Home Haven – 6 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home Security

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash

Security, it's something we all strive for; in our jobs, our relationships, and our homes. When it comes to the first of these areas of our lives, the responsibility for security rests mainly with us. Sure, there are other factors that could impact it, but at the end of the day we maintain the majority of control over our performance, and therefore, the job and relationship security outcomes.

Our homes, on the other hand, are largely affected by factors we have no say in. The best way to deal with this is to be prepared and take control of every aspect your can, which is precisely what this article is all about.

Lock It Up--

Since the best way to protect what's in your home is to keep threats out, the first thing you're going to want to do is to invest in upgrading your locks. Traditional deadlocks still have their place, but thieves and those who wish you harm are getting better at circumventing them. For optimum security, installing a smart door lock is a far more sophisticated choice. These devices carry all the traditional benefits with an added layer of tech that makes it easier for you and your guests to access the house while making it harder for unwanted visitors to get in.

Fence It Off--

Likewise, upgrading your fencing can be beneficial in stopping those with dubious intentions entering your premises. While this won't be permitted in all neighborhoods, if you're allowed to, it's worth looking into what kind security fencing would be a good fit for your property. You may have to sacrifice some of your views but the trade-off for peace of mind is worth it.

Lighting Is Key--

If you're looking for something that can add convenience as well as security, sensor lights can both literally and figuratively light up your life. Forget scrambling for your keys in the dark or trying to figure out whether that shadow in the backyard is an intruder or just a tree; any type of significant movement will set them off, so you'll know exactly what's going on in and around your home at all times.

Companionship--

This one may seem a little strange but owning a pet can, in some cases, deliver the same security benefits as always having someone home. Many thugs will target properties which seem unoccupied so an animal can act as a deterrent and if anyone does try to come inside, your new friend can raise the alarm.

Scream It from the Rooftops--

Speaking of alarms, if you don't have one, you really should. You can try your hardest to keep intruders out but if anyone manages to get in, you're going to want to know and an alarm is the easiest way to achieve that. Many systems also come with the added benefit of being able to autonomously alert the police or a security company for you. This can be a literal lifesaver in some situations.

Hit Record--

Another successful deterrent that will also be quite beneficial if anyone does ever get inside is a network of security cameras. Clearly visible cameras can scare malicious individuals away from your home, but if they decide to brave it anyway, you will at least have clear footage to give to the authorities.

While no-one can ever guarantee complete safety, taking these steps can significantly improve the security of your premises. Have a look at what's on offer and install the options that best fit your situation. You may never need them, but that’s a game of chance it’s really not worth gambling on.

These 5 Food Items Will Improve Your Skin and Hair Health

Sometimes the secrets to health are right under our nose when we are least able to suspect them. The market is flooded with commercially made skin and hair care products but do we closely pay attention to how we take care of our bodies from the inside as we do on the outside?

External factors only play a small part in keeping your skin young and glowing and your hair luscious. After all, no amount of anti-aging creams could save you from wrinkles if you're nutrition deprived on the inside. The human body has means to maintain its beauty and they only come into play if the right nutrients are provided through proper diet.

Hair fall, dry skin, baldness, aging and all worries that take up most of your time can be regulated, prevented and even cured with the inclusion of these 5 simple foods in your meals:

Almonds--

All nuts are ideal for hair growth but almonds stand out because of their nutritive properties that include an abundance of vitamin E and B that should be consumed on a daily basis for good skin and hair. Almond oil is applied for the purpose of bringing back the life and luster of dry hair with split ends.

Two teaspoons of almond oil with milk does the trick of restoring the health of frizzy and grey hair. Consumption of raw almonds as a snack is known to smooth and moisturize the skin.

Spinach--

We often get reminded how important it is to finish the green leafy vegetables on our dinner plate but have you ever wondered what all they could do for you? Spinach is a green antioxidant vegetable that cleanses your skin from the inside out. It comes loaded with Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. It cures acne, provides sun protection and has anti-aging benefits.

It also improves skin complexion and makes it look radiant. Spinach is eaten boiled and used in salads and soups. You can order it in the form of salad or other dishes from reputed places like originalsaigon.com.au/gluten-free-guide-vietnamese-food.

Seeds--

Eating seeds is a healthy food habit that more people need to develop. Seeds are more far more nutritious than one might think. It doesn’t do them justice to throw them away. Sunflower seeds contain zinc that promotes continuous hair growth.

Yellowish fenugreek seeds fight dandruff and work as a skin cleanser. Chia seeds are also a prominent source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Watermelon seeds have amazing moisturizing properties. Seeds can be baked and used as salad dressings.

Oily Fish--

Fish oil is one example of fats that are not harmful to us. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body on its own. They have to come from external dietary sources such as fish. These acids help balance out the negative effect of Omega-6 fatty acids.

They fasten the collagen production for glowing skin and thick hair. Extraction of fish oil and selling of fish oil beauty supplements has grown popular because of the presence of omega-3 fatty acids and the wonders they do for skin and hair.

Gooseberry--

In many cultures, gooseberry is known as a fruit that has nectar-like properties. Just 10 ml of sour gooseberry juice every day could save you many potential trips to the doctor. It stops premature aging in its tracks, repairs skin to bring it back to its original coloration, and combats lifelessness of hair to make them stunningly lustrous.

There are infinite ways to include this in your normal everyday diet. Grate it and mix it with dough or make pickles or sweetened marmalade and jams. You can also drink extracted gooseberry juice for easy and quick consumption

When Should You Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned?

Many people don't realize that a dryer vent is more than a way for hot air to escape the appliance and leave the home. It also typically carries small particles of lint and debris out and away from the vent. Allowing this to build-up to the point of blocking the exiting hot air can cause problems.

Photo by Tina Bosse on Unsplash

Visual Inspection Reveals Dust, Lint, or Debris--

Pull the vent hose loose and inspect it using a flashlight. If you can see a build-up of dust, lint, or debris, it's time to get the dryer vent cleaned.

It's Been Longer than Three Years Since Your Last Cleaning--

You should have your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least every three years, depending on how heavy you use the appliance. If you use the dryer several times a week, increase the cleanings to once each year.

All of Your Laundry Has a Coating of Lint After a Full Cycle--

The built-in lint filter is there to catch as much as possible, but a clog in the vent makes it almost impossible to keep up with removal. It's time to bring in professional help if your lint filter is full and you still have heavy amounts of lint covering the laundry.

You Can't Feel Much Airflow Through the Outside Vent--

The airflow out of the exterior opening of your dryer vent should be strong when it's in full operation. A weakened airflow is a signal that there is a blockage somewhere in the line. Hire the expert dryer vent cleaning Sarasota residents depend on to keep the vents free and clear of lint and other debris.

Your Dryer Gets Unreasonably Hot--

The dryer and the entire area surrounding the appliance will feel abnormally hot when the vent is getting clogged. You need to have it cleaned out right away to avoid a fire that can spread to your entire home.

Keeping your dryer vent clean of clogs and blockages is important for both fire safety and to keep from stressing the appliance to the point of breakdown. Invest in a thorough cleaning and see how much better your dryer functions.

5 Tips to Select a Restaurant That Caters to Your Diet

Maintaining a low carb diet on the weekends might be a herculean task. However, with a little bit of care and systematic planning might assist you in maintaining your keto lifestyle like a pro. Be it weekend parties or lunch dates, the following five tips will help you to choose the perfect restaurants that will cater to your diet regimen.

Availability of Online Menu--

In this world of digitization, everything is easily available on the world wide web. Search online for the menus of the shortlisted restaurants so that you can scan through the different menus beforehand to select the most reliable place. Pre-decide the dishes that you might order and check out its components clearly so that you can hunt for the sugar-free, low carb healthy dishes.

In this manner, you can get a clear idea of what different restaurants have in their bags to offer. Whether they are capable enough to fulfill your requirements of the keto diet or not.  A little bit of extra step will surely help you to bolster up your low carb needs.

Contains Substitute for Starchy Foods--

If you're following a low carb diet, then it's a significant step for you to eliminate the food items that contain starch. Thus, hunt for the restaurants that offer an acceptable substitute for the starchy foods items. For instance, reduce the dishes made out of bread and refuse the rice. A restaurant must have a tasty replacement such as a fresh veggie salad or lettuce wraps in place of calorie-loaded burgers so that they can cater to the needs of people belonging to the different groups.

The well-being of your health lies in your hands so, never feel hesitant to be extra cautious about what you feed upon. Make clear choices and select the restaurant that makes delicious low starch dishes.

Has Food Items with Healthy Fats--

Most of the restaurants offer meals that are low in fats making it difficult for the people on low carb diets to feel contented. Thus, look for a place that could easily customize your dish without any much ado.

The restaurant workers should easily provide you with the add ons as required, like extra butter on your veggies or meat, or olive oil drizzling over your salad etc. For those hunting for quality food, places like https://au.linkedin.com/in/originalsaigonrestaurant can turn out to be boon when it comes to taking care of numerous dietary needs.

Go Through the Reviews-- 

To get a clear picture of a restaurant or cafe, the most appropriate option is to go through the public's reviews. This feedback shall give you a crystal clear image of the restaurant's ambiance and food quality. Thus, another significant step that you must follow for selecting a perfect restaurant is to sustain the people's feedback regarding all your shortlisted restaurants.

Many restaurants use inexpensive vegetable oils that are loaded with omega-6 fatty acids which are not a wholesome option for anyone. You could only get to know about this fact by the people who had an experience of dining in that particular restaurant. Thus, go through the reviews thoroughly before jumping to the conclusion.

Availability of Low Carb Drinks at Affordable Rates-- 

Often, restaurants charge their customers some extra bucks for an inexpensive diet drink by merely calling it a keto drink. Consequently, you might end up paying more than needed for a simple drink that could easily be prepared at home with some inexpensive ingredients. So, it's advisable to go to the restaurants that offer sugar-free beverages or sparkling water but all at a very budget friendly cost.

A restaurant must also make light beer, spirits or dry wine available to its customers so that they can make their choice based upon the number of calories it contains.

How to Buy the Right Dance Shoes for Your Child

Photo Credit: Beto Franklin

Parenting is not easy. It is your job to open every door and window that will allow your child to succeed.. You do not know what interests they will develop as they grow up, so you must first lay a firm foundation. This is the primary reason why parents enroll their children in dance at a very young age.

Nothing compares to dance. A dancer is under more physical demands that a football player. Dancers spend more hours mastering their craft. A dancer uses the same muscles that a football player does, and he or she must do it with a smile. The tools of their trade are leotards, tights, and shoes. The leotards and tights support the body and help the dance to maintain good posture. The clothing also lets the dancer and the instructor see which muscle they are relying on, so they can correct an issue before there is an injury.  

Dance shoes are a different story. All of the uniforms are important, But dance shoes are the only thing between your child and the floor. If they are jumping, twirling, or practicing, the shoes must be right. To ensure their feet are protected

Photo credit: Beto Franklin

Buying Dance Shoes--

When you enrolled your child in dance, they probably gave you a list of items your child will need. These items will include tights, leotards, hair ties, and shoes. The shoes are the most costly item you will buy. The good news is if you make your purchase from a quality dance wear company like Just For Kix the shoes will last longer than the classes.

You may be tempted to let your child wear someone else’s shoes. Maybe your older child had some that you kept. Maybe your friend has a pair they no longer use. This is a major mistake. As a dancer wears shoes, they form around their foot. Even as they wear, they will wear to fit the single person who broke them in. Dance shoes must fit very snuggly on the foot. They cannot have any movement between the foot and the shoe. This is not because of cosmetics, but for safety. If your child takes a jump and her foot moves, she can injure her feet, legs, and even her back.

Photo credit: Ivandrel Pretorius

Type of Dance Shoes--

+ Ballet Slippers.  Every dancer needs a good pair of ballet slippers. They are perfect for studio practice. Even if your child is not taking ballet, they can wear them comfortably. Eventually, your child will move up to Pointe shoes. Even then, she will use her slippers to practice in.

+JazzShoes. You have a large selection when it comes to Jazz shoes.They come in a lot of colors. They also come in a range of styles. You can go with high-tops, slip-on, and low-tops.The soles are split-soles or full soles. Split-soles give the dancer more movement and flexibility. For your beginner, go with rubber soles. This gives them more control and padding when they jump.  

+ Tap Shoes. Tap shoes are only worn by tap dancers. Their shoes are part of their performance. Tap shoes have metal plates attached to the toe and heel of the shoe. With every step, the dancer hears the tap which helps with the beats of the dance.

+ Hip Hop Shoes. Hip Hop shoes may look like sneakers, but they are high-performance shoes that give 100% of the time. Before you go purchase some high-dollar sneakers, compare the prices. Save money and buy the right shoes the first time.

+ Ballroom Shoes. Few children use ballroom shoes. These shoes are well cushioned, sexy, and they are heels. Shoes that have a heel that is square are Latin Ballroom Style. Heels of 2-2.5 inches that have a flared heel are the traditional ballroom shoe. Note: Latin Ballroom shoes can be worn with any type of ballroom dancing. But, flared heels are not recommended for Latin dances.

Again, your child’s instructor will tell you what kind of shoes you will need for each class. Order dance shoes online so they will arrive on time.  Ask her about any needs for the recital at the end of the course.

No matter what type of dance your child learns to embrace, you can relax knowing that you gave her the right tool for the job.