How 102-Year-Old Nanna Maria Lives the Mediterranean Way (And How You Can Too)

Now that you’ve met Nanna Maria—the 102-year-old who’s survived bombings and still whips up the best lentil soup—it’s time to let you in on her little secret: the Mediterranean lifestyle.

To be fair, it’s not really a secret, but there are a lot of myths about how to live it. Some will tell you it’s all about guzzling down olive oil or spending hours on mountaintops flexing your abs and flashing that “killer smile”.

But spoiler alert: it’s way simpler—and easier—than you might think.

Nanna Maria doesnt have abs of steel, but, she’s does have a heart  full of gratitude and a life full of love. And at 102, she’s living proof, you don’t need a fad diet or some crazy exercise regime to live well.

So, if you want to live a little longer, love a little harder, and maybe even get your hands on that soup recipe, here’s how you can start living the Mediterranean lifestyle (and maybe hit 102 too).

Gratitude and Resilience: The Secret Sauce of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

First thing first, what are you grateful for?
Try not to overthink it—it could be a good night’s sleep, a loved one, or the fact that you’re about to enjoy a coffee (or wine).

I ask because, in the Mediterranean, practising gratitude isn’t some woo-woo idea; it’s as natural as tossing a salad in olive oil. It’s a way of life.

Remember how I told you about Nanna Maria waking up each morning with a simple “thank you” for being given another day despite life’s little ups and downs? That’s it. No grand gestures—just a quiet moment to connect with the simpler, more beautiful parts of being alive.

Here’s a challenge for you: Tomorrow, when you wake up, pause for a minute and think about something—anything—that makes you thankful.

• Maybe it’s dodging an awkward run-in with Derek from Operations.

• Maybe it’s surviving (yet another) Zoom call that really could have been an email.

• Or perhaps it’s a hilarious voice note still making you crack up.

The point is, practising gratitude doesn’t need a dramatic drumroll. It’s about slowing down and noticing the little joys in your life—something the Mediterranean lifestyle does brilliantly.

Waking with gratitude–no matter how small it is rewires your brain to start seeing the good. And when you pair that with resilience, you’re already on your way to start living more like Nanna Maria.

Mediterranean Diet: A Toast to Avocados

When talking gratitude, food absolutely fits into that—so now let’s talk about the Mediterranean diet!

It’s basically what food dreams are made of—fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavour.

Think herbs and spices like rosemary, garlic, thyme, oregano, and basil—natural and great for your health.

But hold up—this isn’t one of those “buy this detox juice” kind of diets. Forget calorie counting or pretending smashed avocado toast is only for gentrifiers.

The Mediterranean diet is all about balance and is rooted in fresh fruits, beans, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats— (yep like avocado and olive oil) and fresh fish as a source of protein.

Nanna Maria doesn’t stress about eating this or sticking to that, her meals are simple, seasonal and super satisfying—think yummy lentil soups, fresh garden vegetables and, of course, her legendary spinach pies.

For us, it could be as simple as:

• Adding more plant-based food to your plate.
• Drizzling on a bit of extra virgin olive oil.
• Swapping a fast-food lunch for a rainbow-coloured salad.
• Replacing processed snacks with either fruits or nuts.

(And still enjoying that glass of wine or a slice of cake here and there!)

Because in the Mediterranean, food is just fuel— its a celebration of life, not a curated stress fest.

Stay Outdoorsy and Active: It’s All Part of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Usually, being a foodie and working out go hand in hand. But if the gym isn’t your thing, you’ll LOVE this next tip!

The Mediterranean lifestyle is all about being outdoors and staying active—but it’s not about sweating it out at the gym every day. It’s about natural movement. Whether it’s hiking in the countryside, picking herbs from the garden, or strolling along the beach, people in the Mediterranean are always moving without even thinking about it.

So, I’m not gonna lie, Nanna Maria’s not out here running marathons, but she’s always moving—whether it’s tending to her plants, flowers, or strolling around the neighbourhood.

It’s just a part of the Mediterranean lifestyle, and at 102, it’s what keeps her feeling “young”.

Here’s another challenge for you: Forget about an intense workout routine. Instead, discover outdoorsy activities you enjoy—whether it’s walking, dancing, or simply gardening. The goal is to keep moving every day in a way that feels joyful, helping you get into a state of flow so it becomes a natural part of your everyday life.

Community: The Heartbeat of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

It’s not just about being active and outdoorsy—it’s about getting out there and connecting with the world around you. Which brings me to the next part of the Mediterranean lifestyle: community.

In the Mediterranean, life revolves around shared meals, hearty chats, and the people who make life worthwhile.

Personal spaces that spring to life with constant activity—a place for meetups with family, whether for lunch or a community festival—like the local feasts Nanna Maria first told me about where everyone young and old pack into the village square.

‘Sure, the food counts’, she said, ‘but it’s the snorty laughs, the shared stories, and just being in each others company that really feeds the soul’.

Nowadays, though, with work emails pinging 24/7, endless doom scrolls, and the grind of daily life and despite the fact we’re told ‘we’re more “connected” than ever…’

genuine connection has somehow slipped through the cracks.

But here’s that spoiler: The Mediterranean lifestyle shows, it doesn’t have to be this way.

And it’s easy to bring a little more of that into your own life.

Of course, like anything, it starts with time.

So here’s a suggestion:

Reach out to a friend. One you haven’t seen in ages for a catch-up over coffee or plan a Sunday lunch that stretches into the evening—one where everyone forgets their phones and lives in the moment. You don’t need a Michelin-star meal or a Pinterest-puurfect table; deep conversation over a freshly made meal is what creates memories.

Because in the end, it’s not about perfectly curated events but the messy, joyful, unscripted act of connecting.

I think it’s fair to say, relationships don’t just make life better; they make many things possible. But it’s the connections we nurture that turn those greyish doldrum days into sunnier brighter ones.

So why not take a page out of the Mediterranean Nanna Maria’s playbook?

Live Like Nanna Maria

Like I said to you before, I have picked up a few lessons hanging out with Nanna Maria. But through her sparkly eyes, I’ve seen that a long life is more than diet and keeping active. It’s about bouncing back from life’s hardships with grace, surrounding yourself with love, and simply being thankful for being alive.

So, now you’re in the know, what’s one way you’re gonna start sprinkling a little bit of Mediterranean joy into your life?

Oh and here’s that recipe (just add your fave crusty white bread)