By Christina Knoell | PREVIEW Columnist
After more than two years of being closed to the public due to COVID-19, the Pagosa Springs Senior Center will be opening the dining room. A soft opening is planned for specific days of the week.
We are still offering Grab-n-Go on the days of dining in. We will offer dining in every Monday and Wednesday until we are ready to open five days per week. Please be prepared to show your vaccination cards. If you have COVID-19, have been exposed or are exhibiting symptoms, please stay home.
Medicare Mondays
Medicare Mondays are for anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, parts A, B and D. We can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call our Medicare line at (970) 264-0501, ext. 4. Someone will return your call within 24 hours.
Bridge
Bridge is Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner. Proof of vaccinations is required.
Kitchen and desk
volunteers needed
The Community Café at the Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with the lunch desk. Please call(970) 264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Board openings
The Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors has four vacant positions open for financial oversight and policy implementation for the organization and Senior Center staff.
The terms are three years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 55 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
Community Café menu
Thursday, June 23 — Shrimp scampi, roasted zucchini, tomatoes and onion, milk, focaccia bread and salad. Calories 1163, carbs 130g, fiber 13g, fat 57g, sodium 987mg.
Friday, June 24 — Pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, milk, salad and apple crisp. Calories 1483, carbs 151g, fiber 16g, fat 75g and sodium 1043mg.
Monday, June 27 — Beef Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, milk, salad and peach cobbler. Calories 1045, carbs 106g, fiber 10g, fat 47g and sodium 926mg.
Tuesday, June 28 — Tuna salad with green salad or as a sandwich, broccoli salad, milk, and lemon mousse. Sodium 920mg, calories 1243, carbs 118g, fiber 11g, fat 59g.
Wednesday, June 29 — King Ranch chicken, sautéed zucchini, milk, salad and chocolate toffee crackers. Fat 60g, calories 1066, carbs 89g, fiber 11g, sodium 734mg.
Thursday, June 30 — Minestrone soup, pimento cheese finger sandwich, milk, asparagus Caesar salad and baked pear dessert. Sodium 754mg, calories 834, carbs 97g, fiber 12g, fat 29g.
Grab-N-Go meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $5 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10. Please call (970) 264-2167 to make a reservation.
Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call (970) 264-2167.
What does fat do?
Fat is one of the three main building blocks of food, along with carbohydrate and protein. You need some fat in your diet, but not too much.
• Fat from food helps your body make new cells and tissues. Your body also needs fat to absorb certain vitamins.
• Fat has more calories than carbohydrates or protein (1 gram fat equals 9 calories; 1 gram protein or carbohydrate equals 4 calories).
Fats in foods
Unsaturated fats are healthy fats. Types include monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fats.
These fats do not increase cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the blood. Some types, such as omega-3 fats, may lower your triglycerides.
Omega-3 fats may prevent heart disease and provide other health benefits.
Choose unsaturated fats instead of the unhealthy types. Saturated fats and trans fats are unhealthy fats.
These fats increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This puts you at greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
Limit these unhealthy fats.
Tips for eating
healthy fats
• Snack on a handful of nuts or sunflower seeds.
• Use olives and avocado in salads and sandwiches.
• Try different nut butters (such as cashew or almond butter) in sandwiches.
• To get more omega-3 fats:
–– Eat fish at least twice a week.
–– Try flax-fortified cereals and breads.
–– Add ground flaxseed to baked goods, cereals, soups and salads.
ASI raising funds for grant match
ASI has an immediate monetary need of raising $100,000 from our community to strengthen a Round 2 state of Colorado grant opportunity. So far, $25,000 has been raised.
ASI is proposing a $2 million request to purchase a new senior center, including the cost of renovations for a large dining room, food storage, offices, a large commercial kitchen and space for activities.
Please consider donating to ASI by calling (970) 264-2167. You may also mail your donation to P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors Inc.
We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For general information about ASI, please visit: http://www.psseniors.org/.
