About Us

Welcome to our bright green blog.

The Alternative Consumer provides a unique, upbeat perspective — eco news, green product reviews and useful info for busy folks looking to cultivate a greener, healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.  We bring a little more green into the world every day, inspire others to do the same, and have some fun doing it.

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Comb through our previous posts via the Archives pull-down above, to get up to speed on your particular areas of interest. Or use our Search function, (above, right).

Have a tip, suggestion or question? Let us know — “submit your find” (right hand column of page). Would you like us to review your product? Feel free to email us about it.

We strive to provide a little something for everyone; so bookmark us, or add us to your feeds, link to us, and tell your friends.

Should you have the need, we’re also available as eco-consultants. Feel free to contact us at:
m at alternativeconsumer dot com so that we can explore the possibilities.

It’s a small world, so let’s all do what we can to keep it peaceful, clean, vibrant and beautiful.  What goes around, comes around…less is more.

Maureen O’Connor – New York, NY - An inquisitive native New Yorker, Maureen’s pursuits and passions range from fine art and fine dining to a good walk in the woods, preferably with camera in hand and friends in tow. As founder/publisher of The Alternative Consumer, she endeavors to seek out eco-friendly lifestyle choices — from the practical to the sublime — and spread the green word to eco-savvy folks.

Jasmin Malik Chua - Jersey City, NJ - Jasmin is a word wrangler who lives just across the Hudson in Jersey City, where she indulges in her penchant for cupcakes, zombies and her search for the perfect soy chai latte.  She has a master of science in biomedical journalism from New York University and a PhD in poopy diapers. jasmin.chua@gmail.com

Ross Dulmaine – New York, NY - Ross is a video producer, fisherman, blogger, Red Sox/Pats fan and closet birdwatcher (he also occasionally listens to Jens Lekman).  He’s been an intrepid contributor to  AltCon since its inception.  His posts cover a broad range of topics from green gadgets and eco news, to alternative energy and eco humor.

Seamus The Famous Eco Friendly Dog - Rutland, MA - New to the green scene, Seamus contributes his canine perspective on all things eco, every Friday.

Mr. Happy - Our resident green curmudgeon.

Jessica Howell — Royal Oak, MI - Based in metro Detroit, Jessica is a former travel editor and current PR writer. When she’s not on the road, she’s scoping the net for the latest in eco-conscious living, clever green buys or writing on her own green travel blog, Green Globetrotter. Her favorite pastimes include settling down with a good read, baking amidst a cloud of whole-wheat flour in the kitchen, and sharing gut-seizing laughs with friends and family.
jessicabhowell@hotmail.com.

Carrie Watson — Carrie Watson is a freelance writer and U.S. expat now residing in London, where she enjoys scoping out the city’s many wonderful markets, museums and neighborhoods, jogging in Regent’s Park, and discovering fabulous local restaurants, which she covers on her new blog, veggiebetty.blogspot.com.  Carrie was previously a magazine editor in New York who covered, among other things, natural beauty products and health and wellness, and she is glad to be able to share her love of those things with Alternative Consumer readers. You can also check out her posts on the UK Aware blog.
cgwatson2001@yahoo.com.

Jamie Bosso – Boston, MA - Jamie is a freelance writer specializing in PR and branding for a variety of industries including beauty, education and food. As a mother of two, she can often be found seeking out healthy lifestyle choices for her family, especially in her own garden where lavender and basil mingle with roses. She is inspired by a well-turned phrase, Yo-Yo Ma, sunsets over Greece and her children’s laughter.

Amanda Heidemann - San Diego, CA - To feed her happy heart, Amanda mountain bikes, backpacks, paints, and gazes into her multiple aquariums to the extent that her business and educational lives allow. When torn from these activities she is commuting the town on her bike, studying environmental science, or reading and researching ways to obtain a better relationship with Mama Earth.  She has a particularly strong interest in the sustainable “slow food” movement.

Sylvia Hsueh – San Diego, CA – Born and raised in San Diego, Sylvia considers herself a true Californian.  She has a deep appreciation for the ocean and spends most of her weekends at the beach.  When she’s not studying hard at UCSD, she’s cooking, swimming, reading, or watching movies.  Majoring in Environmental Systems-Policy, she aspires to pursue a future in environmental law, and fight for environmental justice.

Zach McGrath — Worcester, MA - Although not as accomplished (i.e. old and cranky) as some of our older contributors, Zach, a high-school junior, has taken an interest in the environment and is active in local groups such as “Think Globally Act Locally,” which focuses on problems in the community as well as directing local attention to global problems. Along with helping the environment, Zach is an avid theatre, writing and music student.

Kyla Buckingham — San Diego, CA - Growing up near Lassen Volcanic National Park inspired Kyla’s love for this great Earth; she was the only child in her class who toted Audubon field guides and plastic binoculars. Now a technical writer studying literature/writing and the environment at the University of California, San Diego, she has extended her love for mountains to the ocean, snorkeling, ballroom dancing, playing Scrabble, reading with her cat, and making zines about social justice. Her favorite day is Tuesday, when the farmer’s market comes to campus.
kcbuckingham@gmail.com

Molly Roberts — San Diego, CA - Born and raised outside of Santa Cruz, California, Molly studies Environmental Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. She recently returned from a 3-month stay in Costa Rica studying agricultural practices, enjoying the cloud forest, and being downright sweaty at all times. She loves cooking, eating, running, backpacking, and exploring and firmly believes that unconventional, fresh approaches to conservationism are key to a sustainable future!

Lori Guner — San Diego, CA - Grew up in Arizona and is currently attending the University of California, San Diego, where she is studying Environmental Sciences. Lori works in a lab at UCSD, where she incorporates her interest in the environment and biology with innovative, new research. Some of her favorite activities include running, swimming, and traveling.