A WIN FOR EVERYONE:

We all know that watching what we eat can help trim our waistlines, but the benefits of a plant-based diet extend far beyond belt size. Most people in the original Blue Zones® areas eat a rich array of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are packed with disease-fighting nutrients. We call that eating with a Plant Slant, one of the Power 9® principles for longevity. Discover the well-being superpowers of these colorful fruits and vegetables.

Gardens have always been part of Meagan Warminski’s life. Raised in a small farming town near Amarillo, Warminski has long savored fresh produce. “I have fond memories of shucking sweet corn on the tailgate in the middle of the field and shelling black-eyed peas on the front porch with my great-grandmother,” Warminski said. “And growing up on farm-fresh foods, I know nothing tastes better.”

June is National Great Outdoors Month – something right up our alley! It’s a great opportunity to encourage children and adults alike to get outside and support a healthy lifestyle. Remember, one of the Power 9® principles for longevity is Moving Naturally. In the original Blue Zones areas of the world, people don’t exercise by going to the gym or running marathons; movement is built into their daily lives through gardening, walking, and other chores.

Since the launch of Blue Zones Project five years ago, Fort Worth’s well-being has risen significantly, going from one of the country’s unhealthiest cities to now ranking in the top 20 percent of the country’s metropolitan areas.

Fort Worth’s newest and brightest art installation is making the city more colorful than ever—all while promoting residents’ well-being.

Students at Westpark Elementary had the chance to school their teachers earlier this spring. That’s when Westpark’s Blue Zones Project student ambassadors held their own cooking demonstration—educating faculty and staff about the benefits of scratch cooking and serving up easy-to-make pancakes from wholesome ingredients.

Did you know that thirty years ago, 60 percent of children living within a two-mile radius of school either walked or bicycled to and from school? Today, less than 15 percent of children do so. As children get less physical activity, their chances of obesity increase while cognitive skills, attitude, and academic performance decrease.

Imagine living like a kid. Swimming, going to the park, and playing games of tag and capture the flag. Getting active as an adult can involve activities other than joining a gym or running marathons. Just remember how it felt to be a child and move naturally. 

Did you know May is National Bike Month? What a great reason to get out on a bike and #MoveNaturally on two wheels. Moving Naturally is one of the Blue Zones Project Power 9® principles for living longer and better. People who live the longest in the original Blue Zones® areas aren’t super-endurance athletes. They live in environments that constantly encourage them to move without thinking about it.