The year was 1989, and HIV was a terrifying unknown. Fear hung heavy, threatening to consume me. But I refused to surrender. Instead, I focused on what I could control, starting with my health. I adopted a simple mantra: "eat more, stay strong." It wasn't just about nourishment, it was about reclaiming a sense of normalcy. This was just the beginning of my journey, a journey that would lead me to unexpected strength and a powerful sense of community.

Welcome to the AOC Garden!

Our garden opened the first week of November. The garden will complement the food from the pantry

and nutrition education classes. One of the classes we will learn about the health benefits of lavender

while we drink lavender tea. If you would like to volunteer to maintain the garden or grow herbs and

produce, please reach out to our dietitian, Juanita Barr at (817) 916.5220 or juanitab@aoc.org.

As we draw closer to Halloween, so does the cold weather. Try a budget-friendly ramen soup! Did you know ramen originated from China in the 1800's. Once the Chinese migrated to Yokohama, Japan it became a popular dish among the working class. Traditional ramen is made with animal broth, noodles, protein (tuna flakes, dried sardines), and vegetables (onions, kelp, shiitake mushroom).

Growing up I loved gardening and making chocolate mint ice-cream from the chocolate mint in my community's garden. Growing herbs and plants teaches you patience and how to rotate crops to enrich your soil. Crop rotation is the practice of not planting the same crops in the same place in back-to-back years. By not planting the exact same vegetables in the exact same spot every year, you can avoid having pests and diseases continuously build up in the soil.

According to the CDC, black women are 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. This may be due to health disparities such as lack of access to health care and the prevalence of chronic diseases. Unfortunately, medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can increase a mother's chances of developing preeclampsia…

June 19 is a national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. Unfortunately, the slaves in Texas were not informed they were free until 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was passed on January 1, 1863. Today the holiday is celebrated in various cities, including Fort Worth. Ms. Opal, who is considered the Grandmother of Juneteenth, holds an annual walk in Fort Worth on June 19 called Opal's Walk for Freedom. Some communities may celebrate by having a backyard BBQ. A common side item that is directly linked to our ancestors who came from West Africa is okra. Enslaved Africans brought okra, which you can find in Senegalese stews. One cup of okra provides 38% daily needs of vitamin C and is a good source of fiber, Vitamin B6, and magnesium. Celebrate June 19 and connect with your heritage by cooking up a side of okra. Let us know how you enjoyed the recipe!

April is national Alcohol Awareness Month. The CDC recommends no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. According to the CDC 5.1% of adults engage in heavy drinking. Heavy drinking is defined as…

‘A slap in the face’: Advocates trying to end HIV say threats to drug’s access are dangerous.
Every night, Clint Haskell tosses a blue, square-shaped pill into his mouth, washing it down with a handful of water from the sink in his bathroom. The nightly routine provides Haskell peace of mind. The pill — which is sold under the brand name Descovy — reduces Haskell’s chance of becoming infected with HIV by more than 90%. Haskell’s boyfriend is HIV positive, and Haskell is not…

Senior Center Spotlight: Seasoned Survivors Senior Center Shows How to Support HIV-Positive Older Adults | Mar 15, 2023 | 7 min read

…As Students of Aftershock, we had support from our Advisors to come to our Doctor’s Appointments with us. This provided support and a better understanding of our health. We also would take trips to Museums, Nice Restaurants, Parties, this was a way to keep bonding within our group as well as experience new things. We had classes that also helped make resumes to find jobs for us, this was one important factor for the program. Aftershock wanted the students to be able to be independent always. Along the way we never went without. Aftershock didn’t ask for much so we just had to make the steps to making a change …

Eating a meal high in fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol. High cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis (thickening of artery walls), heart disease, and stroke. It is important for men to get 21-25 grams of fiber a day and women 30-38 grams a day. Fiber from vegetables, fruits, grains and seeds, comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber pushes the fat out of your body by collecting it like a vacuum. Insoluble fiber (indigestible fiber) creates a bulky stool, which lowers your chances of becoming constipated.

Author: Rhannie Surel, BSN, RN | Surel Medical Press LL
Managing your care is very difficult. How do you take care of yourself? When do you take what medicines? How do you take care of others? Where do you even start?

AOC is here to help you navigate aspects of your health and make it manageable. The first thing we will cover is the following:

Cool down from a refreshing summer salad. Watermelon is a good source of vitamin B5 and beta carotene, which gives it a red/orange appearance. Vitamin B5 helps the body make red blood cells and changes food into energy. Eating a few slices of watermelon can keep you hydrated since it's over 90% water, and contains electrolytes such as potassium. Try this refreshing watermelon salad, and let us know how you stayed hydrated this summer.

Protein is an important macronutrient that builds and repairs your muscles and strengthens bones. Getting enough protein is important for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and HIV. Individuals living with HIV who are symptomatic may need additional protein. Foods high in protein include lean beef, chicken, salmon, eggs, low-fat dairy, peanut butter, beans such as chickpeas (garbanzos). A ½ cup of chickpeas has 6 grams of protein, and 4 oz cooked chicken breast has 35 grams of protein. Try our protein-packed recipe and leave us a comment on how you liked it.

‘Aftershock’ program helps people with HIV survive — then thrive. The new program is an initiative from the AIDS Outreach Center in Fort Worth.

Eating well is key to maintaining strength, energy, and a healthy immune system. In addition, because HIV can lead to immune suppression, food safety and proper hygiene are concerns when it comes to preventing infections.

My name is Nigel and before working at AOC I was a client. Like a lot of clients, I was lost and confused and couldn't accept my diagnosis. AOC helped me find housing and they helped me have someone to talk to about my feelings…