Blue Zones Project - Southwest Florida Blog

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.

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.

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.

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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).

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!

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