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!
Life, Parenting, Tips

3 Rules You Need to Follow in Life to Be a Caring Father

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Holding your firstborn in your arms is a surreal yet unforgettable experience. Your body suddenly fills itself with the overwhelming feeling of love, joy, and gratitude.

Having a child in your life feels like a blessing, but at the same time, it is a full-time job that requires your complete dedication towards your kids. And if you find yourself lacking in any of those duties, you can unknowingly create a troublesome future for your children.

With our busy lifestyles, we seldom have time to ourselves, which makes us unaware of the needs of our children and family. Especially when you are living in a big city like New York. And raising a family in a city that never rests comes with its own set of disadvantages.

To tackle all these problems and raise a wonder kid, we present you with a list of rules that you can follow in your routine life. Let’s find out:

  1. Deal With the Stress

It’s no secret that stress has overtaken a significant portion of our lives. Day after day, we find ourselves dealing with the same routine, which slowly starts to take a toll on our physical and mental health. And during all this, we forget to take care of what is more important to us – spending time with our child and family.

If you are also going through a similar situation, it is time for you to nip this problem in the bud. To deal with stress, you can find plenty of ways. None are as quick and effective as consuming weed. For these reasons, the health industry is also boosting it among long-term patients of stress and anxiety. When living in New York, you can reap the benefit of NY weed delivery services at your doorstep. Its calming and soothing effects on your mind will help you spend more time with your kids. You’ll attentively listen to their problems and provide them a rational solution.

  1. Make Sure You Eat Together

A healthy and tasty way to create a stronger bond with your children and, ultimately, your family is by having meals together. It provides you with an excellent opportunity to spend your time with your kids without making an extra effort. While having dinner, you can ask them about their day at school and strike an interesting conversation.

So when you are having a heart-to-heart conversation with your family over dinner, you get a chance to become more familiar with the likes and dislikes of your children. Which further acts in strengthening your family bonds.

  1. Encourage Them to Pursue Their Interests

When you encourage your kids to pursue their interests, they give you more respect and love. It makes them aware that as a father, you are taking a healthy interest in their hobbies. As a result, your kids learn from their mistakes.

Wrapping up

A happy child is the cornerstone of a happy family. Ignoring your child’s happiness or yours is not ideal in any situation. With this short guide, you give yourself more chances at becoming the father you and your kids always dreamt about.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Life, Lifestyle, Parenting

4 Must-Haves for the Busy, On-The-Go Dad

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Being a dad is tough work. Working, taking the kiddos to their activities, and still trying to find time for yourself is no easy task. And being on-the-go can become stressful and overwhelming if you aren’t prepared for the busy times you are going to encounter. So, how can you make your busy life a little easier? Well, you can make sure you have a few must-haves on hand to keep you going, organized, and ready to tackle whatever heads your way.

Sunscreen

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Though you may find yourself covered in dirt, grime, and gunk throughout your day, you want to be sure that you are protecting your skin as best as you can before you start your day. Wearing sunscreen is the best way to make sure you are protecting your skin and making sure it is healthy in the long run. Plus, when your kiddos see you put your sunscreen on, it is a great example to be setting for them when it comes to skin health and overall wellness. You can even make applying sunscreen a part of the family routine in the morning. That way everyone wins and has protected skin.

A new wallet

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A Ridge wallet is going to be a game changer for any man, but especially for a Dad that is always on the move. If you are always on the go, you don’t want to be carrying around too much or have a wallet that is bursting at the seams. A new wallet will help you keep only the essentials on you and not weigh your pockets down. Plus, since you have to carry your cards around, you might as well get something that you know will be worth it. Why wait for a wallet emergency to strike, upgrade now and save yourself from the future headache.

A hydration pack

If you are always on the move, it is highly likely that you aren’t going to be able to remember to carry your water bottle with you too. It will get left at the store, in the car, or at home, rendering them virtually useless. So, why not carry your water in an easy-to-wear hydration pack? Being dehydrated is a bad habit you need to kick. A hydration pack will make it so your water is always with you, you have extra room for your essentials, and you aren’t forgetting it at home or in the car. Plus, it makes it so much easier to hydrate on the go. You will wonder what took you so long to get one.

A hat collection

Like we mentioned before, protecting yourself from the sun is a vital aspect of being an on-the-go dad. And another way to protect yourself and your skin is by wearing a hat. Of course, there are tons of hats to choose from, so this is where you can let your creativity and fashion sense soar. You can have a nice everyday hat that can take you to the office or running errands, one that will help you best during outdoor activities like working out, or just an everyday baseball cap to sport your favorite team, for comfort and style. No matter what hat you choose, it is a must-have to keep you cool, calm, collected, and happy in even the most stressful Dad situations.

Alright, now listen, Dad. We know you spend most of your time caring for others. But, make sure that you are taking care of yourself sometimes too. Be sure you have a few of these must-haves ready to go, and you will be able to conquer it all… and then do it all again tomorrow.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Parenting, Tips

6 Simple Ways to Take Care of Yourself as a Busy Parent

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Parenting can take a lot out of you, and finding ways to relax and take care of yourself isn’t easy. The key is finding little things that reduce stress and give you a break from the busy parenting life. Here are 6 simple ways you can take care of yourself as a busy parent.

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1. Take care of physical health

The mind-body connection can’t be discounted, and taking care of your physical health can provide plenty of mental benefits as well. Exercise is always one of the best things you can do to relax and blow off some steam. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger a positive reaction in your body. Plus, exercising can help you feel healthier, which also tends to lead to a more positive outlook. If you’re spending a lot of time sitting in the house parenting your kids, try to find some ways to get outside and exercise with them. Physical health isn’t just about hitting the gym. Prioritize skin care; after all, it’s the largest organ in your body. Adopting a regular skin care routine can make all the difference in how you feel and look. Another physical health must-have? Great dental care, both at-home and at the doctor’s. Worried about cost? There are plenty of ways to afford the tooth care you need, like this 1Dental savings plans, or by setting aside money from your paycheck every month to a separate account.

2. Healthy eating

Another thing you have to focus on if you want to take care of yourself as a parent is your diet. The foods you eat have a big impact on your mood, especially when you consider the fact that your overall health impacts your mood as well. Make sure you’re eating plenty of vegetables and foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin D. While treating yourself to a cheat meal every now and again is also a good way to relax a bit, a healthy diet is a key to taking care of yourself as a parent, and will help teach your children great habits. If you want to make it easier on yourself, order food subscription boxes like HelloFresh that come with all the ingredients you need to quickly prepare a healthy and tasty meal, any night of the week.

3. Exercise your brain

As important as it is to exercise your body to improve your mental and emotional health, exercising your brain is also important. The problem is, that most of us don’t work our brains enough as adults because we’re not forced to do so in school. If you find yourself getting irritated easily, picking up a book might be the answer to your problems. Reading not only improves focus and concentration but also expands your knowledge and empathy. If you’re looking for a gripping read that will truly engage your mind, try diving into a novel by J.D. Barker. Known for his intricate plots and psychological depth, these books challenge readers to think critically and keep up with twists and turns that stimulate mental agility. Reading might just be the mental exercise you need to regain your balance and calm. Simply letting yourself get lost in a story is a great way to exercise your brain and relax. If you want to up the ante, consider a brain training app like Lumosity.

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4. Learn a skill

For some parents, bad moods are a result of feeling stuck and doing the same things every day. If you feel like you’re not doing enough in your day-to-day life, learning a new skill is a good way to engage your brain and find a new activity you enjoy. You could learn how to bake, make your own clothes or design graphics with Photoshop. Whatever skill you choose, it’s a great way to reclaim some of your own time and find enjoyment in life.

5. Get some sun

While diet and exercise are the biggest keys to a healthy body, you need plenty of sunlight as well. Sunlight delivers vitamin D to the body, which helps keep bones and teeth healthy in addition to boosting your mood. This is why many people find themselves down in the dumps during the winter, but happy on a bright summer day.

6. Find ways to unwind

At the end of the day, being a parent is all about improvising. Sure you can’t do all the things you used to do, but you can still find ways to relax and unwind at the end of a stressful day. Whether you like playing video games, watching TV or reading about your favorite sports team, taking some time out for yourself in the evening to unwind is always healthy. If you like to unwind with cannabis use, find yourself a quality bong that will last and work great like those offered at Vitae Glass. In places where it’s legal, cannabis is quickly becoming a popular way to de-stress and reduce anxiety, so it’s the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long week.

Being a parent is a busy job that can lead to a lot of stress, but it’s worth it in the end. If you’ve found yourself having trouble relaxing and taking care of yourself mentally and physically lately, try some of these methods.