Helena "Ellie" Huizenga

Writer and storyteller. Explore a featured selection of my work. 

unsustainable •

Solar on Superstores: Put Solar Panels in our Cities Too

Why we should be putting solar on superstores: Rooftops of large buildings in major cities are prime real estate for solar panels

This article will talk about how if large building owners like Walmart and Ikea were to put solar panels on their roofs, it could power 8 million American homes. The article will give a short background on solar power and then dive into this report from Environment America about how solar panels can help us move to a more sustainable future.

Solar on Superstores: Co
unsustainable •

There’s Still Time to Set Personal Climate Goals for 2022

A Guide to Personal Climate Goals: Some may argue governments and large corporations are solely responsible for solving the climate crisis—and a regular person can’t make real change. But I disagree. Yes, governments and corporations are vital players needed for change, but everyday humans have a significant role to play too.

Our daily actions make a difference, and earth-friendly initiatives in our everyday lives can be catalysts for change. But, taking action, well, that’s easier said than do
Zapier •

How Mogul Millennial uses automation to streamline communication

It's 2016, and Brittani, a Black professional with entrepreneurial goals, was trying to figure out how to navigate her career. Despite searching, she couldn't find online content she could relate to. The media was filled with daily news and gossip instead of innovative, actionable content for Black professionals.

Brittani realized she wasn't alone—other members of her community were struggling to find content that was written by them, for them. To fill this gap, Brittani created Mogul Millennia
Zapier •

Revel in your coworkers' wins—not just your own

I played soccer in college, which means I spent hours every day running around Ohio fields, kicking balls at my friends. Looking back, I mostly remember the laughter and camaraderie—it was basically the adult version of recess.

It wasn't always sunshine and roses, though.

Competition was the water we drank. As much as I loved my teammates, I would always compare who got the most playing time or had more shots on goal. I'm ashamed to admit it (especially on the internet where it will haunt me f
Fast Company •

5 tips for settling into a new job (without getting overwhelmed)

Of course, I survived, but the transition from a small company to a big one definitely involved a learning curve. If you’re about to find yourself in the same situation, here are a few things you can expect—and how you can prepare. The first week at a new job is always overwhelming. At a small company, it usually involves reviewing a few docs and then talking to…everyone. But at a bigger company, you’ll find yourself with all of the documentation. Which is a good thing. You need to set aside tim
Zapier •

How to use Notion to organize your life

If you're a Type A personality who likes to pretend they're Type B (hi), Notion lets you get all of your super intense organizing out of the way so you can show up at the brewery and be *super chill*.

Because Notion allows you to create pages that you can organize in basically any way you want—kanban boards, wikis, calendars, notes, databases, you name it—it gives you all the control you crave. Here's how I use Notion to organize all the minuscule tidbits of my work and life. Don't judge me.

I
Kind Traveler •

6 Eco Warriors Share Their Favorite Ocean Conservation Wins for World Oceans Day

Mission: Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA) partners with the National Park Service to create opportunities for all people to experience, enhance, and preserve Point Reyes National Seashore for present and future generations. “In 2018, PRNSA celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its historic Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project. 560 acres of former ranchland was finally restored to a coastal wetland in 2008, after years of collaborative planning and fundraising with our NPS part
Kind Traveler •

5 Global Wellness Experts Share Self-Care Tips for Uncertain Times

"1. Get a good night's sleep - the body repairs itself overnight and needs that time more than ever during stress cycles. Charge your devices away from the nightstand, develop a sleep ritual that includes an epsom salt bath and aromatherapy, and read or listen to relaxing music to fall asleep. A nice cup of tea can be very soothing too - I like Pukka the Love bend before bed.

2. Meditation practice - there is no time like the present time to cutivate even a few minutes of intention and focus to
Kind Traveler •

A Heart to Heart with Costa Rica’s Abriendo Mentes

It is a hot & dry Wednesday in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica when I show up at the small office of Abriendo Mentes to meet with Country Director, Rachael Sine. As a Kind Charity Partner, we have spoken via email and over the phone, but now we finally get to meet in person. Abriendo Mentes is a Costa Rican non-profit empowering individuals from local rural/underserved communities to develop the skills they need to seize educational and economic opportunities for themselves and their famil
Kind Traveler •

The Sandman in Sonoma County: More Than Just a Hip Hotel

I arrived at The Sandman Hotel, a Kind Traveler Hotel in Sonoma County, California, on a Wednesday afternoon after driving my way down the coast from Seattle. With a few camping stops along the way to see the amazing Redwoods that are spread throughout Northern California, I was ready for a few nights in a trendy, stylish hotel.

Knowing that The Sandman had a roadside ode to Route 66 ambiance, I was confident that it would be the perfect ‘pit stop’ as I continued my road trip down to LA. On top