Is it something in the water? All those hiking trails? A fondness for vegetables? Whatever it is, Concord residents are among the healthiest in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The 2007 study was part of an annual health survey quizzing residents on whether their health is good or better or fair or poor. Concord topped the charts for micropolitans, which is an area with a city center with fewer than 50,000 residents. The Concord area includes other Merrimack County towns, too, so Allenstown, Chichester, Loudon and Canterbury residents, to name a few, should give themselves a pat on the back as well.
In terms of both the micropolitan and metropolitan areas surveyed, Concord comes in seventh overall. Not too shabby.
We had no trouble finding a few good examples of healthy living. In talking to just the three folks here, it was not not hard to see why Concord ranks well in terms of overall health. Charles Latchis of The Vegan Community Kitchen is hard at work serving up nourishing dishes with other locals. And there are many yoga studios offering residents a chance to be healthy and balanced, including Sharing Yoga, home to yoga instructor Pramod Yadav of Mysor, India. Seniors in town are healthy, too, and Polly Fife gives us a glimpse into the active life at Horsehoe Pond Place.
No doubt there are many other examples of healthy living throughout the city. We invite you to swing by our website, theconcordinsider.com., and tell us about it in the comments section for this article. We can't wait to hear what healthy things Concordites are doing!
For more information about what's featured here:
– Sharing Yoga, 3 Pleasant St. 630-5576 or sharingyoga.com.
– Horseshoe Pond Place, 26 Commercial St. 228-6956.
– Vegan Community Kitchen, 55 S. Main St. veganconcordkitchen.webs.com
Pramod Yadav, yoga instructor
How did you get from India to Concord? In 2005 I met a woman from Concord who came to study yoga in Mysore, India. We fell in love and four years later – after much heartbreak over the visa process – we married in New Castle. We now live with her parents in Concord.
How do you like it here? I love Concord because I find it very peaceful. Concord is a perfect place for practicing yoga. I like the outdoors: the skiing, hiking, the fall colors and the low amount of traffic and the way that cars stop for pedestrians.
What do you miss from home? I miss my family, my friends, the many people walking on the streets and the smell of the Mysore jasmine flowers.
How do Concord yogis compare to yogis in Mysore? Comparing Mysore yogis to Concord yogis, there are a lot of differences. In Mysore, yoga includes Yama and niyama (proper behavior, including being honest), asana (postures), pranayama (special breathing techniques), pooja (prayer), bhajan (chanting), pratyahara (detachment from worldly possessions), dharana (concentration, focus) and samadhi (enlightenment). In fact, in India, the asana postures aren’t always practiced to the extent that it is here. In Concord, people focus on the asana practice. The yogis that I’ve met in Concord are very welcoming and always seem happy to have others join them in their practice.
What has yoga done for your life? Yoga is a huge part of my life. It keeps me healthy and flexible. Yoga keeps my mind clear and calm. It releases tension, and it brought me to America. Yoga is something that keeps me connected to my home. It is something I can take with me wherever I go and keeps me grounded and centered.
How would you rate Concord on healthy living? Compared to my hometown, Concord is very clean and quiet. People are more friendly to people they meet, and it feels safe to be around town. Recycling and composting are common here. This is a good thing, thinking about taking care of the earth. These are all things that are very nice about Concord.
Do you have any advice for people who are looking to give yoga a try? Give it a try! There are many different kinds of yoga that you can try. There are easy classes for relaxation and harder classes if you want a more athletic class. You can find the kind of yoga that is right for you. It will keep you healthy, happy and peaceful. Unless you start, you’ll never get anywhere.
Polly Fife, Horseshoe Pond Place
What do you do for a living? I am employed by the Community Action Program as the director of senior services at Horseshoe Pond Place. I coordinate wellness programs that are open to all Concord area seniors, age 60 and over. This includes providing a nutritionally-balanced lunch, senior exercise classes and other social activities.
What do Horseshoe Pond Place residents do to stay fit? We offer three different senior exercise programs on site, all open to the public. I teach the Arthritis Foundation exercise program, and we are pleased to also have Tom Sherman teach both senior yoga and gentle tai chi here. These classes provide older adults with an opportunity to exercise safely five days a week in a friendly environment. Most of the residents also regularly take advantage of the great walking trails near Horseshoe Pond. Many residents choose to walk to the store or pharmacy instead of driving. The bocce group also plays here twice a week year-round, so there are many opportunities to stay fit, either with a group or inpidually.
Is the approach to an active lifestyle different for seniors than it is for young whippersnappers? Yes, because as we age, we need to work harder to stay active for our overall health. For example, when our kids move out and we retire, things that used to keep us active are no longer a major part of our lifestyle. To stay fit, most seniors need to actively look for things to do. When we’re younger, our jobs and our families tend to keep us moving. Part of my job is to help connect seniors with wellness activities that are specifically designed for older adults.
Can you tell us about your lunch program? At the core of wellness is proper nutrition. We serve lunch to the senior public, ages 60 and over, in the Horseshoe Pond Place dining room Monday through Friday. I eat here every day myself, and I’m happy to know that folks are receiving a high quality, well-balanced meal. Our meals are planned by a nutritionist and prepared in advance by a chef here in Concord. Subsidized by a federal grant through the Older Americans Act, we are able to offer lunch to seniors for only a $2 donation. People under 60 are welcome to eat with us as well for $6.
How would you rate Concord on healthy living? Thumbs up! In addition to the numerous wellness programs and outdoor activities, residents have noted the importance of living close to medical services, including pharmacies and doctors’ offices. We are fortunate to have so many resources for older adults right here in Concord.
Do you have any advice for seniors who’d like to be more active? I would suggest walking whenever and wherever you can, and take a friend with you. An active lifestyle is even more gratifying when you share it with someone, and you’re more likely to stick with it. Group activities help seniors stay socially connected as well as stay fit. I also believe that the key to being fit for the long term is to have fun. If you’re going to stay active, be sure to enjoy yourself while doing it!
Charles Latchis, Vegan Community Kitchen
For those who are new to this, what is the concept behind a community kitchen? The Vegan Community Kitchen serves several important functions in the community. First, it is a gathering place for vegans/vegetarians and those considering adopting such a lifestyle. Second, the community kitchen is a place to hold programs, events and regular activities to help others in the community gain access to information, know-how and various practices for a more healthful lifestyle. We offer cooking classes, informational workshops, lectures and less formal ways of learning about veganism. Finally, the Vegan Kitchen serves as a kind of social site where we can just hang out with like-minded people who share the same values about non-violence and kindness to animals.
How does it work? We have members who agree to pay a membership fee ($25 per month, $125 six months or $200 annually) and volunteer their time and effort by organizing and holding activities and events. Nonmembers who just want to check it out are always welcome. We are open to the general public and we vow never to pressure anyone into being vegan. Actually, we like it when meat-eaters visit the kitchen because it gives us a chance to share a beautiful lifestyle and eating philosophy with others.
What are some of the dishes you serve? Any personal favorites? Personally, I prefer to cook Indian vegan dishes. I have been cooking Indian food for a long time, and I never get tired of it because there are so many varieties of spices and ingredients to use. My favorite dinner menu would be a lentil stew with curried vegetables served with rice pulao (pilaf) and homemade flat-breads, fresh chutney and a special dessert like besan halava (chickpea flour pudding.)
Is there such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen? And how many cooks can you squeeze in your kitchen? We have a great kitchen that is designed to accommodate 15 people. We always find something for everyone to do. People find joy in serving with a spirit of cooperation that we all feel when we help out in someone’s kitchen.
How would you rate Concord on healthy living? I see a lot of folks getting exercise on the streets and in the parks so people are definitely very health conscious. But as far as healthy eating habits, I see a lot of very low-quality (fast food) being consumed and way too much meat and dairy, and not enough fresh, organic produce for sale.
What advice do you have for residents who want to adopt a healthy lifestyle? Actually it’s all about the food we consume. Eating is one of the most frequent activities we do, yet most of us don’t put enough effort, education and practice into making well-informed choices. If you know that the food you’re eating is pure, healthful and it satisfies you totally, then you will enjoy the whole process of acquiring, cooking and eating the food so much more.
