans, you have the right to enjoy whatever you like. Just don’t take my right to eat meat. Unfortunately a certain part of the society is going in a certain way to impose that meat has to be banned and vegetables is the only way. It sounds like a dictatorship is coming. So here it is my 2 cents. For those who are vegetarians think that a vegetable diet is the most healthy way, just stop for a moment. We live in a planet that food is in such mega demand that everything is going genetically modified to grow as fast as it can be, bigger as it can be and to get as much yield as possible. Plus all this is not possible without fertilisers on the larger scale, and chemicals on a large scale too. How healthy is this? How organic is the label “organic food” when those vegetables grow under the same polluted air as normal vegetables grow😀? Obviously, everyone can buy a plot of land and make use of it to grow organic vegetables without chemicals, not only you will get healthier foods and it will keep you fit if you use the old way of farming and you don’t need to go to the gym to “pump iron” to get fit. However I will throw another spanner in the works, you found a nice plot to plant vegetables, but is the ground free from chemical fertilisers? Even in Madeira pretty much everyone was using fertilisers of some sort for at least 50 years if not more. So the soils are already full of nasty stuff. So in my view, nothing is perfect. My decision is eating with moderation, a bit of everything with moderation. Just my 2 cents and as I said, we all agree to disagree. “A gentlemen’s agreement or a ladies understanding” as Doug and Monique usually say. And we can still have a beer down the pub together. Mine with alcohol obviously. 😂
@@Track_Us_Downthat is so great to hear! There is so much information out there regarding the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, if only more people read the work of researchers and doctors like Dr. Neal Barnard M.D., Dr. Michael Greger M.D., Dr. Klaper M.D., Dr. Dean Ornish M.D., Dr. Esselstyn M.D. And the list goes on. The evidence is overwhelming, just follow the science. Have you read Dr. Greger's latest book, How not to Age? Keep up the good work.
Hello! We are reading that now! A Christmas gift from our sons. 🩷
Can we all agree to disagree? 😀 let me start to say that I’m not against vegetarians or vegans, you have the right to enjoy whatever you like. Just don’t take my right to eat meat. Unfortunately a certain part of the society is going in a certain way to impose that meat has to be banned and vegetables is the only way. It sounds like a dictatorship is coming. So here it is my 2 cents. For those who are vegetarians think that a vegetable diet is the most healthy way, just stop for a moment. We live in a planet that food is in such mega demand that everything is going genetically modified to grow as fast as it can be, bigger as it can be and to get as much yield as possible. Plus all this is not possible without fertilisers on the larger scale, and chemicals on a large scale too. How healthy is this? How organic is the label “organic food” when those vegetables grow under the same polluted air as normal vegetables grow😀? Obviously, everyone can buy a plot of land and make use of it to grow organic vegetables without chemicals, not only you will get healthier foods and it will keep you fit if you use the old way of farming and you don’t need to go to the gym to “pump iron” to get fit. However I will throw another spanner in the works, you found a nice plot to plant vegetables, but is the ground free from chemical fertilisers? Even in Madeira pretty much everyone was using fertilisers of some sort for at least 50 years if not more. So the soils are already full of nasty stuff. So in my view, nothing is perfect. My decision is eating with moderation, a bit of everything with moderation. Just my 2 cents and as I said, we all agree to disagree. “A gentlemen’s agreement or a ladies understanding” as Doug and Monique usually say. And we can still have a beer down the pub together. Mine with alcohol obviously. 😂
Looks like Leo was blue zoning! Sounds like the key ingredients needed for a positive blue zone experience can be found in Madeira. I agree, the negative aspects can be turned positive by one's own choices.
Leo is hilarious, love him🥰
Hello Chris! Leo lives a Blue Zone life! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Cheers! M&D
Hey guys. It's Rita. I'll be there in just about 3 weeks and I'm looking forward to meeting you. This video really has me excited to make Madeira my last home. It offers so much of what I'm yearning for. I also hear you about the smoking thing. When I was in Portugal in 2020, that was something I really disliked, especially sitting on the patios and trying to eat. And the smell is sooo much stronger than the cigs here! I'm not a smoker or a drinker, and I eat very cleanly and healthy. I just turned 62 in February, and I'm proud to say I'm on absolutely NO prescription drugs and never have been. Only supplements for me. Can't remember the last time I saw a doctor. So I think I may be able to live to 100 on Madeira. But I don't think I want to. 😅 I'll be there on April 7th. Can't wait! See ya soon! 🙏
Hello Rita! We are so pleased that you enjoyed the video and that you found value in the content. Yes Madeira awaits you! The sun is shining ☀️ and the weather is beautiful. See you soon! Cheers! M&D
I think a grass fed piece of meat is better than a highly processed soy bean burger from the supermarket, add organic fruits, better organic vegetables and eliminate alcohol, stress, limit your carbs and your medications! From my POV like this you already make a good step in the right direction for longevity! We're privileged to have the financial possibilities to buy the right food. For many people in the last years with the high inflation world-wide, creating much mental stress they're more in a surviving mode than living a good life. I think in the next decades we'll see everywhere a decline of the life expectations, because of the situation in which many people are living today.
Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts and insights. It’s very interesting to see how things will unfold. Cheers! M&D
Hi Monique, Hi Doug, it's a pleasure to follow your channel! A very sympatic couple who shares their life experiences in Portugal with great love, it's visible in every video!!! My wife and I are on a similar track. I fell in love with Madeira already several years ago, but until summer last year, it didn't happen to visit the island, but now we look for a ground to build a house. For now and the next years for vacation purpose only, especially in winter, to escape the "cold" from the north of Italy and in the future to stay there constantly. Keep up the good work! You're close to 10k subscribers! Greetings from Lago Maggiore Oliver
@@oliaye "But now we look for a ground to build a house" That is the best idea. Buy the plot where you love and build to your specification. Spot on
I'm good on strong social connections... but I live in the flatlands, so no steep hills to hike like in that Greek blue zone!
Hello Dara! It’s great that you recognize that. We also lived in the flatlands - the prairies- and we sure did have to learn to walk hills! Try to seek out hill walking when you are out and about- or come for a visit!! 😜Cheers! M&D
Agree wholeheartedly with your observations and conclusions. If you live in an area with a moderate climate, wide availability of fresh food, and proactive health care, it's much easier to have the discipline to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a long life...rather than suffer through a long but not great live. I love to walk, but living in the Chicago metro means we can go weeks with icy roads and sidewalks, and I must admit, I do not have the discipline to use a stationary bike or treadmill regularly. It's just too boring. We also were shocked at the level of smoking in Lisbon and Porto, and to be honest, more by the number of younger people who smoked. As someone else noted, we'd have enjoyed more outdoor dining areas had there not been so much smoke around.
One of the huge drivers in the poor performance of the US with respect to life expectancy ***at birth*** is economic disparity and lack of quality food and proactive healthcare in disadvantaged communities, something that the world's largest economy should be terribly ashamed of, in my not-so-humble opinion. It's important to consider that life expectancy at birth is kind of meaningless for those of us who are 60+ and healthy, as our remaining life expectancy is generally higher than the difference between life expectancy at birth and our current age. All that being said, genetics play a huge role. My parents both came from just-above-poverty-level upbringing, smoked but quit, were not life-long fitness addicts by any means...and lived to be 91 and 92 even with some chronic illnesses. Our financial plan assumes we'll live to 96.
Hello Stephen! Thanks as always for watching and for all your insights. You make some excellent points to consider regarding climate- which coming from the tundra- we are older people sitting inside for months- it’s tough. As well your point about how life expectancy is for at birth. We are also planning for a long life! Good for you! Thanks as always for being here. Cheers! M&D
Coming from Canada, the smoking is really terrible in Madeira. Impossible to enjoy any outdoor terasse in restaurants.
Hello! Very interesting. We have not found it difficult to avoid smokers. Maybe just the places we are choosing to go? 🤷♀️ Sorry that was your experience. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
I'm concerned about the air pollution, especially in the summer months in Portugal - in towns and cities. I even looked up today - poor in a lot of places here.
Air pollution is the worst, considering the isolated location of the island. With so many old diesel cars going uphill it is impossible to enjoy a walk in Funchal or drive behind cars on highway. Its amazing how the government is not doing anything to decrease the pollution in otherwise such a beautiful island.
@@envision25 We were in Funchal last February - you're correct, too many cars and buses. It was carnival weekend so too many people around.
@@envision25That is true. And have you seen that a lot of people are burning their garbage or wood near the house? Many little fire places and a lot of smoke.😮
@@Johann-xw5cy
Burning stuff or agricultural left overs is an old mentality that needs to change. As a native Madeiran, I don’t like that either because it will decompose itself with time or even make more compost with it. However I don’t know if I understood your point about little fire places. Are you talking about the barbecue places you find around the island for people to use?
Hello Tinglestingles! That’s interesting. The pollution didnt stand out for us on mainland as we travelled, maybe time of the year? We also don’t find Funchal or Madeira particularly polluted. 🤷♀️Thanks for watching and sharing your insight. Cheers! M&D
My favorite is the article The Island where people forget to die. 💙
Hello! We haven’t read that article. We will look for it! Thanks for watching and sharing. Cheers! M&D
Is difficult to have your own blue zone. Why? All the pesticides, preservatives , colorants and estrogen we get in our food is not good. Exercise is a must. Good nutrition is also necessary. But the most important is FAMILY.
Hello Walter! Very well said. Family is everything. We appreciate you watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
I have never been somewhere that eats as much meat as the Madeirans do. We loved nearly everything about the island, but the 1) smoking 2) dogs barking and 3) meat based diet were things that were difficult to deal with for the 8 weeks were were on the island.
Hello! We hear ya!! The smoking we feel we are able to avoid- mostly. The dirt bike or motorbike engine noise is insane at times and rattles us to the core. We have gotten used to the dogs barking - mostly it breaks our hearts 💔as they are bored and craving contact. We have started to find small ways to help with the animal problem here. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers! M&D
I'm sure there are other places that eat more meat than Madeirans. I have a friend living in Mexico and he says they love their meat too. The size of burgers there are mega. For a meat lover like me, that is paradise. Sorry if I offended anyone here😀
@@ruinunes8251No you are entitled to your opinion and your diet! I was a vegetarian for most of my life, but had to change for health reasons (ironically). But eating at restaurants on Madeira made finding vegetables more difficult - it would be easier if one were cooking most meals at home I am sure.
Life expectancy is longer for women. That's why I married a younger man! Lol😂
Hello Dara! You go girl!! 😜 M
yes, less meat, yes, of cause! But...poncha!!! Not easy to give up poncha!!! :)))
Hello! 😂 Ha ha…. So true, so true….. Poncha is tough to say no to!! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Less meat is a myth, but you do you 🤡
Interesting. And the expectancy of life of poor people is in all countries 8 years less. I think that is important. Portugal has unfortunately a lot of poor people. And they are not thinking about sports, red meat or health systems - they have a lot of other problems.
Hello! You are so right, many have much greater problems and they are just trying to get by. It’s always important to keep that in mind. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Cheers! M&D
I’m Madeiran, I thought we had poverty in the island until I went to third world countries where real poverty exists! We are so blessed!
Is Madeira good for a family with small children? That would be an interesting video on the topic. If there is one already please point me to it. Thanks for great content!
Hello! That’s a great question and a great video idea. Short answer- I think so! The culture is very family oriented as in lots of kids everywhere- dinners out, festivals … There seems to be all the usual sports and activities. It’s peaceful and beautiful- full of outdoor activities year round! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down another way to put it, would you wanted your kids to be rasied there if you would be in that phase in life? :) and thanks for the answer and considering a video on the topic! You guys are doing a great job of spreading knowledge! Keep it up! 🙌🏻❤️
How many dedicated vegetarian/vegan restaurants have you guys come across on Madeira?
Hello Paul! There are a few dedicated restaurants on the island. Our favorite is Fala Fala in old town. Amazing food! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
You had me at meat eaters diet 😊
Hello! Ha ha ! 😂 Thanks for watching and we hope you’ll consider subscribing! Cheers! M&D
@TrackUsDownInRetirement Yes , we've subscribed 👏. We're now looking at September or October of 2025. So I'll watch more videos ....but I nay have some questions
Anytime!! You have a great timeline!!