When self-quarantining and working from home become necessary, you might also be scaling back your budget either of necessity or by choice. And yet in the process, you’re also spending more time cooking which, if you let it, can significantly increase your weekly grocery spend.

Yet by changing a few habits you can keep your grocery budget in check without sacrificing meal quality or quantity. Here are a few suggestions.

Meal Plan – One of the easiest ways to make your grocery dollar go farther is to plan your meals a week at a time. Choose meals you can double and freeze half for later in the week or use ingredients that can be turned into two meals. For example, roast two chickens and serve one as the main course one night, then use the leftovers to make chicken fajitas the next.

Mix and Match – Add fruit to savory dishes, make breakfast for dinner, add protein to a basic tossed salad by mixing in sliced up hard-boiled eggs, and use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor factor of your old standbys.

Make Your Own Stock – Simmer food scraps like veggies, leftover poultry (including bones) in water for at least four hours to make a large batch of stock or broth that can be used for soups, sauces, and more.

Raid Your Stash – Dig way back into your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Chances are you have more meal-worthy items on hand than you realize.

Remix Old Favorites – Make healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods. Add lots of veggies to your grandma’s pasta sauce recipe; stuff peppers with beans for a filling, inexpensive, vegetarian option to ground meat; or use cauliflower mash instead of potatoes for a healthier version of shepherd’s pie.

Learn How to Preserve – Preserving and canning extends the shelf-life of food while sealing in nutrients. Plus, it allows you to have out-of-season food any time of year. You can even find hands-on online classes if you’re unsure how to get started.

Grow Your Own – Whether it’s a small indoor garden or a large, raised outdoor bed, growing your own fruit, vegetables, and herbs will help you stretch your grocery dollars and provide you with fresh, healthy food at your fingertips. Plus, it gives you something to do while you spend more time at home.

Drink More Water – Sometimes, the body mistakes thirst for hunger. If you find yourself snacking more than you’d like, try to replace some of those snacks with a refreshing glass of water. Add flavor with strawberries, cucumbers, or citrus slices.

At Now Security Systems, we’re happy to pass along smart household moves just as we are to help keep your family and home safe from harm and unlawful entry. As always, just let us know how we can help.

Outdoor improvements, when properly planned and executed, generally help but increase your property value – but not always. So, you naturally want to be careful in choosing which projects to implement. Here are several you can’t go wrong with:

Fire Pit – Nothing beats gathering around a crackling fire with family and friends. Installing an outdoor fire pit is simple and inexpensive with basic supplies found at your local home improvement store. Or you can step it up a notch and install a fire pit with a gas burner.

Garage Door – If your garage door is looking a little sad and weathered, replacing it will quickly up the curb appeal factor and give your home’s value a little boost. No replacement budget just now? A fresh coat of paint also can work wonders.

Front Door – Just like your garage door, updating the look of your front door can add a fresh new look to your home’s exterior. While you’re at it, update your mailbox and house numbers.

Landscaping – Sure, you keep your lawn lush and trimmed, but what about the rest of the landscaping? Trimming back hedges and shrubs, laying down fresh mulch, and adding some colorful flowering plants will greatly improve your home’s exterior.

Deck or Patio – Enjoy spending time outdoors? Then consider installing a backyard patio or deck to enhance your outdoor living space. While not an inexpensive upgrade, you can count of recouping about 70 percent of the cost come time to sell.

Outdoor Lighting – Strategically placed outdoor lighting creates ambience, ups curb appeal, and helps deter burglars. Now that’s a win-win-win.

Trees and Shrubs – Increase curb appeal while providing your home with shade. Shrubs offer added privacy between you and your neighbors without the need for a fence. A tree or two also can shade the sides of your home which, in turn, will help cut your summertime cooling costs.

While you’re focused on the outdoor areas of your home, think about adding video cameras to alert you to unwanted guests. One quick call to Now Security Systems will jump-start the process to provide an added layer of home safety.

Nothing tastes better than a home-made meal prepared with vegetables, fruit, and herbs from your own garden. Living here in Connecticut, your outdoor garden is good for five months at best. And that’s assuming you have the space for it. But what if climate and outdoor space didn’t matter?

Read on to learn how you can grow food at home with an indoor garden. In fact, follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying the fruits (and veggies and herbs) of your labor in no time.

Choose your plants wisely. Not all fruits and vegetables are intended for indoor growth. For example, corn can grow up to 10 feet high – not exactly something you can easily squeeze into your kitchen or basement. Instead, choose dwarf varieties of vegetables and low-growing fruit like strawberries.

Start with the right containers. Make sure the pots are large enough to give roots ample room to grow. Root crops like carrots and potatoes need at least 12 inches of soil depth while lettuce, spinach, and other greens only need about 5 inches.

Buy the soil right. Now that you have the correct containers, invest in a lightweight, sterile potting mix that will promote root growth and plant health. Avoid the urge to use soil from your yard as it could be filled with microscopic pests and disease.

Let there be light. Most vegetation needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive, so place your garden in front of a south-facing window. If that’s not an option, you’ll need to augment or replace nature with a grow light.

Water consistently. Soil should be springy and damp; otherwise, roots that alternate between wet and dry may fail to develop properly. Check moisture levels daily by pressing a finger on the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Or, consider a self-watering planter that will dispense just the right amount of water to keep the soil consistently damp.

Maintain a stable temperature. Many fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers like it warm, around 75 degrees during daylight hours. If you have central air, be sure to supplement your indoor garden with a little extra heat with a small space heater. Cooler-season plants like lettuce and spinach prefer milder temps, around 65 degrees, and will wilt if it gets too warm.

Maintain proper indoor humidity levels. If humidity levels are too high, your garden is at risk of fungal disease. Running a dehumidifier or your home’s central air system can help keep humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent.

Add nutrients. Most potting mix won’t supply your fruits, vegetables, and herbs with the nutrients they need to produce a bountiful harvest. Choose a high quality fertilizer and apply according to manufacturer directions.

While eating home-grown produce is good for your body, a custom-designed security system is good for your family’s protection. If you don’t have one or it’s time to consider an upgrade, contact us today for a free in-home consultation.

You don’t need to be a doomsday prepper to ensure you and your family can weather a storm, a period of self-isolation, or a quarantine. Having a ready stock of basic supplies will help you stay safe and comfortable until the trouble passes.

Consider the needs of everyone in your household – including pets – when putting together a list of items you’ll need during an extended stay at home. Here are some things you should have a supply of for a minimum of two weeks.

One Month Supply of Medications – Having a month’s supply of prescription and over-the-counter medications will greatly reduce your trips to the pharmacy. This should include pet prescriptions along with flea and tick meds.

Fresh Food – To limit trips to the grocery store, choose longer lasting fresh food items like squash, onions, potatoes, apples, and oranges.

Refrigerated Food – To avoid spoilage, choose longer lasting foods like yogurt, eggs, cheese, carrots, and deli meat. And consider switching to oat or almond milk which can last almost twice as long as dairy milk.

Frozen Food – Choose nutrient-dense foods like chicken, seafood, veggie burgers and other meat substitutes, as well some frozen vegetables and fruit.

Dry Staples – A good supply of dry staples will allow you to stretch your fresh food inventory. Make sure you have enough (but not too much!) flour, sugar, cooking oil, brown rice, dried beans, dried pasta, and spices.

Non-Perishable Items – If you have a baby in the house, stock up on baby food and infant formula if not nursing. Stock the snack cabinet or pantry with popcorn, crackers, granola bars, fruit leathers, as well as canned soup, vegetables, and fruits.

Pet Supplies – Have a two-week supply of pet food, treats, cat litter, pee-pads and anything else you might need to keep your pets happy and healthy.

Personal Hygiene Products – Sure, you might be forced to stay home for a while, but that doesn’t mean your hygiene routine can take a back seat. Check supplies of bath and shower essentials as well as toothpaste, deodorant, shaving supplies, and feminine hygiene products.

Cleaning Supplies – When dealing with a pandemic, it’s important to help stop the spread of germs and viruses. The first line of defense is frequent and thorough hand washing, so make sure you have enough soap. Also, keep a few containers of disinfectant wipes on hand, some hand sanitizer (or make your own), and disinfectant sprays.

At Now Security Systems, it’s our job and pleasure to help customers like you enjoy a heightened sense of security and preparedness.

No, you don’t need to wrap your house in plastic or erect an air bubble around it. Neither do you or your family need to don space suits.

In fact, all it takes are a few simple steps to help keep COVID-19 at bay inside your own home.

Rule #1: take steps every day to keep your home virus-free, even between regular cleanings. To be effective, arm yourself with sprays or wipes that promise to kill 99.9% of germs. If you’re using a spray, use disposable wipes or washable cloths, never a sponge.

If you can’t acquire either, washing down surfaces with soapy water should accomplish the same goal. Just add a few drops of dish soap to eight ounces of water. And while soap and water won’t kill all germs, it should be able to remove coronavirus and other germs.

The most important areas to keep clean are “high-touch” surfaces – those places and objects where family members leave fingerprints throughout the day. These include:

• Light switches
• Door knobs
• Refrigerator and microwave doors
• Drawer handles
• TV and other remote controls
• Counters and tabletops where you cook and eat
• Toilet handles
• Faucet handles

How thorough should you be?

Don’t be stingy with the spray or soap, and scrub vigorously. Just when you think “that should be enough,” go the extra distance. You know, better to be safer than sorry.

“I try not to be neurotic about it,” says Dr. Kryssie Woods, hospital epidemiologist and medical director of infection prevention at Mount Sinai West in New York. “But wash your hands when you get home and try to clean some of those high-touch areas.”

Also, it’s a good idea to wear gloves while you clean but, if none are available, just be sure to wash your hands and wrists thoroughly when you’re finished.

For added precaution, and if you do have gloves, be sure to wash them after each use.

Finally, when you get home from wherever your travels might take you, take off your shoes, hang up your coat and immediately go wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. And make sure all other family members and guests do the same.

Throw open the windows, shake off the dust, and clear the cobwebs because spring is just around the corner! And that means more daylight hours, milder temps and, of course – spring cleaning.

Ever wonder why we perform this annual ritual come spring? Read on to learn a bit about the history of spring cleaning.

Biology

During the winter, our bodies produce more melatonin which increases sleepiness. But as the daylight hours grow longer with the arrival of spring, we begin to feel lighter and more energetic. And with increased energy, we’re more likely to want to take care of certain household chores.

Biblical Times

According to the Book of Exodus, in their rush to leave Egypt, the Israelites did not have enough time to let the bread rise; instead, they brought along unleavened bread for their journey. To commemorate the liberation of the Israelites, the Torah states that no traces of leaven are to be left in the house during Passover, which usually falls around early spring.

Purification

In several South and Southeast Asian countries, the new year is celebrated from April 13 to 15. During this holiday, many people scrub their homes from top to bottom, take to the streets pouring water over each other, pour water over statues of the Buddha, and ask for good luck in the new year.

Persian New Year

During Nowruz, celebrated on the first day of spring, Iranians wear brightly colored clothing, eat special foods, and practice “khaneh tekani” which translates into “shake the house” – a tradition where a home is cleaned of dust from the old year.

Book of Household Management

To stay warm during the Victorian era, people burned coal and used gas or oil lamps for light during the winter months. Come spring, furnishings and windows would be covered in dust and grime. Isabella Beeton, a pioneering English journalist, deemed spring the perfect time to begin household cleaning.

Civic Pride

In April 1950, the Aspen Times called on its readers to clean up yards, gardens, and vacant lots. The public responded not only by cleaning up their properties but helping to clean and beautify public spaces.

The act of “cleaning up” needn’t just apply to dusting, sweeping, and washing. Maybe it’s to clean out your old and outdated security alarm system with one that offers you better protection and true around-the-clock monitoring. It’s a great way to start the season with an added boost of confidence.

To learn more or schedule a free in-home security analysis, contact Now Security Systems today.

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or have been down that road before, knowing the best way to handle an update or repair can be challenging.

Should you paint the exposed wood trim or sand and stain it instead? Should you attempt to bring that vintage claw-foot tub back to life or replace it with a luxurious walk-in shower with all the bells and whistles?

And then there are all the things you should never do under the guise of home improvement.  Here are several examples to keep in mind:

Eliminate your only bathtub. If resale isn’t important to you, do as you wish. But if you plan on selling in the relatively near future, getting rid of the only tub will lessen resale value or at least reduce the number of interested parties.

Leave doors on while painting cabinets. No matter how tempting it might be to take this short cut, you’re bound to regret it.

Toss starchy foods down the garbage disposal. Starchy foods like rice, oatmeal, pasta, and potatoes clump together when doused with water. That mixture can clog your garbage disposal and drainpipes.  Instead, place starchy foods in the garbage or compost pile.

Plant a tree near your home. Plant trees at least 10 feet from your foundation, especially those expected to grow 30 feet or more.  Over time, the roots can invade underground sewer lines and result in big drainage issues. Tree roots also can negatively impact your home’s foundation.

Flush wipes down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper which typically disintegrates after a few seconds, most flushable wipes don’t begin to break up until at least 10 minutes. And that’s if they break up at all.

Update exterior brick with paint. While it might look better, paint does not allow brick to breathe. If you can’t live with the look of plain brick any longer, try using brick or white stain instead.

Tear out original or architectural features. Unless they are in bad shape, don’t be so quick to rip out architectural features when renovating. Not only do most add character, certain detailing could help your home sell faster and at a higher-than-expected purchase price.

Lastly, even if you no longer use your home security system and are tempted to uninstall it, our suggestion is either to leave it alone or, better yet, replace it. Home burglaries are on the rise, not the decline. Plus, home security systems help reduce homeowner’s insurance premiums while increasing resale value.

What a storied history our country has even though, in the overall scheme of things, we’re still in our infancy.

Still, in the relatively short amount of time we’ve been a nation, remarkable things have happened, far too many to absorb all at once. So, in honor of the occasion, Now Security Systems is pleased to present these fun facts about our home state – Connecticut.

• Before Europeans settled New England, Connecticut was inhabited by multiple Native American tribes. The name “Connecticut” stems from the word “Quinnehtukqut,” which means “land on a long tidal river, or “upon the long river”.
• Arriving in 1614, the first settlers in the state were the Dutchmen. The Dutch were fur traders who built a fort near present-day Hartford.
• In 1901, the first law regulating the speed of a motor vehicle was imposed in Connecticut. Initially, the law restricted the drivers not to exceed 12 mph.

• The Scoville Memorial Library in Connecticut is the oldest public library in the U.S. It was established in 1771 by a local man named Richard Smith.
• Did you know when and where the first hamburger in the United States was made?Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut is the first and the oldest still operating hamburger serving restaurant in the U.S.
• The New Haven District Telephone Company published the first ever telephone book in New Haven in February 1878. It contained 15 contacts.
• Before professional sports or pro wrestling hit the airwaves, Waterbury, Connecticut made history for hosting the country’s first women-only golf tournament in 1917—two years before female citizens gained the right to vote.

• Lyme disease was first identified in 1975 after a group of people who lived near Lyme, CT complained of odd arthritic symptoms. Physicians examined them, and realized their condition was tied to tick season.
• Connecticut’s state song is “Yankee Doodle,” its state insect is the praying mantis, and its state animal is the sperm whale.

We hope this brief tribute to our great state encourages you to do a little added reading and investigating of your own.  As for all of us here at Now Security, we’re proud call Connecticut home, and equally proud to serve so many of its citizens.

There’s plenty more to learn about Connecticut, including that as recently as 15,000 years ago it was covered by a glacier. We hope you’ve enjoyed this little walk down memory lane.

On a typical spring or summer day, chances are you have all kinds of electronic equipment running at the same time – like your central AC system, computer, TV, DVD player, and all the rest. During the winter, it’s not a whole lot different, with your heating system subbing for air conditioning.

But during the warm weather months, let’s say your home is suddenly hit by lightning or the power goes for no apparent reason. Among other possible outcomes, it could cause a tremendous power surge capable of damaging or destroying any electronic device or system you own with a built-in microprocessor. Equipment damage also can occur when your high-end electronics haven’t been turned off or unplugged during the power outage – and then, just like that, power returns.

That’s why Now Security Systems urges you invest in a whole-house power surge protector, especially since power cords with built-in surge protection simply aren’t enough.

A whole-house surge protector can protect against up to 40,000 amps of current flowing into your home; normal household power is 200 to 300 amps. When a sudden surge occurs, the device detects the excess current and safely diverts it through your home’s grounding path.

Is this something you really need? Consider the following: in the average US household, dozens of power surges occur every day resulting from internal causes. For example, your appliances can cause a power surge when the motor turns on. So can your hair dryer, AC system, furnace, and dish washer. Over time, even small power surges can weaken a device’s resistance to more potent surges.

A power surge also can start a fire which can have far more serious consequences than damaged electronic gear. Is your home adequately protected with a home security system that includes smoke and CO detectors? If not, contact Now Security Systems today for a free in-home security analysis. Our company monitors such detectors so should anything happen – whether you’re home or away – we can immediately contact the appropriate first responders.

That’s the kind of protection that gives our customers a tremendous boost in peace of mind.

When 2019 draws to a close, it won’t just be the end of the year. It will be the end of another decade. That makes this a doubly opportune time to reflect and look forward to what comes next in our lives.

Over the past year, maybe you started a family, changed careers, bought a house, become an empty-nester, or even retired. Or, maybe one or more of these events is on the near horizon, ready to help launch a new year and decade with a bang.

Whatever the future might hold, a little planning never hurts. Accordingly, we think you’ll find the following life events helpful to that purpose.

Health

Between work, managing a home, and keeping track of after-school and extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy to put your personal health on the back burner, especially during the holidays. Yet you don’t have to wait until the New Year to make your health a priority. Set small, realistic goals that you can work towards, starting now. Pledge to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Grab a buddy and take a brisk 20-minute walk at least four times a week. Replace one high fat, high calorie food with a healthier option each day. Sign up for a spring 5K run that you can start preparing for now. Keep a journal or join a fitness group to help keep yourself accountable.

Relationships

How long has it been since you’ve spoken to your sister? Do you even remember what the argument was about? Keep thinking about that friend from college you wish you could reconnect with? There’s no time like the present! Here’s a simple step on how to become a better friend, daughter, brother, or co-worker – if you’re thinking about someone, let them know, even if it feels like it’s been too long since your most recent contact. Pick up the phone, send a text, write a note, and don’t let another year (or decade!) go by without trying to improve soured relationships.

Education or Career

Whether you regret not going to college, not finishing your master’s degree, or feel like your career has hit a plateau, develop a plan you’re intent on adhering to. Research schools, polish up your resume or schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your future with the company.

Home

Not as smitten with your home as you once were but can never find the time or money to do anything about it? Open a separate savings account and pledge to add $25, $50, or $100 each week for home updates. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it adds up. In the meantime, use a little muscle and elbow grease to work on low or no-cost updates like decluttering the basement, painting the kitchen cabinets, or repairing grout and caulking.

At Now Security Systems, we take great pride and pleasure in the number of area families and businesses we assist in protecting people, property, and their very way of life.  As the new year and decade get underway, we look forward to doing more of the same.