Posts by Diana Rhea
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If you’ve been searching “are the top ecofriendly trends” or “are the top ecofriendly trends for tips,” you’re in the right place. This HappyHippie guide keeps it real: low-tox, budget-friendly, and totally doable in a lived-in home.
After researching this tool librays, I am going to create a small tool library for each apartment building I manage. Last year we noticed many of our tenants did not own a vacuum cleaner, were not sure if it is a size or expense issue. So we added a community vacuum cleaner and left it in the shared laundry room. This year we will be creating a tool library for our tenants. Just some basic tools to help them with basic DIY projects like assembling furniture and maintaining house plants. Below is an extensive list on how to expand on...
Beyond Grass Petfriendly Lawn Alternatives
Dec-22-2025As I mentioned in a previous article, we have removed over 50% of our lawn. However, we have kept some grass in the backyard for entertaining and for our dog. In the front yard, we removed around 40% of the grass by adding vegetation zones and a large raised vegetable garden bed. We chose to keep some grass for easier maintenance under the large pine trees that extend from our neighbor's yard. Her trees are over 100 years old and some of the largest in our neighborhood. If you live downwind, you would be amazed by the volume of pine needles and sap that accumulate in our yard.
With this in mind, we've been researching alternatives to replace the grass in our front yard while ensuring it doesn't become an eyesore. Once our plan comes together, it will need to be easy to clear pine needles, provide space for the dog while we garden in front, be suitable for our discerning neighbors, and possibly include an herb spiral and a sitting area. I hope my research helps you out as well.
Eco-friendly Herb Spiral for Kitchen Herbs
Dec-20-2025When I hear "herb spiral," I think of a suffocated garden, as you would see on Downton Abbey, but for hippies. As we continue to think about our yard usage, if we water, make sure it's for a useful purpose. This permaculture-inspired, vertical, raised bed stacks plants in a spiral so you can grow more kitchen herbs in less space—plus it's organic, pollinator-friendly, and wildly practical for real-life cooking. Think: pesto without the store run, thyme at arm's reach, and a tiny oasis that actually works with the seasons.
The Essential Guide to Staying Hydrated
Nov-11-2025Are You Drinking Enough Water? A Science-Backed Guide to Optimal Hydration for Health, Energy, and Brain Function
Ah, water! The elixir of life, the fountain of youth, the magical potion we often take for granted. As eco-conscious enthusiasts, you likely know that maintaining a sustainable lifestyle involves not just reducing waste and choosing eco-friendly products but also taking care of our bodies.
A dog’s nutritional needs change significantly from the first wag to the gray muzzle years. Feeding with awareness supports health, energy, and longevity while encouraging sustainable choices that protect the environment. Balanced nutrition also plays a role in reducing vet visits, preventing chronic conditions, and ensuring every meal serves both your dog’s wellbeing and the planet’s.
HappyHippie Sustainable Living Tips
Nov-5-2025Standing in my kitchen the other night, squinting at a tiny recycling symbol on a takeout container, feeling that familiar “is this compostable or just vaguely beige?” panic. The dishwasher hummed. My phone pinged with a message from my neighbor: “Clothing swap Friday?” And it hit me. This is what green living 2025 feels like. Not perfect. Not preachy. Just a lot of small, smart choices adding up.
The Best Natural Ways to Clean Your Kitchen Without Chemicals
Herbal Remedies With Natural Teas and Tinctures
Oct-25-2025Herbal Remedies: Exploring the Benefits of Natural Teas and Tinctures for Common Ailments
When you’re feeling under the weather or battling a common ailment, you might instinctively reach for over-the-counter medications. But have you ever considered that nature could offer remedies right from your kitchen? Herbal remedies—including natural teas and tinctures—are widely used to address common ailments, leveraging the unique properties of various plants. Today, we explore the fascinating world of herbal teas and tinctures, breaking down what they are, how to use them, their benefits, and some practical recipes you can try at home.
Channeling Eco-Anxiety for Positive Change
Oct-19-2025Transforming Eco-Anxiety into Positive Action: Building Resilience in a Warming World
Eco-anxiety—the distress caused by environmental crises and climate change—has become the buzzword of our time. If you, like many of us, have felt the weight of the world on your shoulders as you read the latest climate report, you're not alone. Fortunately, this anxiety can be transformed into positive action and resilience-building through several evidence-backed strategies. In this blog post, we'll explore actionable approaches that not only help you manage eco-anxiety but also encourage climate action for mental health while building emotional resilience in our rapidly changing world.
Enjoy Natural, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cleaning
Oct-7-2025The Best Natural Ways to Clean Your Kitchen Without Chemicals (and Actually Enjoy It)
The Best Natural Ways to Clean Your Kitchen Without Chemicals and on a Budget: Everyday Household Ingredients That Actually Work
There’s a reason “kitchen reset” videos are weirdly soothing. One minute there’s a splattered stovetop and a sticky counter. Next minute it’s all sparkle and sunshine. But for many of us, the cleaning part comes with a sting in the eyes, a cough in the throat, and a mystery headache from a bottle that smells like a science lab. Hard pass.