Articles written by Ali Koomen

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About me - Ali Koomen

I grew up in northern Illinois, the oldest of five kids. At the wise old age of 28, I packed up my worldly belongings and moved to Arizona, where I have lived for the past (mumble, mumble) years. What, you thought I'd tell you how old I am?
I have two children,

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Food & Drink > Diet, Health & Organic Foods Fitting in fruits and vegetables: 2 of 48

BREAKFAST: No matter what's for breakfast, start it off with an 8-ounce serving of orange or grapefruit juice. Both provide one full fruit serving and over 200% of the RDA for Vitamin C. If you prefer cold cereal for breakfast, add a cup of sliced strawberries or blueberries or 1/4 cup raisins. This adds a natural sweetness ...
Autos > Buying & Selling Cars Should you buy new or used cars?: 1 of 22

It just doesn't make sense to buy a new car. Years ago, when all a driver could expect out of a vehicle was perhaps 100,000 miles before it fell apart, buying used was truly "buying someone else's problems." Vehicles of today are put together with cutting- edge technology, and are designed to last much longer. A vehicle with...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Problems Parents Face Ways working parents can manage school-aged children in the summer: 2 of 41

School's out. . . for summer. For parents of teenagers, it's not so bad. Most kids over 13 should be able to stay home alone, once given some hard-and-fast rules. Even better, have your teenager find a job. It keeps them out of the house, out of trouble and they'll earn money for those absolute teenage necessities such as Ip...
Creative Writing > Memoirs My most humorous gardening (mis)adventure: 5 of 74

I grew up in northern Illinois, an area that has some of the richest soil in the country. My father loved gardening there, just for that reason. Every year I would get shanghaied into helping him turn the soil, sow seeds and place the bedding plants. His tomatoes were his pride and joy, and he slaved over them. Or rather, I ...
Computers & Technology > Consumer Electronics (Other) Print or electronic versions: How do you prefer reading daily news and what are 3 reasons why?: 1 of 12

There are few traditions more satisfying than sitting down at the breakfast table, hot cup of joe in front of you, while reading the morning paper. Even the ritual of going out to pick up the paper is ultimately satisfying: if the paper is dry and exactly where it is supposed to be, you know it’s going to be a go...
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership Websites every pet owner should know about: 5 of 57

Is there a new puppy in the house and you're at wit's end trying to train him? Or is your dog an older gent that's displaying new habits or health problems. Have you thought about taking a vacation out of the country but don't know the laws about bringing Bowser along? Are you looking for info on a specific breed, or trying ...
Personal Finance > Personal Finance (Other) Best places for hiding money at home: 4 of 37

There are hundreds of reasons why a person would chose to hide money at home, instead of keeping it safely in a bank. Perhaps your spouse is one of those ‘if I’ve got it, I gotta spend it’ souls, the type of person who lets money burn a hole in his pocket. Maybe you’re saving up for a spec...
Religion & Spirituality > Thoughts on God God's guidelines for sexual behaviour: 2 of 14

God’s word is fairly clear that we are to abstain from sex if we are not married. This seems like such a simple, straightforward request, yet it is one of the most widely debated and discussed topics in the Bible. It clearly states that when we engage in sexual immorality, we dishonor God: &ldqu...
Religion & Spirituality > Ghosts & Paranormal Phenomena Haunted Charleston, South Carolina: 2 of 14

Charleston, South Carolina is a city rich in culture and its roots are deep and bloody. It fought many skirmishes with France and Spain, and was also the victim of pirate raids and attacks from Native Americans. It played a large part in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and local slaves were known to heavily participat...
Home & Garden > Home Interior Five framed decorations to hang on your wall: 1 of 7

Framing even the most ordinary items can draw attention to it, virtually turning it into a work of art. Here are some things I've used in my own home: *EXQUISITE NEEDLE ART-I once bought a box of linens at an auction, and in the bottom of the box were five gorgeous quilt squares. There was not enough to even make a lap quilt...