Elsa's Own Blue Zone - America's Centenarian Sweetheart's Insights for Positive Aging and Living

About The Book

Barbara Walters got it right when she interviewed Elsa Brehm Hoffmann on her longevity show “How to Live to 150 – Can You Do It?” Rutgers girl author Textor-Black got it right to give us the secrets of beautiful Elsa’s extraordinary long life and positive outlook with this book. After the longevity show, we were all left talking at the water cooler wishing the show had been longer and that we could see more of centenarian sweetheart Elsa! Even more recently, Dr. Thomas Perls, founder and director of The New England Centenarian Study at Boston University (theworld’s largest study of centenarians), said on Voice of America (3/19/09 report by F. Elmasry), that centenarians like Elsa (interviewed on same report) are inspiring role models with their positive attitude.

Now we can know the intimate details of how Elsa has and continues to do it all, and how this has influenced her Baby Boomer granddaughter. This information-packed book is sprinkled with humor, history, photos and food for thought. It’s a guide that provides a positive pathway for Boomers, and motivation for Seniors, to live life to the fullest.

By Elsa’s example, we see how incorporating small steps of new habits in our lives will make a huge impact on our happiness level. There are also classic stories from both Elsa’s and her granddaughter’s (author’s) lives that help us internally absorb the insights shared. These moments go from Elsa’s experience with a hyperbaric chamber to the author’s humorous and interesting trips internationally. The secrets concentrate on how to live and age positively within “the joys and challenges” of America and the modern world. From allowing yourself some fun like a fad or splurge, from self-care to having a spiritual base, from saying “No to the Jelly” and saying “Yes” to “Pollyanna and Pixie Dust”, to overcoming hardships, Textor-Black explains 48 helpful and inspirational “insights” learned from Elsa. The book also sites some interesting facts and studies on aging here and there. This information is much more current than other prior books on the market that discuss centenarians and aging.

This guide is a book to save and refer back to for quick reminders, “pick-me-ups” and courage to face issues in your way. It’s a book to give as a gift. It’s a book that entertains while teaching real life wisdom for our contemporary culture from a modern role model we can all admire. It teaches and inspires and convinces you that it’s worth the relatively small efforts to care for body, mind, soul, and loved ones … and to engage in life full force.

About The Cover

Taken at a fashion show charity event for QUOTA International, Elsa holds tightly to her raffle tickets as volunteer greeter and model escort Paul Jasinto sweeps Elsa off her feet. The QUOTA organization helps disadvantaged and abused women, as well as the deaf, in 14 countries. This event was held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott in 2008. Elsa is seen here at age 100.

Paul Jasinto, the gentleman holding Elsa on the front cover, hails from Miramar, Florida. He is a chemistry major at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, class of 2012. Paul is a fine young man, who in our brief time knowing him, has demonstrated several of Elsa's insights. He volunteered his time for others at the QUOTA fundraiser where this photo was taken. He showed "No Fear" by being brave enough to enhance the event with his fun costume. Paul showed enthusiasm and respect for Elsa and her inspiring example. In addition, his sincere smile is priceless.

Kudos to Paul's family for bringing up such a terrific guy and also to Carnegie Mellon for accepting such a well-rounded individual with such obvious character and great promise into their program.