By Ashley A. Jones

Brenda Parker

Parker has been honored by Rialto City Council for her contribution to the campaign. She has made appearances for the advertising campaign and is featured on the Network DVD, which highlights the importance of engaging in good dieting and physical activity.

Champions for Change is a program presented by the Network for a Healthy California African American campaign. It is intended to serve African American women from the ages of 18-54 in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The campaign challenges California families to commit to a healthy lifestyle.

 Parker has been married for 17 years and works as a stay-at-home mom. She is a mother of two, one seven and one five. She keeps her family active with daily activities. She said, "We practice healthy eating and physical activity as a family unit. To gain a healthy lifestyle my family and I ride our bikes, swim, skate, and take long walks. We also laugh and dance a lot."

Parker said, "Good heath is important because we have so many debilitating diseases that are taking over our children and other families of California. Without good health, you could end up with health issues such as diabetes and high cholesterol. We have to eat healthy, think healthy, and act healthy in order to keep our bodies from deteriorating. I believe in health because I want to live here with my children for a long time."

Parker commits to a family night twice a month. She said, "Two Fridays out of the month I allow my children to pick a healthy dish of their choosing.  We gather together and prepare the dishes as a family. Our latest dish was cheese quesadillas with broccoli."

Parker was influenced to be a Champion for Change mom as a result of seeing a need to get the word out. She said, "I have watched so many of our children in the state of California get debilitating health exams. Their cholesterol is high, their blood pressure is high, and they are just children. This program allows me to take an active role in showing families how they can make positive changes in their lifestyle."

Parker concludes by saying the most rewarding aspect of being a Champion mom is seeing positive lifestyle changes in the families. She said, "Through this program I get to be an example and assist families in making positive changes in their household, allowing the families to be in better health."

For healthy tips, recipes, community resources, or instruction on how to become a Champion mom, visit www.cachampionsforchange.net  or call toll-free: 1-888-328-3483.