We all want to stay healthy until we get right to the very end of our lives. Here’s a step by step manual for doing just that.

Begin by eating everything green. Veggies are great, especially when steamed. Throw away those cookies, cakes and ice cream.

Don’t eat at McDonald’s or Burger King and here’s the thing. Eating fast food makes the fat lady sing. No pizza and eat nothing from jars, and certainly no food that’s served in bars. Stay away from those sweets stuffed in a box. You could end up in the hospital with artery blocks. Eat only organic; though the cost is high. No GMOs should you ever buy. Keep all your weight away from your belly. Don’t eat those donuts filled with the jelly.

Get your running shoes laced and take to the streets with haste. Go jog in the sun. Are you having fun? Rain, rain go away. You can’t wait to run another day. If there’s ice and snow, you still got to go.

Avoid germs that are everywhere. Look out! There’s filth in that rest room there. Wear your mask or stay the heck home. You can call everyone on your cell phone. Build that bubble around your space. Stay away from the whole human race.

Go to your doctor who has your health in mind. You’ll go there thinking you’re feeling just fine. But wait. He’ll find something wrong. Now take these pills for however so long. Don’t worry if you should become ill. There’s a cure in this here prescription pill. Get your COVID shots; now there are three. They’ll keep you as safe as you can be. Take your meds and go to bed. Pray you wake up. Those side effects can leave you dead.

Make sure you have peace of mind each day and each night. No anxiety, no stress, and you’ll be all right. You can fall in love, too, but take care of your heart. It can be broken if the two of you should part.

Find ways to make money with not much to do. No boss. No loss. No co-workers, too. Never work on Saturday or Sunday. The weekends are yours to spend your way.

Never feel rage in your car while you drive. You need to be safe and get home alive. Don’t be an angry lane changer. High blood pressure will put you in danger.

Make sure you get eight hours of sleep so your body stays strong. Anything less say the health experts is wrong. Turn out the lights by 10 p.m. You’ll shine in the morning like a sparkling gem.

Don’t watch the news. The world is a mess. Murders and mayhem will leave you depressed. You might drink booze that’s not good for your liver. Don’t let Jack Daniels become your caregiver.

Don’t go outside. Pollution is there. Finding fresh air is getting rare. Don’t go in the woods. You might never come out. If you walk too far, they can’t hear you shout. When you shuffle your feet, you’re taking a risk. You might have a bad fall and slip a disc.

Don’t smoke. That’s a no brainer. You might need to stop with a detox trainer. Don’t do drugs; you’ll tempt the grim reaper. Get hooked on heroin and he’ll be your soul keeper.

You’re lucky if your parents live to 100 years old. Good genes make you live longer or so you’ve been told. Stay clear of disease and you might live forever. Don’t debate. Don’t hesitate. It’s now or never.

Try to let nothing get you upset. If you do, take time to play with your pet. Don’t be a fool and swim in that lake once blue. Bacteria can get into you and that’s worse than the flu.

Treat everyone kind. Leave your grudges behind. Forgive those who hurt you; that’s courage you’ll find.

Try singing; that helps you live well. You can you sing off key and no one will tell. And sing by yourself while you’re in the car; even if you’re not going to drive too far.

Be sure you don’t sin; your religion will preach. Keep those vices far from your reach. Live by Ten Commandments when temptations arise. Pay no attention and just close your eyes.

Find time for silence; that helps you relax. The quiet is good and that’s proven by facts. Having peace of mind is the key and healthy for your mind and for your body.

You want to live long, but you don’t want to get old. One never knows when the body turns cold.

Live long in years before you meet your maker. You’ll make everyone proud even the undertaker. Inside the casket, you’ll still look your best, that is, until you’re buried with the rest.

No matter how healthy you live, everyone gets one last breath to give. Be happy with your life however you decide. You live only once so enjoy the ride.

Rich Strack can be reached at richiesadie11@gmail.com.