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You are about to finish your dream home and you are looking at Formica countertops for your kitchen. But are Formica countertops the right choice for you? Do you want a durable countertop that will not chip or stain easily. Or are you on a budget and you are looking to cut costs by saving money on the price of the countertops. What will drive your decision between Formica countertops or stone or laminate countertop?

Formica countertops are made of laminate and Formica is the brand name of the material. The Formica Corporation, which began in 1913, is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For a while almost every home in America had a Formica countertop unless they had the money to use a more expensive surface like granite of concrete. Home builders, housewives and interior decorators are attracted to Formica countertops because you can find them in almost any color to match a home owner's decor.

In June of 2006, the Formica corporation added exciting new colors to its line of Formica countertops. These new colors moved away for traditional countertops that mirrored colors found in natural materials such as stone and granite. According to a press release from the Formica Corporation, the new Formica countertop colors reflected man-made colors. The colors for the Formica countertops ranged from metallic to gray to bright colors from the Art Deco period. There are some Formica countertops that look like their more expensive countertops, such as granite or concrete.

But Formica countertops are not as durable as granite or concrete countertops. The laminate surface can be a challenge to clean. For light stains, Formica countertops can be cleaned with mild soap and water. If it is a tough stain, try baking soda and a household cleaner. The downside is if it is a tough stain, using an abrasive cleaning solution will damage the Formica countertop. If you have questions as to how to handle a stain, you can look at the manufacturer's instructions that came with your Formica countertop.

While cleaning Formica countertops is easy, keeping them free from cuts, scratches and burns is not. If a can falls out of your cabinet, it can damage the surface of your Formica countertop by chipping it. You will have to use a cutting board when preparing dinner to prevent cuts. You will also want to keep hot pans off the Formica countertops to protect them from burns.

The downside to Formica countertops often outweigh the main advantage to many homeowners and builders-price. Many new homeowners turn to Formica countertops not for the design or color, but simply because they are reasonably priced. Formica countertops run about $7 to $20 per square foot, while granite countertops are about $70 to $100 per square foot. You can check prices and special offers from home improvement stores for the best deals. Ultimately, the homeowner will have to make the choice between a more expensive granite or concrete countertop or the less expensive Formica countertop.

Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com - a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on Formica countertops.

The newest attraction to grace Walt Disney World's mountain range is Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. It has been the buzz for many years, and much anticipated since Epcot's Soarin' was unveiled a few years ago. I experienced the attraction twice - once in stand-by, and once with a FastPass.

The architectural illusion of the attraction house (which is shaped, obviously, like Mount Everest) is absolutely stunning. The peak looks miles up (but Splash Mountain is actually taller!), and there is nothing around to clutter the view. It could be Disney's best illusion yet - and you don't even have to wait in a line to experience it!

The line queue is nice as well - visitors weave through a quaint mountainside village on their way to the loading bay. On the way, teaser exhibits describing "Yeti lore" show that locals admire a certain mountain creature.

My first ride experience was a bit of of a disappointment. It reminded me too much of the aged Matterhorn in Disneyland. I won't spoil the actual attraction for you here, but it was a regular roller coaster. Think Indiana Jones (in Paris, not Disneyland!) mixed with Matterhorn.

However, I later learned that I missed the attraction's major highlight (I must have blinked or something) - a large Yeti. The next time I kept my eyes peeled, and I saw, for less than two seconds, the largest, creepiest, most monstrous animatronic Yeti in all of Disneydom. For the effect of those two seconds, the ride suddenly became worth it. I just wish it was more obvious, and that I had seen it the first time.

Dirk Vanderwilt is the author of several travel guidebooks for the Tourist Town Guides series. Tourist Town Guides offer independent, honest advice about America's top tourist hotspots.

For more information, visit http://www.touristtown.com

So I'm wearing my Exercise Scientist hat today.
And my Psychologist cardigan.
And my steel-capped, ass-kicking boots.

I may be blunt.
Okay, I will be.
But honest.
Possibly... politically incorrect.
Okay, probably.
Will possibly say what you don't want to hear.
Feel free to look away... now.

Hmm.. still here huh?
Thrill-seeker.
Crazy kid.

Even though I've spoken way too much for way too many years about getting in shape (in the course of my work)... and I'm kinda over it, recent events (stuff in the media here in Australia and several random conversations) have compelled me to write this post. It seems we're still missing the point when it comes to losing weight (effectively and permanently).

If you, or someone you know, needs to lose weight, pay attention and/or pass this post along.

Conventional thinking tells us that losing weight is essentially a physiological process; lift this, run there, stretch that, get your heart rate up, decrease your calorie intake, no carbs after three (crapola) and increase your energy expenditure.

Mostly good advice.

And traditional approaches (by the medical profession and the fitness industry) tell us that weight loss is essentially about three key variables; exercise, food and lifestyle. Oh yeh, and more education. And to a point, they are right. But only to a point.

I'm here to tell you that while exercise, food, lifestyle and education are indeed important variables in the process, without doubt, the biggest determinant of weight loss (or gain) is what's going on in that nine pound (four kilo) thing sitting on the top of our shoulders.

Yet the psychology of weight loss is rarely discussed (in any depth) by the 'experts'. And in my humble opinion, that's because many of them don't get it. It.. being the head stuff that goes with the body stuff.

If you have been, or are currently, overweight, then you absolutely know that losing weight is first and foremost a psychological and emotional process. I was a fatty (200lbs, 90kgs at fourteen)... and when I got my head in the right place, my body followed. I thought different, chose different(ly) and created different.

Q. What really determines weight loss (or gain)?
A. Attitude, thinking, self-control, mind-set and ultimately, decisions.

We know what to do.
But we don't do what we know.
We've never been more educated.
Yet we've never been fatter.
We've never had more resources.
And we've never made more excuses (heard them all).
We've never had more reasons to lose weight.
And we've never wasted more time.

But people don't wanna hear this message because it's too fundamental and obvious.
And it requires real effort, sacrifice, work and self-control.
No, we'd rather talk about weight-loss theory number ten million or the latest 'breakthrough' pill,
powder, potion, product, gizmo or gadget.
Or that amazing new weight-loss book.
'Cause we need another one of those.

We want quick, easy, convenient and painless.
We are soft.
We are precious, lazy and lack self-control.
We are the quick-fix society.
And the instant-gratification generation.
And the fat generation.

We want an answer that doesn't require effort or sacrifice on our part. And it is this mentality which keeps us (us, the society) fat.

If the answer to Global obesity was in fact, more education, information or resources, then we would all be getting leaner by the day because we've never been more educated, informed or equipped when it comes to diet, exercise, lifestyle and all that 'obesity-related stuff'.

Here's some random food for thought (nice book title)... on obesity. (You can still look away at any time).

1. External change needs to be accompanied (or preceded) by, internal change (for it to be lasting).

2. Most people who lose weight regain it (over 95%) because they haven't really changed their attitude or thinking. They change their behaviours for a while but deep (deep, deep) down they haven't really changed their core thinking, beliefs, attitudes or standards. On a subconscious level many people are waiting for it (the diet, the fitness kick) to be over.. so they can go back to being 'normal'. And when they do eat less and exercise more they (often) slide into a deprivation mentality... constantly telling themselves that they're 'missing out'.

3. If we tell ourselves that it will be a painful, horrible process... it will be (for everyone). Attitude = outcome.

4. The sooner we stop looking for easy and start looking for effective... the sooner we'll start to see real (forever) change.

5. Weight-loss martyrs are a pain in the ass... "I've been so good... I've been so good."

6. While food, exercise and lifestyle are important ingredients in the weight-loss process... it is our head which determines how we eat, exercise and live. Which in turn determines our physiological state.

7. The fat person with all the knowledge, education and resources... and a crap attitude.. will stay fat.

8. The fat person with limited knowledge, resources and genetic potential.. and a great attitude... will produce much better results every time.

9. The sooner we stop getting in shape for 'events' (weddings, birthdays, reunions, parties) and start getting in shape for life... the sooner we'll start to see forever results.

10. The fitness industry and medical profession have a one-dimensional approach to weight-loss; physical. This is ignorant, naive and ineffective. Losing weight (effectively) is a complex, multi-dimensional process (physical, emotional and psychological).

11. Losing weight is not about finding the right program, diet, supplement or drug; it's about finding the right attitude.

12. Many (okay, most) fat people make excuses and tell lies. A lot. Just ask the ex fat kid. Yes, I know this sounds offensive but if you had experienced the thousands of conversations with as many fat people as I have... you'd know that I'm telling the truth. You can get offended... or educated; it's a choice.

13. By the way, 'fat ' is not an insult (in this discussion)... it's a physiological state.

14. The sooner we call fat what it is (as opposed to deluding ourselves by calling each other full-figured, big-boned and heavy-set) the sooner we will get serious about addressing obesity in a real, practical, no bullshit way. Perhaps we should worry less about political correctness and more about heart disease, diabetes, bowel cancer and the plethora of other obesity-related conditions. "Whatever you do.. don't mention the 'F' word.. you might hurt her feelings; she's not fat, she's... voluptuous!".

15. We love to play the blame game.
We wanna blame someone or something for our obesity.
It's a time thing.
It's a genetics thing.

As long as it's not a 'me' thing.

Otherwise I might have to get off my ass and take responsibility for my fat self.

If you're still talking to me, let me know your thoughts and where you're from.

PS. If you want to explore this subject in greater detail, there's a book called FATTITUDE which ain't too shabby. Not sure about the author.. but apparently the book's okay.

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.

He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Network Ten's 9AM.

Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper