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<channel>
	<title>Johnson Pools and Spas</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/~pools/blog/?feed=rss2" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog</link>
	<description>Serving North Alabama Since 1977</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 29 Jul 2013 01:00:05 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
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		<item>
		<title>Spotlight Product: Strip Kwik</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=392</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=392#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jul 2013 01:00:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Educate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Product]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BioGuard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[educate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filter cleaner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson Pools & Spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maintenance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strip Kwik]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[swimming pools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=392</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This BioGuard product removes oils and grease from all types of filters. It acts as a shampoo for the filter. Removes grease and oil from filters Keeps filter working at optimum performance Keeps water clearer Reduces maintenance costs Lengthens the &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=392">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stripkwik.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-393" title="stripkwik" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stripkwik.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="267" /></a></p>
<p>This BioGuard product removes oils and grease from all types of filters. It acts as a shampoo for the filter.</p>
<ul>
<li>Removes grease and oil from filters</li>
<li>Keeps filter working at optimum performance</li>
<li>Keeps water clearer</li>
<li>Reduces maintenance costs</li>
<li>Lengthens the life of the filter media</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You should clean your filter at the peak of each season and at the end of each season, before you shut down your pool.  We also highly recommend cleaning your filter after severe algae problems.  For more information about this product, please ask any of our sales representatives!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Fun Summer Drinks</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=223</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=223#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 01:00:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Apryl Roberts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cheryl Najafi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cherylstyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clare Curley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creamy pineapple-peach drink]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fruit cubes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[infused water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson Pools & Spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lemonade with a twist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[luau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Memorable Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pineapple coconut slush]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pool Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poollife magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smoothies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[swimming pools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=223</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Family-friendly Drinks to Enjoy Poolside by Clare Curley (Print Me!) There’s nothing better than a summer day by the pool. But when the sun is really beating down, you need to make sure you and your family stay hydrated. Keeping &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=223">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Family-friendly-Drinks-to-Enjoy-Poolside.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-225" title="Family-friendly Drinks to Enjoy Poolside" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Family-friendly-Drinks-to-Enjoy-Poolside.jpg" alt="" width="553" height="226" /></a><strong>Family-friendly Drinks to Enjoy Poolside</strong></p>
<p><em>by Clare Curley</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Family-friendly-Drinks-to-Enjoy-Poolside.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>There’s nothing better than a summer day by the pool. But when the sun is really beating down, you need to make sure you and your family stay hydrated.</p>
<p>Keeping everyone refreshed and safe in the summer heat requires a bit of advance preparation. To guarantee that every pool gathering goes swimmingly, be sure you’ve got all of the ingredients you need, including one or two serving stations and a few easy-to-prepare drink recipes.</p>
<p>Before your pool gathering, stock up on warm-weather staples, such as iced tea, lemonade, natural fruit juice and something to add a little fizz. Cheryl Najafi, CEO of Cherylstyle, a lifestyle media company in Phoenix, Ariz., recommends natural sparkling juices flavored with pomegranate, Clementine, peach or lime. But you should also keep plenty of bottled water on hand for a quick sip on swim breaks.</p>
<p>You can add a little summer style to your pool refreshments by skewering fresh pineapple and strawberries with an umbrella or transforming grapes into fruit kabobs. “With pretty, summery garnishes, just about any drink can become a pool-themed drink,” Najafi says.</p>
<p>Because everyone is becoming more health-conscious, it’s a good idea to focus on lighter alternatives. Here are some great drink options for all of your swimmers:</p>
<p><strong>For the adults: light and refreshing</strong><br />
<em>Infused water</em>: This is a simple and calorie-free way to enjoy the spa experience at home. “Put water in a jar with ingredients, such as red baby bell peppers, lavender or basil, and set it out in the sun for two hours,” Najafi says. &#8220;Pour the concoction over ice, and you have the perfect summer drink. Cucumber, oranges and pineapples are other water-infusion options—just avoid fruit that doesn’t hold up well in water, such as kiwi or strawberries,&#8221; Najafi says.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><em>Lemonade with a twist</em>: Pour lemonade into an ice cube tray, and add a small mint leaf, raspberry or blueberry to each cube. Then serve fresh lemonade and add the custom cubes, which will prevent your summery beverage from getting watered down.</p>
<p><em>Serving options</em>: For a more festive feel, try an island theme. When Apryl Roberts, owner of Memorable Events by Apryl in Norfolk, Va., hosted a luau, she served the drinks in hollowed-out coconut shells. “It was different and cool for both the adults and kids,” she says.</p>
<p><strong>For the kids: healthy and playful</strong><br />
<em>Soda water and fruit juice</em>: Kids enjoy drinks with a little added color. Why not cut down on calories by mixing soda water with fruit juice? Dress it up with a twist of lemon or lime and a few frozen fruit cubes (made by filling ice cube trays with juice).<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><em>Summertime smoothies</em>: Fruit and yogurt smoothies are healthy kid-pleasers that provide a little more sustenance to famished swimmers. Use either crushed ice or freeze the fruit in advance.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><em>Serving options</em>: You should keep all beverages in plastic containers to avoid accidents by the pool, but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix things up a bit. Try serving drinks in small plastic bowls or fun novelty glasses.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><em>Hassle-free alternative</em>: Freeze fruity summer beverages and serve them as popsicles. It’s fun and there’s less clean up afterward!<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Serve it up in style</strong><br />
Take the edge off the heat—and stay safe—by serving your delicious drinks in chilled acrylic or plastic cups. A fruit smoothie served in a frosted acrylic cup is a surefire way to get your pool party started right.</p>
<p>If your guests are serving themselves, convert a small table into a drink station. You can even add a grass skirt around the edge for a more festive look.</p>
<p>For blended drinks, have guests line up buffet-style to select the fruit combination of their choice. All it takes is an electric blender and a designated adult to be in charge of the station. Don’t forget to keep yogurt, frozen fruit and other cold ingredients on ice so they last throughout the day.</p>
<p>Then, just kick back, chill out and enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon by the pool.<br />
<em><strong></strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Cool Summer Recipes:</strong><br />
Professional party planner Apryl Roberts shares her favorite family-friendly recipes:</p>
<p><em><strong>Creamy pineapple-peach drink</strong></em><br />
1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, in juice<br />
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice<br />
2 peach halves, diced<br />
1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt<br />
1 cup fat-free milk<br />
2 tablespoons sugar (optional)</p>
<p>Combine pineapple, pineapple juice and peaches in a blender; process until pureed. Add yogurt, milk and sugar. Blend until smooth and thickened. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>Pineapple Coconut Slush</strong></em><br />
1 cup pineapple juice<br />
1 cup crushed pineapple<br />
1/2 cup coconut milk (canned or fresh)<br />
Juice from one lime<br />
Ice to top of blender</p>
<p>Blend ingredients until slushy. Pour into frosted glasses and enjoy.<br />
<em></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>article from poollifemag.com</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Mid-Summer Maintenance Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=216</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=216#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Educate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[algae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arch Chemicals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brown's Pools and Spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Debbie Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[educate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson Pools & Spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kelly Caldwell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lonza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maintenance routine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mid-summer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North American Water Products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Gillio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peak season]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[phosphates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool parties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[POOLIFE Backwash Filter Cleaner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[POOLIFE TurboShock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poollife magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[swimming pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=216</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pool Maintenance: Tips for Peak Season by Kelly Caldwell (Print Me!) Ah, summer: the season of barbeques, 90-degree days and poolside parties. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun that pool season brings, but don’t neglect your pool &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=216">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Maintenance-Tips-for-Peak-Season.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-218" title="Pool Maintenance-Tips for Peak Season" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Maintenance-Tips-for-Peak-Season.jpg" alt="" width="553" height="226" /></a><strong>Pool Maintenance: Tips for Peak Season</strong></p>
<p><em>by Kelly Caldwell</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Maintenance-Tips-for-Peak-Season.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>Ah, summer: the season of barbeques, 90-degree days and poolside parties. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun that pool season brings, but don’t neglect your pool maintenance routine, which should be more rigorous this time of year to offset increased bather loads, evaporation and higher levels of organic waste.</p>
<p>Consider these seven tips your prescribed poolside reading this summer:<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Test water two to three times a week.</strong><br />
&#8220;Although you’d generally check your water once a week in April and May, increased pool activity in mid-summer, as well as rainstorms and a blazing sun, all can rapidly deplete the chemicals that keep your pool crystal clear,&#8221; says Paul Gillio, senior technical services rep with the North American Water Products business of Arch Chemicals, Inc., now part of Lonza.</p>
<p>&#8220;Pay close attention to pH and chlorine levels, which will indicate whether your water is balanced,&#8221; Gillio says. Chlorine and pH work as a team to keep your pool clean, and pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.6 to optimize chlorine’s ability to sanitize. Also, examine the expiration date stamped on the water-test-strip bottle to ensure an accurate reading.</p>
<p>“If your water appears cloudy, the chlorine level may be off,” says Debbie Brown, retail manager for Brown’s Pools and Spas in Douglasville, Ga. “The bottom of the pool may also feel slick.”</p>
<p>&#8220;Since you’re filling your pool more frequently, metal compounds from your filler source can be more problematic at this time of year. If, despite your efforts, your pool remains stubbornly murky, take a water sample to your dealer,&#8221; Brown says. An expert can take a more in-depth look at factors that influence water balance and clarity, such as the prevalence of corrosive metals. Home-testing kits typically only measure two or three components, such as sanitizer levels and pH.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Shock the water weekly.</strong><br />
A combination of higher bather loads and hotter temperatures means chlorine levels are more likely to fluctuate at this time of year. Shocking the pool once a week will ensure proper sanitization levels in your water. For example, POOLIFE®* TurboShock® shock treatment breaks down waste products such as perspiration, oils and organic materials. Gillio advises administering the shock treatment in the evening and waiting to enter the pool until the next day, when the chlorine level falls below four parts per million.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Apply an algaecide and phosphate remover weekly.</strong><br />
In addition to shock, algaecide and phosphate removers are recommended weekly additions to your pool water.</p>
<p>“An algaecide is basically an insurance policy to help combat algae if sanitizer levels drop too low,” Gillio says.</p>
<p>He also stresses the importance of adding a weekly phosphate remover. “Phosphates are food for algae and typically enter the pool from environmental factors like fertilizer or a tap-water source,” Gillio says. “If you can remove phosphates, you can help minimize potential algae.”<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Don’t underestimate the power of your pool brush.</strong><br />
&#8220;A good, old-fashioned scrubbing also is recommended more frequently during peak season,&#8221; Gillio says.</p>
<p>“One of the simplest things that pool owners don’t do on a weekly basis is brush the pool,” he says. “If you can keep the algae from grabbing onto surfaces where it reproduces quickly, you can reduce algae problems.”</p>
<p>Especially in “dead spots,” or areas behind ladders and in corners where water tends to be stagnant, you can manually remove debris while scrubbing. Very hot days also encourage rapid growth of bacteria and algae, Brown warns, so brush your pool well and often.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Check filter pressure several times per week.</strong><br />
&#8220;During peak season, you should backwash or clean your filter when the pressure increases 8 to 10 psi above the clean-filter level,&#8221; Gillio says. If you have a sand or DE filter, a backwashing product like POOLIFE® Backwash Filter Cleaner helps remove extremely fine particles that might otherwise be left behind in your water. Since your filter must handle more waste due to increased bather loads, you might be cleaning it more frequently.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Increase filter operation time.</strong><br />
Brown advises pool owners to run their filter 12 hours a day during the summer months, while sunlight is beaming above the pool. After you add pool products, run the filter for 24 hours to ensure all chemicals are dissolved.</p>
<p><strong>Adjust pump runtime on hot days.</strong><br />
&#8220;When the mercury rises in July and August, you should adjust how long your pump runs,&#8221; Brown says.</p>
<p>“Hot days suck the chlorine out of the pool very quickly,” she says. Running your pool’s pump longer in the morning and after the sun goes down gives the chlorine a chance to do its job.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>article from poollifemag.com</em></p>
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		<title>Spotlight Product: Wave Runner</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=370</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=370#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jul 2013 01:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Product]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beach toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson Pools & Spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MEGA Wave Runner Ball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pool Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool toys]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=370</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The MEGA Waverunner ball takes water sports to an all new level! Both children and adults alike can participate in an all new water sport using the new, fresh concept of the waverunner ball! While bouncing balls have been used &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=370">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-373   alignleft" title="wave runner ball" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wave-runner-ball-300x272.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="272" /></p>
<p>The MEGA Waverunner ball takes water sports to an all new level! Both children and adults alike can participate in an all new water sport using the new, fresh concept of the waverunner ball! While bouncing balls have been used for water sports before, the waverunner ball takes fun in the sun to the next level. Instead of just playing with large bouncing balls in the sand or throwing a ball back and forth like most beach and pool related sports entail, the waverunner ball has been optimized to allow for hours of endless entertainment. To use the waverunner ball, simply throw the ball at your choice of water surface and watch it bounce, skip, jump and surprise you, providing endless entertainment for all ages. The waverunner ball is &#8220;the&#8221; choice for unlimited summer fun!</p>
<p>The mega ball bigger size makes it easier for a more controlled and accurate bounce that allows it to jump, skip, and bounce across water for endless hours of water play. <a href="http://youtu.be/rdMgQ-6Is04">Click here to watch a video!</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Celebrate Freedom!</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=212</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=212#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Holiday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[celebrate freedom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independence Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson Pools & Spas]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=212</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We wish you all a great independence day! Have fun &#38; enjoy time with your family and friends. God bless America!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Independence-Day-Ad.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-213" title="Independence Day Ad" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Independence-Day-Ad-1024x494.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="308" /></a>We wish you all a great independence day! Have fun &amp; enjoy time with your family and friends. God bless America!</p>
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		<title>Sweet Potato Salad</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=205</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=205#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jul 2013 01:00:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health & Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health & wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holly Chute]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sweet potato salad]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=205</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sweet Potato Salad with Cider Vinaigrette (Print Me!) Ingredients: - 5 Jewel sweet potatoes or 2-3 regular potatoes, peeled and diced (4-5 cups) - 1/3 cup raisins - 1/3 cup dried cranberries - ½+ teaspoon cinnamon - ½+ cup apple &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=205">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Sweet Potato Salad with Cider Vinaigrette</strong> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sweet-Potato-Salad-with-Cider-Vinaigrette.pdf">(Print Me!)</a><br />
<em></em></p>
<div id="attachment_208" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 221px"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Holly-Chute.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-208 " title="Holly Chute" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Holly-Chute-211x300.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Holly Chute, Executive Chef at Georgia Governor&#39;s Mansion</p></div>
<p><em>Ingredients:</em><br />
- 5 Jewel sweet potatoes or 2-3 regular potatoes, peeled and diced (4-5 cups)<br />
- 1/3 cup raisins<br />
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries<br />
- ½+ teaspoon cinnamon<br />
- ½+ cup apple cider<br />
- ¼ cup white balsamic or cider vinegar<br />
- ¾ cup canola oil<br />
- ½ cup chopped scallions<br />
- salt and pepper</p>
<p><em>Instructions:</em><br />
If possible, start this the day before eating. Cook sweet potatoes in salted water until just tender, but still firm. Drain potatoes and chill overnight.</p>
<p>Combine raisins, cranberries and cinnamon in a small saucepan with cider. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to soften. Allow to cool then drain reserving cider.</p>
<p>Add more cider to reserved liquid to make ½ cup. In a small bowl, whisk together cider, vinegar and canola oil.</p>
<p>Combine chilled potatoes and scallions in a bowl. Pour dressing over and mix to combine. Adjust seasoning and serve cold.</p>
<p><em>Serves 6</em></p>
<p>© Holly Chute 2011</p>
<p><em>Holly Chute is the Executive Chef of the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.   She graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in 1979. The  Governor’s Mansion welcomed her in 1981 as Chef and Foods Manager. Chef  Chute has worked for six different Governors- Governor George Busbee,  Governor Joe Frank Harris, Governor Zell Miller, Governor Roy Barnes,  Governor Sonny Perdue, and now Governor Nathan Deal. From a small  family dinner to official state events, Holly plans and executes it all!</em></p>
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		<title>Solutions for Treating Algae</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=200</link>
		<comments>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=200#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jun 2013 01:00:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Educate]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Solutions for Treating Algae in Your Pool by Adam Jablonowski (Print Me!) Nothing makes a pool owner happier than crystal clear water on a hot day. To ensure your water remains sparkling, it’s critical to combat algae before it even &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=200">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Solutions-for-Treating-Algae-in-Your-Pool.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-202" title="Solutions for Treating Algae in Your Pool" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Solutions-for-Treating-Algae-in-Your-Pool.jpg" alt="" width="553" height="226" /></a><strong>Solutions for Treating Algae in Your Pool</strong></p>
<p><em>by Adam Jablonowski</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Solutions-for-Treating-Algae-in-Your-Pool.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>Nothing makes a pool owner happier than crystal clear water on a hot day. To ensure your water remains sparkling, it’s critical to combat algae before it even finds its way into your pool.</p>
<p>As a first step, find out what puts your pool at risk and implement the following solutions to prevent and treat this all-too-common issue.</p>
<p><strong>Where does algae growth start?</strong><br />
Pools can collect debris from more than a quarter mile away; all it takes is a gust of wind for contaminants to enter the water and begin to foster algae growth. In addition to debris, hot temperatures, beaming sunlight and high pool activity make peak season prime time for algae growth.</p>
<p>“A swimming pool provides perfect conditions for algae to bloom,” says Paul Gillio, senior technical services representative with Arch Chemicals Inc., now part of Lonza. “You’ve got warm water, sunlight, carbon dioxide and minerals—all the food that algae needs to thrive.”</p>
<p>&#8220;It’s important to remember that algae spores are more likely to find their way into your pool after a heavy rain or windstorm,&#8221; Gillio says. &#8220;Therefore, make sure to remove debris and focus on water balance, including pH levels and alkalinity.&#8221;<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>3 steps to stop algae growth</strong><br />
When the weather is warm and water conditions are conducive to algae growth, you can use a proven three-step process to keep your pool looking its best:</p>
<p>1. Daily sanitizer<br />
2. Weekly oxidizer<br />
3. Weekly algae prevention (such as algaecide)</p>
<p>“This [process] helps as insurance in case your sanitizer levels get low,” Gillio says.</p>
<p>If your water is starting to look green, visit your local dealer and ask about the new POOLIFE® Defend+™ algaecide. It not only prevents algae, it also acts as a clarifier to take care of cloudy water.</p>
<p>“The hotter it is, the more sanitizer and chemicals are going to get used up, and it’s easier for algae to occur,” says Nick Day, service manager with Gohlke Pools in Denton, Texas.</p>
<p>Before removing algae, look to your manufacturer’s directions, both for using chemicals and taking other maintenance measures, Day says. For example, if you have a pool with a concrete surface, you can use a coarse, steel brush to scrub algae. But using the same brush can damage pools with vinyl liners.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Focus on algae when closing your pool</strong><br />
It’s especially important to take steps to clean algae and balance your water before closing the pool. Anything in your pool at closing will be there next season.</p>
<p>“Why not spend a day or two to clean the algae out of your pool that you’re closing, versus spending a couple of weeks in the springtime after that algae has a chance to fester and grow?” Gillio says.</p>
<p>&#8220;Untreated algae that remains in the pool all offseason can stain and discolor pool surfaces,&#8221; Day says. &#8220;You can avoid any discoloration by taking the proper steps before shutting the pool down for the winter,&#8221; he adds.<br />
<em></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>article from poollifemag.com</em></p>
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		<title>Important Maintenance Info</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=195</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=195</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[High Pool Activity Means Higher Maintenance Demand by Kelly Hagler (Print Me!) If you’ve been waiting for warm weather and bright sunshine to get back into your workout routine, the time has come for pool fitness. From swimming laps to &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=195">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/High-Pool-Activity-Means-Higher-Maintenance-Demand.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-197" title="High Pool Activity Means Higher Maintenance Demand" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/High-Pool-Activity-Means-Higher-Maintenance-Demand.jpg" alt="" width="553" height="226" /></a>High Pool Activity Means Higher Maintenance Demand</strong></p>
<p><em>by Kelly Hagler</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/High-Pool-Activity-Means-Higher-Maintenance-Demand.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>If you’ve been waiting for warm weather and bright sunshine to get back into your workout routine, the time has come for pool fitness. From swimming laps to doing water aerobics, your pool makes exercise fun and engaging for the whole family.</p>
<p>But it’s important to remember that exercising in your pool introduces swimmer waste—perspiration, for example—that you’ll need to address as part of your regular maintenance program. Contaminants also can be an issue if you have high bather loads—such as a lot of kids in your pool throughout the summer—creating increased maintenance demand.</p>
<p>If your pool will be a hub of activity this season, exercising and otherwise, consider these tips to keep your water clear and free of contaminants.</p>
<p><strong>Pay attention to bather load</strong><br />
Bather load is a primary consideration when determining how much swimmer waste is in your water. But the number of people in your pool isn’t as important as the swimmers’ activity, says John Puetz, technology directory for Arch Chemicals, Inc., now part of Lonza.</p>
<p>“A physically engaged swimmer will produce a minimum of two pints of perspiration per hour,” he says. “And the chemical makeup of sweat is the same as urine, which really startles pool owners.”</p>
<p>Generally, any time there’s an increased bather load in your pool, it creates a stress in the water, Puetz says. For example, if your pool endures consistent use throughout the week but an increased bather load on the weekend when your kids’ friends pay a visit to your backyard, higher levels of contaminants will be introduced into the water. In this case, the normal chlorine level is an insufficient amount of sanitization, and you should think about shocking the pool to restore its cleanliness and clarity.</p>
<p>&#8220;You also should think about bather load in maintaining your hot tub water. Hot tubs have a much higher bather load than pools, so you should add a dose of chlorine or bromine after spending time in the spa,&#8221; says Lauren Craig, general manager of Waller Pool and Spa in Wheeling, W.V. &#8220;It’s harder to maintain a consistent sanitizer level in a hot tub compared to a pool because both the hot water and higher bather load render the sanitizing product ineffective faster,&#8221; Craig says.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Balance, shock and oxidize your pool water</strong><br />
If your pool is a regular source of exercise and activity for family and friends, it’s imperative that you have the right products on hand for proper sanitization. Products include shock treatments and water balancers.</p>
<p>“After a pool workout, pH and alkalinity should first be adjusted, then the pool should be shocked,” Craig says. “When there is added perspiration in the pool, it’s important to shock to remove those organic compounds.”</p>
<p>&#8220;If you typically have higher chlorine levels in your pool, the POOLIFE® Quick Swim Oxidizer is an ideal product to use before or after high bather loads,&#8221; Craig says. &#8220;The POOLIFE® Quick Swim Oxidizer gives the pool a low dose of chlorine, along with an oxidizer,&#8221; she says. &#8220;The product is a quick-dissolving shock, oxidizer and chlorine boost in one package.&#8221;</p>
<p>At Waller Pool and Spa, Craig and her team call POOLIFE® Quick Swim Oxidizer “party shock” because it’s an ideal product to add to the pool before a party, when you expect high bather loads and eager swimmers who want to dive in as soon as they arrive.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Purchase the right pool products</strong><br />
If you own a chlorine pool, shock treatments are the best way to clean the water after a workout or heavy bather load. Consider using POOLIFE® TurboShock®—Step 2 in both the POOLIFE® Brite Stix® System and the POOLIFE® Multipurpose Tablet System—to kill algae and bacteria while destroying swimmer contaminants.</p>
<p>“Chlorine kills bacteria and oxidizes the waste,” Puetz says. “By shock treating, you will restore some of that chlorine residual that was significantly lowered with the high bather load.”</p>
<p>Oxidizing waste is the key to cleaning your chlorine-free pool after workouts, and Puetz suggests using the BAQUACIL® CDX™ System to kill bacteria. “You can add nonchlorine chemicals prior to a workout or immediately after it because the chlorine exposure limitations do not exist with BAQUACIL® products,” Puetz says.</p>
<p>It’s important to remove contaminants from your pool, but don’t over-treat your water with unnecessary chemicals, Puetz says. If you let byproducts accumulate in the water, it can be uncomfortable for swimmers.</p>
<p><strong>Recognize signs of contaminated water</strong><br />
If you’ve had high levels of activity in your pool, it’s important to recognize signs that your water needs treatment. For example, after a heavy bather load, your water will have a dull appearance, and swimmers might complain about burning or irritated eyes. Many times, swimmers associate burning eyes with high levels of chlorine, but that’s a misconception, Puetz says.</p>
<p>“Everything that’s normally blamed on high chlorine levels is actually a result of not enough chlorine,” Puetz says. “It’s very common that skin irritations develop due to not having enough oxidation, not too little.”</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>article from poollifemag.com</em></p>
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		<title>A Father&#8217;s Day Recipe</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=189</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2013 01:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Big Green Egg]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza recipe courtesy of King Arthur Flour (Print Me!) Did you ever wonder about the “pie” in pizza pie? This dish will make that connection clear for you. With its deep crust cradling distinct layers of cheese, sausage, &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=189">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chicago-Style-Deep-Dish-Pizza.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-192" title="Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chicago-Style-Deep-Dish-Pizza.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="340" /></a><strong>Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza</strong></p>
<p><em>recipe courtesy of King Arthur Flour</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chicago-Style-Deep-Dish-Pizza.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>Did you ever wonder about the “pie” in pizza pie? This dish will make that connection clear for you. With its deep crust cradling distinct layers of cheese, sausage, and tomatoes, this is definitely a knife-and-fork pizza PIE.</p>
<p>The crust, based on a recipe whose supposed provenance is Pizzeria Uno, has an unusual flaky/ tender texture and great. Also, the tiny bit of cornmeal adds subtle but delightful crunch.</p>
<p><em><strong>Ingredients:</strong></em><br />
<strong>Crust</strong><br />
- 4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour<br />
- 3 tablespoons yellow cornmeal<br />
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt<br />
- 2 ¾ teaspoons instant yeast<br />
- 2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted<br />
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or salad oil<br />
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons lukewarm water</p>
<p><strong>Filling</strong><br />
- ¾ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced<br />
- 1 lb Italian sweet or hot sausage, cooked and sliced; or about 3 cups of the sautéed vegetables of your choice<br />
- 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, lightly crushed; or 28-ounce can diced or<br />
chopped tomatoes<br />
- 2 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced (Optional)<br />
- 1 tablespoon sugar (Optional)<br />
- 1 to 2 teaspoons pizza seasoning or mixed dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, rosemary) to taste<br />
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese<br />
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, to drizzle on top</p>
<p><em><strong>Instructions:</strong></em><br />
Set the EGG for indirect cooking at 425oF/ 232oC.</p>
<p>To make the crust, mix the dough ingredients and knead – by hand, mixer, or bread machine – to make a smooth crust. This will take about 7 minutes at medium-low speed in stand mixer.</p>
<p>Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl or 8 cup measure (which makes it easy to track its rise), cover, and let rise till very puffy, about 60 minutes. While the dough is rising, ready your 14” Deep Dish Pizza/ Baking Stone. Grease it with non-stick vegetable oil spray; pour in 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil, tilting it to cover the bottom of the pan, and partway up the sides.</p>
<p>Stretch the dough to make as large a circle as you can. You can do this on a lightly oiled silicone dough mat or simply stretch the dough in your hands. Lay the dough in the pan, and stretch it toward the edges till it starts to shrink back. Cover, and let it rest for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Stretch the dough to cover the bottom of the pan, then gently push it up the sides of the pan. The olive oil may ooze over the edge of the crust; that’s okay. Let the crust rest for 15 minutes or so. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until it sets and barely begins to brown. While it’s baking, prepare the filling.</p>
<p>Drain the tomatoes thoroughly. Combine them with the pizza seasoning or herbs, and the garlic and sugar. Add salt to taste; you probably won’t need any additional salt if you’ve used the pizza seasoning. Cover the bottom of the crust with the sliced mozzarella, fanning it into the crust. Add the sausage (or sautéed vegetables), then the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan, and drizzle with the olive oil.</p>
<p>Bake the pizza in the EGG for about 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove it from the EGG and allow the pizza to cool for about 15 minutes (or longer, for less oozing) before cutting and serving.<br />
<em></em></p>
<p><em>Serves 12</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BGE-Logo-Hor4.png"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-190" title="BGE logo" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BGE-Logo-Hor4-300x101.png" alt="" width="300" height="101" /></a></p>
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		<title>Pool Workout Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=184</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Pool Workouts: Start Slow, Stay Strong by Chris Matt (Print Me!) Are you tired of running on a treadmill or riding the stationary bike at your local gym? If so, consider changing up your workout routine and take advantage of &#8230; <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/?p=184">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Workouts-Start-Slow-Stay-Strong.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-185" title="Pool Workouts-Start Slow, Stay Strong" src="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Workouts-Start-Slow-Stay-Strong.jpg" alt="" width="553" height="226" /></a><strong>Pool Workouts: Start Slow, Stay Strong</strong></p>
<p><em>by Chris Matt</em> <a href="http://www.johnsonpoolsandspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pool-Workouts-Start-Slow-Stay-Strong.pdf">(Print Me!)</a></p>
<p>Are you tired of running on a treadmill or riding the stationary bike at your local gym? If so, consider changing up your workout routine and take advantage of your pool as a source of exercise.</p>
<p>But before you dive in to your first workout, it’s important to consider your health and fitness level and how both affect your exercise routine; paying a visit to your doctor will determine if you’re healthy enough for physical activity. If you haven’t exercised in the past few months and have been waiting to open your pool to get back into your routine, remember to take it slow, starting out gradually and building over weeks and months.</p>
<p>“That’s true in any form of exercise, and it can be even more important in the water, where it feels easier,” says MaryBeth Pappas Baun, health management advocate with Gallagher Benefits Services and president of Baun Associates/Wellness Without Walls. “You need to focus especially on using your torso muscles to make sure you’re in a protected, neutral posture. Not only does your torso get more toned in appearance, but you are protecting your back, your neck, your pelvis and your shoulders.”</p>
<p>In a protected, neutral posture, you bring your shoulder blades down toward your waist, engage your abdominal muscles and roll your shoulders back to open your chest.</p>
<p><strong>Establish a new workout routine</strong><br />
If you’re someone whose joints can’t handle the shock of running on a hard surface or pedaling a bicycle, the pool is a great tool to stay in shape without sustaining the pain or injuries you could deal with from other forms of exercise.</p>
<p>“The nice thing about water is that besides keeping you cool, which can be important for a lot of people, it reduces the impact shock that people experience on their joints,” Pappas Baun says. “Being in the water makes it feel like it’s easier, even though, in reality, you’re getting much more in the way of resistance training.”</p>
<p>That increased resistance is primarily due to water’s viscosity. That’s why walking in a pool is a much more challenging than taking a stroll down your driveway. Due to that increased resistance, it’s important to take small steps toward reaching your fitness goals this season, especially if you weren’t very active during the winter.</p>
<p>For example, start by simply walking in your pool. Walk with the same gait and arm motion you do outside of the water—although more slowly because of the viscosity— and try it for 5 or 10 minutes. Depending on how you feel, you can extend your workout the next day.</p>
<p>Pappas Baun recommends no more than a 10 percent increase in the duration of your exercise each time you work out. So if you felt invigorated after 10 minutes of walking, add one minute to your routine the next time out.</p>
<p>“Think of a bell curve,” she says. “Give your cardio system a chance to warm up and come up into a higher level of exertion, and then cool down gradually.”</p>
<p><strong>Use the FITT principle as a guide</strong><br />
Even if you’ve been exercising all winter long and are in great health, you still should be cautious when transitioning into pool workouts.</p>
<p>“It’s important to start off very gradually if you haven’t been doing this kind of thing before or if you’re changing from another form of exercise,” Pappas Baun says. “It will surprise you.”</p>
<p>With that in mind, consider the FITT principle when developing an exercise plan this season:</p>
<p>• <strong>Frequency</strong>. How many times you exercise each day depends on your health and fitness. Start out slow, and move toward 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each day, Pappas Baun says. Include strength training twice a week, such as using water paddles for added resistance, making slow, controlled movements.<br />
• <strong>Intensity</strong>. If you’re healthy and in great shape, you can gradually increase your intensity from moderate to high. After the workout, you want to feel exhilarated, not exhausted, Pappas Baun says. If you’re worn out, dial down your intensity.<br />
• <strong>Type</strong>. It’s early in the season, so pool exercises will be different than the nonpool-related workouts you’ve been doing the past few months.<br />
• <strong>Time</strong>. Start in small increments and increase the length of your workout by 10 percent, as your body allows, Pappas Baun says.</p>
<p>Pappas Baun also says it’s important that you don’t try to increase all elements of the FITT principle at the same time. Instead, focus on one aspect of the principle each time you exercise. That way, you avoid getting discouraged, injured or exhausted, she says.</p>
<p><strong>Diversify your workout plan</strong><br />
If you’re a workout warrior in the pool, it might be time to shake up your regular routine. Pappas Baun recommends the following exercises to ramp up your workouts:</p>
<p>• Walk backwards, sideways or with a cross-step to elevate your walking exercises.<br />
• Yoga in the pool is a great way to stretch and improve flexibility.<br />
• Imitate tai chi or other martial arts moves.<br />
• Run in the water while wearing a flotation vest designed for water exercise, eliminating any impact shock on your joints.<br />
• Emulate cross-country skiing, bicycling and skiing over moguls.</p>
<p>Creating a diverse workout routine keeps you engaged throughout the season. If you stick to a plan while your pool is open, there’s a better chance you’ll continue exercising when the cover goes back on at summer’s end.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“[Exercising in the pool is] a great way to cross train so you don’t get injured,” Pappas Baun says. “It’s a good way to exercise when it’s hot out because you don’t want to get overheated—that’s discouraging and dangerous. It works the stabilizing muscles of the body in a way that gives you more injury resilience and more staying power for the other kinds of exercise.”<em></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>article from poollifemag.com</em></p>
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