All posts by R.C. Liley
Learning to Walk and Butt Spins + Friday Foodie Fun Facts: Pears
Only 3 days left until my “bet” that Avery would be walking by 10 months will expire. Of course, technically, this counts as walking, right?
She’s getting very close, just needs to let go and realize she doesn’t need support to stand on her own. It’s hard, but we are trying not to rush it as that will make the task of keeping up with her all that more difficult! A crawling baby is hard enough as it is!!
Although, she does give us a break every now and then just to spin on her butt….
This is pretty new and took me a while to actually capture on video, but now she does it multiple times a day. Her Aunt Lindsay, Going Mom’s sister, said she just likes a panoramic view, and I fully agree!
But I don’t think she’ll be “grounded” much longer. I’ve been catching her working on her leg strength with squats to prepare for her momentous first steps.
What do you think? Before 11 months for sure or would say even longer? I feel pretty confident she’ll make those steps before her 11 month mark, but only time will tell for sure.
Maybe she’ll be motivated as we start going to meetups with the Dallas Dads Group another stay-at-home dad, David Kepley, and I just started with a lot of help from some great guys at City Dads Group.
Our first official meeting is tomorrow, at nice park with a miniature train to ride! How do you think an almost 10 month old will handle a train ride? I think she’ll love it.
Now, being Friday, that means I have a few fun food facts to share. We’ve been receiving organic, local produce each week from a co-op we just joined, and I’ll start giving facts about one of the items we receive. Today, it’s pears.
I love pears and haven’t had them in a while, so it was a nice treat to see them in our last box. Being organic, I just grabbed one and ate it as is, no need to wash since even organic soil has nutrients. It was delightfully tasty and left me eager to learn more about this sweet treat. Turns out, there’s a lot to know; here’s a few things….
- Before tobacco was introduced in Europe, pear leaves were smoked.
- Pears are often recommended for weaning babies because they are low in acid and aren’t too harsh on a baby’s digestive system.
- Pears have more nutrients per calorie than calories per nutrient which is surprising since they are so sweet. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, copper & vitamin K.
- Pears don’t float.
- Most pears ripen from the inside out, and if left on the tree to ripen, many varieties will turn brown and rot in the middle.
- The skin of pears contain at least three to four times as many phytonutrients as the flesh. These phytonutrients include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory flavonoids, and potentially anti-cancer phytonutrients like cinnamic acids. The skin of the pear has also been show to contain about half of the pear’s total dietary fiber.
Wow, I’d say when put against these bell-shaped treats, other fruits just can’t com-pear!
Happy Friday!
How My Broken Foot is Making Me a Better Dad
Are you someone who depends on having a plan? You feel anxious or even worried if you don’t have something laid out for the next day or two?
This is basically how I have been for the past few years, and it mostly revolves around exercise and food. I “need” to know what workout I’m doing the next day, and exactly how my food is prepared which is why I prefer making all of my own meals.
Obsessive? Probably, but it’s better than how I used to go out to eat frequently and would order fast food without ever questioning where the so called “food” came from or it’s actual nutritional profile. So I’m okay with obsessive.
For exercise, I could definitely tone it down, but it’s almost like an addiction. I feel a sense of relief and well-being after finishing a good lifting or HIIT session and refuse to give it up. When I didn’t have a set routine planned out for the day, I could always count on running to give me my “fix.” But then it happened, a stress fracture in my left foot. #damn
And of course running is the main culprit, and I’m sure daily burpees took their toll on my 4th metatarsal. So, now something I did every day must be put on hold for 2+ months. This is an OCD person’s nightmare!
Or so I think; I’m not really sure if I’m full-blown OCD, but I’m sure Going Mom would say otherwise. If, before my injury, I was told I could no longer run or do most weight bearing activities, I’d become an instant basket-case. As it turns out, I’m actually handling it quite well…..I think.
Instead of running, I ride my bike on a trainer in the garage or go for a swim in the neighborhood pool. The pool will close soon, but Kelley, Avery, and I made good use of it last week.
I’m so thankful to my lovely wife for coming down with me and watching Avery as I swam laps. I think Avery enjoyed it too!
I was worried the fractured foot would not allow me squat or deadlift like I normally do for lifting session, but it’s actually helped. Since proper form when squatting/deadlifting is to keep most of your weight on your heels, I am forced to do so and am getting better workout as a result. That weight that used to be light, really gets heavy when lifting the right way!
Instead of my daily 31 burpees, I am now doing 31 1-legged squats per leg each day. Not only are they harder, but now I’m working different muscles and feeling it a lot more! Change is good.
What does all of this have to do with becoming a better dad? Well, although I still have the “need” for exercise and am specific about my food, I have learned that I’m able to adapt to changes. Just ask my wife, she’ll agree without hesitation that I am stubborn about getting in a workout for the day and if we have to go out to eat, it’s always a battle. I still have a way’s to go, for sure, but I’m making changes and realize the world is not falling apart and I’m still healthy.
I have found that my training doesn’t have to be so intense all of the time and now I spend more time with Avery instead of brewing on the next workout or spending another 20 minutes grinding it out in the garage. Avery is usually very cooperative when in the garage with me, but now I can hang out with her inside and play with her more.
Working out doesn’t have to be full of complicated moves, and now I’m keeping things basic by lifting heavy weights followed by a quick conditioning routine and then done; playtime with Avery.
Another at-home dad and I have teamed with the City Dads Group to start our own Dallas Dads Group and we’ll have our first meetup this Saturday, the 13th. Prior to my injured foot, I was worried some of the meetings might interfere with my training plans, but now that’s not a big deal.
The top priority is making time for Avery and my wife; working out doesn’t have to be set in stone. Plus, I’m sure playing with Avery at the various meetup locations will be more than enough exercise. Especially as she keeps getting closer and closer to walking.
Now I’m more excited than ever to start bringing Avery to our Dallas Dads Group meetings, and hope to meet a lot of other great dads and their kids along the way. Going Mom will readily agree I still have a ways to go, but progress is progress, and I’m heading in the right direction! Maybe I can teach our baby how to leave the rug flat so daddy’s broken foot doesn’t trip!
Teaching myself how to adapt to changes and not stress so much is vital to being the awesome dad I aspire to be, and thanks to my broken foot, I’m getting there; one step limp at a time.
Have you ever had a setback due to an injury?
How did you adjust while in recovery?