Take this article to your family reunion this summer!
Well summer time is near! It’s the time of year when many of us enjoy family reunions and family get-togethers. So this summer, I’d like to ask you to take eight life-saving messages to your family members. African-Americans are dying and suffering disabilities at higher rates because of diseases and problems that we can easily prevent. We can live longer and healthier lives, but it begins by developing some good habits and eliminating some bad ones. There are eight habits, in particular, that I believe are ruining the health of black families. I’d like to share them with you in hopes that will you pass this message along to the people you care about. Here is the list of 8 bad habits that ruin black families’ health:
- Not moving.
I know we always hear, “A family that prays together stays together,” but I’d like to add one more to the mix: A family that walks together stays together. A family that walks together stays together because everyone is more physically fit, and as a result, the whole family lives longer. Too much television and too little movement equals a sedentary lifestyle. Being a couch potato is a prescription for health trouble. Every day, get up and get moving with some type of exercise! It’s good for your heart and you’ll notice that when you are more physically active, your mind is also more alert.
- Frying your food.
Fried catfish. Fried chicken. Fried potatoes. It’s all a part of our collective cultural diet. It is best not to eat fried foods at all, but if you do, do so in moderation. Twice per month is much better than twice per week. Think about what happens to grease after you fry that chicken. If it sits there for just a little while, it gets hard and thick, doesn’t it? Well, it does the same thing in your arteries. If you must fry, use canola oil. I challenge you commit for one month to not eating any fried foods. Once you do it for that long, it will be easier to break the habit.
- Not going to the doctor.
What is it about going to the doctor that so many people avoid? The logic with some people seems to be that if they ignore a problem, it will go away. The opposite is true: If you ignore a problem, it will likely get worse. In fact, if a serious problem goes untreated, you may find yourself past the point of being able to do anything about it. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Treat it with the reverence that our Lord commands. When you feel a strange tingle or pains that are not normal, go to the doctor! Even if nothing is wrong, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you have a relative who is hesitant to get check ups, make an appointment for them and take them to the doctor yourself. You may be saving their life! Make an appointment for an annual exam every year, no matter how you feel. Preventative care is one of the best ways to keep yourself and your family healthy.
- Not listening to the doctor.
Even if you go to the doctor, it doesn’t do much good if you don’t listen to what he or she says and take action. Many of us have had older relatives whose doctors told them to change their diet and they kept on eating the way they always have and eventually paid the price for it. Sometimes the price is an early death. Listen to your health care providers and be willing to make changes that will improve your health and well-being.
- Overcookin’ and greasin’ up the vegetables.
Bacon grease in the greens. Vegetables cooked until they are limp. These are habits that have been passed down through the generations. They are also habits that add fat and take most of the nutrients out of your most important food source – vegetables. Steam your vegetables until they are tender, not limp. They should still have a vibrant color to them. And leave out the bacon drippings, lard, hamhocks and butter! They are clogging up your arteries and adding inches to your waistline.
- Too much sugar.
Sweet tea. Koolaid. Cream cheese pound cake. It’s all delicious, but too much of a good thing is horrible on your body. Did you know that sugar accelerates the growth of cancer more than any other substance? It slows your metabolism and is harsh on your digestive tract. Limit your intake of sugar.
- Too much salt.
Do you or any of your family members put salt on your food before tasting it? Do others say your cooking is too salty? If so, please listen up. Salt is one of the major contributors to high blood pressure, which leads to stroke and heart attack. It’s important for your food to taste good, but put only enough salt in food to give it a little flavor. The less you use salt, the more your taste buds will adjust to enjoying your food in its more natural state.
- Not letting go and letting God.
Anger and frustration build up and cause stress that wreaks havoc on your body. In his book, Deadly Emotions, Dr. Don Colbert describes how negative emotions can be a major factor in most illnesses – from the common cold to multiple sclerosis and cancer. African-Americans, in particular, often register higher levels of stress than other racial groups. We must be vigilant about taking time to get some rest and relaxation, and most importantly, casting our cares on the Lord.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus assures us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Allow Him to carry your burdens rather than allowing them to weigh you down, and ultimately, make you sick.
Stay Fit!
Donna
