Blue is Better: 6 Ways the Blue Zones Project is Transforming Health and Wellness in Grand Forks

Blue Zones Project Grand Forks is changing the way we think about health and wellness. While many of us think of going to the gym alone as being healthy, Blue Zones Project (BZP) would challenge that way of thinking.

Dan Buettner, a former National Geographic journalist, traveled the world to find where people were most likely to live to 100. He collected data and determined several practices that were common among these areas that made people more likely to live longer. These areas were dubbed the “Blue Zones.” Learn more about the Blue Zones by watching “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” on Netflix.

Did you know some studies suggest loneliness is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes each day? That’s why the Blue Zones Project is focused on more than just diet and exercise. Its helping our connections in our community grow while making the healthy choice, the easy one.

Here are some ways the team is working to help us all live healthier lives:

A “maoi” originates from the Blue Zones region of Okinawa Japan, meaning “to meet for a common purpose” A walking moai incorporates purposeful meeting with purposeful movement. Many Blue Zones communities incorporate walking as part of their daily lives. It’s natural to see 100-year-old people stay active by walking and working regularly.

Here in Grand Forks, there are several walking groups in town. Typically, you walk for 10 – 20 minutes, explore areas of the Grand Forks community, and make some new friends along the way. I walked with my friend and co-worker, Audrey Lorenz, and several Grand Forks Public Health team members to celebrate National Public Health Week. Check out this schedule of Moais:

Mondays, 5 pm Grand Cities Mall
Tuesdays, 2:30 pm @ Grand Cities Mall
Wednesdays, 10:15 am @ 701 CoWorking Space
Thursdays, 2 pm @ Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Downtown

If none of these times work for you or you’d like to create your own Moai, contact the Blue Zones chapter to get your own arranged!

In Japan, children are often placed into a friend circle that starts early in life. Their friend group provides emotional and moral support over the course of decades. True, meaningful connections with others can even provide a boost to your immune system!  The BZP team adopted that concept to create ways for people to connect over a meal. Officially, these potluck Moais are groups of like-minded people who gather together for a healthy meal regularly.  Locally, you can start a group of your own. Blue Zones will help you get started by providing free healthy cooking demonstrations.

Many of the centenarians who live in Blue Zones often eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. They often don’t make meat the largest part of their meals.

Don’t worry! Meat, potatoes and hotdish will still be available in Grand Forks. The BZP team works with our great grocers, including Hugo’s Family Marketplace, to highlight all the great produce options. You might even find one of their famous cooking demonstrations there.

Our local restaurants will also work with BZP on creating healthy menu items. Typically, Blue Zones Project dishes are lower in calories and may be plant-based. At Crisp & Green, I had the Sunny Honey Picnic, a salad with around 500 calories for lunch. Another restaurant that has the Blue Zones seal of approval include Skies 322 Fine Dining. And since Blue Zones is still new to the community, you can expect to see many more dining establishments become Blue Zones certified moving forward!

Keep up with which restaurants are working toward Blue Zones certification here!

Many of us spend a minimum of 40 hours each week at work. Our jobs are a huge part of our lives! BZP is helping local employers find ways to be well while at work by facilitating walking groups, healthy potlucks or encouraging us all to volunteer. They also provide resources that promote healthier work environments by incorporating things like standing desks, established walking routes, and even policy change that allow for healthier work-life balance. Some of the Blue Zones certified employers in Grand Forks include Altru, the City of Grand Forks, Grand Forks Public Health, and University of North Dakota. (Even the Cooler team is working on becoming certified!)

For more info on how to get your worksite or organization Blue Zones certified, check out this webpage.

One way people can find a sense of purpose in their community is by volunteering. BZP data has found people with a sense of purpose are more likely to be healthy. One of their ongoing projects is the regular maintenance of Skidmore Park which was the first park founded in Grand Forks! Our local team hosts clean-ups to spruce up the space and make it more inviting to the community. And that’s just one of the many opportunities available to get involved in community betterment. You can join in the efforts year-round with a ton of different events, some including Bike to School events, Adopt a Highway Cleanups, Green Dot Community Bystander trainings, and the locally famous Longest Table event.

Find more events and ways to get involved on the Grand Forks Blue Zones Facebook page or website.

Remember, it’s about so much more than going to the gym each day. There is a variety of ways to tap into wellness in Grand Forks! Be sure to follow Grand Forks Blue Zones to keep up with their extensive list of events and discover how you can incorporate wellness into your work, play, and every day living.