Want to be healthier this summer? (OK, that’s a rhetorical question…who doesn’t?) Make those healthy choices count times two.

Several months ago, I wrote about Clorox’s support of the Children’s Health Fund – a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare to the nation’s most medically underserved children and their families.

Through a new program, Check-in for Checkups, each time you make a healthy choice, no matter how small ― like taking a walk, putting on sunscreen or going for a “skinny” latte instead of full-fat — you can “check in” at www.checkinforcheckups.com or tweet the hash tag #checkinforcheckups. Clorox will donate 10 cents to CHF as part of its challenge to get one million check-ins this summer and help support CHF’s goal of providing half a million checkups for children in need across the country.

This summer, I’ve decided to commit to 5 healthy habits. Now, I must admit that healthy choices don’t always come naturally. I’m usually the one scarfing down the bag of chips when I could probably snack on almonds…But that’s the beauty of the Check-in for Checkups program: it’s not about making a monumental healthy change in your life (though kudos if you do!), it’s about small, realistic steps that you can start doing today.

Here are 6 simple, healthy habits that I plan to “checkin” for this summer:

1)  Disinfect doorknobs and other frequently touched areas of my house.

― I do this like a maniac already, so this habit will be one of the easier ones to adopt. And now I have an excuse to act like a disinfecting nut job for a good cause. Win-win.

2)  Introduce my kids to a new fruit.

― Summer is the time for new and interesting produce to appear in the markets, and trying those new fruits with my kids can be a fun adventure. Maybe I will get them to try figs or some of those crazy hybrid fruits. Plumcot? Grapples? Here we come.

3)  Floss.

― In my chaotic household, I must admit that flossing can seem like a luxury. This habit will be tougher, but I’ll try anything for a good cause.

4)  Eat breakfast every day.

― OK, given the choice between taking time to eat breakfast in the morning and sleep, I choose sleep. So I’ve decided to bring breakfast with me to work and eat it while I go through emails. I still eat breakfast, but don’t feel like I’m sacrificing too much shut-eye.

5)  Spend some quality time outdoors with my kids.

― Walking around the block, watering the flowers, or just hanging (literally) at the playground: these are all things I already try to do with the kids. Now that I can “checkin” every time I do it…what better motivation to get out there and enjoy the good weather?

6)  Park farther away from the entrance and walk.

― I don’t do this often enough, despite how easy it is. For some reason, I get a deep sense of pride in scoring a parking spot really close to the entrance, like I’m going to win some kind of parking trophy. Time to switch gears, take the first spot I see…and walk!

Ok, so those are my healthy habits. What I love about this Check-in for Checkups program is that it allows these habits to benefit my own family's well-being while also contributing to the lives of disadvantaged children at the same time.

 What’s your healthy habit? Be sure to visit www.checkinforcheckups.com to learn more about the program and get ideas for how your actions can help keep kids healthy. And then, from June to December, checkin regularly so Clorox can donate 10 cents to CHF for every habit check-in, up to a million check-ins. The more we all check in, the more Clorox can give. 

Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 18 or older. Sponsor will donate $0.10 to The Children's Health Fund for every check-in. For full terms and conditions and donation details, visit http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/.