I lived blissfully unaware of just how bad so many of our products are until my youngest was born and we discovered he had vicious allergies and asthma right from the start. It took going through a lot of doctors to find anyone even remotely interested in finding the problem instead of just masking symptoms with chemical creams and steroids. And this was back before allergens had to be clearly listed on labels. I spent countless sleepless nights on research and turning my house and our lives upside down trying to rid our house of as much crap as I could. My friends and family thought I was going nuts and OCD -I probably was!but I was really just a mom looking to give my baby boy some relief and had virtually no one to help me. As I read The Honest Life, all I keep thinking was "If only this book and brand existed 10 years ago!!" The sanity, sleep, frustration, and tears it would have saved me!!
Whether you're invested in doing a whole lifestyle change or just looking for some clean products and tips on how to cut chemical and toxin exposure from your life a little bit, definitely read this book. Even if you already know most of the information, it's filled with Jessica's personal tips, tricks, and suggestions, which can be helpful for anyone.
You also don't have to join a hippie commune in order to make substantial changes. Jessica herself admits on page one she eats meat, doesn't have time for cloth diapers, and doesn't grow her own food. She and her husband even eat and love bacon. You'll be amazed how simple most changes are. She does admit that she has the money to eat completely organic and buy the crazy expensive Eco-friendly chemical free crib mattresses, but understands that most people don't. (Thank you!!)
Jessica explains that this is her way of natural living. It may not be for everyone. But everyone CAN get some very useful information from this book. It's up to you what you choose to do with it. "No judgement! No guilt!"
The breakdown of book:
Introduction Jessica explains how it all started for her even though signs had been there all along (allergies, always getting sick and serial bouts of pneumonia, etc), all it took was a reaction to the fragrance in laundry detergent to open up the floodgates for her. Fans of Alba will find this interesting, too, as she discusses some of her early years. She also debunks the ever-frustrating rebuttal of "But we used that when we were kids and we're fine!" (Again, thank you!)
Chapter 1 Food: The basics of what eating "honest" is, what her diet entails, eating as local as possible (with some very useful links on how to), foods that are the highest in pesticide absorption, foods that resist pesticides the best, the basic lowdown about GMO's, tips on how to eat certain foods and what eating seasonally entails, cooking tips, snack ideas (especially for kids!), and the bads of plastics. She also touches on party ideas and even the subject of weight loss. Newcomers will gain a lot of helpful information and tips from this chapter, making it feel much less overwhelming. Just remember, this is Jessica's way of living. My family doesn't eat nuts or tofu (soy), but she does and so do millions of others. It's okay to pick what doesn't work for you.
Chapter 2 Personal Clean Care: Jessica states, "One hundred percent of women of childbearing age have detectable levels of phthalates in their system probably due to cosmetic use." Don't buy into "hypoallergenic", "fragrance free" and "green" claims they're still too often loaded with chemicals. And you don't have to have allergies, rashes, or rashes to be effected. These chemicals are linked to all sorts of things from hormone imbalances to cancer. Jessica helps break down how to find the safe products. Yes, she has her own product line. But she's not pushing it on you. She clearly states there are other brands and all-natural products at your disposal. This chapter was incredibly helpful for me because, even after years of research, food has become easy, but hygiene products are still a challenge.
Chapter 3 Make up & Beauty: Even more helpful for me than chapter 2 because safe makeup is even harder to come by and even more difficult for women to give up. Jessica breaks down the good, the bad, the ugly, and what your safe options are.
Chapter 4 Personal Style: This chapter is less on chemicals and toxins and more on Jessica's personal style and how she picks what makes her feel happy and comfortable in her own skin. It's a fun, light chapter and will appeal to Jessica's fans much more than those reading just for clean living tips. It does touch on dry cleaning.
Chapter 5 Your Home's Style: It's about finding a style for your home that is both minimalist and stylish, which can often be tricky. But, it offers information on safer products like carpets and paint, too. Go for real wood (vintage is even better) over fiberboard because of the difference in off gassing... It's impossible to keep everything in your home completely free of gasses. But simple tips like this can make a big difference. She breaks down the basics on how to get the toxins out and keep them out. She also offers basic DIY cleaner recipes that anyone can do. You'd be amazed at what you can do with some vinegar, baking soda, and lemons. And, surprise! They actually work!
Chapter 6 The Baby Chapter: prepare for parenthood without losing yourself. How to take care of yourself mentally and physically, and how to gently prepare your home and nursery for your expanding family. She offers her own parenting tips and advice. It also goes into diaper options and what to do if breast feeding isn't working. And then we have the dreaded lead-in-toys issue. She even touches on how to pack and travel with kids! Very helpful, especially for new parents.
Chapter 7 Inspiration: Who doesn't need a little inspiration from time to time?! This chapter reminds you that life can get heavy and weigh you down if you don't remember to have a little fun and take time to enjoy life. How to find balance, dinner parties, make your own pizza nights, recipes for sweet treats, nontoxic art supplies, make a fun outdoor playhouse or a wall garden... She also offers a list of her top "10 Essentials for An Honest Life" which I think are simple, but absolutely brilliant and spot on.
Chapter 8 Details!: Resources!!! There's nothing worse than people who preach, preach, preach, but offer no verbs on HOW to do what they're preaching. This chapter is full of pages and PAGES of links to helpful information, products, and some just light-hearted and fun. More pages of links for where to shop and brands that offer safe alternatives. It breaks down chapter by chapter what was covered, what to do, and where you can find help, information, and safe products. Honestly, if this book could only be one chapter, it would have to be this one. Worth it just for this list of resources alone!
This book is so much more than just information on ridding toxins, it's about simplifying all aspects of your life to create a peaceful, happy, healthy, and inspired environment for you and your family. If you're starting a whole life overhaul, this won't be the only book you'll ever use, but it's a great start full of all the basics. If you're just looking for a few tips on natural living, you'll find more than enough to pick through here. Ad if you're just a fan of Jessica, you'll like it, too, as it's got personal pictures and some details and stories from her personal life.
I'm so happy to see Jessica using her celebrity to do something so helpful for people and so positive. Read her blog or use her products if you want or don't, but I highly recommend reading The Honest Life to everyone.
I received The Honest Life after a long, busy day. It was like a cup of tea and a spark of encouragement from a friend. Jessica touches the issues of a modern, healthy life with style and grace. The design and imagery of the book left me feeling at home and in comfort. Lots of great tips and info. It's a nice book to come home to...
Melissa Lanz
Founder,
Buy The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You Now
The Honest Life, by actress and mom Jessica Alba, is a book written out of her passion to provide a safe environment for her daughter before she was born. The Honest Life is for anyone who cares about providing their children and themselves with a healthy lifestyle.
Alba was pregnant with her first child and had asked her mom for a recommendation for baby detergent. She took her mom's advice and started cleaning clothes...only to discover she was breaking out in hives from it! Alba discovered it contained some nasty chemicals...and although her mom at used it on her as a child, research revealed that many of the products we used as children now contain new, untested chemicals. (Just a note: a major detergent just had to change its formula when it was discovered that one of the chemicals in it was carcinogenic.)
That's right--we have 1000's of products with chemicals that have been untested (never mind the result of combining chemicals). What is a consumer to do?
Alba set out to find the safest goods...along the way found out the companies "greenwash"--that while the worlds "natural" appear, many products are anything but.
Along the way, she created a green company call The Honest Company.
This book is what she learned along the way.
As an eco-friendly designer, I love to keep current on what is out there, and this book is terrific--especially for mothers who don't want to expose their children to harmful chemicals.
Alba begins with a chapter on food--which is clearly a passion of hers, as she loves to cook and eat. In it, she provides a blueprint for eating whole, seasonal, organic ,local food--or the safest alternatives. ...nothing groundbreaking if you know this stuff; for the newbie, invaluable. She also includes nice recipes.
Subsequent chapters includes tips for buying safe personal hygiene and makeup. Here she shows how companies try to fool you and directs us to safe choices.
There is a chapter on decorating and cleaning your home in an eco-friendly way. Next, a chapter on the safest products for your baby.
Finally, there is a chapter on resources which is very helpful.
Alba's approach is not to freak you out, but to introduce the reader to healthy, natural, fun products...products that are safe for you and the environment. She concedes she isn't perfect and understands that not everyone has the money to buy all organic, for instance. But she provides the reader/consumer with the tools to understand how to make the best choices.
If this book gets you hungry to learn more about green housekeeping, Home Enlightenment is a good source; for green living and a beautiful home, I recommend Harmonious Environment.
Recommend.
Read Best Reviews of The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You Here
I wasnt sure what to expect from a book written by a celebrity and so far I am greatly pleased. Jessica Alba comes across as very down to earth and in touch with the world in a way that most average familes are. I am not even done reading her book (on page 22) but already find it very informative, helpful and interesing. I have only begun to recently educate myself on healthful eating and using products that are phalate and paraben free etc, so this book just helped confirm my efforts and gives me more information to continue my quest to keep my family safe and free of unwanted surprises in what we eat and use. I am waiting for a cookbook from her now! Although most of her recipes are simple and fresh I sure wouldnt mind it if she condensed your ideas and family favorites in a cookbook. I love this book! It will not be in a yardsale, its a keeper! I will recommend it to family and friends!
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This book has helper me understand more about all the toxins in so many products. Easy read, but super fun to read. I didn't think I'd toss my old products in my home like other reviewed, but after reading her book, I have! It's really making me want to have a healthier lifestyle (but keeping it fun and simple!) for myself and my family. I've purchased her products on the honest website. Their AWESOME. It's worth going Eco and yet, her advice and products if you choose to by from her, are affordable. I'm obsessed with this book. Thank you!
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The cover of this book is great, an obvious homage to GARBAGE PAIL KIDS, and it delivers on the image. It really delivers. If you want some gory, hilarious fun, pick this up. The cover really says it all. And as a chubby guy, the fat humor is luckily done in a way that doesn't really offend, but celebrates in a black humor way. I strangely got hungry often while reading the book.
