As soon as the news was announced that Brevard, North Carolina, was chosen to be the next community Blue Zones® project, Pastor Ralph and Joni Henderson and I met with the project leaders to let them know that the local Seventh-day Adventist Church would love to become involved as representatives for the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California, one of the original zones — and only North American Blue Zone. We shared the Creation Health seminar materials and showed them how closely those eight lifestyle principles paralleled the Blue Zone® Power 9 principles. We were asked to run the Loma Linda booth for the kickoff event in August.
This event was held outdoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The weather was beautiful, and our booth was lined with Creation Health banners. At our busy booth, we gave away samples of a colorful, variety-filled salad in individual recyclable containers and drinks of watermelon-infused water, along with a packet of materials that included the Creation Health self-assessment, Amazing Facts Health magazine, “Your Friends, the Adventists,” and information regarding the Creation Health seminar we offered to present at any area location (churches, work places) free of charge.
Later, when the Blue Zones staff offered cooking demonstrations done by the owner of a local bakery via Zoom, we knew we could also be a help in that area. Eventually our offer was accepted and we were asked to do one Zoom cooking class per month from December until June, 2021. We are absolutely thrilled beyond words with this opportunity to witness to healthful eating as well as bring a positive impression of our church to this community!
On Thursday evening, Dec. 10, 2020, we held in our first cooking class in the church’s fellowship kitchen — using our recently purchased overhead demo mirror. We were not expecting the wonderful introduction the hostess from Blue Zones gave to the Zoom participants before we began. She read from Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones book why Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda live from 6-10 years longer than the average American.
With special Christmas meals in mind, Brevard Seventh-day Adventist Church cooks demonstrated a Christmas kale salad, vegetarian and vegan meatball and loaf options, and apple pie made with no added sugar. The presentation seemed to be well received by the Blue Zones staff. After it was over and their staff gone, we commented on how exciting it is to see so many becoming convinced of the benefits of a vegetarian/vegan diet — information our church has had the privilege of knowing for so many years. We thank God for this opening wedge to our county where only about eight Seventh-day Adventists actually live.
— Kathy Brannan is a member of the Brevard Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina; the original version of this article appeared on the Carolina Conference website on Jan. 11, 2021.
CREDIT: Photos by Tammy Hopkins and Kathy Brannan.