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!

Easy Ideas To Enhance Your Curb Appeal

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Curb appeal is all about how attractive and inviting your home looks from the street. Improving the exterior is a great way to improve your enjoyment of your home, and add value too. Here are some easy ideas to focus on curb appeal.

1 . A bright front door

A fabulous way to improve your curb appeal is to invest in a new front door. It’s a great idea to go for something brightly colored that stands out. Bold colors are the best way to make an impression. When it comes to materials you’ve got several options for a new door. Security-wise, composite is one of the stronger choices. These doors are both incredibly secure, weather-resistant, and eye-catching. You could even explore installing Hollow Steel Doors for a sturdy, long-lasting option that is also beneficial in reducing noise, which is a great feature for your front door.

2. New plants & flowers

There’s no better way to jazz up your front lawn than by adding some new plants and flowers. Some of the best flowers for the fall season are chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, or sweet alyssums. As we move into winter, try plants like snowdrops or 

Mahonias. During the winter you may need to protect your plants from frost, one of the best ways to do this is to add mulch to the soil, or put a protective wrap over your plants at night.

3. Pressure washing services

Is your front yard looking a little grubby? All sorts of unwanted substances can build up on your paving stones and walls, from dirt and moss to algae and mold. To clean up your front yard it’s a good idea to hire pressure washing services. With a nice clean-up, your yard will be looking brand new. Neglecting to clean the exterior of your home can eventually damage the structure of your property, so it’s best to keep on top of this.

4. Color coordinate 

If you want to give your home the wow factor, try a little color coordination. You might match your front door with the color of your flowers, or add a few decorative touches in the same shade? Color matching is a great way to enhance the look of your yard, and keep everything looking neat and pristine.

5. Ornamental touches

Looking for a simple way to boost your curb appeal? Try adding a few ornamental touches. There are plenty of decorative objects you can add to your front yard. From lanterns to stone statues, water features, and even decorative mailboxes. Or how about purchasing some decorative stone or glass from a supplier like Tampa Bay Ponds & Rocks to make an eye-catching path or fill a pre-existing fire pit? And if you’re feeling brave, you could even install that fish pond you’ve always wanted. Decorative touches can help to give your home a touch of character.

6. Update your paving stones

If your paving stones are looking a little worn out and tired it could be time for an upgrade. New paving stones are a great way to enhance the look of your home, particularly if you go for some eye-catching patterns and designs. There are plenty of different paving stone materials you can choose, depending on the look you’d like to create. Some of the most popular types of paving stones include natural stone paving or porcelain paving.
Tips like these are all you need to boost your curb appeal and improve your home. Creating a gorgeous home can add value and enhance your lifestyle.

7 Common Bite Issues and the Consequences of Failing To Seek Treatment

A person’s bite is very important for their oral health. The bite affects how a person eats their food and how they talk. Unfortunately, multiple bite issues can occur and lead to problems with the way a person looks and how healthy their teeth remain. This guide explores the seven most common bite issues and helps encourage people to seek orthodontic treatment.

Bad Bites Are Called Malocclusions

A bad bite is more serious than most people realize. A person has a bad bite if their teeth do not meet up normally, allowing their jaws to close. Those who have bite issues need to see the Orthodontists Near Me. Scheduling a consultation appointment will allow individuals to learn about their treatment options.

Seven Common Bite Issues

Multiple bite issues can occur with a person’s smile. When a dentist sees their patient has a bite issue, they will send them to an orthodontist for an evaluation. Multiple orthodontic interventions may be necessary to correct some of the worst bite issues.

1. Crossbite occurs when the top teeth fall behind the bottom teeth. This issue occurs because of misalignments in the teeth or in the jawbone. There are both interior and posterior crossbite issues.

If this condition is not corrected, uneven wear and tear will occur on the teeth. The enamel is likely to begin to become worn, and the individual will find they are unable to chew normally.

2. Underbites are another common type of bite problem. With this condition, the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw, giving an almost “bulldog” appearance.

If this problem is not corrected, an individual could experience ongoing stress on their jaw joints that causes wear and tear, along with pain.

3. Open bites are yet another bite problem that many people face. There are posterior and anterior open bite problems.

This issue can cause speech problems and issues with swallowing because the tongue pushes through the opening and blocks a person’s ability to swallow.

4. People who have a deep bite will see their top teeth completely cover their bottom teeth. This problem not only causes a person’s smile to look less attractive, but it can also lead to tooth damage.

Individuals who do not get their deep bite corrected may experience their upper teeth biting into their lower gum tissue. The lower teeth can even bite into the roof of the mouth. People with deep bite are also more likely to develop gum disease.

5. Crowding is also a common problem among individuals. When there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate all the teeth, the teeth will begin to shift. Teeth can overlap or become severely crooked.

If a person does not get their smile corrected, they will find it difficult to clean their teeth. Individuals will also discover they are more at risk for developing gum disease and tooth decay.

6. Spacing is another bite problem. When there is too much space between the teeth, a person’s smile does not look as attractive as it could.

Spacing issues need to be corrected because food can become trapped between the teeth and cause cavities or gum disease to develop.

7. Protrusion is a problem that is often unkindly referred to as “buck teeth”. This condition causes the upper teeth to protrude well beyond the bottom.

This issue needs to be corrected because it causes the upper teeth to be prone to damage and may cause speech issues.

Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation

Individuals who are interested in learning about their orthodontic options for correcting bite problems should schedule a consultation appointment. At this appointment, they can receive a full evaluation and learn which treatments will be most beneficial.

Regaining Control Of Life Situations Where You Thought You’d Lost It

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There is nothing worse in life than feeling that you have lost control of a situation. When these scenarios surface, it’s vital that you do everything in your power to put things right.

Thankfully, the opportunities to do that are greater than ever. Here are six of the most common situations where you may feel like you’ve lost grip, along with the best ways to regain control.

#1. Your Looks

We all see our physical appearances change over time. However, nobody wants to look and feel old before their time. Medical and cosmetic treatments have progressed at a rapid rate. With the right support, it is now possible to combat receding hairlines. Likewise, you can get help with your body image, skin rejuvenation, and esthetic needs. 

Restoring your youthful glow and gaining a better overall appearance brings telling rewards. Not least in the way that other people respond to you.

#2. Your Health

Appearances are important but they don’t come close to the significance of your health. Living a healthier lifestyle will help you reverse obesity and many of the symptoms linked to it. Regular hearing and sight examinations can help identify issues before they take control of your life. Similarly, visiting the doctor when you notice health problems is key.

Suffering in silence is never the option. The sooner you respond to issues, the sooner you can regain control of your life.

#3. Your Finances

Losing financial control can impact virtually every aspect of your life, leading to sleepless nights. Speaking to debt specialists can work wonders. When unforeseen situations that weren’t your fault are to blame, you must seek compensation. Car accident attorneys and other relevant experts help you do this. You must not fight battles alone.

Looking ahead, spending money wisely and building a better credit score should be high on the agenda.

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#4. Your Career

A thriving career is one of the most rewarding things you can achieve in life. After all, you spend far too many hours at work to be anything less than satisfied with the work. Speaking to a recruitment expert can help you identify what it is you want to achieve. When you are happy and suitably remunerated, you cannot complain.

For some, it’s all about money. For others, there are different priorities. Either way, you deserve to find a career that will leave you smiling.

#5. Your Mental Health

When thinking about health needs, most people naturally focus on physical elements. However, it is equally important to keep your mental wellness in a good place. If you can feel depression or anxiety creeping in, help is available. Psychiatrists, therapists, and doctors can prescribe many treatments.

The simple knowledge that you have taken a step in the right direction can lift a weight of stress from your shoulders.

#6. Your Social Life

Life is to be enjoyed. It is, therefore, very hard to accept the fact that you have fallen into the trap of working to live. So, stop. From establishing a work-life balance to rediscovering hobbies and things you love, simple steps are key. Getting it right will make your life a whole lot more enjoyable.

And, ultimately, that is the purpose of life.