RECIPE FOR A HEALTHY 100 YEARS
by Gladys Neigel
Joining the elite group of centenarians, Roselio Muñiz was honored on September 1 by 180 family and friends who gathered at the Florida Hospital Nicholson Center in Celebration, Fla.
Born August 30, 1913, in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, 100-year-old Roselio says, “There is nothing else you need for good health and a long life except the health message.”
A member of the Adventist Church since 1937, Roselio was among a group of 16 baptized in the ocean, including one young lady, Crusita, who would later become his wife. First in his community to become an Adventist, he served as teacher/preacher at worship services held in his house.
After farming in the early years of his career, he became a carpenter and helped build Bella Vista Hospital in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. At its completion, he began to work in purchasing and was named head of the department from which he retired after 33 years.
Roselio moved to the United States in 1991 and presently lives in Apopka, Fla., where he attends Forest City Spanish Church and enjoys a healthful lifestyle. His physical fitness routine includes riding a stationary bike three miles in fifteen minutes, walking for 15-20 minutes around the house while helping with chores, and mowing the lawn.
Each day, breakfast begins with a shake made of seven or eight fruits, walnuts or almonds, one piece of bread, and a slice of cheese. Lunch often consists of his favorite rice and beans dish, while supper will include a bowl of fruit and yogurt.
He keeps his mind sharp by reading, e-mailing, and searching Google to learn new things. He repairs clocks as a hobby and owns a clock mechanism that was made in 1810.
Roselio and his wife, Crusita, were married 63 years before she passed away in 2003. He continues to be blessed by his two children, Nehemias Muñiz of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Mildred Preussner of Apopka, Fla.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Roselio’s favorite Bible character has always been Jesus, and his goal now is to be alive when He comes!