November 2011

The Faith & Health Perspective
A Newsletter by the North Carolina Council of Churches

Key Topic in this Issue:
Diabetes

In this Issue
American Diabetes Month
Program Update
Sample Recipe
Announcements

November is American Diabetes Month

According to the American Diabetes Association, more people die from this disease each year than from breast cancer and AIDS combined! The nearly 26 million Americans currently living with diabetes are also at increased risk for heart disease and stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputation and even nerve damage.

Diabetes is divided into three types – type 1 and type 2, as well as gestational or pregnancy onset. Type 1 diabetes is usually found in children and young adults and is marked by the body’s inability to make insulin – i.e., the hormone responsible for converting sugar and starches from our food into the energy we need to lead healthy, active lifestyles. The vast majority of Americans who suffer from diabetes, however, have type 2, which means one of two things: 1) their bodies produce insulin but not enough, or 2) the cells in their bodies ignore this vital hormone.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that having diabetes is NOT an automatic death sentence. Although there is no cure for the disease, it can be managed through proper diet and exercise. Individuals living with type 1 diabetes also need insulin therapy to survive, whereas those with type 2 may or may not be placed on insulin or given other medications to help manage the disease.

For more information about diabetes, including effective treatment strategies, please visit the American Diabetes Association’s website or call 1-800-DIABETES.

Finally, I’m happy to announce that the American Diabetes Association has launched a new faith-based program called Live Empowered which is designed to assist churches with integrating diabetes awareness messages and life application principles into worship services. Also, in observance of American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is sponsoring Super Diabetes Sunday on November 13^th. Super Diabetes Sundays will include materials and giveaways to help your congregation join the fight against diabetes. To learn more about Live Empowered or Super Diabetes Sunday, please contact Justin Thomas at JThomas@diabetes.org or 919-743-5400, ext. 3217.

Be well,
Willona Stallings, PHW Program Coordinator

PROGRAM UPDATE

PHW Certification Program

Seventy-three congregations are now PHW Certified, demonstrating their commitment to health as a practice of their faith by being more physically active, eating more fruits and vegetables, and not using tobacco products. Our most recent certified churches, representing nearly 1000 people of faith, include:

Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, PHW Bronze Certified
Kistler’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Rutherfordton, PHW Silver Certified
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem, PHW Silver Certified

To view a complete listing of our PHW Certified congregations or to apply for certification, please visit www.healthandwholeness.org.

Trainings and Events

Over the past couple of months, PHW, in partnership with Youth Empowered Solutions, has held two successful trainings for clergy and other adults who work with youth to engage them in community change, particularly as it relates to health advocacy. We’ve also offered a free webinar to individuals interested in learning more about PHW and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you to everyone who has attended or helped to coordinate a PHW meeting or event in the past year. The work of PHW would not be possible without you!

SAMPLE RECIPE

(Diabetic Friendly)
Chicken Pot Pie
Serves: 6; Serving size: 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced peeled sweet potatoes (yams)
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup frozen peas
Dough of 5 flaky refrigerator biscuits

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook the chicken breasts over medium heat 7-10 minutes or until done. Season with salt and pepper (if using) and cut into pieces.
Recoat the skillet with nonstick cooking spray and sauté the carrots, mushrooms, onion, and potatoes for 5 minutes or until tender. Add the thyme and flour, stirring for 30 seconds. Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring and cooking over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add the chicken and peas and cook another 5 minutes.
Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray and fill with the chicken mixture. Split the biscuits in half and lay them on top. Bake for 10-12 or until the pastry is golden brown.

Nutritional Information

Calories                    236                  Sodium                             404 mg
Calories from Fat     44                    Total Carbohydrate          24 g
Total Fat                   5 g                  Dietary Fiber                      2 g
Saturated Fat           1 g                  Sugars                                5 g
Cholesterol              44 mg              Protein                              22 g

Courtesy of the American Diabetes Association

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you would like to announce an upcoming health event that is taking place at your church or within your community, please email the following information to Willona Stallings at willona@nccouncilofchurches.org:

Date, time and location of the event
Brief description (2 or 3 sentences)
Website, phone number and/or email address for more information

THANK YOU!!

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