Lewis Maclean November 2018

Lewis Maclean November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

Maintain Your Gas Appliances

When people shop for a new home, one feature they often look for is a gas stove. People love to cook on gas ranges because they heat pots and pans evenly, giving at-home chefs a distinct advantage. While many people prefer to use gas appliances, some people don’t realize that they can be dangerous, and they are certainly more dangerous than electric appliances. Now, on any given day, these appliances aren’t necessarily a danger to you or your family. When properly cared for and maintained, they are as safe as any appliance in your home. The danger comes when gas appliances are not properly maintained. Every year, there are news stories about people who die due to gas exposure. In the past, I shared a story about a couple who was poisoned by carbon monoxide as they slept. In this particular story, after investigating, inspectors found issues with the fireplace — the safety switch had failed. This is a big deal and something that should have been caught and fixed during a routine maintenance inspection. I get asked about safety switches from time to time, and I remember one conversation in particular. A guy told me about a repair he was making to a gas furnace. He said he had replaced the safety switch several times already. When this happens, there’s usually a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. Safety switches rarely need to be replaced. While they can fail, they usually don’t . I can only think of a

handful of instances when we needed to replace a switch. If it does come up — even once — then an inspection is recommended.

I say this because safety switches for furnaces are not something you can typically walk into a store and buy. Appliance manufacturers and regulators want you to contact a professional gas fitter when something like a safety switch fails. These switches are designed to completely shut down the appliance should something go wrong. For example, gas appliances have a pilot light sensor. When the pilot light goes out, for whatever reason, the safety switch is triggered, and the furnace turns off, helping prevent gas leaks. FortisBC usually offers rebates you can put toward appliance maintenance. Signing up for these rebates is the perfect way to have your gas appliances inspected without worrying about cost. You can check their website for the latest rebates and offers. With all this in mind, we want to make sure you have a safe and warm winter season. If you have any questions, or you’re thinking about doing an inspection, give us a call. We’re standing next to the phone 24/7, ready to take your call for any of your heating, plumbing, air conditioning, or drainage needs!

Until next time, stay warm,

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Enjoy These 6 Autumn Activities

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A NEW FURNACE Turn Up the Heat

Summer may be the season of adventure, but there’s something about the crisp fall weather that is hard to resist. Winter will

be here before you know it, so get the family bundled up and enjoy these great fall activities. Homemade Caramel Apples

Right now, a lot of homeowners are shopping for new furnaces. They’re getting ready for the winter months, and you may be one of them. If you’re in the market for a new furnace, you likely have questions, but you may not have reached out to a heating expert yet. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get ready to turn up the heat. Size matters! Just as you can buy an air conditioner that is too small or too large for your home, you can also buy a furnace that isn’t sized correctly. If you purchase a furnace that is too small, it will have to work harder to heat your home. It may work, and you may feel nice and cozy, but when you get that next energy bill, you’ll be left with a shock.

Homemade treats are no doubt far better than their

store-bought counterparts. Try your hand at making your own caramel apples for the whole

family to enjoy. You can also add a number of toppings to liven things up, such as nuts, white or milk chocolate,

coconut, sprinkles, or pecans.

Backyard Bonfire During these cold months, you may be tempted to stay indoors, but heading outside for a bonfire is a great way to spend time with your family while enjoying the brisk weather. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, now is the perfect time to take advantage of it by bundling up with some hot chocolate and s’mores. Autumn Arrangements It’s time to get crafty! Creating your own fall arrangements will ensure that your home has the seasonal decorations you want. Making beautiful fall flower arrangements for your kitchen table or wreaths for your front door to greet guests will create the desired autumn vibe you’ve been searching for. Movie Night Gather your loved ones in the living room with popcorn, blankets, and a great film. Make the most of your autumn evenings by cozying up and spending quality time with each other while watching some family favourites. Home-Cooked Food When autumn rolls around, pie and warm cider may be high on your list of tasty treats you’re eagerly anticipating. This fall, encourage your family to take part in making annual goodies and sharing them with your neighbours. Nothing warms the heart more than receiving a loaf of freshly baked pumpkin bread during these increasingly cold days. Knitted Scarves If you’re handy with knitting needles, now is the season to put them to work. Hand-knitted scarves are great gifts to give throughout the fall and winter, and you can also make it a family activity! Take some time to teach your kids how to knit and crochet to create scarves of their very own.

This is one of those cases when consulting with an expert installer is critical. Communicating the size of your home and your heating needs will ensure you get the heating solution that is right for your home — and your pocketbook. Speaking of your pocketbook, be cautious when hiring an installer who advertises low rates. While it’s not an automatic red flag, low rates, offers, and discounts can mean the installer is cutting corners on the work they’re doing for you. You may end up with a shoddy installation. You always want to verify the background of any installer or HVAC company you hire. Read online reviews, ask for references, and ask for recommendations from friends, family members, or neighbours who have experience hiring an installer. Finally, hire an installer who guarantees their work. You don’t want to hire someone who seems to vanish off the face of the earth after the work is finished. You want an installer who is going to be there after the installation is all said and done. That way, if something goes wrong in the coming months, they’ll be there to take your call.

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Warm Up With Broth

While broth is said to alleviate different kinds of inflammation — from joint aches to gastrointestinal discomfort — as well as shorten colds and even reduce symptoms related to allergies, the jury is still out on the science behind it. Research into the benefits of broth is still very limited. That said, this tasty liquid still deserves a place in your kitchen. Though research into broth’s many benefits may be limited, we do know it’s a great source of many of the nutrients our bodies need to function well.

For centuries, broth has been a culinary staple among cultures all over the world. You can sip it as a warm beverage on a chilly November evening or use it as a base for soups and sauces or as a flavour enhancer for rice, vegetables, and other foods. Whether it’s bone, beef, chicken, or vegetable broth, the possibilities are practically endless!

What makes broth really special is the liquid’s nutritional content. The savoury liquid is loaded with vitamins and minerals,

Think of broth as a supplemental source of everyday nutrition. It’s certainly not a meal replacement. Give it a try if you haven’t yet. You may find it helps with your aching joints or digestion. As a beverage, it makes a great addition to any daily routine. Have a cup with lunch or dinner — or as an afternoon snack. Or, make broth-based soups a regular part of your diet. After all, there is a very good reason so many people swear by the healing powers of chicken noodle soup, arguably the most famous broth-based dish.

along with collagen and amino acids — many of the things a body needs. Broth has even been called an immunity booster and an inflammation reducer. When it comes to its effect on inflammation, it’s easy to see how it earned its reputation. It’s a source of many joint-friendly nutrients, including glucosamine.

CHIPOTLE-ROASTED CARROT SALAD

Lewis Maclean

Z Z S

Y P M L B A E M I

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Inspired by Food & Wine magazine These spicy, tangy carrots make a healthy side dish that doesn’t skimp on flavour. Plus, you can do most of the work in advance and assemble the finished dish on the big day.

E H T H B C M R P I

X T C B F

E L T O P I H C P V N N A D F G N B A J C U D L O L M N K L X N M V A G E K I M A Y R T E B Q O R B T Q Y A I X G U O A W U R I S B Z S N O T Y F E V H O Y A T W N T C G E O R G E T T O I X A A M E S I W E L S W R O U N I C R S D C N F Y Z F E Z R N G M O M Q R H E A T A U N A B G G X L U J J K I V L B Z T A H Q V T Q I P R D I L P Y S S N M M D O S X J H I U Z W N O T W F Y J U G S S Z

INGREDIENTS

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30 small carrots (2–3 bunches), tops removed and carrots scrubbed 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from the chipotle can 1 tablespoon molasses

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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 ounces watercress, stems trimmed

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Plain Greek yogurt, for serving Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

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APPLIANCES

BROTH

BUYING

CARROT FURNACE

CHIPOTLE

FALL

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GAS

GEORGE

HEAT

LEAVES

LEWIS MOVIE

DIRECTIONS

LOCATION

MAINTAIN

APPLIANCES CARROT FURNACE HEAT LOCATION TURN

BROTH CHIPOTLE GAS LEAVES MAINTAIN ROASTED ASTED WARM

WARM BUYING FALL GEORGE THE

NEW TURN

1. Heat oven to 350 F. In

2. Transfer carrots to a plate and let them cool completely. 3. Once cooled, toss carrots with adobo sauce. Lay across a platter, and top with watercress. 4. Serve alongside yogurt.

a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with chipotle peppers, molasses, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30–35 minutes.

LEWIS MOVIE

3 604-532-9625 •

23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com

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Inside 1

THIS ISSUE

Gas Appliances Are Serious Business Caramel Apples, Knitting, and Bonfires A Few Tips Before Buying a New Furnace The Wonderful Benefits of Broth Chipotle-Roasted Carrot Salad 3 Movie Locations to Captivate Your Eyes

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3 FAMOUS MOVIE LOCATIONS YOU NEED TO VISIT

Christ Church Cathedral Harry Potter captured the imagination of the world. There are multiple sites across the United Kingdom where you can get lost in the adventure that shaped a generation, but there is one spot at the top of almost every fan’s list. Hogwarts is a magic castle in J.K. Rowling’s books, but in real life, its film location is a functioning cathedral in Oxford. Take one step onto the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, and you might begin to wonder when the next Quidditch match will begin. Tikal National Park

Movies captivate audiences partially because of their ability to transport you to a different place. The heart yearns to be taken places, and cinema facilitates that journey. But what if you could immerse yourself in those fantastical worlds by visiting the

destinations that you’ve seen on the big screen?

Here are three places that are worth the trip. Hobbiton The only aspect of “The Lord of the Rings” that is more compelling

When George Lucas witnessed a poster of this famous archaeological site, he didn’t see an ancient culture — he saw Yavin IV, the perfect location for the Massassi Outpost, a rebel haven found in the first film of Star Wars. Though the movie paints a futuristic look at the region, walk through Tikal National Park, and you’ll experience it as a trip through history.

than the fantastical journey of Frodo is the alluring, untamed countryside and quaint towns that make up Middle Earth. The Green Dragon Inn, Bilbo’s house, and the rolling hills of New Zealand make for a backdrop that will transport you straight into the life of Middle Earth’s smallest people — only these houses aren’t small at all. And you don’t need large, hairy feet to enjoy them.

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