Alison Cooper has written over 200 articles for HowStuffWorks on topics ranging from foods that will survive the Apocalypse to what makes scary music scary.
Recent Contributions
Kids in the '90s didn't have smartphones, Instagram or Snapchat - but they did have Nickelodeon, Game Boys and pogs. How much do you remember about the '90s? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.
"Parks and Recreation" wrapped up its seven-season run in 2015. Treat yo' self to a quiz that will test your knowledge of Leslie, Ron, Andy, Ben and the rest of the Pawnee gang.
"Modern Family" has been a comedy hit since it premiered in 2009. Take our quiz to test your knowledge of the extended Pritchett/Dunphy/Tucker clan.
Advertisement
Hey, Muggle: Think you know all there is to know about Harry Potter? You'll need a nip of Felix Felicis for luck if you hope to get full marks on this ultimate Harry Potter quiz.
Meteorologists have hurricane prediction down to a science, so preparedness should be the same thing too. Find out how to be ready if the big one's coming.
You might say that there's nothing that could make the chore of floor-scrubbing any less awful. But at least one of these tips could help you dread it just a little bit less.
You probably do your best to make sure your children are environmentally responsible, but sometimes the whole family needs a little kick start. Here are five fun ways to teach your kids more about being green.
Advertisement
As far as stains go, the ones made by lipstick are a double whammy: They're oil-based and brightly colored, so they're tough to clean and almost impossible to hide. It might take a few tries, but you should be able to banish that stain!
Is chlorine bleach your go-to bathroom cleaner? Well it doesn't have to be. Oxygen bleach is a popular alternative to chlorine bleach because it's less smelly, more eco-friendly and safe to use on colored clothes.
Friday the 13th, a black cat crossing your path and a four-leafed clover are all common superstitions. But have you heard about double-yolked eggs?
Precipitation does fall from the clouds of other planets, but it's a little more exotic than the rainwater we get here on Earth. Imagine sheets of methane, sulfuric acid and, yes, diamonds falling from the sky.
Advertisement
Shell shocked by the price of eggs these days? So are we, but the good news is you can freeze them. We'll tell you how.
By Alison Cooper & Sarah Gleim
The transition from middle school to high school marks a pretty exciting time in a child's - and a parent's - life. But it can be scary, too. Discover 10 differences between middle school and high school.
The key to any good apocalypse plan is a stash of foods that are loaded down with additives and preservatives. These five products probably won't survive an atomic blast, true, but you'll be much better off with them than with a crate of broccoli.
The same compounds responsible for ginger's potent taste and smell offer relief to gurgling digestive systems.
Advertisement
If you've ever had a half-frozen beer explode on you, you know that yes, alcohol freezes - but not all types freeze at the same rate. We'll let you in on the secrets to frozen alcoholic delights.
Rumors have surrounded the shocking horse scene in "The Godfather" for years -- did author Mario Puzo make it up, or worse, was it based on a true incident? And where does Frank Sinatra fit in? Read on for the scoop.
Can you really get paid to shop till you drop? Yup - and you may not even have to quit your day job.
Credit cards come with certain benefits that help protect your personal and financial data when you use them, particularly when shopping online. Do debit cards also protect your sensitive information? Read on for the answer.
Advertisement
Spoiler alert: Light and heat - not your milk's fat content - are what get bacteria excited.
As children grow into adults and begin to have families of their own, parents have to adapt to their revised roles in their adult kids' lives, and changing the way Moms and Dads communicate with their grown kids is a big part of that. Here's how to talk with -- not at -- your adult children.
Adulthood can sometimes be as challenging and confusing as adolescence -- for both the kids and parents -- so how do you steer your grown children in the right direction? Read our article to find out.
"All-natural" labeling offers a thin slice of reassurance to sandwich lovers who want to avoid nitrites and nitrates. But would deli meat be deli meat without them?
Advertisement
What's that bagged mass in your freezer - and did you really want to eat 12 chicken breasts right now? Here's how to freeze food in serving-size portions.
"Misbehaving periods" doesn't appear on any list of medication side effects, but as many women can attest, menstrual irregularities aren't uncommon when you're taking antibiotics. The culprit may not be the drugs.