Good morning. It’s Friday, October 25th.

In today’s email:

• Inspire: The Centenarian Sprinter

• Try: Healthy Halloween

• Watch / Listen To: The Sports Equinox

• In the News: How to Control Your Brain

• Brain Games: Hide and Seek

Stat of the Day

The percentage of candy that contains artificial colors - which all have proven to be bad for our health. (Everyday Health)

Favorites

Some things I’m loving this week:

1. Yuka - looking for healthier snack options? Check out the Yuka app. They don’t take any money from food companies, so their app recommendations aren’t biased. I don’t think it’s perfect, but as a free tool, it’s a solid reference (see “In the News”)

2. Pumpkin Seeds - pumpkin spiced lattes might be the craze, but I’m all about pumpkin seeds this season. They really are a superfood. When figuring out how to boost a bunch of different minerals - like magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc - pumpkin seeds are #1 on the list.

3. Evening Stretch - you might feel stiff in the morning, but one of the best times to stretch is actually before bed. I’ve been doing a quick 3-5 min routine cycling through the world’s greatest stretch, banded hamstring stretch, torso twist, and child’s pose. Just focus on whatever areas need some TLC - your body will thank you in the morning.

Inspire

The Centenarian Sprinter

That’s right - at 105 years old Julia Hawkins was a sprinter.

She holds the world record for the “over-100” age group in the the 100-meter dash - finishing in under 40 seconds.

Couldn’t be more clear - the race isn’t against anyone else, or even against a younger version of yourself. It’s just what makes you feel like you’re flying.

Julia recently passed away at the age of 108, but definitely defined what most all of us want - a long life of health until the very end.

So what were her secrets to longevity?

1. Marry a good partner

2. Stay active and spend time doing things you love

3. Marvel at the world and appreciate the little things - the “magic moments” of sunrises, watching hummingbirds, and scintillating books

She spent 30 years handwriting a self-published memoir in 2016 detailing the first 100 years of her life - it’s called, “It’s been Wondrous!”

It’s that concept of wonder and gratitude - knowing how to appreciate the little things in life - that connects all the things she attributes to her longevity.

There’s a time to go fast and a time to slow down. Mastering this balance might just be the key to living a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Thrive25 Partner Spotlight

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Every time Max uses Zero Acre Farms (use code Thrive25) cultured oil in his Caraway sauté pan, he knows he’s making a healthier choice and reducing his carbon footprint.

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• Functional Design: Naturally non-stick surfaces and convenient storage racks make cooking and cleanup a breeze.

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By purchasing Caraway’s products, you’re not only enhancing your cooking experience - you’re also supporting Thrive25 in our mission to make health and longevity approachable.

Try

Healthy Halloween

I dread a lot of Halloween - it used to be about being that awkward guy who obviously didn’t want to wear a costume, but now it’s when my kid comes home from preschool and says, “Daddy, I really like candy corn.” 🤦

We know what sugar does to kids’ brains - but that doesn’t matter. It’s just about impossible to pass out healthy candy and get our kids to not be excited about all the junk they’re going to get trick-or-treating.

But here are two suggestions:

1. Make a Trade - get your kid to trade in the junk food for something way better that they’ve been wanting (toy, doll, game, etc.). Make it fun before they go out - each Skittles is worth $0.25, gummy is worth $0.50, and candy bar is worth $0.75, etc. That way they’re already thinking about what they can get with the candy rather than eating it as it drops into their bag.

2. Pass Out Health(ier) Candy - no one wants to be the buzzkill house (or risk getting egged - does that still happen?). But there are some snacks out there that kids won’t hate and you won’t feel bad about dishing out, or giving to your own kids.

In general, avoid artificial dyes, colors (see this REPORT*), high-fructose corn-syrup, and anything with more than 8g of added sugar per serving (that’s being too generous - but it is Halloween).

Here are a few suggestions that I think will still pass the test for kids:

• Unreal Peanut Butter Cups - 36% less sugar

• Free2b Sunflower Butter Cups - for nut allergies

• YumEarth Gummy Bears - no artificial dyes

• Skinny Dipped Almonds - my favorite

• Bear Fruit Rolls - no added sugar or artificial stuff

• Lesser Evil Popcorn - organic popcorn and coconut oil

*All 9 of US-approved dyes raise health concerns. Here’s more info why you don’t want to eat any of them.

Watch / Listen To

The Sports Equinox

On Monday October 28th, all four major sports in the US have at least one game. This doesn’t happen too often…here’s the lineup:

MLB: game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees

NFL: probably the worst game of the bunch, but it’s football - so it’ll outdraw the rest of these games combined - Giants vs. Steelers

NHL: not quite the NHL “Frozen Frenzy” where all 32 teams played last Tuesday, but lots of games to choose from - Oilers vs. Blue Jackets, Preds vs. Lightning, Sharks vs. The Hockey Club*

NBA: catch some early-season action with the Bucks vs. Celtics or Lakers vs. Suns

Plus you can catch a couple MLS playoff games.

thegistusa

View more on Instagram

* No team name will ever compare to the Kraken, so I’ll give the latest expansion team in Salt Lake City props on the name Utah Hockey Club. At first, I wasn’t down with it, but it has quickly grown on me

H&L in the News

Sweet Treats, Better For You: Yuka’s mission is to help consumers make better choices for their health. As we approach Halloween, here’s their top 10 list of sweet treats that prioritize natural ingredients and fewer additives for a healthier indulgence. (Yuka)

Master Your Brain's Power Switch: Unlock your brain’s full potential by mastering the locus coeruleus - your brain’s "gearbox" - to enhance creativity, focus, and learning. Discover how this small neuron cluster can transform the way you think and perform. (New Scientist)

Ditch Cans, Dodge Chemicals: Daily canned food consumption can spike BPA levels by 1000%, potentially impacting hormones and health. Learn how microplastics and BPA exposure infiltrate your life and discover ways to limit your risk. (X)

Brain Games

Hide and Seek

See if you can find the objects in these two images - give yourself a minute. If you can’t find either, that’s ok (Max didn’t) - go a little longer, or scroll down and find the answer.

Credit: Detormentis (YouTube)

** For answer, scroll to the bottom of the email

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Thanks for another great week!

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Brain Games Answer

We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.

This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

To health!