Let’s start today’s post with a little confession, shall we? While I’ve always been interested in living the healthiest life possible, there was a day (as in, before I was pregnant with Phoebe) when my purchasing decisions didn’t always reflect that mentality. As much as I intended to buy organic and check ingredients lists for no-no’s, all too often, convenience and price consciousness won out. Anyone identify? But then everything changed when I got pregnant and began actively researching the effects of food, household products and environmental toxins on health, especially babies, who are extra vulnerable. I read about the link between toxins in our food and environments with the dramatic rise in cancer, autism and a host of chronic illnesses in America over the last several years. And I suddenly had that aha moment where my eyes were opened to the fact these effects are real, and that my purchasing decisions could have a direct impact on the health of my family.
So what did I do? Well, first I started buying organic, at least when it came to the “dirty dozen;” I checked labels on dairy and meat to be sure they were non-GMO and I started paying more attention to the products that made it into my bathroom and my cleaning closet. And that’s when I fell in love with The Honest Company’s all-natural and eco-friendly products, that somehow manage to be all the things that I couldn’t find in other natural lines. See, I had adopted the common misconception that eco-friendly cleaning products might not get the job done as well as their toxic counterparts, or that if I used natural beauty products, I’d have to sacrifice quality.
Not so with Honest — Jessica Alba founded the company after the birth of her daughter to fulfill the need in the market for well-designed, beautiful and effective lifestyle products that supported the healthy environment she wanted to create in her home. From diapers to laundry detergent to toothpaste, Honest’s products are geared to outfit the entire house with high-performing products that look and work great. I especially love their baby products which have become such an integral part of one of my favorite parts of our day – Phoebe’s bathtime!
Before I had a baby, I’d heard other parents talk about the importance of a nighttime ritual, but I never realized what a special time it would become for Adam, Phoebe and me to reconnect and wind down at the end of the day. Usually, I’ll get dinner started, then the three of us will head upstairs for bathtime. Phoebe has loved the entire routine – getting naked, watching the water run and then splashing around in the tub – since she was little, and nothing smells better than after she’s taken a dunk with Honest’s Bubble Bath and we’ve rinsed her clean of the Shampoo & Body Wash.
We get her out, wrap her up in a super soft hooded towel, then give her a mini baby massage with Honest’s Body Oil, which actually does start to get her in more of a bedtime state of mind. PJ’s on, then we spritz her hair (what there is of it, at least!) with the leave-in Conditioning Mist… which I happen to love stealing from her, myself. Then we cuddle up in the glider for milk, books and a couple songs (at least someone thinks I have a good singing voice!) Our little ritual is such a great way for Phoebe to ease into bedtime, but what’s most surprised me is the way it helps me transition from the busyness of the workday to a more serene state as well. And there’s something so satisfying about knowing that the products we’re using are safe and nourishing, so I don’t have to be stressed about bringing the “bad stuff” into her little haven.
Interested in checking out The Honest Company for yourself? Sign up to receive emails about achieving the Honest lifestyle here, and hop on over to sign up for a free trial here! Camille Styles readers can enjoy $10 off a minimum purchase of $40 using the code BabyBathtime. Limited to first-time buyers (one per customer) and expires July 17, 2013.
*photography by Buff Strickland
