Your Health Matters - February 2019

In this Issue

--Health Awareness: Heart Awareness Month

--Everyday Health: Undetectable = Untransmittable!

--Good'n'Healthy: Healthy Valentine's Day Treat

--News Worthy: Chase Brexton Staff Recognized

--Events: AIDS Walk & Music Festival Registration Now Open!

 

Heart Awareness Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions.

Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to make small changes, like using spices to season their food instead of salt.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. This can help students start good habits early.
• Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking out about ways to prevent heart disease.

Need to talk to a health care provider? Make an appointment!

Undetectable = Untransmittable!

Undetectable = Untransmittable means that a person living with HIV who follows their treatment plan and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. Led by the State of Maryland and the Baltimore City Health Department in conjunction with its partners, the U=U Maryland Campaign aims to eliminate the stigma of living with HIV through education, empowerment, and engagement.

If you are sexually active, U = U affects you, regardless of your status, sexuality, or background. Together, we can stop the spread of HIV. Get the facts here.

 

Peppermint Chocolate Tart

This rich chocolate tart dessert recipe is low in sugar, making it a perfect healthy finish to a heavy holiday meal.

Ingredients

Crust

3 tablespoons water
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon white whole-wheat flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup canola oil

Filling

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cacao)
1 cup nonfat milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
¼ teaspoon salt
1 peppermint candy for garnish
¾ cup whipped cream for garnish

Steps

1. To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place water in freezer to cool while you make the dough.

2. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss together with a fork until evenly damp and crumbly. Drizzle with the cold water; toss with the fork. Use your hands to bring the dough together into a ball, but don't knead or overwork it. 

3. Place the dough between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into an 11-inch circle. Remove the top piece of plastic wrap and carefully invert the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the sides. Trim and patch where necessary. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. 

4. Place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake until the dough pulls away slightly from the edges, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. 
5. Meanwhile, to prepare filling: Place chocolate chips in a heatproof medium bowl. Combine milk and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture looks thick like honey and frothy, about 5 minutes. Pour it over the chocolate chips. Add peppermint extract and salt; let stand for 1 minute without stirring. After 1 minute, stir gently with a spatula until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is thick like pudding. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface. Set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes. 
6. Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Gently swirl the surface of the chocolate with the back of a spoon, from one side to the other. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 4 hours. 

7. If desired, crush peppermint candy and sprinkle over the tart. Use a hot knife to cut the tart into 12 pieces. Garnish each piece with 1 tablespoon whipped cream, if desired.

Equipment: 9-inch round tart pan with removable bottom.

 

Chase Brexton Staff Members Recognized

Two Chase Brexton Health Care staff members were recently recognized for their impact on their communities.

Monte Ephraim, Manager of Behavioral Health Services and LGBT Older Adult Programming at The LGBT Health Resource Center, was recently named a Hero Among Us by the Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council. Ephraim was honored for her years of service to those living with HIV/AIDS in the Baltimore area. 

Meanwhile, Lisa Pearson LCSW-C, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Chase Brexton's Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Randallstown Centers, was recently named to the Board of Trustees of the Horizon Foundation. Based in Columbia, the Horizon Foundation is Maryland's largest imdependent health philanthropy. Its mission is to lead community change in Howard County through innovative initiatives, collaborative partnerships, strategic grantmaking and thoughtful advocacy.

Read more about these accomplishments, and stay up to date on all Chase Brexton news with our brand-new blog at www.chasebrexton.org/blog!

 

 

AIDS Walk & Music Festival Registration Now Open!

ZERO shame. ZERO risk. ZERO new transmissions.  ZERO deaths. HIV ENDS with US! Join us on Sunday, June 9 at Power Plant Live! for the Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival!

With your help, we can end the impact of HIV on our friends, families, and our communities, by expanding the education, testing, prevention, and treatment programs of Chase Brexton and our Community Partners.

Find out more at www.BaltimoreAIDSWalk.org!