Winter 2012 ■ Volume 21 ■ No. 3


The Blues Zone Project – Help Us Win Cedar Falls is one of 58 towns now in the final running to be one of ten Iowa


communities to be designated as a Blue Zones Demonstration community. If selected, Cedar Falls would receive assistance and resources to expand opportunities that promote and enhance healthy lifestyles. Strictly defined within the context of this project, a Blue Zone is a geographic


area where the people living there live longer and better lives. By making small, but significant, changes to environments at home, at work, and at play, people naturally choose more healthy decisions that improve life. The Blue Zones idea is to enlist everyone in developing healthy lifestyle decisions from the time they get up in the morning until retiring at night. Signs of healthy living become evident everywhere and the idea of being well and living longer becomes contagious. Cedar Falls would administer the Blue Zones Project’s community enhancements


within the existing city budget. Examples of actions that could be taken as part of this project might include continued development of our trails, parks, and recreational facilities.


We need you! Only the most enthusiastic communities will be selected for


the initial demonstration program. The Blue Zones Project is part of the larger program underway to make Iowa the Healthiest State in the nation.


PLEASE, ACT NOW, GO TO: WWW.BLUEZONESPROJECT.COM Click on “SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY”.


The more of us who jump on board, the better chance we have of being selected. SIGN UP TODAY!


Blue Zones Origin & Organizers The origins of Blue Zones stems from the National Geographic


researcher, Dan Buettner, and his investigation of long-lived cultures and the characteristics that these communities exhibited. Nine focus areas were distilled from this research and are now the basis for effecting change in communities everywhere. The Blue Zones Project in Iowa is sponsored by Wellmark


Blue Cross Blue Shield and other corporate partners. For Wellmark, encouraging healthier and happier communities is good business. The third leg of the Blue Zones underpinning is Healthways, dedicated to the well-being of global populations.


Take the Pledge for Cedar Falls Visit the website: www.bluezonesproject.com and indicate


your support. Then, invite your family and friends to do the same. Let’s put Cedar Falls at the top of the list!


9


2 3 4 5


1


6 7 8 9


Traits of Thriving


Communities


Move Naturally – walkable communities


Know your purpose


Down Shift – meditate, pray, nap…


Eat Wisely – 80% Rule – stop eating at 80% full


Plant Slant – Eat a plant based diet


Wine at 5 – 1 or 2 glasses prolong life


Family First


Belong – connect to faith based community


Right Tribe – Expand your social circle


“Blue Zones” Is Important to You:


WHY


■ Increased Life Expectancy ■ Better Physical Health ■ Greater Productivity – Reduced Absenteeism


■ Improved Attitudes and Outlooks


www.bluezonesproject.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16