Eat to Live

This particular entry is dedicated to Gertrude Baines, a beautiful African American woman who recently passed at the tender age of 115. Mrs. Baines enjoyed bacon and fried chicken and lived alone until she reached 107. She was the oldest human being on the planet, and rested comfortably in her home. Yet, Mrs. Baines had a lesson for all. She still saw the importance of exercising her civic duty. She voted in the last election and was rewarded by the higher power to be able live to see the first Black president of the United States of America. My uncle Charlie of Purcellville, VA maybe challenging for that spot of oldest person in the coming years. Uncle Charlie gardens regularly, walks without a cane often, and drives himself around (fast). He has a 60-something girlfriend and a diet that consists of a health portion of Black olives because they "improve your sexual performance." I often remind my significant other that she may have 71 more years of boom-boom in her future if she sticks with me, since Charlie and I share the same gene pool. She usually responds with a sigh and by demanding a back massage. The truth is, most African Americans die relatively young, due to hypertension, diabetes, and other diet related illnesses. The Japanese now have 40,000 people over the age of 100. Why? Because they eat healthy and in moderation. The get regular exercise. Thus, they live longer and have a good quality of life. I would bet that quite a few of them are bumping and grinding well into their eighties and nineties. This fact is precisely why we Americans must take the advice the Honorable Elijah Muhammad gave us long ago and "eat to live." Eat fish, veggies and berries. Go easy on the liquor and beer. Do not smoke. Try not to order out to often. As a matter of fact, I am making myself crave a hungry meal and it is almost time to eat, as the sun is setting. Hazmatic and I'm gone....