Lewis Maclean - November 2019
NOVEMBER 2019
Staying Comfortable All Winter Long
If you’ve kept up with our newsletter for long, you know we like to talk about maintenance. We’re all about ensuring your heating system is maintained for the cold weather months and that your cooling system is maintained for the warm weather months. We’re here to make sure you’re comfortable in your own home, no matter the time of year and no matter the temperature. However, as heating systems are used and as the years go by, maintenance only goes so far. A good technician can help keep your boiler or furnace running, but as your heating system gets up in age, it becomes costlier to maintain and run. Even the best technicians can’t restore efficiency to a furnace after it’s been running for 15 years. But those increased maintenence costs, for the most part, can be avoided. As your system ages, you can tell. Your heating bill starts to go up, season after season, but more than that, it doesn’t heat your home as well as it used to. When your heater kicks on, it takes longer to heat your home. When it kicks back off, you notice it’s not as warm as you’d like — or it takes longer to turn back on. Basically, your heating system starts to become an inconvenience rather than a comfort. When it becomes an inconvenience, that’s a good time to think about replacing the aging system rather than repairing it. The upfront cost is higher, but it gives you peace of mind — and you’ll never have to worry about the system giving out and ultimately failing, which is about as inconvenient as it gets!
The great thing about updating your furnace or boiler is just how efficient new units are. If your system is 15–20 years old, a new system will run circles around your old system. Thanks to energy regulations, advances in technology, and better designs, new systems are, in a word, amazing.
You save more money every month, and a new furnace will heat your home more evenly, keeping you comfortable, no matter what temperature you set it to. You no longer have to worry about “gaps” in coverage or your system failing in the middle of the night, leaving you freezing in the morning. If you are concerned about the cost that comes with replacing your furnace or boiler, be sure to check the FortisBC website ( FortisBC.com ) — they regularly offer rebates on new equipment like furnaces. For instance, right now they’re offering substantial rebates on eligible furnaces, and there’s a long list of furnaces that apply! It’s always worth checking out. Now, if you know a family who could really use a new furnace, we want to hear from you! We’re extending our furnace giveaway until Saturday, Nov. 30! All you have to do is send us a story about a deserving family in need of a new furnace. You can send your submission to givingback@lewismaclean.com . Please include your name, your nomination’s name, and why you feel they deserve a brand-new furnace. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you to everyone who has already sent us their nominations!
–Tyler Dillon
1 604-532-9625 •
What ‘Lady and the Tramp’ Can Teach Your Kids
If you’re thinking about replacing your heating system — no matter what type it may be — we want to make sure you get the most out of your investment. After all, it is a pretty big purchase! This means you’ll want to be as informed as possible before swiping your credit card or dropping some cash. As we shared in the cover article, always check the FortisBC website ( FortisBC.com ) before buying. They offer myriad resources and a comprehensive list of furnaces eligible for rebate, including an estimate of how much you would be eligible for. Beyond consulting FortisBC, be sure to consult with installation experts, as well. Technicians at Lewis MacLean, for instance, know the ins and outs of furnace installation and can answer your questions before you make the commitment. Consulting with installation experts ensures you get the right unit for your home, because not all heating units are created equal. You need to know you’re getting a unit that will do the following: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE COMMITTING TO A NEW HEATING SYSTEM Getting a heating unit that ticks all of these boxes will save you money all around. When it fits the bill, you know you have a furnace that won’t blast too little or too much air and waste energy heating your home. Even better, when it heats your home comfortably, you don’t have to mess with the thermostat! It takes care of itself. That’s one of the many great things about current heating systems and thermostats — they’re smarter and more efficient than ever before! If you have questions about your furnace or boiler or you’re thinking of replacing an aging system, give us a call. We can answer your questions and make sure you get the most out of a new installation. • • • Fit in the allotted space Heat your home comfortably Keep your energy bill low
With Disney+ launching this
November, you’ll get access to tons of great classics as well as new original series and movies, like the live-action “Lady and the Tramp” remake. While Disney fans are excited about this, the original film is still perfect for the whole family and has some great life lessons for your kids. Here are some of the best takeaways.
Explore the world
around you. “There is a great big hunk of world down there
with no fence around it.” This underrated quote, said by Tramp, perfectly encompasses one of the main lessons of the film: explore! Life is all about seeing what’s out there and testing your limits. Without Tramp’s ambition to explore, Lady would never have discovered her love of spaghetti or the joy of running carefree through the city. Celebrate your differences. This film celebrates differences and encourages viewers to do the same. Tramp rouses hen houses and avoids dog catchers. Lady was pampered with a fancy dog collar and cushy places to sleep. Despite coming from different ends of the dog park, they find a shared love for adventure and, of course, Italian cuisine. Embrace change. Early on in the movie, Lady’s comfortable life slips away from her as Jim and Darling Dear welcome their new baby into the household. Jim starts to refer to Lady as “That Dog” shortly after the baby’s arrival. After getting lost and meeting Tramp, she gains a new life partner and creates a family of her own, showing children that, while change can be a daunting thing to face, it’s often for the best and comes with a silver lining. These are only a few of the lessons highlighted in this Disney classic. Gather the whole family for a fun night in and see what other lessons you can learn. The original film was such a cult classic, but the remake is sure to deliver. It’s expected to release on Nov. 12, 2019, so mark your calendars.
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3 Easy Ways to Recover Faster From a Cold
Eucalyptus
During the wet and chilly months, colds and the flu can spread like wildfire. Getting sick at least once during the season can be hard to avoid, and once you do become sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over and done with. While there is no surefire way to completely avoid catching something, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet a little bit faster. Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European
If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be used as an expectorant or to relieve a sore throat. When you’re at home and sick, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing! Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the supplement you should be focusing on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does nothing to help avoid or shorten colds. Instead, try zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray, lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found those who took zinc reduced their recovery time from a cold by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days.
elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw and undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten the length of flu symptoms by up to three days.
GREEN BEANSWITH GINGERANDGARLIC
Green bean casserole is a hearty staple of every kitchen table this season. This year, eschew the classic, creamy green bean casserole in favour of this lighter, healthier, and altogether tastier option.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 lbs whole green beans, ends trimmed • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper • Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. To the side of the stove, prepare a large bucket of ice water. 2. Cook beans in boiling water for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice water. Drain and pat dry. 3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in ground ginger and crushed pepper. Add green beans. 4. Cook together for 2–3 minutes. 5. Transfer to plate and serve. Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
APPLES PIE
CROPS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY FALL
SCARECROW CHILLY SWEATER
PUMPKIN HARVEST
3 604-532-9625 •
23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com
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THIS ISSUE
Stay Comfortable All Winter Long Life Lessons From ‘Lady and the Tramp’ Getting the Most Out of a New System Have a Cold? Try These Remedies! Green Beans With Ginger and Garlic Stay in a Real Castle
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Carcassonne THE REAL MAGIC KINGDOM Every year, tourists flock to Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” and marvel at Cinderella’s iconic castle. As fun as it is to see this Florida-based attraction, it would be even more magical to step back in time and visit a real medieval citadel. What if you could walk the same ramparts as Roman legionnaires and climb the same towers as French kings? If this idea gives you goosebumps, pack your bags for Carcassonne, France. A four-hour train ride from Paris, towering above the rolling vineyards of southern France, you’ll find one of the most intact, accessible castles in Europe. With sweeping, concentric walls and 53 elegant towers, the Cité de Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight. Once an impenetrable border fortress between the kingdoms of France and Aragon, the gates now stand open to anyone curious enough to walk its cobblestone streets. In fact, you can stay in the ancient city yourself. The five-star Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne occupies a former bishop’s palace and overlooks the inner ramparts of the fortress. With medieval tapestries and gorgeous woodwork in the hotel’s interior, you’ll feel like you’re living among French royalty. Of course, if you’d prefer lodging with the commoners, plenty of quaint bed-and-breakfasts
exist just across the Aude river.
With rustic cafes, fresh crepes, and bustling crowds making their way down the twisting
cobblestone streets, the surface- level experience of Carcassonne would be enticing to anyone wanting to explore the French countryside. But for those who want to delve into the history of this storied castle, grand narratives await you. Just walking the walls of Carcassonne paints a picture of the past. While the outer fortifications were built by Louis IX and Phillip III, a section of the inner wall is far older. The red brick used in this part of the construction dates back to before the existence of France itself. Roman troops first fortified the hillside town around 100 BCE, giving every stone of this site a story to tell.
If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing medieval life for yourself, your adventure awaits in Carcassonne.
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