Eric Shackle Writes: World's Oldest Blogger Is 109
"Brazilian-born Bernando la Pallo, who now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, is almost certainly the world's oldest blogger. He will celebrate his 110th birthday on August 17,'' reports veteran journalist Eric Shackle.
He looks half his age, and is a shining endorsement of his motto: "Age more, eat less."
He moved to the U.S.with his family when he was five, and lived in New York for most of his life.
After studying abroad, he became an internationally renowned chef. He said he spent decades cooking for prominent people including WinstonChurchill.
LaPallo has four children and four grandchildren. He hopes to live until he's at least 125.
Asked what are his favorite foods. he replied,"Garlic, olive oil, cinnamon, chocolate and honey."
Here's a story by Alexis Vance, a Fox-10 TV reporter who interviewed him on his 109th birthday:
MESA, Ariz. - On August 17, Bernando LaPallo turned 109 years old! This Mesa resident lives on his own, still drives and walks around just fine - it's incredible, so I asked him to share some of his secrets.
Bernando eats primarily raw fruits, veggies and fish. Meat is a treat only once a year.
"This is my lifesaver, it keeps me alive..superfood..plus I take it everyday since 1979 - I never miss." said LaPallo.
He believes his clean lifestyle is why he's still alive.
"Well, I don't think I know that eating it's what you eat, you've heard people say you are what you eat, well you are."
Bernando reads daily, walks a mile and a half as soon as he gets up and his favorite product to use on his skin is olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is an age old secret he's practiced for years.
His faith is his foundation and his father his role model.
At 109, he's a popular man. He consults people who are trying to change their life for the better and makes speeches around the country. He's written one book, Age Less and Live More and is working on a second. His phone never stops ringing.
"I get calls from all over..Miami, Italy..I'm on TV in South America."
I asked him if he thinks about his final days. "I never gave dying any though. I still don't. I know I've got to die. Everybody dies." said Bernando.
So what's next for a man who's lived over a century? He wants to open a restaurant here in the valley with raw foods on one side and healthy American food on the other. But on his birthday, he's going to take a break from his busy days and celebrate another year of life.
Yvette Leslie of Mesa is LaPallo's unofficial adopted daughter who considers LaPallo her mentor. The two met 25 years ago and learned how to do theatrical and street makeup together at the Robert Fiance Hair Design Institute in New York.
She was shocked at his age when she first met him, and she still marvels at how well he's aged. "His memory is amazing," said Leslie, 52, a licensed massage therapist. "I've never seen him angry. His skin is so tight and in perfect condition. It just blows me away. "He's an amazing man. I've been blessed to have him in my life."
You can visit Bernando la Pallo's blog at http://www.agelesslivemorestore.com/
and see (and hear) him in videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj7knA3-YUs
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UlfJwn9GIU&feature=player_embedded
