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!
Lifestyle, Parenting

Family-Friendly Activities to Experience in Tampa

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Planning a memorable family getaway to the sun-kissed state? Tampa, Florida should top your list! Renowned for its magnificent beaches, lively culture, and endless entertainment, this bustling city caters to every family member.

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover, we have prepared a guide of the top family-friendly activities that will make your Tampa trip a fun-filled experience. Ranging from world-class theme parks to captivating marine life encounters, gear up to make memories that you will cherish forever.

So, gather your family, pack your bags, and let’s delve into these amazing experiences!

A Brief Overview of Tampa’s Family-Friendly Activities

Museums: Consider visiting the Museum of Science and Industry, The Henry B. Plant Museum, or The Florida Aquarium for an enlightening family day out.

Parks: Tampa houses numerous parks perfect for picnics or a day of fun activities. Highly frequented parks include Al Lopez Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and Gasparilla Island State Park.

Beaches: Boasting over 30 miles of beachfront, Tampa is an ideal place to bask in the sun and play in the sand. Popular beaches include Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park, and Honeymoon Island State Park.

Sports: Home to several professional sports teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Tampa also offers the experience of watching minor league baseball at George M. Steinbrenner Field or college football at Raymond James Stadium.

Other Attractions: Other must-see spots include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Lowry Park Zoo, and The Florida Strawberry

#1 Busch Gardens

A family trip to Tampa is incomplete without a visit to Busch Gardens. This globally recognized theme park caters to everyone, with exhilarating rides, fascinating animal encounters, and live shows.

Occupying over 200 acres, Busch Gardens is among Florida’s largest theme parks. It houses more than 50 rides, some of which are the country’s most sought-after roller coasters. However, the allure of Busch Gardens extends beyond rides. The park hosts a variety of animal interactions, from immersive experiences with exotic birds to behind-the-scenes tours of the animal care facilities. Plus, there are live shows ranging from electrifying stunts to Broadway-like performances, ensuring a memorable experience at Busch Gardens.

#2 Adventure Island Water Park

A must-visit for families wishing to escape the Tampa heat, Adventure Island Water Park spans 30 acres, featuring water slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads, guaranteeing fun for everyone. The park also provides cabana rentals for those who wish to unwind in the shade while the kids play.

#3 ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park ranks among Tampa’s most beloved family-friendly attractions. Housing over 1,200 animals and 200+ species from around the globe, the zoo invites visitors to venture on the wild side with giraffes, lions, and tigers, or have a close encounter with sloths, kangaroos, and penguins. The zoo also boasts a splash pad and a carousel, perfect for young visitors.

#4 Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to learn about the aquatic world, featuring over 20,000 animals and plants. The aquarium presents a range of educational programs and exhibits, as well as a variety of animal encounters.

#5 Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum promotes educational and interactive experiences for children. Spanning over 170,000 square feet, the museum hosts more than 60 hands-on exhibits that engage kids in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The museum also organizes various programs and events for families to enjoy collectively.

#6 Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Beyond being the residence of Winter the Dolphin, Clearwater Marine Aquarium functions as an operational marine animal rescue center. Visitors can witness the rehabilitation process of the animals, with the aquarium’s goal being to return as many creatures back to the wild as feasible. Other marine life inhabitants include sea turtles, stingrays, pelicans, and more.

#7 Big Cat Rescue Center

As implied by its name, the Big Cat Rescue Center serves as a sanctuary for big cats. The center houses over 100 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, and other big cats. Visitors can tour the facility and understand the efforts put into rescuing and taking care of these animals. The center also provides educational programs and close-up experiences with some of the resident cats.

#8 The Florida Holocaust Museum

The Florida Holocaust Museum is a significant educational site in Tampa, dedicated to preserving the Holocaust’s memory and enlightening future generations about this grim period. Visitors can explore exhibits on the Nazi regime, concentration camps, and the lives of Holocaust survivors. The museum also conducts educational programs for children and adults.

#9 MOSI: Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is a leading science museum that offers hands-on STEM education experiences for all ages. Spanning over 450,000 square feet, MOSI has something for everyone!

Highlights at MOSI include:

Saunders Planetarium: Marvel at the wonders of the universe in Florida’s largest planetarium dome!

The Kids In Charge! Children’s Science Center: Let your kids explore, discover and play in this hands-on science center tailored just for them.

IMAX Dome Theater: Amplify your movie experience in MOSI’s gigantic IMAX theater.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stadium Tour: Get an exclusive insight into one of the NFL’s most iconic stadiums on this behind-the-scenes tour.

Don’t miss out on seasonal events like pumpkin painting and holiday laser shows!

So, what would you like to do first?

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle

Are You Using Alcohol as a Crutch? 5 Reasons It’s Not Doing You Any Favors

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Alcohol offers an amazing tool for dealing with situations in life. For introverts, alcohol can be a way of coming out of their shell and facing the world out there. For those struggling with esteem issues, alcohol provides a means for gathering courage and confidence, allowing one to do things they would have difficulty doing when sober. It is for this reason that alcohol is called the social lubricant due to its ability to loosen people up. However, such outcomes often come at a heavy cost. If you are using alcohol as a crutch, here are 5 reasons why it’s not doing you any favors.

1. Diminishing Effects

Alcohol can be dangerous mainly because its regular use may result in tolerance, which compels one to drink more to obtain the same effect they did when they started consuming the substance. As the trend continues, the negative effects of alcohol consumption begin to outpace the benefits you’ve been getting from alcohol consumption. In the end, the positive benefits that were once associated with alcohol disappear completely, leaving you lonely. When you find that your expenditure on alcohol has surpassed what you used to spend, then know that your consumption has become problematic, and the time to visit a residential treatment center has come. Seeing a professional can help go a long way in helping divert from your poor drinking habit and get control of your life.

2. Alternatives to Drinking

The truth is, there are other numerous ways to achieve the outcomes that alcohol seems to present. The only reason why alcohol is a preference is because it’s an easier method compared to the rest. Meditation, for instance, can be an excellent way of experiencing a real sense of well-being.

3. Self-medication is Never an Option

Alcohol is always an option for those dealing with mental health issues such as depression. Self-medicating with alcohol is problematic because, in the long run, this tends to worsen symptoms and could make it even more difficult to treat the underlying conditions causing the mental health issues.

4. Alcohol Abuse Doesn’t Improve Life

Addiction often results in a down spiral. This implies that with continued use of alcohol, addiction is likely to worsen and it would be impractical for anyone to make positive progress in their life. Alcoholism holds people back, but once you stop consuming the substance, you’ll be in a position to find happiness and progress forward.

5. Recovery Reveals Self-Worth

If you use alcohol as a way of experiencing inner peace, you only need to change the method to achieve this goal. When you are sober, you’ll be able to develop emotional sobriety which will give you the peace of mind you need to deal with life and make informed decisions that propel your life in the right direction.

Final Word

While alcohol can help you deal with the issues you are facing, uncontrolled consumption often becomes problematic. If you feel like you’re having difficulties in life due to alcohol problems, visit a rehabilitation center close to you to get the assistance you need.

Lifestyle, Tips

Fix it Yourself or Call in the Experts: When to Choose One Over the Other?

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Common tools for home repairs
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Nothing lasts forever. Inevitably, things break down, and often at the most inopportune times. So, the real question is, what do you do when something breaks? Should you try to fix the broken object yourself or seek professional help to avoid worsening the situation? Let’s explore our options.

Having the necessary skills

As individuals, we each possess many skills acquired throughout our lives. For example, some people excel at electrical work, while others are skilled carpenters. But these abilities are often more like hobbies than expert-level proficiencies.

Such a view doesn’t diminish their value. Indeed, if a task is simple enough and you have the skills to handle it, by all means, do so. Tapping into your inner DIY powers can go a long way to boosting your self-esteem and saving you money. But for more complex problems, it’s wise to rely on professionals. For example, when a furnace malfunctions, it’s best to let experienced technicians handle the repair.

In such cases, one can easily find and contact local repair companies, like those specializing in furnace repairs in Groveport, Ohio. It’s crucial to avoid attempting such repairs without proper knowledge or tools, as this could lead to disastrous consequences such as setting the house on fire.

It’s cheaper if you do it

It’s common, particularly among dads, to insist on fixing broken appliances instead of admitting they may lack the necessary skills. They often justify this by arguing that professional help is just too costly and they can fix it for free. However, if someone attempts a repair without the necessary expertise, it can result in even higher expenses than if professionals were contacted initially.

Consider this: calling in the experts may be more cost-effective than having to endure complaints from your spouse after making matters worse by trying to handle the repair on your own. After all, peace of mind is invaluable when repairing appliances and maintaining relationships in your home.