Andrea Ridout

Senior Lifestyles Reporter

After three decades in the hardware industry and radio/TV, Andrea Ridout of Garland has become a nationally-known expert on products and processes for green home improvement. She has owned and sold three award-winning companies and has a wide breadth of knowledge from decorative hardware to gardening, eco-friendly topics to animal husbandry.

She is currently working on a new book about backyard chickens for Texas A&M Press. You can reach her at Andrea@AskAndrea.com.

By Andrea Ridout

Nov 30 2021, ANDREA RIDOUT

Made in Texas: Our 2021 Green Gift Guide

Our 2021 Green Gift Guide highlights Texas-based companies promoting eco-friendly products. It features Austin’s Nada Moo's dairy-free ice cream, Whiski Designs' artsy tees, Circle J Fabrication's firepits, Jank Goodness' vegan BBQ sauce, and more.

Jun 11 2021, ANDREA RIDOUT

Treat Dad with a green gift

Celebrate Father's Day sustainably with green gifts: Panther City Vinyl offers nostalgic records, Juice Junkies provides healthful drinks, and Davis Street Mercantile features beard products. Explore goodies from Cox Farms Market, Farmbox Delivery, and GoSun’s solar gadgets. Enjoy Noble Coyote coffee, Humble Pie desserts, and Artiphany’s themed playing cards.

May 05 2021, ANDREA RIDOUT

Treat Mom to a green gift

Mother’s Day offers green gift ideas celebrating environmental consciousness and supporting local businesses. Options include eco-friendly art, treats, accessories, plants, and sustainable goods from places like North Haven Gardens, Central Market, Marshall Grain, Reverie Bakeshop, Mashup Market, and Whole Foods.

Feb 11 2021, ANDREA RIDOUT

2021 Valentine's gift guide for greenies

The 2021 Valentine's Green Gift Guide offers eco-friendly gifts like Joel Sartore's Photo Ark prints, dining at sustainable restaurants, EarthX memberships, Galentine Gift Boxes, local grocery products, VegePod kits, Teasom tea service, and Tayst compostable coffee pods, emphasizing sustainable and local options for Valentine's Day gifting.

Nov 17 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

2020 Green Gift Guide

The 2020 Green Gift Guide offers eco-friendly gift ideas for the holidays, like coffee alternatives, compostable teas, digital magazine subscriptions, vegan candles, and sustainable slippers. It also includes options for eco-conscious composters, heirloom seeds, native plants, and recyclable wrapping paper for environmentally responsible holiday giving.

Aug 11 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Guide to eco-friendly pest control

The guide outlines eco-friendly pest control solutions, highlighting insects' ecological importance. It reviews products like the Spartan Mosquito Eradicator, Mosquito Dunks, Murphy’s Incense Sticks, cedar-based products, and more, offering eco-conscious options for managing pests while protecting beneficial insects.

Jun 12 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Shop green for Dad's Day

Celebrate Dad’s Day with eco-friendly gifts that support Mother Earth. Opt for meals from local restaurants or choose gifts like reusable Silpat baking mats, safety razors, Pale Blue Earth rechargeable batteries, and DNA tests. Consider organic herb seeds, smart watering kits, or donations in Dad’s name for a meaningful touch.

Jun 10 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Shopping for an electric mower? Here's our guide

The article provides a guide for choosing electric mowers, highlighting brands like Stihl, Ryobi, EGO, Greenworks, and Black & Decker. It emphasizes the benefits of battery-powered tools, including zero emissions, less maintenance, and compatibility among brand tools. It also mentions robotic and reel mowers as eco-friendly alternatives.

Jun 04 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Green up your home office

Transform your home office with eco-friendly practices. Incorporate recycled office supplies, energy-efficient lighting, and live plants for better air quality. Use sustainable products like the Jet Multi-pen, Pilot B2P pens, Auspen refillable markers, and more. Opt for recycled paper, reusable sticky notes, and eco-friendly furniture for a greener workspace.

May 05 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Green gift ideas for Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, consider eco-friendly gifts like kits from Orr Reed Wrecking, vegan treats from Frankly Good, Texas windchimes, Radical Tea Towels, and Jane Goodall's conservation Masterclass. Additional ideas include White Rock Soap Gallery products, handmade hammocks, and native plants from Eco Blossom.

Apr 20 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Meet the organizer of the first Earth Day

In 1970, Denis Hayes, recruited by Senator Gaylord Nelson, organized the first Earth Day. The bipartisan effort catalyzed a global environmental movement, drawing 20 million participants. Hayes, a key environmental advocate, continues to influence the sector through his work and leadership at the Bullitt Foundation.

Apr 15 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

20 green tips for Earth Day!

Here are 20 tips to reduce your environmental footprint: use compostable coffee pods, make eco-friendly cleaning products, start composting, plant native species, grow organic food, reduce meat consumption, filter tap water, fix leaks, install LED lights and insulation, cook at home, buy sustainable products, recycle more, donate items, shop local, use reusable bags, collect rainwater, and drive less.