The Honest Life - An Eye Opening Read

I'm not a big self-help book reader. I love to read, don't get me wrong, but don't often finish books that are what I call "self-help". You know - those "this is going to change your life" kind of books. Mainly because it all sounds well and good, but then I don't often have the determination/time/desire (whatever you want to call it) to make those changes. Yes - this probably says something about me, but that is for an entirely different post! :-)

Enter - Jessica Alba and "The Honest Life"

One day I happen to be watching Ellen and Jessica Alba was on talking about her newest ventures and she mentioned a book she had written that had just been released. She talked a little about how she had put a lot of the lessons she had learned (everything from organization to what to put in a diaper bag to being a parent) from raising her girls in the book. That peeked my interested because a friend of mine is about to have a baby and so I thought it might be a good book to get her.

First, though, I thought I should read it.

Little did I know what an impact it would have on my life.

I love this introduction. I love how honest she is and how so many of us can relate to these thoughts.

She begins by telling a story of washing her oldest daughter's clothes, before she was born, in the best baby detergent - the kind her mother also used when Jessica was a baby. As she was folding the clothes, a rash appeared on Jessica's skin. This started her journey into searching for safe products to use on her girls and has turned into a lifelong project - including a company in which she now makes safe products to use on babies, children, and adults!

I won't get into all the details (you really should read the book - she does a great job explaining everything), but basically most everything on the market these days - even those that are labeled "eco-friendly" - aren't always safe. Jessica did her homework (and doesn't care if we "cheat" off of her!) and talked to many different people (doctors, specialist, scientist, etc.) and within the book complied a list of chemicals that are potentially unsafe. Some have been tested and are known to cause issues (an example is Formaldehyde - it is actually still used in some products) and some have never been tested so no one really knows the effect that it might have. Not only does she compile the list, but she talks about why they are bad and what products might have the chemicals.

During her journey, one of the things she heard a lot was the fact that many of these products where things that had been around for a while and had been used their entire lives.

The truth of the matter - the formula for many of the things our moms and grandmothers have always used has changed...and not always for the better.

This hit home for me because I've heard this same argument for some of the choices I've made for my girls.

Say Whaaattt?

So, if you are like me (and Jessica), at this point you're probably thinking,

"How do they get away with it?"

"Doesn't the FDA protect us from things that are not safe for us?"

"Why are chemicals that are possibly harmful to our bodies/skin/emotional, mental, and physical health allowed to be used in products that we use to clean, wash our clothes, and apply directly to our skin (and our babies and childrens' skin) on a daily basis?"

"Why do they allow the food industry to make modifications to our food which could nullify the entire reason for eating food (nutrition)?"

The sad fact of the matter is, the lobbiests of these companies have a much bigger and louder voice in the ears of the people that are supposed to protect us and have done a really good job keeping it quiet so the majority of people don't really know what is going on. As consumers, we want products that do certain things and the companies want to give us those things because they make money that way.

It's about the bottom line.

It's always about the bottom line.

These companies are also really good at marketing and making us think that if we don't have "this" product our homes won't be clean. We need "that" product to make sure our skin is younger looking. The fact of the matter is - most everything we need to keep our homes clean and our skin looking younger (and all of the other ideas that are marketed to us) are usually things we can find right in our homes. They don't want us to know this because, then, they lose money.

It's always about the bottom line.
 

So how did I get involved/interested in some of this?

I actually started this journey when Hailey was about 5 - 6 months old. She started to show signs of having really sensitive skin. I tried a lot of different things to help her skin, but still, to this day, she has bad Exzema on her cheeks, upper arms, and thighs. It doesn't seem to bother her - doesn't hurt or itch - but I know it isn't normal. I've talked with my doctor and she has given me different things to try and says not to worry too much about it. It happens to some kids and she should grow out of it except maybe on her arms. While this is all well and good, I still am searching for something to help her so anytime I hear of something that might help, my curiousity is sparked.

I first started my journey, actually, with a company called "Melaluca". A good friend of mine had gotten involved with the company and one of the first things she had posted about was helping kids with their skin issues. I started talking to her, learned more about the company, and now I buy many of my products from them because they are safe for the home.

A disclaimer here - while many of the products you need to clean your home can be made, I, personally, don't have time right now to do some of that, so I find products to buy. Would it be cheaper to make them? Absolutely, but right now, I'll pay the extra expense.

Melaluca was the first time I really began thinking about the products I used in the home. Sure, I had watched the news reports on what was happening in the make-up industry, but I'm not a big wearer of make-up so I just half paid attention. As I began to look into the products that Melaluca has to offer I began paying more and more attention, though I still wasn't too concerned.

Shameless plug...If you are interested in learning about the Melaluca products or are interested in purchasing them, I'm your gal! I can get you set up with an account and figure out how to help you begin to purchase products that are better to use around you and those you love. Just give me a shout and I'll send you some information!

Enter "The Honest Life" by Jessica Alba

As I began reading the book, I began to realize how serious this issue really has become. Jessica is quick to talk about the fact that, unless we are willing to live in a bubble on a compound in the middle of nowhere, with no outside contact with the world (who wants to do that?), there is no way we can avoid all chemicals all the time. What she strives to do, and I think it is a great way to approach this issue, is to do what you can.

Change what you can and don't feel guilty or bad about what you can't change.

Wow - words to live by, in my opinion! This applies to just more than trying to rid your home and your surroundings of chemicals, too. Just a great way to approach the issues of life. :-)

During Jessica's journey, one of the things that she did was realize that products that were truly "eco-friendly" often equated to dull, drab, and beige. She was determined, though her house was eco-friendly and as chemical free as possible, to show her personal style (another big theme in her book). She didn't understand if she were to choose things for her home, why it couldn't be colorful and exciting. So, she set out on a quest to find those colorful and exciting items/ways to be safe. In doing so, she found that some of the items on the market just couldn't hold up to their chemical infused counterparts. She wanted products that were safe, eco-friendly, stylish, and easy on the budget (kind of a tall order I suppose...) and when she didn't always find them, she decided to put together a team of people that could make them.

"The Honest Company" is born!

 

She does talk about the company in her book - it is part of her journey after all - though I never felt like the book was one big advertisement for her products. Yes - she talks about them and how she uses them, but she also talks about how you could make many of these same things in your home with things you probably already have. She is also very honest about the fact that there are some things they have yet to find, either already on the market or in their labs, where the chemical-free, safe versions can do what their chemical infused counterparts do. An example is mascara. There are safe versions on the market, but she hasn't found one yet that doesn't clump or extends her lashes like the stuff we are used to using. She talks about how, because of this, she will use the safe versions on "normal" days and the other stuff when she has a red carpet event or such (she is a movie star, after all!).

I'll be honest (get it...honest... ;-) ) - I have bought from and will probably continue buying from "The Honest Company". One of the things that she had her company do right in the beginning was find safe, effective, disposal, eco-friendly diapers. Before I read this book, I would have assumed that she had a nanny and her kids would have used cloth diapers. I have a new respect for her because, at least what is portrayed in the book, she is down to earth and she is mom to her girls. She was honest with the fact that she didn't want to mess with, nor have the time to mess with, cloth diapers. That made me, personally, feel normal. I know that disposal diapers are bad for the environment and, especially with Hailey's skin, are not good for my girls either, but seriously - who wants to mess with cloth diapers!?! Not me! I was so excited to learn that The Honest Company has cute, safe, eco-friendly diapers!

The next question, then, is do these cute, eco-friendly diapers actually work?

My girls can pee like a race horse (sorry - that was a little vulgar, but the truth!) so, honestly, I was a little skeptical. I wasn't so much worried about during the day (I can change the diapers often), but during the night. I am blessed and my girls sleep through the night...typcially about 12 hours give or take. So - I didn't want them waking because of a wet diaper at night or wake the next morning to wet girls and peed on sleepers and sheets. No one has time to change and wash sheets every day! I am pleased to say - they work! They really really work! I am so happy to be able to feel like I am doing good for my girls (really - my ultimate goal) and even the environment (though I'm not what I would consider an environmentalist, I do realize that every little bit I do will help to ensure my girls and future generations have a safe world to enjoy) without having to use cloth diapers!

I'm sure some of you are saying, "That is all well and good, Jennifer, but I'm sure they cost an arm and a leg!" Actually, based on what I have bought for my girls to use previously (I will admit...I used Huggies which is one of the more expensive diapers), it is about the same price. The company has really worked to make sure the products are affordable.

Another reason why "The Honest Company" stands out to me...

They also recongnize that even with affordable products (seriously - spending about the same as when I buy my Huggies), there are still some families who can't afford to buy through the company. So - they have actually already partnered with an organization "Baby2Baby" who supplies families in need with essential baby clothing and gear, like baby diapers. As the company grows, they hope to add even more charities to their list because they believe they should be an active part of transforming this world for the better.

I realize, now, I have turned into an advertisement for "The Honest Company"...

...in reality I just want to encourage you to read the book. It is honestly an eye-opener and something I feel everyone needs to read...even if you, like me, are not a "self-help" book reader. Jessica has a real way with words and I never felt like she was preaching to me. I felt like she was having an honest conversation with me about what she has learned, why she makes the choices she makes, and how, if I want to do the same for my family, I can make those changes as well.

Go get the book.

Read it.

Let me know what you think!

p.s. It's okay if you want to think I'm crazy and turning into some nut who is going to end up living on a compound, in a bubble, with no outside contact. :-) I just believe that I can make little changes that could have a huge impact and I want to share that with other people. I can't have much effect if I'm the only one, but if I tell people and other people begin to make small changes that make a huge impact, we can all make a difference and make the world a better place for all - including my girls which is why I do what I do!
 

p.s.s. If you decide you would like to try some of the products from "The Honest Company", but have questions, ask away! While I am not an expert by any means, I am more than willing to share with you my experience with the products I've used so far. If you choose to purchase from them, I would appreciate you using this link (http://honest.com/accept_invitation/242335) as I will earn $20 for referring friends! ...there I go again sounding like an advertisement...

p.s.s.s. (is that even a real thing?) You should check out the Honest Company's Blog. They post some great information about some of the not so great chemicals along with information about the chemicals they do choose to use and why. http://blog.honest.com/