B00AFU6252 EBOK (3 page)

We also drew on the expertise of a number of environmental health and manufacturing experts to create our products. But the funny thing about being “just a mom”? It turns out that sometimes, we actually
do
know best—or at least, quite a lot about what makes a great diaper or cleaning product! Christopher and I road-tested every prototype on our own families (he’s got three kids under age six), so if a diaper leaked or a laundry detergent didn’t get stains out, we lived it—and sent it back to be improved. That often meant pushing manufacturers to think outside the box—like, I knew that hip moms would love a little skulls-print diaper pattern (paying homage to Alexander McQueen). “Eco” does not have to mean putting your kid in a diaper that looks like a brown paper bag.

Fast-forward one year, and we’re now sending bundles of diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal care products out every month to tens of thousands of customers. At home, I use everything on my two girls, Honor and Haven, and I love knowing that I’m giving them the safest, highest-quality products without compromising on style or function. But the best part is hearing from other moms who are using our products and loving them. After all, moms can be the toughest critics—and kids are even harder to please! But I hear from so many parents who were frustrated by the lack of options just like I was and are so happy with Honest.

We’re also realizing that it’s not just moms who want safer products—plenty of people without kids have reached out and asked when we’re going to bring out more cleaning supplies, or personal care products like toothpaste, deodorant, and so on, because they love our message and want affordable, high-quality products that also happen to be better for their health and the planet. Well, we’re on it. And we’re proving that you don’t need toxic chemicals to have a better-performing, affordable, beautiful product.

I
F YOU’RE LEARNING
about toxic chemicals in consumer goods for the first time, you’re probably feeling frustrated and confused right now. I get it. I’ve been there. All that big-picture talk about lawmakers in Washington can be hard to wrap your head around—after all, what the heck are you supposed to do until we get the laws fixed?

That’s where this book comes in. I’ve spent tons of time researching this stuff, talking to experts, trying things out, and figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and what
really
suits our busy lives—and now I’ve downloaded everything I’ve learned into this handy guidebook. We’re going to cover it all: how to eat seasonally, healthfully, and deliciously; how to clean and decorate your home with healthy, nontoxic materials and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces; how to put together a safe, fun, and functional nursery (and figure out what other baby gear you do and
don’t
need); plus how to choose the purest and most-effective personal care products. And because
The Honest Life
is about so much more than making healthy choices, we’ll explore how to edit your personal style (whether you’re pregnant, post-baby, or simply need to break out of a beauty and fashion rut). I’m also going to share my strategies for staying organized in just about every area of your life—because honestly, if you can’t find your car keys when you need them, not much else matters! I’ve got tons of inspiration to offer on ways to connect and engage as a family—as well as thoughts on what living “an honest life” really means.

Hopefully you’ll be inspired by these tips and find yourself feeling healthier, happier, and more energetic. You’ll spend less time stressing over the mundane things, freeing up more time to spend on what really matters: working on projects that feed your soul; enjoying quality time with your family and friends; being the kind of person you envision yourself to be . . . and living in a way that’s true to that mission every day.

You can read this book cover to cover, jump around to the topics that interest you most, or just stick it in your tote bag and pull it out whenever you have a question about the best lead-free lipstick or kid-friendly recipe.

I
’VE ALSO MADE
this book super easy to navigate by coming up with icons that will help you spot some crucial information at a glance. They include:

You can read this book cover to cover, jump around to the topics that interest you most, or just stick it in your tote bag and pull it out whenever you have a question about the best lead-free lipstick or an easy, nutritious, kid-friendly recipe or dinner party idea. There are no impossible-to-pronounce ingredients to memorize and no dense science to wade through. Everything I suggest works the way you’d want it to work
and
looks fantastic doing it—the fact that it’s all nontoxic and way healthier for you is just the icing on the cake.

So yes, this is sort of an eco-lifestyle book. But here’s what this book really is: a fun, practical handbook for people like you and me. It’s realistic, a little bit irreverent, and 100 percent authentic.

No lectures.

No judgment.

No guilt.

Just tons and tons of useful tips, stylish ideas, and inspiration that you can incorporate—easily and affordably!—to live a healthier, more organized, joyful, and, above all,
honest
life . . . that’s true to you.

FRESH, WHOLE, FLAVORFUL—AND MADE WITH LOVE

HERE’S A FACT ABOUT ME THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
(unless you’ve seen my
Twitter
or
Instagram
feeds): I’m crazy about food. Nothing makes me happier than cooking an amazing meal for my family or good friends. Even if it’s a hectic Tuesday night and I’ve had back-to-back meetings at The Honest Company offices and then came home to deal with end-of-day meltdowns—you know, one of
those
days—I’ll still spend 2 hours making a homemade dinner of Cornish game hens and roasted butternut squash and invite over six friends. I swear it’s how I unwind. (For me, a bit of vino and a nice playlist while cooking are pure bliss.)

Okay, yes, it’s a ridiculous amount of work and I can be a mental case, finding recipes on my laptop, and racing outside to grab another handful of rosemary from my wall garden. But when everyone sits down to the table, I’m so happy. There is no better way to spend an evening than with great food, great wine, and great conversation.