So this morning I had to pick my daughter up (generic unspecified stomach ache) from Park Vista Community High School in Boynton Beach. These are the chairs residing in Student Services. Is it just me or are they kick ass? Frankly I did a double take. I was amazed at such tasteful style in a most unexpected venue! Do you like? Where have you found unexpected style. Maybe we should start a series. Hmmmm. Send me pix and I will make you famous (ok so probably not). 
PROS & CONS OF QUARTZ
Now that we've taken a look at the world of granite counter tops, today I'll tell you everything I can think of about quartz engineered stone countertops. First of all I am biased, but for good reason. As far as durability and efficient functionality you can't do better, seriously. Quartz is non-porous which means you don't have to worry about stains or sealers. In fact since it doesn't absorb it's antibacterial by its very nature. You can also cut and place hot pots directly on quartz without concern. Quartz is one of the hardest, most abundant minerals found in nature.
These qualities are firmly in the "pro column". If you want a countertop that is consistent and without streaks, movement and color variation it's the top for you. You will know what every inch will look like, no need to examine slabs. This this will be another pro for you. However if you want a counter top that is truly unique with an organic feel and drama, then the consistency is a con for you. Another con is price. Quartz is at least as expensive as granite (depending on the granite) and frequently even more. It typically comes in 3/4" or 1 1/4" thick slabs. 
There are many different brands on the market but they are all essentially the same thing which is approximately 93% natural quartz particles mixed with resins to hold it all together. So it is at least partly natural although it's a man-made product. These countertops belong to the category referred to as "solid surface". This means that the surface material runs all the way through unlike, for example, laminates. Corian is also a solid surface material but it can scratch and burn unlike quartz. Price varies little between brands but can vary according to color. If radon is a concern for you, quartz countertop manufacturers claim that testing shows their quartz counters to be low or free of radon gas. If you'll remember, in my previous post, I explained that radon is a naturally occurring substance found in the earth and since quartz is a natural substance you're not entirely out of the woods in that area. The most well known names in quartz countertops are Caesarstone, Silestone, and Zodiac. Cambria is an up and coming brand which I love for their color choices. Check our Local Resources guide on this website for suppliers in the Palm Beach County area.
STOP THE WORLD AND...BLOG OFF
Every two weeks, an intrepid group of bloggers participate in something called a Blog Off. We share our take on the same topic on the same day. Today's topic is If you could stop the world for one day, what would you take the time to do?Well I'm not really sure what that means but I can tell you that since I found out about the topic all I can think of is a little ditty by the 80s group Modern English. It's called I Melt with You. Click here for convenient YouTube video. I know the chorus begins with "I'll stop the world and melt with you." SO I decided to head on over to Google for the rest of the lyrics. Maybe there would be some clue there about what to write."I Melt With You"Moving forward using all my breathMaking love to you was never second bestI saw the world thrashing all around your faceNever really knowing it was always mesh and laceI'll stop the world and melt with youYou've seen the difference and it's getting better all the timeThere's nothing you and I won't doI'll stop the world and melt with youDream of better lives the kind which never hateDropped in the state of imaginary graceI made a pilgrimage to save this human raceNever comprehending a race that long gone byI'll stop the world and melt with youYou've seen the difference and it's getting better all the timeThere's nothing you and I won't doI'll stop the world and melt with youThe future's open wideI'll stop the world and melt with youI've seen some changes but it's getting better all the timeThere's nothing you and I won't doI'll stop the world and melt with youWhat I found was a whole lot of optimism, just what we need in our stressed and distressed world. I don't think we need to stop the world but maybe we just need to stop, not even for a whole day, but just once in a while for a few minutes. We I go go go and in the going sometimes we I lose the point. So today I'm gonna stop. I'm gonna be here now and I'm gonna hold a positive thought for this world of ours. If we all did that maybe it would make it better...Join me? 
Check out the links below to see what other bloggers had to say.
PROS & CONS OF GRANITE
I must apologize for having been off the radar for too long! It certainly doesn't mean I've forgotten about you. In fact, I'm always thinking of things to write that will have value and interest to you. The good news is I have been very busy. People are suddenly ready to get serious about their projects. It's a regular springtime flurry of activity! One question that comes up often during the process of planning a new kitchen or bath is what type of counter top to use. There are tons of choices including the old standby, laminate, which incidentally is enjoying great popularity in Europe. This is not your grandma's Formica but a rejuvenated product with new and improved colors, textures and innovative applications. My friend, and fellow blogger, Paul Anater of Kitchen and Residential Design writes about it here. Then there are the new cutting edge "green" materials made out of recycled products such as Vetrazzo, a beautiful product with a mid-century feel made out of recycled glass. Definitely worth a look but for most of my clients it comes down to granite or quartz. Here's what I've learned in my experience working with both options. Today we'll take a look at granite.As I write this, I hoped to once and for all dispell the myth about granite and radon. Well I can't. I can tell you that radon is a radioactive substance generally found in the soil and levels vary according to location. Granite, being a natural substance, can emit varying amounts. I personally am not worried nor have I heard of this to be a problem in my area. If you are concerned there are very inexpensive kits you can purchase that will test for the presence of radon in your home.
One of the benefits of granite is all the beautiful colors and patterns it comes in courtesy of Mother Nature. This is a pro for some and a con for others. If you want your counter top to be visually consistent with an even pattern, granite could drive you crazy because many of them are just not like that. For this reason it is reccommended that you personally select the slabs to be used in your job.
Granite, although less porous than marble, can still stain, show water spots and scratch, depending on the type of granite and the color. I must confess that I cut on my granite, subject it to hot pots and have had no problem. I reccommend that my clients get a sample, take it home and abuse it. If your selection stands up to the test you should be good to go. Your granite installer should also include a sealer which can be easily re applied about once a year or so.
Depending on where you live and what type of granite you like price could be an advantage over quartz. It is for us in Florida as we are close to the ports that receive the stone which saves a considerable amount in transportation. Also, in general, the more plentiful the stone the lower the price with rare selections being more expensive.NEXT POST: ALL ABOUT QUARTZ, IS IT BETTER?
What Are You Carrying?
Every two weeks, an intrepid group of bloggers participate in something called a Blog Off. We share our take on the same topic on the same day.Today's Blog Off topic is "What are you carrying?" Good question. As I pondered it, while driving to my appointment today, I heard an interview with Dr. Marc Agronin, author of [amazon_link id="0306818531" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]How We Age: A Doctor's Journey into the Heart of Growing Old[/amazon_link]. He was discussing the qualities and essential parts of ourselves that we carry into old age. This got me thinking about how I would approach this Blog Off topic. What are the gifts I carry with me now that I did not see at 18? One thing is a sense of perspective. They're not kidding when they say "hind sight is 20/20". Today I think before I act. I look beyond the present moment. I have also managed to carry with me a general sense of optimism. Yes I have suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, haven't we all? But for me, behind it all, hope is always there. Today I carry with me the hope that my children will be everything they wish for themselves. I believe everything happens for a reason and that there are no coincidences. I honor my intuition and I also have some weird inkling that if I keep plugging away at this blog something will happen. I don't know what but I hope and it keeps me going. The MOST important thing I carry with me is my attitude.Check out the links below to see what other bloggers had to say.
1ST ASIAN MARKET, FIRST IN FLAVOR & SAVINGS
I'm so excited! A true Asian grocery store has opened about 6.8 miles from my home. In case you've been asleep for the past few years you'll know that we in the west are currently in the midst of a wild love affair with Asian style and the love definitely extends to cuisine. Why? Who knows. One can only hope it's merely because we are becoming a more open society willing to explore and embrace other cultures (LOL). Anyway, I digress. Joe and I love to experiment with ethnic flavors (only in a healthy way, of course). We are always on the lookout for a new recipe that offers heavenly flavor without 10,000 Weight Watchers points. If you're going Asian, chances are all you'll really need is a wok (or just a really big skillet). Add to that all manner of inexpensive ingredients from your local Asian grocers and you're on your way. Yes, I said INEXPENSIVE. Want to save money? Go ethnic. In addition to scoring all kinds of unique products you'll find a lot of the usual stuff for much less.
Try panang curry. It's easy versatile and delicious. I love this curry paste which is only $1.09 per can! See my recipe below.
When you get tired of rice, try noodles! There are more types of noodles than you could ever dream of.
If you live in my neck of the woods you can visit 1st Asian Market at 7372 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33467. Manager Anthony To also wants you to know that Asian 1st Market is you spot for Boba, or bubble tea. Apparently it's a refreshing delicacy found in many Asian countries and cities with large Asian populations throughout the world, their Starbuck's, if you will. Here's what our friends at Wiki have to say:"Bubble tea or foam tea, is a sweetly flavored tea beverage invented inTaiwan. Drink recipes may vary, but most bubble teas contain a tea base mixed with fruit (or fruit syrup) and/or milk. Ice blended versions of the drink are also available, usually in fruit flavors. Bubble teas usually contain small tapioca balls or pearls called "boba". If you're intrigued and would like to know more, click here.1st Asian can also take care of your sushi catering needs. How about a sushi birthday cake? 
Just watch out for those cannon balls pearls. Boba tea comes with a fat straw designed to suck them up and if you're not one to focus while sucking you may want to have someone certified in the Heimlich Maneuver on hand, just in case. I found it light, refreshing and not too sweet. Mine was actually flavored with honey dew melon, unexpected but really good. Now for that recipe I promised. Jones-ing for some tasty Thai? Simple. Try this.GLO'S EASY PANANG CURRYIngredientsTake one can of Panang curry paste, one can of coconut milk (Mae Ploy is the best but very fattening), an assortment of your fave veggies and about a pound of any type of meat or fish if desired.Directions:In your wok or skillet gently stir fry desired veggies (you know which ones take longer to cook) and meat if desired. I like to add a little seasoning to taste but remember the Panang curry is going to provide lots of flavor. While that's going on heat about a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a sauce pan and stir in one can of Panang curry paste, turn heat down to medium-low and slowly add about a third of a can of coconut milk. Make sure you mix the coconut milk up well before adding. The whole object is to retain a nice smooth consistency. Once you've go that done add it to the skillet mixture and slowly add the rest of the coconut milk. Let it all simmer for a few minutes and you're ready to enjoy over jasmine rice or perhaps rice noodles. Garnish with lime and fresh basil and enjoy! If you have any other recipes or suggestions BRING IT BABY :)