Hello there and thank you for being an early reader of my Greens Forward newsletter. Through the summer, I will be sharing what I learn about the not-so-secret ingredients needed to show up strong in the second half of life.

Aging can be a blessing, and our second half can be our best half!

Except that practically everything in our modern society conspires against nurturing our health and wellness. Happy and healthy people aren't great contributors to the GDP, quite the contrary. For example:

• They enjoy spending time in conversation with loved ones and neighbors instead of shopping mindlessly;
• Even if they do things like sign up for a fancy gym and hiking adventures, that generates less economic impact than medical expenses.

It takes gumption to resist the forces that make us depleted and disheartened to the point of only desiring mind-numbing entertainment and the convenience of delivered food.

Becoming healthier and living more fully from our 50s to our 100s takes intentional effort. For many of us, starting from a place of sickness and sadness means it's extra hard to work against the tide.

Still, as Victor Frankl reminded us in A Man's Search for Meaning, we have "spiritual freedom in regard to behavior and reaction to [our] surroundings."

And we can support each other to make the significant changes we need to live fuller and healthier lives.

Scanning the list of subscribers to Greens Forward, I recognized the names of many people I know to be leading by example when it comes to healthy, intentional aging. I'm honored to have you as readers! Please generously share the wisdom of your experience and insight with me by writing back whenever you feel like it... and especially when I go against what you have found to be true and/or useful.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

I am filled with gratitude for the many stellar human beings who have been doing work in the area of meaningful longevity. This summer, my intention is to honor their work by doing a deep dive into some of the most important works on the topic of healthy aging.

❓What do you think I should read?

Your role: Please send me the titles and authors of one, two, or more of the books, documentaries, or other sources you found inspiring in your own quest for a better second half. Don't overthink it!

📚 You can even include some books that you have been meaning to read, or documentaries you wish you had time to watch, but haven't. I will make it my mission this summer to engage with as many of them as possible, and report back on my findings.

Here is a list of some of the texts that have risen to the top of my attention. Some of them I will be revisiting with fresh eyes, while others are new to me.

• How Not to Age by Dr. Michael Greger (2023) and its companion cookbook
• The Alzheimer's Solution by Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai (2017) and its companion cookbook
• The Brain Health Kitchen by Annie Fenn (2023)
• Healthy at 100 by John Robbins (2006)
• The Official MIND Diet by Martha Clare Morris (2023)
• The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner (2nd edition, 2012)
• Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis (2005)

What are your recommendations (or special requests)? Hit "reply" and let me know!

With gratitude,

Brigitte

p.s. Got reading suggestions for me? Books you'd like me to read because you haven't had the time to check them out yourself? Hit reply and let me know!