This is Swami Yogananda. He’s 99 years old. Don’t worry, I’m not about to suggest that in order to be a centurion you have to learn how to do this. I just thought he was quite incredible.

I worry quite a bit about raising Emily as an only child but one of my major worries is that we (her Parents) may become a burden on her as we age. Being an only child, she would have no one to share that burden with. This post isn’t really about the responsibility of “Raising American Girls” but more about the responsibility we have toward keeping our own health, for their sake as much as ours.

I research that topic of staying healthy and aging well quite often – but really it comes down to four basic rules that hopefully most of us are abiding by already. Don’t smoke – its bad for you and bad for you children. I was astonished that during our visit to Tennessee to move the business last week we ran in to a waitress at a restaurant who was 6 months pregnant and confided in us tearfully that she couldn’t stop smoking! I was stunned! Don’t drink too much alcohol. Exercise a much as you can and, my favorite, eat colorful foods (how easy is that one to remember!)

Don’t forget, not only will we improve our own health but we will be great examples for our girls as they mature and develop their own health habits.

Don’t get me wrong, I am far from perfect, but am working on it everyday – in that spirit I offer you this article, 10 Health Habits to Help You Live to 100. It is an easy and inspirational read.