BEFORE                             AFTER                   

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in the Butte Cluster would like to recognize 
Johana (pictured above), not only for her significant weightloss, but also for her personal effort in preventing chronic disease, and using her success story to promote EFNEP in the low-income rural community of Olivehurst, CA. Johana's commitment to participating in EFNEP has been both rewarding and lifesaving. Johana is a young mother with 4 children, residing in a low-income rural community.  When Johana started participating in EFNEP at Cedar Lane Elementary, she was eager to learn and to participate. In fact, Johanna's enthusiasm for the program was so great that she took it upon herself to begin promoting EFNEP to her family, neighbors, friends, and members of her church. She also played an instrumental role in keeping her peers motivated and holding them accountable during the EFNEP lesson series that she participated in.

After the 3rd lesson, Johana had many questions regarding her physical appearance and eating habits.  She remembered when EFNEP Educator Sonia Rodriguez used the phrase, “check with your doctor”, so she did. It was at that time that Dr. Francisco Martinez diagnosed her with early stage fatty liver and prescribed medication right away. However, Johana did not believe in taking medication, so she mentioned to the doctor that she was attending a nutrition class with UCCE. It was at this time Johana knew that she had had make some changes. Her medical insurance was expiring, and she knew she wouldn't be able to retain it due to the high cost.

Johana decided to change her eating habits and start walking with her family 5 days a week with the hope that she would not have to use medication. She also cleaned out her food pantry, started making food substitutions, and started being physically active.  In addition, she eliminated soda, began drinking more water, replaced white breads with whole grains, started organizing her grocery shopping using a list, and began eating smaller portions.

Quotes:

1) “I was 220 lbs., never exercised, nor controlled my diet and because of the changes I made coming to EFNEP, using Walk Indoors CD, I now weigh 166 lbs., and my liver is normal according to Dr. Martinez."    - Johana

2) “I enjoy every class and will continue attending every session and telling everyone in my family, friends and neighbors about my story.” - Johana