Alba Receives Self Magazine’s Women Doing Good Award

Jessica Alba is doing good… And one magazine has taken notice.

The 31-year-old half-Mexican American actress was saluted at the Self magazine’s 5thAnnual Women Doing Good Awards in New York City for launching The Honest Company.

Jessica Alba

“I want people to know that they have the power to make different choices,” says Alba on the Self website.

Alba, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, realized that parents needed a company with baby and household products they could trust after finding her baby daughter in her crib eating tiny beads from inside her diaper. She turned her personal scare into something positive and created The Honest Company, which makes and sells eco-friendly and affordable baby, bath, body and household products. Philanthropy was built into the company’s mission statement and today a portion of the proceeds goes to children and families in need via Baby2Baby.

Alba’s community-minded parents raised her to believe in giving back, and now the Sin City: A Dame to Kill For star is using her success to help families lead greener, healthier and happier lives. She lobbies for testing to be required of the chemicals in household products through the Safe Chemicals Act.

Jessica Alba & Cash Warren

‘With the wife at #WDG – so proud of her and the other women we are honoring tonight,’ wrote Alba’s husband Cash Warren via Twitter, as he shared an Instagram photo with his followers.

Other recipients included actress Kerry Washington and Jenna Dewan-Tatum.

Longoria to Speak at Democratic National Convention

It should come as no surprise that Eva Longoria will be making a big appearance at the Democratic National Convention… After all, she’s one of the co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign.

The 37-year-old Mexican American actress, who has been one of the president’s most enthusiastic surrogates during this election cycle and has emerged as a leading advocate of his reelection among Latinos, will be one of nine women scheduled to address DNC delegates from the podium. There aren’t any consistent records to cite, but most political observers believe that’s a record number of female speakers at a national convention.

Eva Longoria

“Ever since I was a little kid, my parents made sure I knew I could do anything if I worked hard. My sister Lisa, who faced obstacles growing up with special needs, taught me to be courageous and compassionate,” said Longoria In a pre-convention campaign video. “This is how I try to live my life day to day and this is what I see in everything President Obama does. Whether he’s fighting for affordable healthcare and access to education, or supporting small businesses in the Hispanic community, over the last three years he’s worked to reform our immigration system, to give everyone a fair shot at the American Dream.”

But the Desperate Housewives star and previously announced keynote speaker Julian Castro won’t be the only popular Hispanic leaders/celebrities participating in the Democratic National Convention.

Half-Mexican American actress Jessica Alba and her husband, producer Cash Warren, will serve as co-hosts of the week’s most important fundraising event, a joint open-your-checkbook party for all the pro-Democratic super PAC’s, including Priorities USA. The event, which is set for the convention’s closing night, is being called “Super-O-Rama” and hopes are high that it’ll help rescue the Democrats’ efforts in the independent expenditure sector, where they’ve badly lagged those of the Republicans.

Meanwhile, Cuban American journalist and television host Christina Saralequi will also be among the women addressing the convention during the three-day event, which takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4th through 6th.

Earlier this summer, Saralegui publicly endorsed Obama, saying “You’ve had our back, and now, with utmost respect and admiration, I have yours.”

Saralegui added that ”President Obama is a principled man who has worked hard to put healthcare and a good education in the reach of millions of Americans, and believes that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules, should have a fair shot at the American dream.”

Alba Returns as a Guest Blogger on iVillage

Practice makes perfect… And, Jessica Alba is about to get plenty of writing practice this month.

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress—who is planning to release a book about her quest to create a natural, non-toxic life for her family—returns to iVillage as a CelebVillage guest writer this month.

Alba, who previously blogged for the site before the birth of her second daughter, debuted her first new post on Thursday. Alba writes about welcoming new daughter Haven into the growing family, and how she and husband Cash Warren prepared their eldest daughter, 4-year-old Honor, to be a big sister.

Alba also talks about her own style of parenting and how she strives to provide her daughters with a non-toxic environment. Earlier this year, Alba launched The Honest Company with business partner Christopher Gavigan, which aims to provide safe, eco-friendly and affordable products for families.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jessica Alba as our celebrity blogger-in-residence for April,” says Serena Kappes, iVillage Entertainment Editorial Director. “She joins an impressive group of high-profile women and moms who have penned CelebVillage blogs.”

iVillage began its CelebVillage endeavor in Fall of 2011, focusing on the parallels between Hollywood and everyday moms. It has featured guest writers Denise Richards, Alanis Morissette, Ricki Lake, Katherine Heigl, Felicity Huffman and Elizabeth Banks.

Click here to read Alba’s most recent post.

Alba to Release First Book

Jessica Alba’s next project won’t lead you to the multiplex, but a bookstore…

The 30-year-old half Mexican American actress is planning to release The Honest Life, a how-to handbook based on her quest to create a natural, non-toxic life for her family.

Jessica Alba

“It’s totally crazy but amazing,” Alba tells People of her book project, adding of her lifestyle, “I’m not extreme. This book is for people who are in the middle but want to create a healthier life, like me.”

The actress recently launched her first business, The Honest Company, with business partner and co-author Christopher Gavigan. And her book will detail her life as an entrepreneur and mother seeking to give her children, Honor, 3 and Haven, 7 months, a better and safer start in life. At Books First are the great blog for all type books and their information.

The Honest Life will offer advice on how to create a non-toxic home, from design tips to some of Alba’s favorite family recipes. “Honor’s favorite meatball recipe will be in there,” says Alba.

“And I always hide flax seeds in everything,” she explains, keeping it healthy but still tasty for her two girls. The book will also include beauty tips including homemade treatments to incorporate into your routine. Among them: simple, fun do-it-yourself family projects (Alba and husband Cash Warren refinished furniture for daughter Haven’s room), tips on making sure your home is filled with only the purest of materials and inexpensive ways to find your own authentic style.

“It will be easy and fun and I want it to be really colorful,” says Alba. “I’m a crazy foodie. I love doing projects with my kids. Everything in this book will be something meaningful that I’ve incorporated into our lives. I wanted some kind of handbook with all the information I was consuming so I could apply it in a practical way.”

The Honest Life will be published in early 2013 by Rodale.