California Home Spas & Patio

Why Are Grilled Foods Better for Your Health?

Southern California residents have the great fortune of being able to enjoy perennial warm weather, which means year-round barbequing and grilling. Though having an outdoor barbeque is a great excuse to host friends and family, it’s not the only reason to grill as often as possible. As the following reasons demonstrate, grilling your food provides several important health benefits.

No Cooking Fat Required

Cooking methods such as frying and sautéing require the use of butter or oil so that foods won’t stick to the pot or pan. Even baking typically requires the greasing of pans or dishes. Grilling, on the other hand, demands no such fat additives. Individuals can simply throw their favorite items onto the grill and let the BBQ do the rest. Many people find the smoky infusion of their steak or fish to be delectable. If you want to add an additional kick to your meats or other foods, you can also steep them in a fat-free marinade without compromising your efforts to eat healthy.

Many Fruit and Vegetable Preparation Options

Children often refuse steamed vegetables or raw fruits. When those same foods are cooked on a grill, though, kids suddenly can’t get enough of them. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables taste delicious when cooked on an outdoor grill. From asparagus and zucchini to mango and pineapple, you can grill virtually any fresh produce and your family will be asking for seconds.

Elimination of Excess Fat

Grilling does not require the addition of fat. In fact, it often subtracts fat from naturally fatty foods. Chicken and beef frequently drip off fat during the cooking process, allowing you to enjoy a savory and healthy meal every time.

Are you ready for your next outdoor barbeque? Call California Home Spas & Patio at (562) 912-3957 to learn more about our diverse selection of quality grills. Our Long Beach store carries all major BBQ brands, including Fire Magic and Cal Flame.

Find More Backyard Shading Ideas And Spa Water Chemistry Information

Get the most out of your outdoor living experience by adding some stylish shading features or a new spa. Call California Home Spas & Patio today at (562) 912-3957 to speak to a member our friendly staff. We also offer a wide selection of patio furniture, patio heaters, and grills. Please visit the sites below for more ideas on improving your home.

Better Homes and Gardens put together this slideshow of gazebos, including options for small backyards.

Read all about maintaining a spa at Discovery Fit & Health. This article discusses using testing strips and balancing the pH level.

Do you need more outdoor decorating ideas? Peruse this slideshow of ideas for home spas by TLC Home.

This link to Canadian House & Home discusses the types of hot tubs and their benefits for stress relief.

Get inspired to build a beautiful outdoor “room” with this slideshow of ideas by HGTV.

How to Make Your Patio the Perfect Summer BBQ Hotspot [INFOGRAPHIC]

Where is the best place to go this summer for great food and great times? With the right equipment, it could be your very own patio! A quality grill, comfortable furniture, and accessories to help protect from the elements are all you need to make your patio everyone’s favorite place to be. An outdoor patio furniture retailer in Long Beach put together this infographic to guide you through the process of creating the perfect outdoor space. Let your family and friends know how it’s done by sharing this helpful information with them.

Understanding Spa Water Chemistry

Buying a spa not only adds value to your home, but it can also help you get the most out of your backyard. However, home spas require maintenance in order to keep them operating at their best. If you’ve maintained a pool before, you already know that you need to test the water and balance the pH. Home spas are different because the water temperature is much higher, which encourages the growth of bacteria. Here are some steps you need to take to make your home spa as safe as possible:

Sanitize Your Spa

Home spas need to be sanitized regularly to disinfect the water and prevent the growth of bacteria. Sanitizing products typically contain chlorine or bromine. Test the water regularly to check for levels of those substances. The ideal chlorine level is between one and a half to three parts per million, and bromine should be between three to five PPM.

Use a Shock Treatment

Periodically, your home spa should have a shock treatment, which greatly improves the quality of the water. These non-chlorine treatments reduce the level of contaminates and keeps the water fresh and clean.

Balance the pH

Balancing the pH is one of the most important aspects of maintaining your home spa. If the pH is too high, it can lead to skin irritation, cloudy water, and scale development. When the pH is too low, it can corrode the spa equipment. Test your water regularly and use pH balancing products if the level is not between 7.2 and 7.8.

Check for Mineral Content

Calcium and magnesium can build up in your spa’s water. While some level of water hardness is beneficial, scale formation can occur if the water is too hard. If your spa has an acrylic finish, aim for a level between 100 to 250 PPM, or between 250 to 450 PPM for a plaster finish. There are spa test kits and treatment products available for testing and treating water hardness.

If you have any questions about buying a spa or maintaining it, please contact the experts of California Home Spas & Patio. Our friendly staff can be reached at (562) 912-3957. We pride ourselves on our commitment to beating any competitor’s price – that goes for online competitors, too!

Stylish Shading Options for Your Backyard

Relaxing on your patio furniture in the tranquility of your backyard is one of the many perks of homeownership. On hot, sunny days, however, you may find yourself retreating indoors more often than not. Adding some decorative structures such as gazebos and umbrellas to your yard will grant you relief from the hot sun while allowing you and your guests to enjoy outdoor barbecues and other activities. There are a wide variety of shading options available, and you can select from a range of styles that will blend seamlessly with the aesthetics of your home. Here’s a look at a couple of the shading options you can choose from:

Gazebos

If you prefer a larger shading option that several guests can enjoy at once, then a gazebo might be right for you. Gazebos are also large enough to accommodate your patio furniture. They add to the value of your home by enhancing its appearance and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Gazebos are not fully enclosed, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors under the comfort of a roof. While most gazebos are wooden or aluminum structures, you could choose a structure that features fabric as its main design element. If you go that route, you’ll find it easy to select a style and color of fabric that matches your patio furniture.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas are another popular option for backyard shade. Many homeowners choose to have one or more large umbrellas by their pools or to shade an outdoor table. Many outdoor umbrellas feature a central pole that supports the fabric, while others have the pole off to the side, with an extending arm that holds up the fabric. An umbrella can make your guests more comfortable at your next outdoor barbecue.

Turn your backyard into a paradise with stylish shading options from California Home Spas & Patio. We offer a wide selection of umbrellas and gazebos in addition to our line of patio furniture and hot tubs. Give us a call today at (562) 912-3957 to learn how we can help you transform your outdoor experience.