Last year, I wrote about Clorox’s support of the Children’s Health Fund – an organization whose mission is providing health care to the nation’s most medically underserved children and their families.   Clorox still supports CHF today, and our guest blogger, Dawn Jackson Blatner, a dietitian and USAToday.com, blogger tells you how the power of one simple healthy change in your life can make a difference not only for you, but also for kids in need.

Of course we all know we should eat healthier and exercise more, but it’s hard to find the time & energy to make major food & fitness overhauls. So instead of waiting for the perfect time to start a new diet or exercise routine, just take action now by making ONE small, realistic change. There is power in ONE change. It’s that ONE change that ignites momentum toward optimal health & wellness!

Below are small change examples I give my readers, my patients, and even my family & friends. Pick ONE of these changes or let the list inspire you to come up with ONE of your own...then start your ONE change right now and stick with it!

Food

- Switch your cereal, bread and pasta to whole grain versions.

- Have a veggie tray eye-level in your fridge.

- Bring a water bottle with you – carrying it is a good reminder to drink more water.

- Swap your fries and chips for a simple garden salad.

- Ask for sandwiches and salads without cheese and mayo.

- Eat fruit to tame a sweet tooth such as a berry sundae instead of an ice cream sundae.

- While grilling your favorite meats, put twice as many veggies on the grill, too.

Fitness

- Find the farthest spot in the lot. Don’t be that car circling to find the closest one!

- Take the stairs instead of escalators and elevators.

- Go for an after-dinner family walk.

- Take a 10-minute walk at lunchtime.

- Wear a pedometer. People who wear them tend to walk more than those who don’t.

Make Your One Choice Count Twice

Visit www.checkinforcheckups.com anytime you follow-through on your ONE small change. Every time you make a healthy choice – from eating healthy to taking a walk around the block – simply, log it or “check-in” at www.checkinforcheckups.com and Clorox will donate 10 cents, up to one million check-ins, to the Children’s Health Fund (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.