By Deanna Boyd Spangler

Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, move naturally … and read a book? It turns out that literacy is as important to our health as managing diet and exercise. Research actually connects the ability to read to lower rates of depression and higher rates of high school graduation, employment, preventive care, and long life.

Hard work, focused effort and years of partnership between Blue Zones Project and city leaders has once again put Fort Worth on a list of the highest performing cities in America when it comes to improving the day-to-day quality of life, well-being and health of its citizens.

by Dr. Stevie Dawn

Ride or walk to a participating restaurant or coffee shop June 4-6 and get FREE summer stuff from Blue Zones Project and Fort Worth Bike Sharing. Better yet, ride a BCycle for free on June 4!

Imagine a friend or colleague is experiencing a panic attack, reacting to a traumatic event, or dealing with a substance use disorder. What should you say? How can you help?

By Mary Jo Greene

Fresh fruits and vegetables can seem out of reach for local families trying to lower their grocery bills in difficult times. But it’s getting easier to put healthy produce on the table, as Blue Zones Project expands its Double Up Food Bucks efforts for anyone eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Fort Worth-area student groups were put to the test as they vied to earn four $5,000 Blue Zones Project Wellness Innovation Grant awards and make their campus a healthier place of learning. Six schools pitched their ideas via video presentation to a panel of judges for a variety of creative projects designed to help classmates reduce stress, enhance activity, and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

From roller skating in their living room to testing new plant-based recipes together, the Schuman family of Fort Worth invents fun and creative ways to practice the Blue Zones Power 9 principle of Family First. In the world’s original Blue Zones, making family time a top priority has been shown to lead to a longer, healthier life. That includes keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home, committing to a life partner, and investing time and love into raising children.