All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!

Your Guide On Planning A Great Family Weekend Away

If you’re looking for ideas on how to plan a family weekend away, look no further. This blog post will provide you with all the information you need to have an enjoyable and relaxing trip:

  1. It will discuss some tips on how to choose the right destination.
  2. Give you some ideas for activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
  3. Provide you with a sample packing list to help make sure you don’t forget anything important.
family on vacation, beach, parenting, kids, mom, dad, ocean

Photo by Elina Sazonova

Choose the right destination

Consider the interests of everyone in the family

You’ll want to choose a destination that has something for everyone. This will help ensure that everyone enjoys the trip and doesn’t get bored.

Consider things like:

  • The age of your children
  • Whether or not your children are active
  • What kind of climate you’re looking for
  • Any special interests or needs that someone in the family has

For example, if you have young children, you might want to choose a destination with kid-friendly activities. Or, if you have teenagers, you might want to look for a place with lots of different things to do so they don’t get bored.

Keep all these factors in mind as you narrow down your choices.

Going to the beach is a great activity to consider

Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun or take part in some water activities, the beach is a great choice for a family weekend away. After your fun weekend away, remember to store your boat in a storage unit.

There are plenty of beaches to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for your group.

Once you’ve chosen your beach destination, you can do lots of different activities. 

Here are a few ideas:

  • Swimming and body surfing: This is a great activity for all ages and can be done right in the ocean.
  • Building sandcastles: This is a classic beach activity that’s perfect for kids of all ages.
  • Playing beach volleyball: This is a great way to get everyone moving and have some fun competition.
  • Collecting shells: This is a relaxing activity that everyone can enjoy.
  • Going on a nature walk: Explore the area around the beach and look for wildlife.

Now that you’ve chosen your destination and activities, it’s time to start packing! 

Here’s A Sample Packing List To Help Make Sure You Don’t Forget Anything Important:

  • Clothing: pack enough clothes for the number of days you’ll be gone, plus a few extras in case of spills or accidents.
  • Swimsuits: pack one for each person in the family.
  • Beach towels: don’t forget to pack these!
  • Sunscreen: be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect everyone from the sun.
  • First Aid kit: it’s always a good idea to be prepared in case of minor injuries.
  • Snacks and drinks: pack enough snacks and drinks for everyone to have throughout the day.
  • Cooler: if you’re going to be doing any beach activities, you’ll need a cooler to keep your food and drinks cold.

In Conclusion

Now that you’ve packed everything you need, you’re ready for a fun and relaxing family weekend away!

Four Reasons To Pre-Plan Your Funeral

We only really get one certain thing in life and that is death. It sounds pretty morbid to talk about, but it’s the one thing that all humans and all living things have in common. There is no if, there is no but, there is no maybe. We may not know how, and we may not know when, but we all know it’s happening at some stage. If you have a practical mind, the one thing you might want to do is plan this properly. No, we don’t mean planning for your actual death, but we do mean planning for what comes after that. Whether you want to be cremated, whether you want to have a burial, whether you want to have a wake with fanfare and bells and whistles – all of this is within your control, but only if you plan it early.

From knowing the right cremation services to knowing how to plan a headstone, you have to be ready for that. You want to be able to have a say on what happens at the end of your life and even though you may trust your family to give you these things, planning in advance properly and legally will help you to know for sure that this is what will happen when you die. You deserve to have a ceremony that you want, and by doing so you can feel more at peace about where your soul is going next. Here are four great reasons that you should pre-plan your funeral.

rose on a tombstone, death, funeral

Image Source: Pexels

  1. Easing the pain. One of the best reasons that you should look up planning your funeral yourself is that you are going to ease the pain for your loved ones. You are going to be missed when you die, and the people around you are not gonna be in any fit state to help plan a funeral for you. One service that is particularly useful to help with this is funeral live streaming video services so that your entire inner circle can participate without the stress of traveling a long distance. If you do this in advance, you enable the people around you to grieve instead of burdening them with a long journey and finding accommodation. You can feel confident that the plan is already in place and paid for so they don’t worry.
  2. You will bring financial security to others. If you have planned the funeral right down to the food you would like at the wake afterwards, all of the financial decisions are squared away. Your friends and family are not going to have to pay for the funeral, because you’ve already handled all of that. Others may not have enough money to pay for a funeral particularly if your death is unexpected. You can avoid that and pay for your funeral in advance. Planning can be difficult, but with the help of extra resources, your loved ones won’t have to go through the stress themselves.
  3. Removing the fear. Most of the time, people fear death because they fear the unexpected. They don’t know when it’s going to happen, they don’t know where it’s going to happen and that means there is no control in any of the decision-making along the way. You may not be able to control how you die but you can control how you are buried and how you rest.
  4. Doing it your way. When you pre-plan your funeral, it’s going to be a true reflection of you and your personality. No one else can stop that from happening.

Top 5 Ways to Improve Male Health and Wellness

Though often neglected, male health is extremely important. There are many ways to improve your overall well-being, and this post will outline the five best methods. From diet to exercise to stress relief, there’s something for everyone here. Keep reading to learn more about how you can take control of your health and live a happier and healthier life.

middle-aged man, health, wellness, male health

Photo by Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash

Amp Up the Fruits and Vegetables

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the best things men can do for their health. Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients that are essential for good health, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type II diabetes. Also, fruits and vegetables are a good source of fiber, which can help promote a healthy digestive system. There are many ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Try adding them to your breakfast or lunch instead of sugary snacks. Eat them as a side dish or in place of meat at dinner. You can also try juicing or smoothies as a convenient way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. If you are not used to eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, start slowly and increase your intake gradually. Your body will adjust, and you will soon be reaping the many benefits of eating a healthy diet!

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is another vital part of a healthy lifestyle. It has many benefits, including reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases, improving mental health, and reducing stress levels. Exercise can also help boost energy levels, build strong bones and muscles, and improve balance and coordination. There are many different ways to get exercise. You can go for a walk or run outdoors, join a gym or fitness class, or even do some exercises at home. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your daily routine. Remember to warm up before exercising and cool down afterward to avoid injury.

Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. It helps the body repair and rejuvenate itself and can also help improve mood, memory, and focus. Most adults need between seven to eight hours of sleep per night. If you have trouble sleeping, there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep quality. First, establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down before sleep. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, as they can interfere with sleep. And make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool – an ideal environment for falling asleep quickly and staying asleep throughout the night.

Manage Stress

Stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It can cause anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. It can also lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating or drinking alcohol to cope with stress. Therefore, learning how to manage stress is an integral part of maintaining good health. There are many different ways to manage stress. For example, you can try exercise, relaxation techniques, or journaling. Find what works for you and make it a part of your daily routine.

Supplements

While a healthy diet and exercise are essential for overall health, sometimes we need a little extra help. Supplements can fill in the gaps and provide the nutrients our bodies need to function properly. There are many different types of supplements available, like organic super greens, so it is essential to choose ones that are right for you.

taking health supplements

Photo by jack atkinson on Unsplash

These are just a few of the many things men can do to improve their health and wellness. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you will be on your way to living a healthier and happier life!