Blue Zones Project - Southwest Florida Blog

lo bevo vino
Italians say, “Io bevo vino” or “I drink wine,” and they just might be onto something. Studies show that people who have a healthy relationship with alcohol, who enjoy a daily glass of wine, beer, or spirits, may reap some health benefits from doing so. Healthy centenarians in Sardinia, Italy drink a glass of red wine with each meal, and when they gather with friends. People in Okinawa, Japan (another Blue Zones® area) have a daily glass of sake with friends. Residents living in the original Blue Zones areas share common principles called Power 9®, and Wine @ Five is one of these lifestyle behaviors that has helped them live longer, healthier, happier lives.

A drink a day means healthy flavonoids

Red wine isn’t the only source of healthy antioxidants called flavonoids. You can also find flavonoids in brightly colored fruits and veggies, and in dark chocolate. Studies show that a diet high in healthy flavonoids may be linked to a reduced risk of some cancers and heart disease.
Studies point to the health benefits that a daily drink of beer, wine, or spirits may offer. Blue Zones researchers believe the key to experiencing these benefits lies in consistency and moderation. Enjoying a daily alcoholic beverage has been associated with lower rates of heart disease, as well as a reduction in stress and chronic inflammation. On the other hand, alcohol use has also been shown to increase risk of breast cancer in women.

Red, Red Wine
Red wine in particular seems to offer heart-healthy benefits. The antioxidants it contains may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of “good” cholesterol and protecting the arteries. Cannonau grapes grown in Sardinia, Italy produce more red pigment to protect themselves from the sun’s intense ultraviolet rays. As a result Cannonau wine has higher concentrations of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant. When possible, sip a glass of Cannonau wine. But, keep in mind that when you have more than the recommended daily serving, alcohol can have a negative effect on the liver, brain, and other organs. In other words, it’s not okay to save up all week and then drink 10 glasses of wine on Saturday night. Consistency and moderation is key.

 

Test Your Knowledge     Which alcoholic beverage offers healthy antioxidants? a. Sake b. A Shot of tequila c. Red wine d. White wine e. None of the above The correct answer is: c. Red wine contains the most health-boosting antioxidants, which have been linked to lower risk for some cancers and heart disease.		Top 5 Ways to enjoy the grapes of life Blue Zones researchers found that the healthiest centenarians typically enjoy one alcoholic beverage per day. Not only does a daily drink confer some heart-health benefits, but it also offers people a chance to wind down and reconnect with friends and family after a busy day. Easy does it. You only need a serving or two per day to enjoy alcohol’s health benefits. Overdoing it cancels out any benefits, so be sure to drink in moderation. Buy a high-quality red wine. Red wine produced from Cannonau grapes grown in Sardinia, Italy, has two to three times the amount of flavonoids found in other red wines. If you can’t find Cannonau wine, look for another high-quality, dark red wine, so you can enjoy its artery-scrubbing health benefits. Beer and spirits offer health benefits, too. Although red wine contains the most disease-fighting antioxidants, studies show that beer and spirits consumed in moderation (one to two servings) are also associated with lower rates of heart disease, and a reduction in stress and the damaging effects of chronic inflammation. Savor a glass of wine with dinner. Drinking a glass of well-chosen wine with dinner can bring out the flavors of your food, while creating a special event. You may be even more likely to slow down and savor the blend of flavors. Enjoy a “Happy Hour”. Set aside time each day to unwind with a glass of wine, beer, or the beverage of your choice, some nuts to snack on, and good friends. It doesn’t have to be a large block of time. Sometimes, just an hour or so is enough time to slow down and connect with loved ones.
Q & A: Ask the Expert Q: What is considered one alcoholic drink? A: Alcoholic beverages contain different percentages of alcohol. According to the National Institutes of Health, one standard drink is: • 5 ounces of wine • 12 ounces of beer or wine cooler • 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled liquor Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for adult women who aren’t pregnant, and up to two drinks per day for adult men.

		Restaurants Restaurants play a key role in Blue Zones Project as more and more customers are seeking healthy options when eating out. By adopting best practices from around the country, restaurants can meet growing customer demand and increase revenue, all while improving customers’ health. Our Blue Zones Project team is here to help you optimize your restaurant environment for better health and business. The Cider Press Cafe Riverwalk at Tin City The Dock at Crayton Cove
		Grocery Stores Blue Zones Project is working with grocery stores throughout SW Florida to give customers more options to make healthier choices. Visit this Blue Zones Project Approved™ location and look for participating grocery stores in your neighborhood soon. Whole Foods Market in Naples Wynn’s Market
		Worksites Blue Zones Project is partnering with employers across SW Florida to create healthier work environments and empowering employees to be happier, healthier and more productive. The Blue Zones Worksite® Pledge promotes evidence-based actions and lifestyle principles to create healthier work environments for employees. Benefits to employers include increased productivity and a potential savings in healthcare costs. Congratulations to these Approved worksites: Wyndemere Country Club Moorings Park
		Schools Schools are already an essential part of helping kids make smart choices about staying healthy. Blue Zones Project makes it easier for schools to teach students how to lead longer, happier lives. Gulf Coast Charter Academy South
		Faith-Based Organizations These organizations have completed the Faith-Based Checklist and are playing a role in improving well-being in SW Florida.  Unity of Naples
		Participating Organizations These organizations have completed the Organization Checklist and are playing a role in improving well-being in SW Florida. Children’s Dentistry of Naples Windstar on Naples Bay  United Way of Collier County Fundamental Health Solutions Gaynor Early Learning Center- Greater Naples YMCA  FORZA Child Development Center Strand Sisters

 
If you are interested in in having your worksite, restaurant, grocery store, or school work toward Blue Zones Project Approval, contact BlueZonesProjectSWFL@Healthways.com.

On Saturday, November 14, the Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida (SWFL) launched its “Healthier Southwest Florida” Kickoff event at beautiful North Collier Regional Park in Naples. Copies of Dan Buettner’s latest book were given to the first 100 in attendance, with our first attendee arriving almost 2 hours before the event to ensure she would be first in line for a copy. Attendees also received attractive Blue Zones Project SWFL gift bags, as well as Blue Zones Project SWFL t-shirts and clear, refillable water bottles with the Blue Zones Project SWFL logo.

Saturday dawned clear and bright, with cooler than usual temperatures, making it perfect weather for the family-friendly event about to unfold. Throughout the day the crowd was entertained with music played by a local D.J. as well as with performances from the Naples High School Band and Golden Gate High School cheerleaders. Multiple tents were scattered alongside the shore of the park’s pristine lake, giving everyone numerous locations to enjoy various activities.

Delicious food from Greek Gourmet, Russell’s Clambakes, The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, and Edible Arrangements of Naples was distributed in the “Plant Slant Kitchen” tents using Blue Zones recipes such as Ikarian Longevity Stew, Roasted Beet Hummus, Cowboy Caviar, and Red Beans & Rice. In addition, fruit drinks were distributed to attendees by Delicious Raw. The “Downshift Lounge” featured Yoga, Zumba and Silver Sneakers instructors from Collier County Parks & Recreation as well as Tai Chi instructors from the NCH Wellness Center. Attendees were encouraged to participate in these 20 minute classes, then head off to enjoy free massages provided by the NCH Wellness Center.

The “Move Naturally” area, managed by FitNation, offered the opportunity to participate in a Natural Walk exploring the park’s preserve. Nearby we featured a “Blue Zones Community” which contained a Blue Zones supermarket checkout lane from Wynn’s Market, a restaurant setting with Blue Zones items on menus, and a worksite vending machine from Well Vending containing healthy options. In the “Adopt a Pet” tent Collier County Domestic Animal Service had Grace, a Boxer mix approximately 5 years old, available for adoption while other tents featured “Volunteer Opportunities,” managed by the Collier County United Way, and the very popular “Naples Pathways Coalition” tent where participants not only learned about Bike Safety but created yummy pineapple, banana and strawberry smoothies on a Smoothie Bike Blender.

Another popular tent was “Plant a Garden,” managed by the Collier County Master Gardeners from the University of Florida IFAS Extension, where attendees created their own flower pots and learned to correctly plant flowers or vegetables. Not to be outdone, the “Children’s Area” featured a Walking School Bus managed by All Children’s Hospital; Safe Routes to School Program, a Bounce House provided by the Collier County Sherriff’s Office, Children’s Yoga from Monarch Wellness Center, Kid’s games overseen by the University of Florida, IFAS Extension as well as Kid’s Gardening activities run by Sunshine Ace Hardware.

As participants strolled through the area they had the opportunity to don feathers and sunglasses for photo-ops at the Blue Zones Photo Booth. Others took time to relax and enjoy the festival-like, party atmosphere by coloring pictures at several nearby tables.

Dave Elliott, host of The Dave Elliott Show on 98.9 WGUF, was the emcee of the event. Before the keynote presentation Morgan Pressel, the youngest-ever winner of a modern LPGA major championship, shared opening remarks on why healthy eating and active living have been so important in her career and personal life. Dr. Allen Weiss, CEO and President of the NCH Healthcare System which brought the Blue Zones Project to Southwest Florida, addressed the audience before Blue Zones Founder and CEO Dan Buettner delivered his keynote presentation (which was also streamed to an overflow room and to an outdoor large screen television in the Kid’s Area.) The packed house enjoyed stories of Dan’s travels as they learned about longevity and Blue Zones principles. In fact, they enjoyed him so much they gave Dan a standing ovation!

With attendance measured at close to 1200, and with 450 pledges collected as well as 125 attendees indicating interest in forming Moai groups, Southwest Florida is off to a running start. Work will continue over the next 8 years with home owner associations, faith-based organizations, worksites, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, as well as with community leaders, neighbors and friends to help make the healthy choice the easy choice in Southwest Florida; working towards the goal of becoming a Blue Zones certified community.

Thank you to our community leaders, volunteers, and organizations who worked so hard to make our kickoff a great success. Thank you also to NCH Healthcare System for bringing the Blue Zones Project to Southwest Florida, helping us to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Event photos can be seen on our Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida Facebook page.

 

   Worksites

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Congratulations to the first Blue Zones Project Approved™ Worksite in Southwest Florida, Wyndemere Country Club!

Jimmy Lynn, General Manager of Wyndemere, has been an ardent supporter of the Blue Zones Project^® and serves on our Steering Committee. Jimmy and his team completed the Worksite Pledge in record time, scoring 75 points, 3 points more than required. Wyndemere now offers free employee fitness and nutrition coaching, have created indoor and outdoor walking paths for employee use, and offer healthy snacks and beverages to employees at no charge. Their well-being campaign is called “Let’s Get Movin’, Healthy Habits For Life,” and it’s taken on a life of its own. The club’s members have noticed it, and also want to participate.

Many other worksites are working towards Approval status, including Artis-Naples, Avow Hospice, London Bay Homes, Moorings Park, the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, and Sunshine Ace Hardware.

    Grocery

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Grocery Stores are also making changes to promote well-being. Whole Foods Market in Naples was our first Blue Zones Project Approved Grocery Store. This happened to be the first Whole Foods Market located within a Blue Zones Project demonstration community, and they were eager to participate. Whole Foods Market in Naples has also offered Blue Zones Inspired cooking classes.

Wynn’s Market in Naples next earned Blue Zones Project Approval. Since they started making changes in displays and merchandising they have seen a significant increase in the sales of healthy foods and beverages. They even created a Blue Zones section in their grab-and-go deli case to make the healthy choice easier for their customers.

 

 

   Restaurants

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Congratulations to the first Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant, The Cider Press Café. Business Director Roland Strubel and Culinary Director Johan Everstijn offer their patrons a truly memorable and healthy dining experience. Everything served is plant-based and gluten free.

There are now more than two dozen restaurants working towards Approval ranging from waterside seafood favorites like The Dock at Crayton Cove and Riverwalk at Tin City, to uptown steakhouses like Shula’s, and old favorites like Mel’s Diner and Greek Gourmet. Stay tuned for exciting news as they complete their pledges. 

 

 

     Faith-Based Organizations

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Unity Church of Naples has earned designation as Blue Zones Project Approved, becoming the first faith-based organization in Florida and throughout the country to achieve this status. To achieve this designation, Unity of Naples installed new bike racks for their congregants and visitors and reinforced their smoke-free campus policy by updating their no-smoking signs.

"Unity of Naples is excited to be part of this important area-wide initiative to foster even more healthy opportunities for everyone,” said Diane Scribner Clevenger, Unity of Naples Reverend. “We recognize that healthy living means more than just eating well. We feel that it is a blessing to actively cultivate an environment where people can engage in healthy activities and spiritually support themselves and each other to live full, happy, productive lives.”

Other Faith-Based Organizations are working towards Approval status including St. John the Evangelistic Catholic Church, Celebration Community Beach Church, and Beth Tikvah.

 

 

   Food Policy

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Over the past few months the Healthy Food Resource Committee connected with local restaurants to determine a need in changing children's menu options to make the "healthy choice the easy choice." Local restaurants asked the Committee to put together a listing of healthier options to be incorporated into their existing children's menus. Moving forward, we are hopeful local restaurants will provide these healthy alternatives for their patrons.

   Built Environment Policy

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The City of Naples passed a Complete Streets Resolution on November 4, 2015. The Blue Zones Project will continue to partner with the City of Naples, providing any resources needed in conjunction with Complete Streets and the Central Avenue Marquee Project for our first phase of the Southwest Florida market. In November, The City of Naples also received the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Designation from the League of American Bicyclists. The City continues to be a regional champion for walkability, bikeability, and Complete Streets. Collier County staff will also begin to determine any language changes within the Comprehensive Plan in order to incorporate a multi-model (bike, ped, transit) transportation network.

   Tobacco Policy

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The Tobacco Free Collier Partnership visited more than 35 local parks to determine whether or not there was existing smoke-free signage located near playgrounds. Most City parks have suggestive signage located near the playground, however a lack of signage exists within our local County parks. The Partnership will continue to speak with the local Parks and Recreation department about opportunities to incorporate signage where children play. 

 

   Schools

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There are currently four schools from the Collier County Public Schools participating in the project as Pilot Schools. They are Lake Park Elementary, Seagate Elementary, Gulf View Middle School, and Naples High School. The Project was introduced to parents, staff and students via a district-created video and letter. Following the viewing of the video, Blue Zones Project team members were invited to speak to parents and members of the School Advisory Committees (SAC) to answer questions.

Every school has a Healthy Schools Team, headed by a Wellness Captain. The Team will choose pledge items that work well with the school’s culture, and help implement them once they are approved by the School’s Advisory Committee (made up of the principal, parents, teachers, staff and students). As of this writing, the SAC’s at each school are still reviewing pledge items being brought to them by the Wellness Captains and making determinations.

All Pilot schools have already been implementing healthy activities through the District’s Wellness Programs, and Blue Zones Project will supplement these efforts. In October Seagate Elementary participated in the International Walk to School Day, organized by Safe Routes to School All Children’s Hospital. Students and parents met a half mile away, and walked to school with great fanfare. The North Collier Fire Rescue District provided a vintage fire engine for photo ops, while various units from the City of Naples and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office made sure roads were kept safe for the walkers.

Though no ideas are yet “set in stone,” some being considered by the Pilot schools are: starting a school garden, starting a morning walking program, increasing water consumption through the use of water filtered fountains, and educating parents about nutritional options. We are excited to watch their progress.

 

 

    Individuals

 

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If you've already taken the Blue Zones® Personal Pledge, you are well on your way to better well-being. Wouldn’t it be great to get more of your friends and family to join you? Share this post with others and invite them to visit southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com to learn more about the Project, attend a Blue Zones Project event, and take the well-being pledge. Our goal is to obtain 2,000 more pledges this month. You can help us get there and make SW Florida a healthier, happier and more connected community in the process!