Lifestyle
5 Home Updates to Provide Peace of Mind for Your Family
Last Updated on November 16, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Home improvement projects often focus on updating the aesthetic of your house, but upgrades that make your living space more secure and comfortable for you and your family are sometimes even more important.
From your front door to the interior of your home and more, these ideas from the experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors, can help provide greater peace of mind – ensuring what matters most is always protected.
Ensure Your Home is Well-Lit
A well-lit home exterior makes it easier to spot potential threats and may even deter people and animals that don’t belong on your property. Automatic outdoor lighting, either set to a timer or triggered by motion or light sensors, can help you see what’s going on outside. Ensure fixtures on your porch, patio and garage are in good working order and replace burned out bulbs or lights that no longer function. Adding landscape lighting can also aid in security while boosting curb appeal.
Protect Your Home with a Secure Front Door
Upgrading your front door can do much more than just improve the look of your home – it’s also an important part of providing enhanced security for you and your family. With four times more impact resistance than a standard deadbolt lock, the M-Protect Multi-Point Security Lock offers homeowners unmatched protection to keep what matters most safe. The lock works like a standard deadbolt, but with more points of contact, and it is compatible with a wide array of handle sets and hardware, including electronic deadbolts. It can be added to any Masonite Performance Door System – an innovative solution that provides superior energy efficiency, performance and comfort – which is available in a diverse range of finishes, colors and glass styles to fit any home design.
Reduce Fire Hazards
Many elements of a home like furnaces, chimneys, hot water heaters and other gas appliances provide value to homeowners through comfort and convenience but can pose risks without proper maintenance. Hiring a professional to check your heating and air conditioning system annually can help you avoid costly repairs while also protecting your loved ones. Keeping the chimney clean of debris, creosote and soot helps lower fire risk and ensures smoke, carbon dioxide and other gases are safely carried out of the home.
Control Home Systems On the Go
Installing security systems, doorbells, lighting and other systems that can be controlled from a smartphone app, like the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Door, can provide added convenience and peace of mind. You can remotely turn lights on and off, unlock doors, change the temperature, open or close garage doors and check camera feeds while away.
Replace Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A simple project to make your home safer, it’s essential to check your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries every six months. If you discover the date of manufacture on the back of your smoke detectors is more than 10 years ago, replacement is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. While checking your smoke detectors, test or install carbon monoxide alarms to ensure you have a way to detect the invisible, odorless gas that can cause serious health problems if left unchecked.
Visit Masonite.com/mprotect to learn more about the latest innovations in home security.
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Masonite
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(Feature Impact) Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely weekend morning with the family or savoring those last few moments before rushing out the door, a filling, healthy breakfast is a perfect way to begin the day. Easy recipes that take less than 30 minutes (and can even be prepared the night before) make busy mornings a breeze.
Sheet Pan Pancakes are simple to whip up any day of the week – no flipping required – while Healthy Sausage Breakfast Muffins let you put protein on the menu in a kid-friendly package. When shopping for these delicious breakfasts, look for the Healthy Family Project and Produce for Kids logos to choose healthier foods and make a difference locally.
“Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful – a quick, balanced meal can help kids stay full, focused and energized for the day ahead,” said Tony Castillo, contributing registered dietitian at Healthy Family Project. “For growing kids, a protein-rich breakfast can help support energy, satiety and the building blocks they need as they develop. The best breakfast is one that’s simple, satisfying and realistic for busy mornings because consistency matters more than perfection.”
The versatility of these pancakes allows for endless customization and experimentation with different toppings, from fresh fruit and nuts to savory options like cheese and spinach, making them an ideal fit for the whole family. They also freeze well, so you can pop them in the toaster to have breakfast ready in a flash when hectic schedules interfere with your morning routine.
For another on-the-go solution, these breakfast muffins are made with just five ingredients, including protein pancake mix to help fuel the day. The savory combination of turkey sausage and cheddar cheese is complemented by the sweetness of onion, giving them the flavor your family desires.
To find more ways to put a nutritious breakfast on the family table, visit HealthyFamilyProject.com.
Sheet Pan Pancakes
Recipe courtesy of the Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
- Pour batter onto prepared baking sheet and smooth into even layer that covers pan. Top with strawberries, blueberries and chocolate chips.
- Bake 5-7 minutes, or until cooked and golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares.
Healthy Sausage Breakfast Muffins
Recipe courtesy of the Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 12
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 pound turkey sausage
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup protein pancake mix
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Spray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In prepared skillet over medium heat, cook onion until translucent. Add turkey sausage and cook until no longer pink. Remove from heat.
- In large mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add shredded cheese, pancake mix and sausage and onion mixture; mix well.
- Fill prepared muffin cups about 3/4 full with mixture.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
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Last Updated on May 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Small Business Month
Every May, communities across the United States recognize Small Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, startups, and local shops that help drive the American economy. From neighborhood restaurants to innovative tech startups, small businesses continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, supporting communities, and inspiring innovation.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for millions of jobs nationwide and represent the backbone of local economies. Throughout May, organizations, chambers of commerce, and business leaders host networking events, educational workshops, and promotional campaigns to support entrepreneurs and encourage consumers to shop locally.
One of the highlights of the month is National Small Business Week, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners making a difference in their communities.
For consumers, Small Business Month is also a reminder that supporting local businesses helps strengthen neighborhoods and keeps communities thriving. Whether it’s dining at a local café, shopping at an independent store, or hiring a local service provider, every purchase can make an impact.
Learn more about Small Business Month and related events through the official U.S. Small Business Administrationwebsite.
Related External Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- National Small Business Week – SBA
- SCORE – Mentoring and Resources for Small Businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resources
- Forbes Small Business News and Insights
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
Cruise travel is having more than a moment. It’s having a decade.
(Tiffany Miller) The cruise industry is not waiting for travelers to come around. By most measures, they already have. A projected 21.7 million Americans are expected to cruise in 2026, a record high and a 4.5 percent increase over last year, according to AAA.
“Cruising has come a long way since The Love Boat,” said writer and travel expert Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, aka JetSetSarah. “Pull up to the port, unpack once and have the world come to you.”
This April, more than 11,500 attendees and 650 exhibitors gathered at Seatrade Cruise Global to map out what comes next.
Dining as the main event
Food has always been part of the cruise experience. The question the industry is now asking is what happens when it becomes the point.
Cruise lines are placing greater emphasis on the dining experience, with destination-inspired menus, port-specific drinks and more immersive, multi-course experiences.
Royal Caribbean introduced the Empire Supper Club this year, pairing multi-course menus with craft cocktails and live music into a single evening.
Expedition cruising finds a new audience
Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing types of cruising, and major cruise lines are moving into it.
These itineraries go where other ships do not. Travelers kayak among glaciers, contribute to citizen science programmes and spend time in the field with naturalists and researchers, with programming built around science and conservation rather than port stops.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has operated in this space for decades, with programs including the Visiting Scientist Program, the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund and the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship.
Wellness expands across the ship
Wellness is no longer a spa deck. It is becoming a reason to book.
A few years ago, a thermal suite was a selling point. Now it is closer to a baseline expectation. Meditation spaces, sleep-focused staterooms and recovery lounges are following the same trajectory. A dedicated wellness pavilion debuted at this year’s show, a signal that the category has grown large enough to need its own floor space.
Cunard’s Wellness at Sea program runs across multiple days. Its three tracks (Relax, Energise and Recover) each combine fitness, spa and mindfulness elements. Shore excursions and destination-specific spa offerings carry the experience beyond the ship.
Ships as cultural hubs
Entertainment on cruise ships used to mean a stage show. Cruise lines are now producing content that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Holland America Line partnered with The Verdon Fosse Legacy to debut “Fosse and Verdon, The Duet That Changed Broadway,” a live musical and multimedia tribute to the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. The production marks the first international staging of their work at sea.
Onboard retail is moving in the same direction. More cruise lines are curating locally sourced goods and destination-specific products at port, the kind passengers could only find by actually being there.
The bigger picture
The passenger numbers tell one part of the story. What cruise lines are building inside that growth tells another.
“Today’s ships offer amenities that are at least as good as, and often more comprehensive than, those in resorts and hotels,” Greaves-Gabbadon said. “A cruise can be equally enjoyable for solos, families, honeymooners, groups and adventurers, and that versatility is a large part of their appeal.”
What the show floor made clear is that the industry is not waiting to be discovered. It is building toward the traveler it wants next.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/
