All Clean Softwash July 2019

All Clean Softwash July 2019

GETALLCLEAN.COM 503-ALL-CLEAN

JULY 2019

Our Annual Independence Day Getaway A Fourth Without Fireworks

Instead of fireworks, we have the stars in the night sky. Instead of burgers and dogs, we have trout grilled over an open flame. If you want to put a sentimental spin on it, you might say it’s a celebration in the style of early settlers to the American West. One of the best aspects about living here is the incredible landscape; there is such an abundance of natural beauty. It’s pretty cool to celebrate the anniversary of our country in a place where many of the trees are older than George Washington. When you go tent camping for a few days, returning to regular life is a fun change of pace in itself. You go from living in the past to being back in the present in the course of one drive. All of a sudden, we’re back in a world with smartphones, Instagram, and professional exterior washing companies. Speaking of those companies, have you considered brightening up the exterior of your home this summer? (Great segue there, I know.) All-Clean! SoftWash provides the services you need to take people’s attention away from the sun and onto your beautiful home. Our calendars start getting booked this time of year, so now’s the time to schedule a consultation with one of our expert technicians. Don’t worry; our cleaning methods are very much of the 21st century. Whether you celebrate the Fourth of July with a crowd of hundreds or as a party of one, I hope you’ll enjoy it this year. We’re lucky to live in the United States, a country that offers a great mix of natural beauty and modern progress. I love stepping into the past for a few days, but I don’t think I’d want to live there all the time. Luckily, I live here in Oregon, where we have the opportunity to get the best of both worlds.

I think most people use the Fourth of July as a chance to get together with friends and family, enjoy a barbecue, and watch the fireworks. My husband, Tim, and I take the opposite approach. For us, the Fourth is a chance to get away, get back to nature, and enjoy some quiet time together. Our daughter, Justine, has come along with us some years, but she’s not a fan of the mosquitoes and usually prefers to leave the “roughing it” to us and Duzer, our trusty canine companion. Normally, we head out to Bend and hike to Three Creek Lake in Deschutes National Forest. We bring little more than a tent, fishing poles, books, and some food. The most modern convenience we bring with us is plenty of Diet Coke; we’re both hopelessly hooked on the stuff. By day, we fish for trout, explore nature, and maybe go for a swim. By night, we cook the day’s catch, zip up the tent — we’re no fans of the mosquitoes either — do some reading, and go to sleep. It may not be the most raucous of Independence Day celebrations, but we look forward to it all the same.

But maybe we could do something about those dang mosquitoes? Just a thought.

Happy Fourth, everyone!

–Jennifer Ricca

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‘Fierce Conversations’

Learn How to Get Your Message Across

sensitive matters. Global business coach and best-selling author Susan Scott has set out to change that. In her book “Fierce Conversations,” Scott argues that the key to get more out of our personal and professional relationships is to learn to lower our barriers and convey our message honestly. “Fierce Conversations” is one of those works born out of a simple idea with big implications. As the author explains it, “While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a company, a relationship, or a life, any single conversation can.” By having the communication skills necessary to create lasting bonds, handle strong emotions, and overcome barriers, you’ll be prepared when crucial conversations present themselves.

communication, Scott has found that it’s important not to force emotions one way or the other. As she observes, “If your behavior contradicts your values, your body knows.” Instead of relying on fake bravado or false modesty, the author argues it’s better that the bravery be genuine. Breaking down those social barriers to be authentic in our conversations takes true ferocity. Scott does more than simply explain why frank and honest communication is important; she gives readers the tools to get there. Having spent years as a business coach, and now as the head of a firm that trains CEOs around the globe, Scott is well-versed in the art of teaching exercises. “Fierce Conversations” is brimming with action items, tactics, and tailor-made examples of how to communicate in every situation, from board meetings to parenting. If you’re someone who likes concrete guides over vague concepts, this book will pleasantly surprise you.

So often, we talk to our friends, coworkers, and loved ones without actually saying anything. We’ll beat around the bush on important subjects or hesitate to bring up

Those who tend to judge a book by its cover may make the mistake of associating

the word “fierce” with “aggressive.” However, as a master of meaningful

Meet Sam Louthan Lead Technician and Father of Four

Sam Louthan has been a member of the All-Clean! SoftWash team for a little over a year. He serves as a lead SoftWash technician, helping ensure our cleaning teams have all the tools they need to get the job done right. “I was referred to All-Clean! by Steve [our operations manager],” Sam says. “I’ll be honest; I started because it was better money than what I was doing before. The motivations may have been financial at

our childhood squirt guns did. Otherwise, Sam would have some seriously worn-out biceps.

In addition to the work of preparing trucks, Sam appreciates being able to see the fruits of his labor while on a job. “When you look at a grimy exterior, it’s easy to think the buildup will never come off,” he reveals. “It’s amazing to SoftWash a property and watch the debris instantly melt away. I also appreciate being able to meet our customers and put a face to the property we’re cleaning.” Sam understands that behind every property we clean is a person who cares about it. He believes that understanding the needs of the customer is paramount to a job well done. When he’s not working, you can catch Sam and his longtime girlfriend chasing around their four kids or having adventures in the great outdoors. We’re guessing that few dads in the world can organize a Super Soaker fight as well as Sam.

the beginning, but I’ve come to really love my job. All-Clean! is a great company that takes care of both its employees and customers. Who wouldn’t want to work for a business like that?” Sam’s job involves ensuring our trucks are ready to perform the moment they arrive on the job site. “In a sense, preparing a truck is like building a giant Super Soaker,” Sam says. Thankfully, our trucks don’t require somebody to manually build up pressure the way

Thank you, Sam, for all you do for our company and our customers. We’re proud to call you an All-Clean! SoftWash team member.

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What the Heck Is a SoftWash?

Information on Our Signature Service

But first, a brief history lesson. Before the advent of SoftWashing, pressure washing was the most common method for thoroughly cleaning the exterior of a property. While that can still be the best method for some surfaces, it comes with serious downsides. Pressure washing can damage paint and masonry and even void your roof warranty, which could end up costing you a lot of money. SoftWashing, on the other hand, doesn’t require an insane amount of pressure to break down tough buildup. Through the use of a biodegradable solution, it attacks organic buildup at the source. Instead of blasting them away, it breaks them down from within. SoftWashing is a more environmentally friendly method that’s equally as effective as pressure washing and causes less wear and tear on your home. We hope that clears up a bit about the process and advantages of a SoftWash. When used in concert with other cleaning services, it can make your home look as vibrant as the day it was built. Who wouldn’t want that? At All-Clean! SoftWash, we want to help beautify every aspect of your home’s exterior. Call us today to find out how your property could benefit from a SoftWash, as well as our other services.

We think the best way to describe All-Clean! SoftWash is to say we’re a full-service exterior cleaning company. We do residential and commercial properties, windows and gutters, rust removal, and Christmas lights installation. If anything on the outside of your home needs attention, we can take care of it. “Why then,” you might wonder, “do you have SoftWash in your name?” While SoftWashing is far from all we do, we consider it our most valuable service. It’s a method of cleaning that many are unaware of. We want to educate people on this relatively new method of exterior cleaning and its benefits. In an effort to do that, let us explain just what the heck SoftWashing is.

Potato Salad Austrian

Sudoku

INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs. small potatoes • 1 medium white onion • 1/2 cup pickled gherkins • 3 tsp whole grain mustard • 3 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

Inspired by ExceedinglyVegan.com

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder • Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS 1. Bring a medium stockpot of salted water to a boil. 2. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 20–30 minutes. 3. In the meantime, finely chop onion and gherkins.

4. When potatoes are done cooking, strain and place in large salad bowl with onion and gherkins. 5. For dressing, whisk together mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It’s best to add oil gradually at the end. 6. Dress salad and let sit for 15 minutes to absorb flavor before serving.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

ALL-CLEAN! SOFTWASH 15717 SW 74th Ave., Suite #400

Tigard, OR 97224 GetAllClean.com

Inside This Issue A FOURTH OF JULY FIT FOR A PIONEER PAGE 1 MAKE YOURSELF HEARD WITH ‘FIERCE CONVERSATIONS’

SPOTLIGHT ON SAM LOUTHAN PAGE 2

THE SOFTWASH DIFFERENCE

AUSTRIAN POTATO SALAD PAGE 3

EAT SEASONALLY THIS JULY PAGE 4 Zucchini, Avocado, and Swiss Chard — Oh My! A Guide to Eating Seasonally This July

When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In-season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient-dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide. season is here. Avocados are in season during July, joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries, and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients FRUITFUL HARVEST Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your

for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin-inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top. GRILL GAME SO STRONG There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs, or fish. Go low-carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables and a protein for a charred skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July. GO GREEN Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.

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