Four Peaks Rotary: Fountain Hills Inspired a Blue Zone Certified Community
Four Peaks INSPIRED to become a Blue Zone Certified Community.
January 2025, we are honored to be part of the I Love Fountain Hills (aka Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association) Programs
More information can be found on our webiste - CLICK HERE
Fountain Hills, Arizona, as a community, would emphasize a lifestyle that promotes longevity and well-being. In such a community, residents would focus on healthy eating, regular physical activity, social connections, and stress reduction.
Key Features:
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Healthy Eating: Local farmers' markets would thrive, offering fresh fruits and vegetables. Community gardens might encourage residents to grow their own produce, emphasizing plant-based diets.
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Active Lifestyle: Walking and biking paths would be abundant, encouraging outdoor activity. Fitness classes, yoga sessions, and group hikes could be popular, taking advantage of the beautiful desert landscape.
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Social Engagement: Community centers could host regular events, fostering connections among residents. Clubs and interest groups would promote friendships and support networks.
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Mindfulness and Relaxation: Spaces for meditation and relaxation, such as parks with tranquil fountains and shaded areas, would be vital for reducing stress.
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Health Services: Accessible health resources, including preventative care and wellness programs, would focus on holistic health and disease prevention.
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Cultural Activities: Art shows, music festivals, and cultural events would enhance community spirit and keep residents engaged and active.
By integrating these elements, Fountain Hills could continue cultivating a thriving, health-focused community that embodies the principles of the Blue Zones, where residents live longer, happier lives.
What is a Blue Zone Community? Click here for information.
What is a Blue Zone Project?: Learn here
History of Blue Zones. Learn here
Who is Dan Buettner?
Dan Buettner and his team have brought the concept of Blue Zones to the United States in several ways, including:
- The Blue Zones Challenge: A book that provides a quick start to building a Blue Zones lifestyle
- The Blue Zones American Kitchen: A book that explores the traditional roots of plant-based cuisine in the United States
- Albert Lea, Minnesota: The first certified Blue Zone in the United States
- Charlottesville, Virginia: A city that Buettner considers a Blue Zone due to its residents' healthy diet, civic participation, and sense of purpose
Buettner is the CEO of Blue Zones LLC and has collaborated with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging to identify Blue Zones. Blue Zones are areas where people live longer and healthier lives than average, and Buettner's research has shown that the residents of these areas share nine specific traits, known as the Power 9. These traits include: Eating wisely, Moving naturally, Having a clear sense of purpose, Belonging, and Putting loved ones first
Fountain Hills "Inspired" Steering Committee Members
This community involved steering Committee is a sub-commitee of the Four Peaks Rotary Health, Wellness and Well-being Committee, This subcommittee focuses on promoting wellness, community engagement, or healthy living practices documented by Dan Buettner. Dan is an author and explorer known for his work on Blue Zones, areas where people live longer and healthier lives. He has studied regions like Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; and Nicoya, Costa Rica, to identify common lifestyle habits that contribute to longevity.
His findings emphasize factors such as diet, physical activity, social connections, and purpose. Buettner has also developed initiatives and resources to help communities adopt these practices for healthier living.
Interested in supporting or want to Learn More: Contact Julie Ewald, Debbie Romano
Upcoming Events and Presentations Schedule
To stay updated on "Inspired" Fountain Hills as a Blue Zone initiative, consider these options:
October 2025:
10/11/2025: Fountain Hills Day - 9 Informational Business Stations located around the entire Expo.
July -August 2025:
07/15 - 8/5/2025: "Tighten Up and Teach Me" 4-Week Challenge inspired by the Blue Zone Fountain Hills Inspired Steering Committee and hosted at SNAP FITNESS FOUNTAIN HILLS.
Contact: Debbie Romano, Julie Ewald or Kyle Tolis (Snap Fitness)
January 2025:
1/18/2025 – Blue Zones Inspired Introduction and Cooking Demo
- Join us for a delightful Blue Zone Inspired Brunch hosted by Chef Debbie J. Elder, featuring a curated selection of dishes that promote longevity and well-being. Chef Debbie, known for her passion for culinary arts, will prepare a menu inspired by the Blue Zones, regions where people live longer, healthier lives. Julie Ewald will provide an update on Fountain Hills Blue Zone initiative. A guest appearance by Debbie Romano to discuss purpose of healthy eating.
1/25/2025 – Fountain Hills Community Health Fair
- Blue Zone Information Table. Please contact Debbie Clason, Clason Communications directly with questions. Learn more at Healthy Fountain Hills website, or direct Fountain Hills Community Health Fair website.
2024 EVENTS
July-August
7/15- 8/15/2024 - Blue Zone 30-Day Challenge Book, SUMMER Transformation "Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice."
- Join us on July 15th, 4:00pm for a live 1st week Zoom call overview to get started on the Blue Zone 4-week Challenge guided book. Remember, in life we are all teachers and we are are learners. To participate in this FUN 4-weeks Blue Zone guide contact Julie Ewald or Debbie Romano.
September:
9/7/24 - Imagine Fountain Hills as a Blue Zone Hiking Club to begin.
- Join every first Saturday of the month, 7:30am (time will change in colder months) for a hike on the Overlook Trail. All are welcome (including pets).
- Opportunity to promote the concept of Moai from Okinawa, Japan - “meeting for a common purpose and to support one another”.
- Gathering spot and promotion of Hiking Club TBD.
9/19/24 - Fountain Hills Noon Kiwanis Presentation
9/23/24 – Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting
- Presentation at Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting at Town Hall Chambers on Monday, September 23, at 5:00pm.
9/27-28/24 – Fountain Hills Oktoberfest
- Four Peaks Rotary Oktoberfest at Community Center September 27 and 28.
October:
10/5/24 - Fountain Hills Walking & Hiking Group
- 7:00 am Sharp two locations
- Fountain Park, meet at the Rotary Splash Pad with Pamela Lordi
- Adero Canyon Trailhead, meet at Adero Trailhead Pavilion with Debbie Romano and Julie Ewald. Info on the trails - Click here .pdf
10/5/24 - Healing Foods Cooking Class with Debbie Elder
9:00am at the Fountain Hills Community Garden
See FLYER for details.
10/12/24 – Fountain Hills Community Health Walk 2024: Presented by the Chamber of Commerce Health Services Industry Stakeholders Group
- October 12, 2024 – FH Imagine Initiative to have an information table.
10/19/24 – Fountain Hills Make a Difference Day
- Four Peaks Rotary will be participating on Make a Difference Day with an environmental cleanup/set up project for the Boys and Girls Club Garden. Join Community Interactors, Rotarians and Community partners on the transformation of the environment for our Youth!
- Additional details forthcoming. Debbie Romano will be assisting Four Peaks Rotary with a garden bed and pollinators.
- Volunteers are welcome to help!!
November:
11/2/24 – Fountain Hills Community Garden Annual Event
- FH "Imagine" Blue Zones Initiative will have a display to provide information, sign-up sheet to learn more on Blue Zones and to promote FH Health Fair in January.
- Deb Romano will create Blue Zone recipes and present at the cooking demonstration.
December:
12/7/24 – 11:00 am Fountain Hills Community Garden Event
- FH "Imagine" Blue Zones Inspired Initiative will have a display to provide information, sign-up sheet to learn more on Blue Zones and to promote healthy lifestyles and environment.
Fountain Hills Community Garden hosts Byron A Román to do a cooking presentation for the December Healing Foods Series Class. On the menu, dishes inspired by #BlueZones; a healthier version of chiles rellenos, tostones with avocado sauce, and a mesoamerican salad with chayote squash, beans, and corn.Free to garden members, a small fee for guests.
Join Us for A Summer 30-Day Lifestyle Refresh!
Let's have some summer FUN! Join Debbie Romano and Julie Ewald lead a 4-Week Challenge Summer Refresh based on Blue Zone principles will begin July 15, 2024 and conclude August 15, 2024 . Join July 15th Zoom meeting at 4:00pm (MST). Additional weekly zoom meetings to be determined. The book is an Engaging way to promote healthier living in our Fountain Hills community.
The Blue Zones Challenge Book is a four-week guide and year-long sustainability program to jump-start your journey to better health, happiness, less stress, and a longer life. Purchase paperback book here.
Get started on the path to a longer, healthier, happier life with this quick start to building your own Blue Zones lifestyle. Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones and author of the New York Times number one best-selling Blue Zones Kitchen, offers the challenge of a lifetime: Build a foundation for better nutrition, more exercise, and a stronger social life that will extend your lifetime by years..
Any questions please contact Debbie Romano or Julie Ewald.
About Blue Zones
About Blue Zones®
Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer, better. The company's work is rooted in explorations and research done by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in Blue Zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner's bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchen—all published by National Geographic books. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit bluezones.com.
Fountain Hills Health Wellness Squad Presents at Fountain Hills RMS on June 27th
On June 27th, Debbie Romano, Alan Lordi and Julie Ewald present the Fountain Hills Community "Imagine" endeavor. Raffle winner received a Blue Zone goodie based basket which included books, food and other healthy living essentials.
Thank you to Snap Fitness, Heather and Art Tolis in Fountain Hills for supporting the Imagine Blue Zones Certified inspiration for our community.
Join us on Thursday, May 30th for Steering Committee Meeting regarding Imagine Fountain Hills as a certified Blue Zone Community.
Meeting to be held at the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce Building.
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: 16837 E Palisades Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Contact Julie Ewald or Debbie Romano for questions.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Julie Ewald and Debbie Romano advocate the positive effects of a healthy mind. Debbie shares effective health benefits for a pre and post work out at Fountain Hills Snap Fitness. Get your mind right, feed your mind, body and spirit right. Healthy Fountain Hills Facebook reel capture, click here. Thank you Clason Communications for the visit and highlight!
Julie Ewald and Debbie Ramano to present at the Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (SPAC): JOIN US TO SUPPORT!
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time: 4:00-5pm. 20-minute informational presentation, plus time for Q&A.
Location: Fountain Hills Town Hall, 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, in the Council Chambers.
All are welcome to attend. The room size and seating is vast.
Informational presentation on Blue Zones can be a great way to bring awareness to an audience about longevity, healthy living, and community well-being
Interested in the Blue Zones contact Julie Ewald, 708-267-5266
November Kicks-off the Club 4-Week Challenge
November brings on a club project! Four Peaks Health, Wellness and Well-being Committee introduces the Blue Zones Power 9 principles to members in efforts to incorporate more well-being action items to create a healthier environment for its members including serving nutritious food options at meetings and events, adding a one-minute stretch period and healthy dollars to the beginning of each meeting and creating a wellness workgroup to bring the Blue Zone philosophy to the community of Fountain Hills.
Blue Zones Project (BZP) is a community lead well-being initiative that encourages small changes that lead to healthier choices. The BZP team shares the Blue Zones Story, the life habits of the world’s healthiest, longest-lived people, as well as explaining the importance of our environment in how it impacts our health.
The November 4 week challenge consists of following the Power of 9 Principals. For the next four weeks members will work through the Dan Buettner 4-Week Challenge workbook, opportunity to participate in the zoom connect meetings available for members participating. All are welcome to join. Connect with a member to learn more.
Art Tolis, Chair
Julie Ewald, Co-Chair
Debbie Romano, FH Healthy Heartbeats, Heartbeat of FH Blue Zone
