Positive Aging and the Amazing Annette Larkins

Just needed to post this video for anyone who hasn't seen the amazing Annette Larkins of Miami, Florida.  At 70 years old she is a stellar example of how graceful and elegant we can all age.  If you notice her neck, skin and muscle tone in the video, tell tale signs for a woman's age, she literally looks at least 30 years her junior.  And let's not even talk about her body: she resembles a video girl with her tiny waist and shapely figure.  Now being born an African-descended woman has its benefits as many of us know the old adage "good black don't crack", but it took lots of hard, consistent work to get to where she's at.  Yes, her melanin rich skin was a good head start but not enough to attain her youthful appearance into her seventh decade.

To start, she is a raw foodie, which I've tried many times (Big Ups to Raw Soul in Harlem, NY www.rawsoul.com), and has been living vibrantly from a diet that includes mung beans, raw food and juices for the last 27 years.  Raw foods maintain the enzymes that give us energy and vitality, and at least for her have stopped the aging clock.  But I think her outlook on life, confidence and willingness to go for whatever she wants has enabled her to grow gracefully as well.  A life with regrets and stagnation are not conducive to good physical health.  Spiritual growth and grace are also essential as we age and it looks like she has that in abundance.  We don't need expensive gym memberships, plastic surgery, fad diets or "anti-aging" cremes.  I've never understood that marketing term, really the only thing that is "anti-aging" is dying because we're aging every day.  If we're not aging then we're dead, right?  But a commitment to lifestyle changes that include a vegetable and fruit dense diet, exercise (triathalon level fitness isn't required), a devotion to inner peace and balance and an inquisitive mind can get us close to where she is.  I can't say that I would soley consume a raw food diet, but I'm definitely going to incorporate more of it in my diet at least on a weekly basis.  I may even take a raw food cooking course so I can make some favorite recipes at home.  Thank you to Ms. Larkins for being an inspiration of what positive aging can be.