Florida is easily known for our sunny beaches, vibrant marine life, and tasty seafood! Florida offers a diverse array of seafood, drawing locals and tourists to our waters and coastal restaurants.
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FLORIDA CITRUS: ALL ABOUT SUNSHINE AND SWEETNESS
Florida's warm climate provides great conditions for cultivating a wide variety of citrus fruits, making the state one of the leading citrus-producing regions in the world. The history of citrus in Florida traces back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers introduced orange seeds to the peninsula. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that the citrus industry began to flourish, with hardier varieties being developed that could withstand Florida's occasional freezes.
Topics: #BlueZonesProjectSWFL SWFLFresh
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Clearing the Air about Menthol Cigarettes
It’s time to unite our voices to call for a change that could result in saving millions of lives in the generations to come. We can work together to craft a future without dangerous menthol additives in cigarettes, preventing people from starting to smoke and supporting people across our state who are ready to quit.
Topics: Tobacco Policy #BlueZonesProjectSWFL
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Boost your well-being by activating purpose and positive impact
We’ve long known that having a strong sense of purpose and a positive impact on others can add years and greater happiness to our life. Have you fully activated purpose and meaning in your life?
Topics: #PurposeWorkshop
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Ambassador spotlight: Elizabeth plaza
Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Elizabeth Plaza, the heart and soul behind Eli Lee Designs & Skincare. My venture into the world of well-being began during the pandemic when I started crafting face masks for my community. Little did I know that this creative journey would lead me to a profound realization: the undeniable link between creativity and mental health.
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Shelly Stauber and Healing with joyful ease
Making the healthy choice the easy choice is pretty much a Blue Zones Project mantra and it’s a way of life for Shelly Stauber, a Blue Zones Project SWFL Ambassador and owner of Medicinal Gourmet. Chef services provided by Medicinal Gourmet consciously blend nutrition and quality like a nourishing and delicious smoothie on a warm Florida day.
Topics: Featured
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Snappy Florida Green Beans for Your Holiday Table
A staple on the holiday table is the snappy green bean! Snap beans, also known as green beans or string beans, are a healthy food that contain fiber, vitamin C, are rich in antioxidants, and can help regulate blood pressure due to their folate and potassium content. Snap beans are low in calories, sodium, fat and cooked alongside other vegetables or seasonings complement their earthy flavor. Many favorite ways to enjoy snap beans are raw, steamed, sauteed and, of course, smothered in gravy during the holiday season (Ok, maybe not the healthiest choice, but delicious nonetheless).
Topics: Holiday #BlueZonesProjectSWFL SWFL Fresh
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Dealing with Mold Toxicity
The air we breathe and the spaces we inhabit can sometimes harbor hidden dangers that can compromise our health and well-being. One such danger is Mold:
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Ambassador spotlight: Jenna, Her rooted wellness
Meet Jenna, a Nurse Practitioner, Certified Functional Hormone Specialist, and women's health coach. After nearly a decade of working in the conventional medicine space, she faced extreme moral injury and burnout from the sick-care model and knew she needed to make a change. She had a dream of creating a practice where she could give women the time, attention, and support they needed to get to the root cause of their chronic symptoms and optimize their health so they could feel amazing at every stage of life. This dream was further cemented after being diagnosed with PCOS and realizing firsthand how few resources exist for women to get help with their hormonal issues!
Fast forward to 2021, she launched her own online practice, Her Rooted Wellness, where she takes a holistic, root-cause approach to wellness, emphasizing mind, body, and soul nourishment. She loves creating a safe and welcoming space where all women feel deeply understood and cared for. With advanced education in functional medicine, hormones, and gut health, she is able to offer evidence-based care that's compassionate, empathetic, and tailored to each woman's unique health journey. It's safe to say her dream is now a reality!
Topics: functional medicine womens health coach womens hormones
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Finding Serenity: The Urban Meditation Experience
In a world where stress and anxiety seem ever-present, Tina Hallet, the visionary owner of Urban Meditation, has created a haven for well-being. Just two years ago, Tina made the life-changing move from Indiana to Naples with her two children. This journey led her to establish her first meditation studio in Indianapolis and expand to a second location on 5th Avenue.
Topics: connect meditate
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Agritourism: A Chance to Experience the Farm
When most people think of Southwest Florida, they think of beaches and golfing, but our area of the state is home to some of the most sophisticated and diverse agricultural operations in the country. Florida produces over 300 commodities, covering A-Z with production. Most of the farms in our region consist of vegetable crops, but there is large acreage dedicated to open-range cow/calf operations and cowboy heritage, ornamental plants, fisheries, citrus, and more!
Topics: #EatWisely #BlueZonesProjectSWFL BZPSWFL SWFLFresh Agriculture
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Holy Guacamole - Avocados are in Season!
Holy guacamole! Avocados are coming into harvest this time of the year in SWFL and there are many opportunities to try the delicious Florida Avocado.
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DON'T LET THE SUMMER HEAT GET YOU OFFBEAT...4 WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE THIS SUMMER
Summer is the season of sunshine, vacations, and fun-filled outdoor activities. However, the soaring temperatures can make it challenging to stay active and motivated – especially in SWFL.
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Got your batteries and generators for hurricane season? Prepare to fortify your mental and emotional power, too!
Common hurricane preparation advice involves lists of critical supplies, shelter and evacuation route information, and a broad scope of best practices for securing our physical safety and assets. It’s also important to think ahead about how to secure our mental and emotional health during these times of fear, anxiety, stress, and challenge.
Topics: emergencypreparation PTSD hurricane emotional health mental health
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LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE MEMORY THROUGH MOVING NATURALLY
BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor) has only been researched over the past 20 years but has proven to be the most beneficial physiologically induced neurotransmitter for memory. Coach Nino explains more about this latest finding and how you can produce this in your brain.
Everyone knows that when you exercise, your body produces serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters linked to happiness and relaxation. When you perform cardiovascular exercise and other forms of exercise, your body produces these when oxygen is present.
Topics: #MoveNaturally BDNF BZPSWFL
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FOOD AND MOOD: IS THERE A LINK?
Researchers are still looking for hard answers whether there is a link between what you eat and your mood. Some observational studies, like the Nurse’s Health Study and Women’s Health Initiative found links. For example, women who ate more vitamin D-rich food had a lower risk of depression than those who got less vitamin D from their diet. 1
Topics: #EatWisely #wellbeing #BlueZonesProjectSWFL
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Healthy Habits: Avoiding Emotional Eating
Healthy Habits: Avoiding Emotional Eating
Topics: Blue Zones SW Florida #EatWisely #wellbeing
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CULTIVATE A HUMAN-CENTRIC CULTURE TO ENHANCE WORKPLACE WELL-BEING
CULTIVATE A HUMAN-CENTRIC CULTURE TO ENHANCE WORKPLACE WELL-BEING
Shared by Lisa Gruenloh, MPAP, CPC
Lisa Gruenloh is an International Coaching Federation (ICF)-certified executive and emotional intelligence coach. She’s Founder and President of Purpose Journey®, a consulting, training, and coaching company that helps individuals and organizations harness their unique values, strengths, and purpose with bold action to optimize wellbeing and impact. Learn more at www.purposejourney.com and www.purposejournal.com.
There are many simple, yet powerful ways to enhance individual well-being in the workplace – stand up desks, walking meetings, healthy food options, mindfulness breaks, just to name a few. However, organizations that are truly committed to employee well-being go deeper. They seed the culture with values and expectations that ensure people are treated with dignity and create an environment that allows employees to be at their very best.
Here are some of the differentiators of a human-centric organization:
- Individuals are accepted and appreciated for who they are without fear of judgment, discrimination, or marginalization.
- They know they can speak up, share ideas, take risks, and fail in the course of working toward goals and are encouraged to be courageous.
- Team members are listened to and supported when they face challenges, rather than expected to always be (or act) “okay”.
- Everyone connects with a shared purpose, while harnessing their greatest strengths and feeling appreciated for their contributions.
- Managers allow as much autonomy and flexibility as they can to help employees thrive and grow, as opposed to being treated as a means-to-an-end commodity.
While these commitments might sound simply like the right thing to do, they also drive business results and positive organizational impact. A human-centric workplace creates conditions for reduced experiences of burnout, lower employee turnover, higher engagement and productivity, and enhanced innovation and creativity. Healthy, happy employees are the foundation for healthy, high-performing organizations.
Topics: Worksites Well-being in the workplace Worksite Wellness
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Practice These Tips to Maintain Don't Gain This Holiday Season
Practice These Tips to Maintain Don't Gain This Holiday Season
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Optimizing the built environment, food, and tobacco policies serves as a high-impact strategy to raise well-being in swfl
OPTIMIZING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, FOOD, AND TOBACCO POLICIES SERVES AS A HIGH-IMPACT STRATEGY TO RAISE WELL-BEING IN Southwest Florida
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Resilience and Recovery in Southwest Florida
Resilience and Recovery in Southwest Florida
Local resources to help us build back better and stronger
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SWFL is now a certified Blue Zones Community!
Southwest Florida IS NOW A CERTIFIED BLUE ZONES COMMUNITY
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Southwest Florida Well-Being is a Journey, Not a Destination
Southwest Florida Well-Being is a Journey, Not a Destination
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Feeling Overwhelmed? Try These Blue Zones Stress Busters
Feeling Overwhelmed? Try These Blue Zones Stress Busters
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Boost Connection with Shared Laughter
Shared Laughter boosts connection: Here’s how to experience more of it
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5 Well-Being Lessons Learned From 45 Years in the ICU
5 Well-Being Lessons Learned From 45 Years in the ICU
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Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Receives Federal Grant Award to Strengthen Local and Regional Markets for U.S Agriculture Products
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Receives Federal Grant Award to Strengthen Local and Regional Markets for U.S Agriculture Products
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Measuring Community Well-Being in Southwest Florida: The Results Are In
Measuring Community Well-Being: The Results Are In!
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September is Healthy Aging Month: Celebrate it Okinawan Style
September is Healthy Aging Month: Celebrate it Okinawan Style
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How to beat the heat to practice well-being outdoors this summer
How to beat the heat to practice well-being outdoors
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boost your mood with the Mediterranean Diet
May is mental health and Mediterranean diet month
Boost your mood with the Mediterranean Diet
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Beat Holiday Stress with an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking to Beat Holiday Stress?
Start With an Attitude of Gratitude
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Modern Healthcare Names Blue Zones Project SWFL Executive Director, Deb Logan to its 2020 list of the Top 25 Innovators in Healthcare
Modern Healthcare Names Blue Zones Project SWFL Executive Director, Deb Logan to its 2020 list of the Top 25 Innovators in Healthcare
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Rooted in Resiliency: Community leaders discuss building and sustaining resilience in Southwest Florida
Rooted in Resiliency
Community leaders discuss building
and sustaining resilience in Southwest Florida
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Turning 102 Years Young - A Centenarian's Celebration of Life
Turning 102 Years Young - A Centenarian's Celebration of Life
by Megan Greer
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SWFL Resource Guide
Southwest Florida Resource Guide
Department of Health Collier County
Presentation: Explaining the Built-Environment
Website: www.fitdocs.com
Keith Dameron, CEO
Doug Hartman, President
Presentation:
Step Smart Collier Inc. (SSC) is a nonprofit corporation created to increase senior’s awareness of the fall risks they face and how to mitigate those risks.
growthandimprovement@gmail.com
Website: www.GrowthandImprovement.com
Presentation: Running Shoes: Getting the Right Fit
Website: www.naturalwinesnaples.com
- What No One Tells You About Diabetes: Diabetes basics revealed, new insights, new applications. Learn how to reverse type 2 diabetes.
- Type 2 Diabetes Tests You Need To Know
Website: www.ReverseMyDiabetes.net
- Motivational health and wellness discussing personal story and providing tips for better overall health, anti-aging skin care and stress relief
- Skincare in general and discussion on skin types and tips
- Stress Management
- Live Longer, Healthier Lives ( for seniors )
- How to improve brain health through exercise and cognitive exercises
Website: www.Fitnesscoachnino.com
AHEC Program Affairs through Nova Southwestern
Presentation: Tobacco Cessation
Presentation: How your worksite, HOA, or faith-based organization can become tobacco free
Kurt Goerke (Bonita/Estero only)
Presentation: How your HOA can become tobacco free
Britt Patterson-Weber (Collier only)
BPatterson-Weber@naplesgarden.org
Presentation: How to set up a garden
barbara@smartchoiceshealthcare.com
Website: www.smartchoiceshealthcare.com
Water Safety/Swimming/Swimming for young children.
geva@yourcreativeconnection.org
Presentation: Stress Management, Work/Life Balance, Mindful Resilience and Preventing Burnout
Website: www.yourcreativeconnection.org
Chef Warren Caterson
(904)704-1710
Do you want to offer a food demonstration that can help the members of your Blue Zones Participating Organization eat healthy. Celebrity Chef and Award winning author Chef Warren Caterson is happy to schedule a time with your organization or in your home.
Jennifer Khosla
Lean and Green Body
(239) 290-3482
Presentation: Holistic nutrition, yoga, personal training and standup paddle boarding. Our goal is to educate, facilitate and create custom wellness programs that change the mind, body and spirit of our clients giving them a healthier lifestyle and more positive outlook.
Website: www.leanandgreenbody.com
Fiona Markovich, Branch Manager Vice President
Regions Bank
239-935-6630
Presentation: Financial Wellness
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Congratulations to our Blue Zones Project Ambassador Kelsey Craft
Kelsey Craft, Miss Florida International, was crowned Miss International 2017 this past weekend!
While working to complete her residency at NCH Healthcare System, who is the Southwest Florida sponsor of Blue Zones Project, Kelsey fully embraced the Blue Zones Project’s mission. Because of this, Kelsey chose Blue Zones Project part of her platform when she entered the Miss International Pageant. Since her win, she has stated that she plans to share the Blue Zones Project story with communities, schools, business, and community organizations across the country over the next year.
In an article broadcasted on PR Newswire, Kelsey says, “The Miss International title and role will amplify my voice and help me spread my message of healthy living throughout the United States and the world. I learned about the system by following now past Miss International titleholders and I was so impressed by the system's ability to help others embrace and promote their life's purpose."
The Annual Miss International Pageant was held in Charleston, West Virginia on Saturday, August 5th. There were 50 contestants across the world that competed in four categories: interview, fitness-wear, fun fashion, and evening gown. The pageant was founded to celebrate young women and their accomplishments, while giving them the opportunity to learn about different countries' customs and lifestyle and share their own beliefs and lifestyle.
To read the full story about Kelsey's accomplishment, click here.
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Find Out which Organizations Joined Blue Zones Project in March
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Let's Celebrate!
Achieving Blue Zones Project® Approval takes everyone’s support. Congratulations to the following organizations for becoming Blue Zones Project recognized!
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Blue Zones Project #PostYourPlate Photo Contest
Blue Zones Project's #PostYourPlate photo contest is here!
Blue Zones Project is launching #PostYourPlate on Monday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. Here's how to participate and win prizes!
1. When you visit a Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurant take a picture of your plant-based meal and post it to Facebook.
2. When you post your photo, be sure to tag the restaurant you're at AND include the hashtag, #PostYourPlate. You can tag Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida if you want too :)
3. Winners will be chosen on a weekly basis and awarded gift cards to Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurants!
4. Be sure to "like" the Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida Facebook page so you can see updates and follow the photo contest.
These are all the current Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurants!
| The Dock at Crayton Cove | Riverwalk at Tin City |
| Sakura Hawaiian Grill | The Bowl |
| Cosmos Italian Cafe & Pizzeria | Mel's Diner |
| Organically Twisted | BRK Pizza |
| Greek Gourmet |
Here's the #PostYourPlate Contest Details:
Winners are chosen at random, out of a drawing, of all participants per week. If you want to be eligible for prizes in week two, you gotta share another photo. You can't post the same photo twice. You are eligible to win multiple times. Winners will be drawn on Mondays and notified via social media. The #PostYourPlate photo contest ends at midnight on Friday, March 31. Blue Zones Project will notify the final winner from that week by Monday, April 3.
By participating in the #PostYourPlate photo contest, you acknowledge that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Blue Zones Project and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for administering and communicating with you about Blue Zones Project and the #PostYourPlate promotion you are participating in.
Photos must be free of watermarks, signatures and copyright notices. By uploading an image, each entrant claims sole and full legal ownership of the images and content. Photos must be appropriate. Blue Zones Project reserves the right to disqualify and or remove any photo for any reason. In exchange for the entry and a chance to win a prize, Entrant grants to Blue Zones Project the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission to publish images, and content submitted by Entrant, to reuse, and republish the same in whole or in part, individually or in any and all media now or hereafter, known and for any purpose whatsoever, for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, and trade, or any other purpose whatsoever without restriction as to alteration; and to use Entrant's name in connection therewith if Blue Zones Project so chooses.
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Find Out which Organizations Joined Blue Zones Project in January
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Let's Celebrate!
Achieving Blue Zones Project® Approval takes everyone’s support. Congratulations to the following organizations for becoming Blue Zones Project recognized!
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Find Out which Organizations Joined Blue Zones Project in December
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Let's Celebrate!
Achieving Blue Zones Project® Approval takes everyone’s support. Congratulations to the following organizations for becoming Blue Zones Project recognized!
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Happy Thanksgiving from the Blue Zones Project Team!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
From Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida
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Find out Which Organizations Joined Blue Zones Project in Sept!
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Let's Celebrate!
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April 2016 Highlights
Let's Celebrate
The Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida is happy to announce Gulf Coast Charter Academy South (GCCAS) has become the first Blue Zones Project Approved school in Southwest Florida. In addition to Gulf Coast Charter Academy, four pilot schools from Collier County Public Schools also became Blue Zones Project Approved schools. The ribbon cutting ceremonies for Lake Park Elementary, Sea Gate Elementary, Gulfview Middle, and Naples High School were held on April 27.
Please join us on Tuesday, May 10 at 4 p.m. at the Collier County Public School Board meeting to hear from the four pilot schools about the wonderful initiatives they implemented due to the Blue Zones Project. Please wear BLUE! The school board meeting will be at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Administrative Center 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL 34109.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Achieving Blue Zones Community® certification takes everyone’s support. Congratulations to the following organizations for becoming Blue Zones Project Approved™:
Schools
| Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida is happy to announce Gulf Coast Charter Academy South (GCCAS) has become the first Blue Zones Project Approved school in SWFL while its preschool, FORZA Child Development Center, earned Blue Zones Project Recognition. Both schools are demonstrating their commitment to helping students and staff achieve even healthier lifestyles. GCCAS, a K-8 STEM Charter School, promotes more water consumption and participates in morning walks with students. They give children 20 minutes of recess daily and created a Blue Zones Project Youth Leadership Group to identify and implement creative ways to improve student well-being. FORZA Child Development Center hosts weekly Moais® with parents, children and staff members called “Watch and Walk Wednesdays.” They are also planting and maintaining a school garden. At their combined ribbon cutting ceremony on April 15, the entire student body regaled the audience with chants, cheers and boisterous applause before and after the ribbon was cut, helping us welcome Gulf Coast Charter Academy South and FORZA to the Blue Zones Project. Congratulations! |
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| In addition to GCCAS, four pilot schools from Collier County Public Schools also became Blue Zones Project Approved Schools. The ribbon cutting ceremonies for Lake Park Elementary, Sea Gate Elementary, Gulfview Middle and Naples High School were held on April 27. Lake Park Elementary already had morning walks for 4th and 5th graders, as they were encouraged to be active instead of sitting and waiting for their day to start. Blue Zones “Panther Fitness” morning walks were created for 1st-3rd grades where all children can also enjoy a free “Grab and Go” breakfast or choose from a variety of fresh fruit. |
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Sea Gate Elementary began a morning walk program called “Walking Wednesdays” for 5th grade. They started out with six students and, in a few weeks, have grown to 30 students. Next year they plan to expand the program to include 4th grade. |
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| Gulfview Middle has athletes working out as early as 6:30 in the morning who were not eating breakfast because of not having time to get to the lunchroom. Their coaches wanted to expand the school’s free breakfast program to include them, so worked with the Nutrition Department to have grab and go breakfast carts delivered to the gym. Now more than 150 cross country and track runners, as well as basketball players, have a healthy breakfast before starting the school day. | |
| Naples High School did not have a garden, so they decided to plant one. It is being used by several classes, as well as by the school’s Youth Relations Deputy and several of his students. Sea Gate Elementary, Gulfview Middle, and Naples High School have also been increasing water consumption through the use of digital water fountains. Students have saved 9,130 water bottles from landfills. Congratulations to all five of our Blue Zones Project Approved schools! |
Restaurants
| The newest Blue Zones Project Approved restaurant is the Dock at Crayton Cove. This restaurant is hardly new, it’s been a Naples landmark for more than 40 years, loved by locals and visitors alike. The Dock sits right on Naples Bay and patrons love the restaurant’s great food, friendly service and world-class location. The Dock at Crayton Cove has always offered a wide selection of seafood specialties, ribs and steaks and now they also offer four plant-based entrees on their new Blue Zones Project Inspired Menu. They even have a plant-based entrée on their Kid’s Menu! Owner, Vin DePasquale, has been a Blue Zones Project supporter from day one and Executive Chef, Corey Heath, was eager to bring new plant-based dishes to the menu. General Manager, Jacci Jones, shared the Blue Zones Project story with her team and got their buy-in and support. They scored more points than required to earn approval and they are really pleased with the results. Sales of the Blue Zones Project inspired dishes have exceeded expectations and they are getting a lot of positive comments from their guests. As Vin says, "we took nothing away from our already extensive menu, we just added to it." Their goal is to make the healthy choice easier for existing customers and to attract new ones. Next time you’re at The Dock at Crayton Cove, be sure to sit out on the Cove Terrace and try a dish from the Blue Zones menu. There’s a “Bamboo Steamer Basket”, an “Island in Banana Leaf, a “Mediterranean”, and a “Home Style Vegetable Stew”. |
| Volunteer with Purpose NCH Healthcare System and United Way of Collier County A Volunteer Fair was hosted by the on April 12, 2016, as part of their Blue Zones Project work. NCH employees want to achieve 3,000 volunteer hours this year, so the United Way of Collier County was asked to bring agencies that are looking for volunteers. This first-ever Volunteer Fair was open to the public and NCH employees, with more than 48 different non-profit agencies set up displays at the fair. Prospective volunteers were encouraged to visit with at least five agencies to learn more about their mission in an effort to determine if they might be interested in serving as a volunteer. Why does volunteering matter? Companies that promote active corporate volunteer programs enjoy greater employee satisfaction, higher morale, and, as a result, greater productivity and profitability. As highlighted in a recent report issued by Realized Worth, “for companies where employees were more engaged than not, their profitability jumped by 16 percent, general productivity was 18 percent higher than other companies, customer loyalty was 12 percent higher and quality increased by 60 percent.” This is even more amazing when contrasted with the estimated $350 billion disengaged employees cost their employers every year in the United States alone (according to a 2002 Gallup Poll). The 2016 figure is likely much higher. |
Faith-Based Organizations
We are a week away from the Blue Zones Project Faith-Based Organization Summit on May 12 from 12 – 2:30 p.m., many faith-based leaders across the community will participate and learn how they can optimize their organization to support the well-being of their members. Please feel free to attend if you are interested to learn how your church, synagogue or faith-based organization can become Blue Zones Approved. Email bluezonesprojectsouthwestfl@healthways.com or call 239-624-2312 to RSVP for this great event!
Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month— no matter the denomination — can add up to seven years of life expectancy. As a faith-based organization, organizations can strengthen their members’ involvement and support their well-being by becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved™.
Just a few of the ideas that will be discussed during the Faith-Based Summit- Bike racks or active transportation to your services • Healthy snacks • Purpose Workshops (a free offering!) • Walking Groups
Built Environment
| The goal for each Blue Zones Community is to initiate at least one “marquee” project to support healthy lifestyles through the built-environment. We are excited to announce that Naples is the first community in Southwest Florida to have a Blue Zones marquee project! The Central Avenue Improvements Project held a groundbreaking on April 7. The Project is a well-designed plan that has been in the works for many years. The improvements reflect a “complete streets” design that considers all mobility forms, public safety, stormwater and street beautification. The Central Avenue Project is an excellent example of what Blue Zones hopes to help initiate in all communities, and hence became our first marquee. We truly appreciate the City Council, the staff, and engineers for all their hard work and effort into making Naples a safer and healthier community! |
Individuals & Organizations
| In the month of April we had many Home Owners Associations and other organizations becoming Blue Zones Project Recognized, congratulations to the following HOA’s and organizations for helping to make the healthy choice the easy choice for generations to come in Southwest Florida. Wyndemere Country Club was named a Blue Zones Project recognized organization. Wyndemere Country Club became the first Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite in SW Florida back in January. "It has proven to be an extremely gratifying process that all the employees and a majority of the members are embracing. We have seen many success stories which have are truly inspiring! It is a new culture that is becoming contagious as we lead the way in this program, and I sincerely hope that more clubs and communities will continue to follow and get involved. I want to thank the amazing team at the Blue Zones Project and my own Wyndemere Ambassadors for all their help and support throughout the entire process. The program is all about making healthy choices easier combined with social opportunities to ensure members and employees are staying connected, feeling loved and being active!" said Jimmy Lynn, Wyndemere’s general manager. |
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| Vanderbilt Country Club became the first bundled community in Southwest Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Recognized Organization, demonstrating its commitment to helping Southwest Florida residents achieve even healthier lifestyles. To earn this designation, Vanderbilt Country Club added new bike racks in its common areas, established Wlking Moais and worked with its chef to offer healthier meals. The club has also scheduled a Blue Zones Project inspired Purpose Workshop to assist members in rediscovering their passion and purpose. “Our Blue Zones Project committee recognizes that the world we create for ourselves has an impact on maintaining a positive approach to how we live our lives, spend our time, and interact with others in our community,” said Dr. Jerry Petrarca, Vanderbilt Country Club, Inc. board president. “We can live better, healthier and longer through improved lifestyle choices. As part of Blue Zones Project, Vanderbilt Country Club will help make healthy choices easier for the people we serve." |
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| Tavira Bonita Bay, a luxury high-rise residence, became the first community in Bonita Springs to be named a Blue Zones Project recognized organization. Tavira is a close-knit high-rise community with activities that encourage friendships, support and engagement. Residents participate in Tavira Cares, a volunteer program offering short-term support to neighbors in need by providing meals, walking pets, picking up prescriptions, and providing transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. |
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| United Way of Collier County became the first non-profit in Southwest Florida to become Blue Zones Project Recognized. “United Way of Collier County invests in the building blocks of a good quality of life; health, education, and safety-net services. The Blue Zones Project focus on increasing the health of those in our community through encouraging preventative care and healthy lifestyle choices beautifully complements our core building blocks. Beyond investing in these building blocks, our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Volunteerism is the key area of intersection between our mission and the Blue Zone Project. The Blue Zone research has shown that people live longer, happier lives when they are fulfilling their purpose. We run a volunteer center to connect residents of Collier County to purposeful, meaningful volunteering opportunities with our local non-profits. Since we share common goals with the Blue Zones we are pleased to partner with them and to become a Blue Zones Recognized Employer,” said Steve Sanderson, United Way of Collier County president and CEO. |
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| Strand Sisters at The Club at The Strand became the first Blue Zones Project Recognized Women Organization in Southwest Florida. Strand Sisters was formed one year ago. Our mission was simple: we are a Social organization dedicated to making friendships, providing avenues for the members’ interests, & promoting community spirit. Over the last year we have seen many positive changes in our interactions with each other. We have truly become like a family. When we heard about Blue Zones Project, it just seemed to fit nicely with our goals. In fact, when Dr. Weiss came to speak to us, he kept commenting on how much we were already doing that was part of the Blue Zones way of life. We are so pleased to be able to incorporate Blue Zones into our organization," said Kimberly Ford, Strand Sisters marketing director. Strand Sisters plan to implement, plant based cooking classes, purpose workshops, and lots of Blues Zones info at their luncheons, in their newsletters and on their Facebook page. |
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BLUE ZONES PROJECT APPROVED IN SW FLORIDA as of 5/26/16
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| 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. |
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| Participating Organizations Preschools
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If you are interested in in having your worksite, restaurant, grocery store, or school work toward Blue Zones Project Approval, contact BlueZonesProjectSWFL@Healthways.com.
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7 min read
March 2016 Highlights
YES, WE ARE NUMBER ONE!
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island leads the nation in well-being in Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index Community Rankings! We all should be proud of our first-place ranking, yet this survey also provides us with feedback on areas in which we can improve. In addition to great work many agencies do in our community, the numerous organizations and individuals involved in the Blue Zones Project SWFL are working collaboratively on the journey to sustain Southwest Florida’s economic vitality and community well-being for generations to come. Here is a great article from the Naples Daily News about these wonderful news.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Achieving Blue Zones Community® certification takes everyone’s support. Congratulations to the following organizations for becoming Blue Zones Project Approved™:
Worksites
| Purpose Workshops are very popular with worksites. The City of Naples offered three of our regular Purpose Workshops to their employees, and an Introduction to Purpose Workshops for the Police Department, facilitated by Lisa Gruenloh. Nearly 70 employees attended, and the city may offer more Workshops in the summer. City Manager Bill Moss, Chief Tom Weschler, HR Director Denise Perez, and Risk Manager Lori McCullers are all committed to helping employees identify their strengths, gifts, and to live with purpose. A Purpose Workshop was also offered at The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. It was well received, with 35 of their staff in attendance. These are caring people who work very hard serving others, so it’s important for them to take care of themselves. Dr. Carol Gaffney facilitated this workshop, and employees identified their strengths and ways to share their gifts, both inside and outside of work. Purpose Workshops Windstar Country Club hosted a Purpose Workshop that was open to the public. It was held in a beautiful room, and invitations were sent out via email and Facebook. Dr. Steven Stohler and Dr. Carol Gaffney facilitated this workshop and, on the day of the event, 44 people showed up and filled the room to capacity. Attendees really enjoyed the experience, and the facilitators said it was one of the best workshops they had ever conducted. Individuals shared and supported one another, and there was a lot of positive energy in the room. |
Faith-Based Organizations
The Faith-Based Organization Committee is hosting a Summit on May 12 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Many faith-based leaders across the community will participate and learn how they can optimize their organization to support the well-being of their members.
Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month— no matter the denomination — can add up to seven years of life expectancy. Faith-based organization can strengthen their members’ involvement and support their well-being by becoming Blue Zones Project Approved™.
A few of the ideas that will be discussed during the Summit include offering bike racks or active transportation at services, having healthy snacks, offering free Purpose Workshops, and creating walking groups.
Food
| VeganSWFL.org hosted a cooking demo using one of the Blue Zones Project recipes, Eggless-Raw-Salad. Fifteen people enjoyed the delicious healthy dish and, after the cooking demo, the group toured the Banana Sanctuary. Stay tuned for more cooking demo opportunities. |
Schools
The Blue Zones Project SWFL is pleased to announce Gaynor Early Learning Center-YMCA Naples has become the first preschool to complete the Organizational Checklist, and become Blue Zones Project recognized.
To earn this designation, they are participating in lunchtime and after work Moais, and hosting pot luck lunches to encourage healthy eating. They are also encouraging more water consumption, and less drinking of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages at the school. The Gaynor Early Learning Center-YMCA Naples is working hard to raise the bar of wellness and to model healthy behavior for students, staff and parents, as shown by this photo of students and staff heading off for a walking Moai.
A ribbon cutting was held at the Center on March 22 and, as shown in the photos, you can see everyone had a great time! Congratulations Gaynor!
Individuals & Organizations
Fundamental Health Solutions has become the first chiropractic practice in SW Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Recognized Organization. "At Fundamental Health Solutions we embrace Blue Zones living principles. Our Think Right, Eat Right, Move Right and Live Right message is based on the Power 9™. And, like the Blue Zones Project, our success is based on the health, well-being and longevity of our community,” said Dr. Stephen Stohler, Wellness and Lifestyle Expert & Holistic Chiropractic Physician Founder and President of Fundamental Health Solutions. Dr. Stephen Stohler is a Blue Zones Project Volunteer-Facilitator for our Purpose Workshops.
Moai
We scheduled the community’s Walking Moai Celebration and Launch for Wednesday, February 24. Unfortunately, the weather that afternoon and evening was terrible. There were tornado warnings and thunderstorms, and it rained quite heavily. The party was supposed to start at 5:30 p.m. and we thought few, if any, would show up because of the weather. At 5:00 p.m. people started to arrive, and by 5:30 p.m. we had 30 attendees. Moai teams chatted with one another, swapped stories, and everyone had a good time while staying safe and dry indoors. Many of these Moai members are seasonal residents, so they’re headed north in the spring. However we still had enough full-time residents remaining in town to fill three Walking Moai teams. They were out walking that weekend looking for new members, and having a great time
The Blue Zones Project team enjoyed the opportunity to thank over 300 patrons of the NCH Healthcare System Foundation on Tuesday, March 15. We shared details about the wonderful momentum of the Blue Zones Project and expressed our appreciation of the patrons’ financial support to programs which truly make a difference in our community.
Women’s Health Forum – We were proud to help sponsor the 8th Annual Women’s Health Forum on Saturday, March 19. Attended by nearly 350 women interested in maximizing their health and wellness, the Forum, hosted by the Collier County Medical Society, featured informative presentations by twenty-four local physicians. The Blue Zones Project booth was popular with attendees who had the opportunity to spin the Power 9 wheel to learn one of the secrets of living longer, better. In addition, attendees walked away with their personal well-being checklists in hand, inspired to participate in the program.
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February 2016 Highlights
Worksites
On January 25, 2016, Moorings Park earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Worksite. They did a fantastic job, scoring 77 points (5 more than needed.) They had three different moais – walking, potluck, and painting. Tessa Magaddino, Wellness Coach, and Larisa Zadorecky, VP of Human Resources, recently spoke at the HR Collier meeting. They were very excited and eager to share their story, and to talk about how their involvement in the Blue Zones Project added value and increased the return on their most precious investment, their employees. They obtained Personal Pledges from 254 of their employees, 32% of their workforce, and they’re happy to collect more! There will be a Ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 26 at 2:30 p.m.
Restaurants
Riverwalk at Tin City earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Restaurant. The owner, Vin DePasquale has been in support of this project from the very beginning, and his GM Sara Badder brought got her staff excited and onboard. Great energy, lots of buy-in and creativity, and their Executive Chef Corey Heath added four mouth-watering plant-based entrees to the adult menu, and one to the kid’s menu. The scored 49 points, 5 more than were needed, and 26% of their staff completed a Personal Pledge. Ribbon-cutting February 17th at 1:00 p.m.
On February 4, 2016, The Dock at Crayton Cove earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Restaurant. This is the sister restaurant of Riverwalk, also owned by Vin De Pasquale. GM Jacci Jones and her team knocked it out of the water, scoring 53 points, 9 more than were required. They also added four mouth-watering plant-based entrees to the adult menu, and one to the kid’s menu. The Dock serves condiments on the side and uses 10” plates, both of which added to more to their score. Both Riverwalk and The Dock even added the Blue Zones Project website, Facebook, and Twitter to the bottom of the guest checks, and they encourage patrons to learn more. Jacci had 34% of her team complete the Personal Pledge.
Faith-Based Organizations
We are excited to see so much participation from faith-based organizations. Unity of Naples is the first Blue Zones Project Approved Faith-Based Organization, and other organizations such as St. John’s the Evangelistic Catholic Church, Celebration Community Beach Church are leading the way as well. 6 faith-based organizations have registered to become Blue Zones Project Approved and 7 have expressed interest.
Food Policy
The Food Policy Council, now named the Healthy Food Resource Committee, has contacted almost 50 percent of our local produce vendors (conventional and organic produce) to determine interest in utilizing SNAP/EBT at Farmer's Markets.
Built Environment Policy & Tobacco
The City of Naples is moving forward with their marquee project along Central Avenue. The City of Naples had its first ribbon cutting for the Naples Square project, which incorporates Complete Streets concepts while promoting physical health.
The Tobacco Free Collier Partnership is researching ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Device Systems) and determining how many Southwest Florida residents currently use this product.
Schools
Momentum continues as nine Preschools/Daycares, as well as a Homeschool and Montessori school, have all asked for information on how they can be involved in the Project.
As the Directors looked through the Checklist or Pledge Booklet, they were filled with excitement as they thought of ideas they could incorporate to make the healthy choice easier for students, staff and parents. Stay tuned to see which of these Early Learning Centers will be first to become Blue Zones Project Approved.
Meanwhile, a Private school has crafted a unique approach on how they will incorporate the School Pledge. They left the decision up to students in a high school sustainability class (made up of juniors and seniors) who took the Vitality Compass, read Dan Buettner's book over their December break, and met with the Blue Zones Schools Coordinator to discuss ways Blue Zones principles could be used with young people. One of the students is so interested in the project that she decided to intern with the Blue Zones Project team, and is working on projects with the Schools Coordinator.
An informational booth was set up at a weekend event to educate the community about Blue Zones Project, and the class is currently meeting to discuss next steps for the rollout. These may include inviting the Schools Coordinator to give the Engagement Speech for parents, as well as for students and teachers. It will be interesting to see how students will take the lead to educate their peers and parents on how to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
Individuals & Organizations
Congratulations to the following organizations to become Blue Zones Project Participating Organization:
Windstar on Naples Bay become the first country club in Southwest Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization. To earn this designation, Windstar on Naples Bay shared Blue Zones Project recipes, events, and healthy tips on its website and in member emails. The association hosted a Blue Zones Project “Lunch and Learn” where its chef showed members how to prepare plant-based dishes, as well as a Wine @ Five social hour, where more than 100 members learned how they could live more healthful and fulfilling lives. Windstar also has implemented Walking Moais, groups of five to eight individuals who come together to talk and walk while trading healthy recipes and tips for well-being. Windstar’s regular lunch menu also has a Blue Zones Project section that calls out healthy food items, and patrons may modify other menu items to fit Blue Zones Project recommendations.
Children’s Dentistry of Naples become the first organization in Southwest Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization. To earn this designation, Children's Dentistry of Naples established a Blue Zones Solutions Book Discussion among their employees, will promote the Power 9 in their office and through their social media networks, and will continue discouraging consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages with their patients.
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!
Find a complete list of Approved organizations here!
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Wine @ 5
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. |
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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.
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| Q & A: Ask the Expert Q: What is considered one alcoholic drink? • 5 ounces of wine Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink |
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BLUE ZONES PROJECT APPROVED IN SW FLORIDA as of 4/19/16
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| 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. |
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| 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: |
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| Faith-Based Organizations These organizations have completed the Faith-Based Checklist and are playing a role in improving well-being in SW Florida. |
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| Participating Organizations These organizations have completed the Organization Checklist and are playing a role in improving well-being in SW Florida. |
If you are interested in in having your worksite, restaurant, grocery store, or school work toward Blue Zones Project Approval, contact BlueZonesProjectSWFL@Healthways.com.
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Blue Zones Project SWFL Kickoff, November 14, 2015
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.
Topics: Well-being Blue Zones SW Florida
8 min read
January 2016 Highlights
Worksites
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
