EP 96: Worm Composting, Laughter Yoga, and Sprouting: Sustainable Living for Tiny House Dwellers

Mar 27

Written By Laura Lynch, CFP® ABFP™ AAMS® CDFA®

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If you’re looking for simple, eco-friendly solutions that fit into a tiny home lifestyle, Cathy Nesbitt has you covered. In a recent episode of the Less House More Moola podcast, “Cathy Crawly Laughing Bean Queen” shared her expertise on vermicomposting, laughter yoga, and sprouting—all of which support a sustainable and fulfilling way of life.

Vermicomposting in Small Spaces: Turning Food Waste into Black Gold

One of the biggest challenges of downsized living is waste management, and Cathy’s worm composting system offers an easy, odor-free solution. Vermicomposting, or composting with worms, can be done in a small bin, even in the tiniest apartments or tiny homes.

How It Works

Use a container like a Rubbermaid tote.
Add a mix of shredded paper (carbon) and food scraps (nitrogen).
Introduce red wiggler worms, which thrive in small, contained environments.
Harvest the nutrient-rich worm castings (black gold) for your plants 1-2 times per year.

Even in a desert climate, where worms are not naturally abundant, you can source red wigglers from worm farms. The system self-regulates, meaning you’ll never be overrun with worms. If you’re short on composting space, vermicomposting is an excellent alternative to traditional outdoor composting.

Laughter Yoga: A Stress-Relief Practice for Alternative Living

Cathy’s journey into laughter yoga began when she realized how resistant people were to the idea of worms in their homes. Instead of letting the rejection get her down, she turned to laughter as a way to reframe stress and stay positive.

What is Laughter Yoga?

It’s a practice of intentional laughing for health benefits.
Laughter triggers feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
It’s a simple way to relieve stress, boost oxygen levels, and reset your nervous system.
You don’t need jokes—just engaging in playful exercises and deep breathing makes a difference.

Cathy hosts a free weekly Laughter Club every Tuesday at 9:30 AM Eastern on Zoom. Attendees don’t even have to turn on their cameras, making it an easy way to add joy to your routine.

Sprouting: A Tiny Home Superfood Solution

For those living in small spaces, growing your own food can feel like a challenge. That’s where sprouting comes in—an easy, no-soil-required way to grow nutrient-packed food in just a few days.

Why Sprouting?

Sprouts are hydrating, alkalizing, and full of enzymes that aid digestion.
They can be grown in a small sprouting tray or even a simple jar.
Mung beans, one of Cathy’s favorites, sprout in just 24 hours.
Sprouts are cost-effective and require no gardening skills.

Cathy’s advice? Start small—try mung beans first, then explore options like lentils, chickpeas, and radish sprouts. Sprouts are a perfect addition to meals, adding freshness and nutrition with minimal effort.

Building a Life You Love Through Alternative Living

Cathy believes that true happiness comes from doing what you love and serving others. By embracing sustainable habits like vermicomposting, laughter yoga, and sprouting, you can create a lifestyle that’s not only eco-friendly but also fulfilling.

Join the Movement

Ready to explore these simple sustainable living strategies? Check out Cathy’s Laughter Club at CathysClub.com and start incorporating more joy into your daily routine. Whether you’re reducing waste with worms, laughing your way to better health, or growing nutrient-rich sprouts, these small changes can have a big impact.

Are you ready to embrace a more sustainable and joyful way of living? Let us know how you plan to integrate these tips into your alternative living journey!