“Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right” . . . JCPH Celebrates March as National Nutrition Month

JCPH dietitians and WIC educators (Women, Infants and Children) are celebrating National Nutrition Month by offering healthy recipes for you to “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right” as this year theme encourages. Eating a variety of foods can help keep meals interesting by adding new flavors. Beginning March 17, JCPH Nutrition Services will provide food demonstrations and healthy recipes for their WIC clients in the Jeffco WIC clinics, Arvada, Lakewood and Edgewater. Visit the JCPH nutrition web page or our pinterest recipe board to get recipes for your family! Mix together a little physical activity, and you’ve got the recipe for a healthier Jefferson County!

Jefferson County Nutrition Services provides nutrition education and counseling, the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program and more. For more information or to enroll in the WIC Program, call our Lakewood office at 303-239-7143.

Here is a sample recipe from WIC Registered Dietitian, Kelsey Rivera.

Hummus

Hummus is a Middle Eastern bean dip rich in protein, iron and calcium. It makes a wonderful snack or appetizer. Serve with warm pita bread, crackers or veggies. 

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 15 Minutes

Yield: 2.5 cups

Ingredients: 1 clove garlic 1 (19 ounce) can garbanzo beans, half the liquid reserved 4 tablespoons lemon juice or orange juice for a sweeter dip

2 tablespoons tahini* 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon salt Black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, chop the garlic to a fine paste. Add the garbanzo beans and reserved liquid and puree. Add the lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, salt and pepper; blend until creamy and well mixed.

2. Transfer the mixture to a medium serving bowl and serve with crackers, pita breads, or veggies. You can also store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com.

*Tahini is a ground sesame seed paste, similar to peanut butter and rich in calcium. Look for tahini in a glass jar or a can in the ethnic foods aisle of your regular grocery store.

If you cannot find tahini or choose not to use it, you can leave it out of the hummus but will have a slightly different taste and may need to add more olive oil to get a smoother product.

JCPH Offers No Charge HIV Testing for National HIV Testing Day

Do you know your status? Join the nation and find out on National HIV Testing Day, Thursday June 27th. On this day, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will offer HIV testing and counseling for no charge. Call 303-232-6301 to make your appointment!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 18.1% of people aged 13 years and older living with HIV infection do not even know they are infected. Getting tested, and encouraging your partner to get tested is the best way to make sure you are both safe. For more information, visit the Jefferson County Public Health website.

Know Your Status

December 1st is National World AIDS day. Jefferson County Public Health asks you to recognize the day by knowing your HIV status.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV and 1 out of every 5 aren’t even aware that their status is positive. They also estimate 50,000 Americans are newly infected every single year.

This is why Jefferson County Public Health urges you and your partner to get an HIV test. The only way for someone to know if they have HIV is to take the HIV test. Knowing your status can prevent you from inadvertently infecting someone else. There is no cure for HIV, but there are new treatment options allowing people to live productive lives while living with HIV.

Get HIV counseling and testing at low cost at one of our conveniently located HIV testing clinics. With a rapid test, you can even get results during your visit. Make an appointment today by calling 303-239-7078.

HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2012

June 27, 2012 is National HIV Testing Day. Across the country, public health partners will be encouraging people to take the test and take control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once, as part of their routine health care. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 21% of HIV-positive people don’t know they are infected and may be transmitting HIV without knowing it.

In Jefferson County, residents are encouraged to get tested and to learn more about HIV and the current status of the AIDS epidemic.

JCPH HIV Counseling and Testing Appointments

Arvada: 303-275-7555; Lakewood: 303-239-7078

HIV Counseling and Testing Program

JCPH HIV Recorded Information Line 303-239-7036