The Health Ministry is transitioning Saint Patrick Catholic Church in to a “Blue Zone Parish” this year. A Blue Zone Parish where faith and wellness go hand in hand to assist each parishioner in becoming the whole person Christ intended them to be.
What exactly is a Blue Zone?
In 2005, National Geographic identified five places in the world where people live longer and healthier, without medications and disabilities. 
These places became known as Blue Zones, and researchers have found that these people live a lifestyle that includes a healthful diet with daily exercise, and they place an emphasis on family, purpose and religion. It was also found that churchgoers lived longer than non-churchgoers.
Excerpted from National Geographic 2005 “The Secrets of Long Life”
Excerpted from National Geographic 2005 “The Secrets of Long Life”
Lent: More than Spiritual Benefits
Saint Patrick Catholic Church kicks off the “Meatless Fridays During Lent” campaign— a great way to combine the spiritual and physical benefits of good nutrition.
How To Go Meatless
The Cornerstone— the parish eNewsletter will feature meatless recipes for longevity each week from now until the end of Lent.
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The Recipe of the Week
This week’s recipe is Ikarian Longevity Stew with Black Beans.
Ikarian Longevity Stew With Black Eyed Peas is a great recipe from the Blue Zones region, Ikaria, for a rainy day (or any day). It’s also perfect for anyone following the Mediterranean diet.
Ingredients
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 fennel bulb
1 cup (8 ounces) black eyed peas (with dried peas, bring to a boil, boil for 1 minute, remove from heat, cover and let sit for an hour. Drain, rinse, and use.)
1 large, firm ripe tomato, finely chopped
2 tsp tomato paste, diluted in ¼ cup water
2 bay leaves
salt to taste
1 bunch dill, finely chopped
Directions
1. Heat half the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion, garlic, and fennel bulb stirring occasionally, until soft (about 12 minutes). Add the black-eyed peas and toss to coat in the oil.
2. Add the tomato, tomato paste and enough water to cover the beans by about an inch. Add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the black-eyed peas are about half way cooked. (Check after 40 minutes, but it may take over an hour.)
3. Add the chopped dill and season with salt.
4. Continue cooking until the black-eyed peas are tender. Remove, pour in remaining raw olive oil and serve.
Watch the video:Start Saint Patrick Catholic Church on the Blue Zone Journey
Visit the Health Ministry to learn more about the Blue Zone journey for Saint Patrick Catholic Church.
