Preventive Care Newsletter

Have you been to a funeral? I know; what kind of question is that? Well, the bible says it is better to go to a funeral than to a party. In the last year, I have been to at least five parties and only one funeral. Yes, it was a friend who died of a heart attack. Very sad. So why in the world would it be better to go to a funeral? Seeing a lot of crying people complaining about the unfortunate tragedy and trying to comfort those left behind?

But during the memorial, I heard many people talking about the resurrection of the saints during the Second Coming of Jesus. And they said good things about the deceased, that he was a man of God. So, I started thinking, “Would I make it?” So, this made me think more about my connection with Jesus.

Another point was that my deceased friend used to do a lot of things, which made me think, should I slow down? Am I having a balanced life? Well, at least he was a family man and had his priorities right, with God and family first. At the end, the pastor asked the friends and church family to support the widow and the children. Again, very sad, but very practical. You want to do something for your friend who left; do something for his family.

If I compare this experience to a party, both involve celebration and good food. The funeral has an advantage: no gifts are expected, at least not from the person being celebrated. Funerals can be kind of fun, with lots of funny stories about the deceased and a good place for interaction, but they can't compare to a party filled only with happiness and laughter.

But the main difference was regarding life. Yes, when someone dies, we learn more about life, or we should learn. What can we learn? First, life is short; nothing is guaranteed; we can die tomorrow from an unexpected cause. We learn to be thankful and have more quality time with friends and family while we are alive. And finally, maybe more importantly than all, this life is not final, but we should put our hopes in the eternal life Jesus promised to his followers. So, a funeral teaches us more about that life.

“It is better to go to a funeral than to a party. We all must die, and everyone living should think about this. Ecclesiastes 7:2 NCV

I was on my daily walk when I noticed the driver of a Mercedes-Benz delivering merchandise to a house in my neighborhood in Redlands, CA. Then I thought, “Either Mercedes cars are selling for lower prices, or he lost his job and is trying to earn some extra money to pay his bills. Okay, he might be the store owner, and his delivery person did not show up. Or maybe he fired the guy and, because of the financial crisis, is doing the work himself.”

My point here has nothing to do with why the guy was driving a Mercedes or whether he was working for Uber, Lyft, or doing something else. My point is how we can save money during a financial crisis, especially when we see supermarket prices increasing almost weekly while our salaries remain as flat as a pancake.

And, of course, I would argue that one area where we can save is food. We can eat healthier and spend less, starting by reducing how often we eat out. Many people eat out too often, which can be a significant drain on both their wallets and their health. Going to a restaurant nowadays can be costly. You can easily spend $100 per person. So, eat more at home and save money.

Also, reduce or quit alcohol. I was standing in line at the supermarket, and the guy ahead of me had 10 bottles of alcohol, maybe whiskey or something similar. I could see a price tag of $50 each, which would be $500. Boy, if I have a party and buy 10 bottles of Martinelli’s,* the total would be at most $30! If that is not enough savings, check the drink options at a restaurant, and you will find wines and other alcoholic beverages priced at $1,000 or more per bottle.

And you can reduce your meat intake. At the same supermarket, a lady had a package of meat about the size of a turkey that was priced at $90. I told my wife that even Impossible Burgers do not cost that much, and she agreed that meat has become too expensive. So, do you want to save? Eat less meat and more beans, soy, nuts, and tofu.

Eat more veggies and fruits! “Well, Dr. Dos Santos, they are also becoming expensive!” I know, but there are some options, such as searching for deals, checking different supermarkets, using coupons, etc. Another option would be to plant your own garden. Do not have space? Go hydroponic!

Yes, hydroponic. Before the legalization of marijuana in many U.S. states, hydroponics had a bad reputation because it was often associated with cultivating marijuana with little or no soil inside an apartment or small house. I used to work in a county jail many years ago, where I was involved in helping prisoners who were addicted to drugs. There, I met a few individuals who had cultivated marijuana using hydroponics and were subsequently arrested because of it.

However, the term has evolved and is now commonly applied to home gardening. Please Google it to find more information and tips on hydroponics for home gardening. If someone can cultivate marijuana, which is a bush, in a small room requiring almost no soil, I believe we can grow tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower using the same system.

In fact, I once attended a lecture on hydroponic gardening for the community, and it was a fascinating experience. This type of garden can be developed inside one’s own home or even in a school, church, or community setting. But please, do not say that I am encouraging people to use hydroponics to cultivate marijuana!

Remember, I am against addictive drugs. Even caffeine is on my list of substances I do not recommend, along with marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Reducing how often you eat out, drinking less alcohol, eating less meat, increasing your intake of beans, fruits, and vegetables, and even growing some of your own vegetables are all options to consider. They could also save you money by helping you stay healthier and potentially reducing what you spend on doctor’s visits, procedures, and medications.

However, perhaps more important than saving money is protecting your health. Money can be earned again through hard work, but if you lose your health, it may not be so easy to get it back. Investing in your health is the best way to go.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2

*Martinelli’s is a brand of nonalcoholic sparkling apple juice.