Thrive to 105 is a blog for those who are excited about the prospect of living a long and vibrant, healthy life…or who are at least curious about it!  When you check in each week, you’ll be presented with:

• Valuable information on the latest research into anti-aging and life extension.
• Nutritional tips that will help you on your path to longevity.
• Healthy insights from numerous resources
• Shared wisdom to help with spiritual and emotional growth on that journey to the century mark
• Information Junkie Days—all sorts of interesting, fun, useful (and some not so useful) information/stuff!

Who is this Karen Garcia person, anyway??

About six years ago, I set a goal for myself of living to 105.  At that time, I didn’t actually change a whole lot of what I’d already been doing in my day-to-day life to insure this goal was met.  I wasn’t fanatical about the things I ate or the exercise I was getting.  I am just passionate about being around for a very long time!

I am a glutton for information on longevity.  So I thought it would be fun, informative, and (hopefully) motivating to blog about what I learn.

In January of this year (2010), however, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Fortunately, it was an early stage cancer; and fortunately, I had a good friend who gave me great advice:  “Take a deep breath!”  Because of extensive research I did, my decision has been to approach my recovery from cancer using alternative treatments.  What that means is no surgery, no radiation, no chemotherapy.  Instead, I have drastically changed my diet…no sugar, no (or very little) animal protein, only whole or sprouted grains, and lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

This little fork in the road has not changed my goal one bit!  I will still live to be 105, only now I’ll be able to inspire others who may otherwise have this kind of hiccup discourage them!

My desire in writing this blog, also, is to leave my children and grandchildren a remembrance of me that will be chronicled over, I hope, the next 50 years!  Maybe it will inspire them or just give them something to think about that will mean something because it came from wisdom I’ve gained by being around for more than a century!

Can I be disciplined enough to make changes along the way that can add an extra couple decades to my average life expectancy?  Getting a diagnosis of cancer certainly gave me a lot of motivation!  Follow my blog and find out!  In addition to the entertaining legacy for my family, my vision is that I will also make many new friends who are interested in “thriving” to a ripe old age and share in each others adventures!