A publication of the Health & Wellness Team of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church Womens Ministry

history of kidney failure and being age 60 or older.

Kidney disease often has no symptoms, and it
Where Are the Kidneys and How Do They
can go undetected until very advanced. But a
Function?
There are two kidneys, each about the size
simple urine test can tell you if you have
of a fist, located on either side of the spine
kidney disease. Remember, it's important to
at the lowest level of the rib cage. The
get tested because early detection and
kidneys perform their life-sustaining job of
treatment can slow or prevent the
filtering and returning to the bloodstream
progression of kidney disease.
about 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours.
Prevention Tips :
About two quarts are removed from the body in the
Quit smoking, learn about alcohol and your kidneys,
form of urine, and about 198 quarts are recovered. The
lose weight if you're overweight or obese, Follow a
urine we excrete has been stored in the bladder for
healthy diet, lower salt in your diet, understand food
anywhere from 1 to 8 hours. The kidneys are powerful
labels and exercise
chemical factories that perform the following
Become an Organ Donor
functions:
Many people who need transplants of organs and
remove waste products from the body
tissues cannot get them because of a shortage of
remove drugs from the body
donations. Of the 118,000 Americans currently on the
balance the body's fluids
waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, more
release hormones that regulate blood pressure
than 96,000 need a kidney, but fewer than 17,000
produce an active form of vitamin D that
people receive one each year. Every day 13 people die
promotes strong, healthy bones
waiting for a kidney. Organ and tissue donation helps
control the production of red blood cells
others by giving them a second chance at life.
Kidney Disease and Prevention:
1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease.
To learn more about Kidney health, Kidney disease,
What puts you at risk for kidney disease? Major risk
prevention and how to become a donor please go
factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, a family
to www.kidney.org

March is National Kidney Month

March is also Womens History Month and we salute one of our sisters, Ms. Mary Townsend. Many
women have come before her but she stands before us as a living example of Gods grace, mercy and
love.
Ms Townsend embodies resilience, dedication, patience and nurturing. She is Black History and
Womens History and we are blessed by her influence and presence.
Ms. Townsend is a pioneer woman of New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Many of us recognize her from
the pulpit on Sunday in her role as part of the Nursing Ministry. Her journey is one of inspiration.
Continued on page 2

~~Okra Two Ways~~

GLORIAS OKRA

Sister Sondra and her Sister Shirleys

OKRA & TOMATOES WITH SMOKED TURKEY NECKS
Chop your okra.
Sautee a cup medium white onion and cup medium
red onion, some red peppers and some minced garlic
In olive oil.
Add some diced tomatoes and some tomato sauce
Add smoked turkey necks
Let simmer for 10 minutes
Method:
Add your okra and let cook on a medium flame for another
Cook okra with salt to taste about 10 minutes drain.
ten minutes
In skillet heat oil and add onion, garlic, thymesaut until
tender
Add tomatoes and peppers, cook about 5 minutes
Add drained okra and mix together (do not over mix) okra
will separate.
Simmer for about 5 minutes; remove from burner and
serve.
(for large portion, double the menu)
2 lbs okra (cut in 1 inch pieces) discard stem
teaspoon dried thyme
1 medium size onion (diced)
2 clove garlic (finely chopped)
peppers: red, yellow, orange (1/2 cup of each)
1 cup olive oil
teaspoon crushed pepped (depending on your tolerance).
1 teaspoon salt

continued...
...When she was a young 16 yr. old girl, she was able to move from fear to action when her ailing mother
needed her. Instinctively she took responsibility of the nurture and care of her mother. Like many African
Americans she relocated for better opportunities, but her new life in New York City was quite different
than her life in Abbeville, South Carolina. She had to make many sacrifices to succeed. She went to work
during the day and school during the evening while also raising her daughter. Even through sacrifice, Ms.
Townsend declares that it was God who blessed her to complete a nursing program, while still being a
present, loving and caring mother.
Ms Townsend is a woman to respect and admire and shares the following advice for young people going
into nursing: 1) be patient, 2) have a caring spirit, 3) have knowledge of your profession, 4) be a good
listener and 5) know that God has placed you in the profession to be a comforting presence.Its not about
you, your presence is Gods work.
Ms. Mary Townsend, thank you for being a NJBC Woman Making History!
The Last Word:
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases
the power of the weak. Even youths grow
tired and weary, and young men stumble and
fall; but those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like an eagle; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not faint.

WE NEED YOU!
If you have a health related story or
testimony that you would like featured
in the Health Corner send your stories
to Kara Eleam at
kmeleam@gmail.com