Tag Archives: going reviews

How the DIYZ Mobile App Makes Toilet Repair with a Toddler Fun

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the DIYZ app®. All opinions of apps and companies that help me complete DIY projects are my own. #DIYZ #GetWise

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

Do you enjoy taking on DIY projects around the home, or does the thought make you cringe? I’m somewhere in between. I’ll get excited at the thought of tackling a project, but when it comes time to get the ball rolling, I’m never confident about what all I need. Even if that project is getting the ball to roll! Luckily, I was introduced to the DIYZ app that features an extensive library of DIY projects that users of all skill levels can take on with confidence.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

I’ll admit, Going Mom is handier with projects around the home than I am, but scrolling through the plethora of DIY projects on the DIYZ app had me ready to prove myself as a handyman. The app provides step-by-step guides with segmented how-to videos, a list of recommended tools and materials needed and even the option to speak with a Pro Advisor via video chat or over the phone. Oh, and it’s free to download for iPhone in the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android. For a limited time, even the video-chat is FREE!

I already found a number of projects saved that I wanted to start right away, but there was one looming repair beckoning for my upmost attention. And that, of course, was the toilet flush valve.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

For months, our toilet would constantly run throughout the day as it never completely filled to the level inside the tank. The noise was subtle at first, but, it eventually progressed to the equivalent of fingernails slowly running down a chalkboard. Avery refused to use it since it screeched out in protest when she lifted the lid. We told her he was just a grumpy potty feeling down in the dumps and it was our “duty” to fix him. She’s still too young to laugh at my dad jokes and just looked at me like I was full of crap. Kind of how I felt about this guy….

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

As annoying as it was, not to mention a waste of water, I just never took the time to figure out where to begin with fixing the thing. No worries, the DIYZ app clearly lists the recommended tools and supplies needed to complete this project and I could purchase everything right on the app via Amazon.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

My wife and I try to teach Avery to face her fears, and judging by her willingness to help daddy fix the “flapper” in the potty, I’d say we’re doing a good job.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

With easy to follow instructions on the app, my little plumber and I went about replacing the noisy toilet flush valve with a brand new one. It’s a tight squeeze to turn off the water supply line if you’re a grown adult, but it was a non-issue for Avery.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

Her willingness to turn off the water supply and hold the lines inside the tank honestly helped me with our daddy-daughter project. It’s great that she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, but whether she actually liked it or not is a different story.

Despite the “helping” hands of a squirmy toddler the project was complete in the same amount of time as an episode of Doc McStuffins. Following the segmented videos with step-by-step instructions helped me focus on one thing at a time and not try to remember everything at once. With the confidence to complete our DIY potty repair made for a fun way to bond with my little girl and actually get something done at the same time.

My only regret is not downloading the DIYZ app sooner. There are so many projects I had issues completing in the past and ended up calling in a professional every time. But, the DIYZ app has the option to video video-chat with a licensed professional via the Pro Advisor feature. Advisors are available from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM ET Monday through Friday. On weekends, DIYZ advisors will be available to help tackle projects from 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM ET. The best part? This feature is free for a limited time! FREE!

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

I’m thankful to be part of the #DIYZGuys team full of dads taking over the home with help from the DIYZ app. Make sure to follow DIYZ on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for helpful tips and ideas for DIY projects and repairs in and around your home.

DIYZ, mobile app, diy, home improvement, #DIYZ, #GetWise

May is National Home Improvement Month which is a perfect time to find something fun to create or fix as a family. Search the app to find a home improvement project (or five) you want to start and get to it!

Riding Without Training Wheels: The WOOM 2 Transition

Teaching your kid to ride a bike without training wheels may seem like a daunting task. But, if they’re used to riding a balance bike like the WOOM 1 from WOOM Bikes, it can be done in less than a week.

Not long after I announced we were getting a WOOM 2 Pedal Bike to transition from the WOOM 1 Balance Bike, the much anticipated two-wheeler arrived. Avery diligently “helped” Daddy open the box and get her Big Rocket ready to ride. Luckily, WOOM makes setup easy so your kiddo can hop on and ride pose for a cute pic.

woom bikes, balance bike, pedal bike, no training wheels, training wheels, riding bike, kids

For those wondering, yes, she quickly accrued 10 miles on the WOOM 1 to earn her new bike. Actually, it took less than a week to get there. Okay, okay, I admit that’s not much of a goal to earn a nice new bike like the WOOM 2, but hey, I wanted to see our girl pedaling for the first time! I imagined her hopping on and pedaling on the first try while she cried out in joy as she took off.

So much for my imagination.

After a few more attempts, it was clearly not happening on the first day. Knowing not to push her too hard which will easily ruin a kids’ experience, we called it quits for the day. Before getting on the bike that day, her enthusiasm for her new pedal bike was through the roof, but afterward, she was telling me she was all done with it and i could give it back. Ummm, sorry, dear, that’s not quite how it works.

The next day, after an encouraging talk and promises from daddy that I will be right there to hold on to her, she agreed to give it another go. Little did she know, I was going to suddenly let go as she was moving along. I wasn’t sure how it would turn, but it sounded like a good idea to this wise dad. But was it?

A post shared by RC Liley (@going_dad) on

YES! On the second day of riding, unsure if my “just let go” plan would prove successful, Going Mom and I had a pedaling toddler on our hands! You could see and hear the confidence radiating from our little girl.

It’s always bittersweet watching your little one learn and grow, but this definitely goes down in the super proud dad history book. Avery has been riding great all by herself since that day and can even hang with the older bike riding boys in the neighborhood. When asked if they want to ride, I’d say their actions are all that’s needed.

She kept up well on her WOOM 1 Balance Bike, but now she can really hang with the more experienced friends. She’s also learning how to share her pride and joy, “Big Rocket” (the balance bike is now “Little Rocket”, obviously), with her friends.

The WOOM 2 is parent, Avery, and friend approved!

We’ve been watching her ride for a couple weeks now and while she’s getting better, there are still areas that need work. Thanks to the freewheeling kit offered by WOOM, she’s quickly learned to use her hand brakes, but every now and then she’ll shoot her legs out to stop with her feet as if on a balance bike. Another issue is getting her kickstand up/down.

It’s a daily struggle, but I refuse to help in hopes that she’ll eventually catch on. I know she will, but until then, it’s painful to watch. As frustrating as it is, she surprisingly accepts that she should do it on her own, and knows a nice bike deserves to be properly…errr, propped and not just laid on its side. Always respect your belongings, another great lesson.

Riding straight and not wobbling all over the sidewalk is another big area to work on. We have to remind her to look where she’s going and not get distracted, but any parent that has or had toddlers knows how that goes.

I’ll share more as her transition continues, hopefully with a better braker that can ride in a straight line! No matter what, everyone is in awe that she picked up riding her pedal bike so quickly and never needing training wheels. We tell her how proud we are each and every day.

Any tips on continued training on a pedal bike?

Care to share any stories of your own?

Legion Genesis Greens Superfood Review + Healthy Recipe

The supplement market is saturated with products promising a wide variety of health supporting nutrients in a convenient capsule or as a powder. Searching for a good brand with quality ingredients that actually do as the bold words on the bottle claim is stressful. Luckily, Legion Genesis delivers a powerful greens superfood punch and has the research to back it up.

As Legion says, there are two major reasons why most greens products fail on their promises:

Legion Athletics Genesis_Other Greens Don't Work

Legion Athletics provides a host of supplements for men and women wanting to perform at their best every day. They are committed to providing products with high quality, healthy ingredients at clinically effective doses backed by published research. This is what makes Legion’s Genesis Greens Superfood stand out among the rest.

A photo posted by RC Liley (@going_dad) on

I take many supplements each day. Some in powder form, some as capsules, and some as a liquid extracts. They all serve a purpose in helping me think, feel, and perform better, but it gets overwhelming trying to keep up with taking each one separately, not to mention time consuming by having to measure out each dose.

greens supplement superfood

With Genesis, most of the supplements I take are inside, and Legion did all the work for me by providing each ingredient at clinically effective dosages backed by research.

Legion Athletics Genesis Supplement Facts

When I was given the opportunity to review their greens supplement, I jumped at the chance to try their product. Not only would it save lots of time from measuring, I already know how Legion uses only the best ingredients and cares about what they put into every product they create.

Here’s a list of key benefits taken directly from Legion’s site:

Legion Athletics Genesis Supplement Benefits List

Genesis is geared towards active individuals, but even if you’re just getting started in living a healthier, active lifestyle, this superfood alone will help get you going and stay on the right path. Here are the main players in Genesis that give this powder such potency. Provided from their site.

Spirulina

Research shows that supplementation with spirulina…

  • Improves the cholesterol profile [52]
  • Increases muscle endurance [53]
  • Helps control allergies [54]
  • Reduces muscle damage caused by exercise [55]
  • Helps the body eliminate heavy metals [56]
  • Lowers blood pressure [57]
  • Helps protect liver health [58]
  • Reduces systemic inflammation [59]
  • Improves insulin sensitivity [60]

The clinically effective dosage of spirulina ranges between 2 and 10 grams.

GENESIS CONTAINS 5 GRAMS OF SPIRULINA PER SERVING

Astragalus Membranaceus

Research shows that supplementation with astragalus membranaceus…

There’s also animal research suggesting that astragalus promotes longevity, but this has yet to be explored in human studies. [69]

GENESIS CONTAINS 3 GRAMS OF ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS PER SERVING, PROVIDING 9 MILLIGRAMS OF ASTRAGALOSIDE IV

Moringa Oleifera

Research shows that supplementation with moringa…

  • Helps protect heart health [71]
  • Reduces blood pressure [72][73]
  • Mitigates DNA damage [74]
  • May have anti-cancer benefits [75]

The clinically effective dosage of moringa ranges between 500 and 2,000 milligrams of the leaf.

GENESIS CONTAINS 1 GRAM OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF PER SERVING

Maca

Research shows that supplementation with maca…

  • Improves subjective sense of well-being [76]
  • Improves sexual function in men and women [77]
  • Improves sperm production and health [78]
  • Improves libido in men and women [79][80]
  • Helps preserve joint health [81]
  • Can reduce feelings of anxiety and nonclinical depression [82]

The clinically effective dosage of maca extract ranges between 1 and 3 grams.

GENESIS CONTAINS 1.5 GRAMS OF MACA EXTRACT PER SERVING

Broccoli Sprout

Research shows that sulforaphane is a promising anti-cancer nutrient and is also known to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [85]

The clinically effective dosage of broccoli sprout depends on how much sulforaphane it provides, and the clinically effective dosage of sulforaphane is 1 to 9 milligrams.

GENESIS CONTAINS 500 MILLIGRAMS OF BROCCOLI SPROUT PER SERVING

But what about the taste? Something dark green with all of those healthy supplements must taste bad, right?

Nope. With the use of only stevia and erythritol as natural sweeteners and nothing artificial or full of fillers, the taste is quite pleasant. I just used water to mix my dose each day and could easily sip and enjoy the drink. If mixing with almond milk or in a smoothie, I bet it would be even better.

So it tastes good, but does it work?

Yes! I just returned from a week long family vacation and had no desire to lug my entire stack of supplements. Instead, I chose to bring Genesis to take at the start of each day. I’d drink a serving in water every morning on an empty stomach and could feel the smooth stream of energy, health and mood-boosting benefits throughout the day. Mixing is easy with no clumping in a shaker bottle. I mixed with a fork and had a few clumps, but since it tastes good, I didn’t mind.

As a guy who prefers to cook his own food, I had limited resources which meant I was eating less than usual. Being at the beach and a lover of all things active, I wasn’t just lounging around, I was fighting the waves, playing in the sand and water with my daughter, walking all over the area, and kayaking. I attribute my ability to maintain healthy energy levels and recover properly to do it all again to Genesis.

Legion Genesis_Perform Better

Playing with my daughter is extremely important to me, and my confidence in this supplement has been won for helping me perform at my best.

Standing with Avery in Ocean_Back

Even on the plane trip there and back, I was fasting until I could get to some real food, but Genesis kept me functioning at healthy levels. Without having water, I simply put the powder directly in my mouth and was amazed at how good it tasted like that. Imagine Pixie Sticks flavor, but in superfood form.

Now that we’re back home, I’m still taking Genesis every day and not touching my giant stack of supplements. I’m sure I’ll get back to them again, but why spend so much time when Legion has just what I want at the doses proven to work?

I’ve been completely satisfied with this greens superfood supplement and honestly can’t find anything bad to point out. Some people may not like the flavor, but I find it pleasing and could even eat it as a treat. I’ve used other healthy greens supplements and can say firsthand, they are not as pleasant.

Legion’s Genesis gives anyone that’s active or looking to become active what they need to get going. As a parent, I couldn’t recommend this enough to keep you performing at your best for you little ones. Life is too short not to get down and play with your family, so make sure you are living and leading the healthy life you want your loved ones to follow.

Legion Genesis_Be All That You Can Be

Update: I wanted a way to have a healthy, family-friendly snack that’s full of high quality protein and immune boosting superfoods, so I used Legion’s Genesis and their Whey+ Protein Powder to make a delicious bread sure to please the palate and fuel your body right.

Legion Genesis Green Superfood Protein Bread

by RC Liley

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 40

Ingredients (1 9×5 Loaf)

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup protein powder (I used Legion Whey+ Vanilla Protein)
  • 1/4 cup Legion Genesis Green Superfood
  • 1.5 tsp aluminum free baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 12 drops vanilla or regular liquid stevia (or use 3 – 4 stevia packets or 1/8th pure stevia powder)
  • 1 overripe banana, mashed
  • 1/3 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
  • 2 whole eggs or 1/4 cup egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Grease a 9×5 loaf pan making sure to get all the up the sides and corners. I used coconut oil.

Preheat oven to 350 F

Add all ingredients and blend until smooth.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake in the middle of the rack for 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool completely to room temp. This allows the bread to retract from the sides as it cools which makes it MUCH easier to remove.

Go around the sides with a thin rubber spatula or butter knife and turn upside down to remove from loaf pan.

Slice as thick or thin as you’d like and enjoy your healthy bread plain or with a pat of grass-fed butter. Better yet, smother it in NuttZo!

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Disclaimer: I received Legion Genesis free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own, and I truly love everything this company offers. Promise! 🙂 This post also contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. Thank you in advance if you do so. 🙂