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

Feb 06 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Eco-friendly treats for your Valentine

Treat your loved ones with eco-friendly Valentine's gifts. Options include local foods like White Rock Granola and Teasom teas, plus vegan treats from Reverie Bakeshop. For experiences, consider a drive-in movie at Coyote Drive-In, a romantic meal at Healthy Hippie Cafe, or an evening at the Perot Museum.

Jan 27 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Dallas woman crochets 'climate' scarf

Dallas woman Jennifer Stuart created a 13-foot "temperature scarf" that visualizes 2019's North Texas climate, using yarn colors to depict temperature data inspired by The Tempestry Project. This project fosters awareness and conversation about climate change through creative textile artistry and community collaboration.

Jan 08 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Here's new green gear to start the new year

This series introduces eco-friendly products to promote environmental responsibility. Featured items include BioLite’s solar kit, House of Marley's audio gear from recycled materials, Nimble's plant-based phone chargers, Hamama’s microgreens grow kits, Savvy Rest's organic sheets, Elm West’s blankets, Monarch Watch initiatives, Behr's VOC-free paint, and Sola-Tile's recycled wall coverings.

Jan 06 2020, ANDREA RIDOUT

Need inspiration? 20 green quotes for 2020

At the dawn of 2020, as we set goals for a greener year, ponder these powerful green quotes from environmentalists like Greta Thunberg and Jane Goodall, highlighting urgent climate actions, sustainable living, and personal responsibility to inspire positive environmental change.

Dec 19 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

2019 Green Gift Guide for Pets

When you’re shopping for holiday gifts, don’t forget the little pals who enrich our lives so much - our animal friends. Choose gifts that will make them happy but also help our planet at the same time. Support these local and national merchants with goodies that you’ll find around DFW and online.

Dec 11 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

2019 Green Gift Guide!

The 2019 Green Gift Guide offers eco-friendly gift ideas across four categories: Women, Men, Kids, and Pets. Each installment includes items like planet-friendly lotions, eco-friendly utensils, educational toys, and organic pet treats sourced from local North Texas shops and online stores.

Dec 05 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

2019 Green Gift Guide for Women

The 2019 Green Gift Guide for Women highlights ethical, eco-friendly gifts that combine self-care with environmental care. Featuring organic and plant-based products, artisan-made items, vegan and cruelty-free offerings, and sustainable crafts, this guide provides earth-friendly selections for the special women in your life.

Nov 27 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

2019 Green Gift Guide for Men

The 2019 Green Gift Guide for Men encourages eco-friendly holiday shopping. It suggests buying from local stores and choosing sustainable products. The guide features gifts like puzzles, DIY kits, non-toxic rust remover, local coffee, books, bamboo combs, mushroom kits, specialty chocolates, men's skincare, waterproof notebooks, and more, all emphasizing sustainability.

Nov 21 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

2019 Green Gift Guide for Kids

We’re kicking off our four-part 2019 Green Gift Guide with some ideas for the smallest among us. In this list, we've included innovative Earth-friendly gifts to appeal to youth of all ages. You might even find something for yourself!

Oct 30 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

Tiny house village opens in Lake Dallas

Earlier this month, Terry Lantrip, owner of the Lake Dallas Tiny Home Village, welcomed residents to the first in-town neighborhood built exclusively for tiny houses in North Texas. Now five tiny homes are snuggled into a one-acre field that was once part of a historic farm.

Oct 15 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

Texas A&M AgriLife unveils renovated Dallas campus

Texas A&M AgriLife in Dallas unveiled its renovated campus, featuring eco-friendly technologies and new facilities. Highlights include the Urban Agriculture Building, greenhouses for research, the Water and Land Resources Building, the Gardens, and the Benny J. Simpson Ecopark, all promoting sustainability and educational outreach.

Aug 22 2019, ANDREA RIDOUT

Send kids back to school with these green supplies

Send kids back to school with eco-friendly supplies like the Eco School Kit, Sproutable Pencils, Bento Boxes, reusable and compostable bags, Eco Utensils, and more. These sustainable options help teach kids about environmental stewardship while providing practical and fun school essentials.