B00AFU6252 EBOK (56 page)

ON SAFER KIDS TOYS, STUFFED ANIMALS AND OTHER GEAR

CHRISTOPHER GAVIGAN

Healthy Child, Healthy World,
pages 131–32.

ON FINDING BALANCE

JESSICA ALBA

“Jessica’s Diary of a Spy Mom—Take 2!”
iVillage CelebVillage Blog.
(2011).

www.ivillage.com/jessica-alba-spy-kids-blog-2/1-a-371215

ON HOMEMADE ICE POPS

THE HONEST COMPANY

“Cool Down with Homemade Popsicles,” Honest Blog: Honest Kitchen (July 2012).

http://blog.honest.com/cool-down-with-homemade-ice-pops/

ON PAINTING FURNITURE

SHERRY PETERSIK

“How to Paint Furniture,” YoungHouseLove.com (2009).

www.younghouselove.com/2009/02/how-to-paint-furniture/

ON FINDING NONTOXIC ART SUPPLIES

CHRISTOPHER GAVIGAN

Healthy Child, Healthy World,
pages 141–43.

SAFER CHEMICALS, HEALTHY FAMILIES COALITION

“Nontoxic Art Supplies,” Blog (February 2012).

http://blog.saferchemicals.org/2012/02/non-toxic-art-supplies.html

T
HE INSPIRATION BEHIND
this book has been years in the making. During that time, I’ve been supported and encouraged by many people to follow my dreams. It’s in honor of them and their love that I’ve written
The Honest Life,
as I hope it similarly inspires others to follow their hearts and achieve the impossible. And, while there’s not enough space to thank everyone, I wish to personally express my gratitude for the following people whose contributions and help were essential to creating this book.

Thank you Mom and Dad for everything. It’s through the values you instilled in me—having a good work ethic, giving everything 200 percent, never giving up, and always believing in myself—that I was able to write this book. To my brother, Joshua: It’s thanks to you that I learned to share everything. And Nikki, you are everything—for your patience, love for our family, and for creating order out of all the chaos.

To my husband and daughters, you are the inspiration for all that I do. Cash, you push me to be thoughtful and curious while always giving me perspective and keeping me grounded. I’m so grateful that you were a sounding board and voice of reason throughout the creation of this book (and for letting me sleep in after long nights of writing). Honor and Haven, you are the reason I wrote it. Thank you for choosing me as your mommy—you’re my life.

Lindsey Hanson and Sarah Reisert, thank you for being the rock stars that you are—I am so grateful to the both of you for your honest feedback, thorough constructive criticism, and literary prowess.

Christopher Gavigan, Brian Lee, and Sean Kane—without you, The Honest Company would still be just a dream. Words don’t describe how rewarding it is to create a company with like-minded partners who really want to change the world and the way people do business. I also want to give a big shout out to the entire Honest family for your passion, hard work, long hours, focus, and creativity to fulfill our dream to re-define the “family brand” and create something that’s better for all families, everywhere.

My journey as a mother and entrepreneur—and this book—would not have been possible without the expertise, knowledge, and dedicated activism of Dr. Phil Landrigan, Dr. Jay Gordon, Dr. Alan Greene, Christopher Gavigan, and everyone at Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and Healthy Child Healthy World. Thank you for actively educating and pushing for a better environment for our children to grow up in.

My besties! Lauren Andersen—from our teen years to now, we’ve been through thick and thin—I love you gurrrl! Kelly Sawyer Patricof—your work and lifestyle have inspired who I am as a mom today and your friendship means more than you know. Thank you for sharing your creativity and know-how in this book and keeping me sane throughout the entire publication process. Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power—no one knows how to make high-fashion wearable and functional like you ladies—it’s a true talent that I admire, appreciate, and aspire to. Ramona Braganza—I met you when I was 17; gosh, time has flown by . . . but whenever I need to get into shape, a shoulder to lean on or just a good laugh, I’m glad that I can still call on you.

Justin Coit, I can’t say this enough—you take the most beautiful photos ever, and you’re so gracious and lovely. I love and appreciate you as a friend and your talent as a photographer. Nick Onken, your images similarly gave this book color, bringing it to life. Speaking of color . . . Brad Goreski, Thomas, and Hannah—you added style and punch to the book. Fiona Stiles, you helped me perfect my 10-minute face (all moms will thank you, too). Scott Horne and Jeanne Kelley, thank you for propping and styling so beautifully. And Kellan Hori, you were just as much a translator as chef, because you transformed my culinary creations into usable recipes. Like all busy moms know, it takes a village—and it’s no exception when creating a book.

I’m grateful to Virginia Sole-Smith for helping to bring clarity to the research and shape to the story. And thank you to the Rodale team for your enthusiasm and work in getting this book published. Alex Postman, Dave Zinczenko, Marc Adelman, Steve Perrine, Kara Plikaitis, George Karabotsos, Nancy N. Bailey, Liz Krenos, Aly Mostel—your efforts behind the scenes helped me cross the finish line.

Thanks to all for your collaborative spirit and making
The Honest Life
a truly inspired and authentic take on living naturally.

Jessica Alba
is a Golden Globe–nominated actress, environmental and social justice activist, and cofounder of The Honest Company. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two daughters.

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher.

Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

© 2013 by Jessica Alba

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Rodale books may be purchased for business or promotional use or for special sales. For information, please write to: Special Markets Department, Rodale Inc., 733 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

Art direction by George Karabotsos and Kara Plikaitis

Book design by Kara Plikaitis

All photos by Justin Coit, with the exception of the following:

© Andrew Arthur:
1

© Lesley Bryce:
1

© Getty Images:
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
(Claire Danes, Jane Birkin),
5
(all),
6
(all)

© Mitch Mandel/Rodale:
1

© Walter McBride/Corbis:
1
(Diane Keaton)

© Nick Onken:
1
,
2
,
3
, and
4

© Superstock:
1

© The Honest Company blog:
1
(Christopher Gavigan, Ashley King, Sarah Reisert, Melissa Williams)

Jessica Alba’s family photos: courtesy of Jessica Alba

“Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean 15” copyright © 2013 Environmental Working Group,
www.ewg.org
. Reprinted with permission.

“Environmental Defense Fund Seafood Selector Chart” copyright © 2013 Environmental Defense Fund,
www.EDF.org/seafood
. Reprinted with permission.