Jessica Alba covers the January issue of InStyle magazine to promote something other than her usual brand of crappy romantic comedy film. Wait, that sounded worse than I intended, but really! Jessica’s taking some time off from Hollywood after having her second daughter, Haven Garner, and she’s using this down period to launch a new company of environmentally-friendly baby and household products. While the InStyle cover shoot is just fine (yet not remarkable), the interview reveals a slightly different side of Alba than we’re used to; that is, she doesn’t sound entirely vapid and self-absorbed while discussing her new business. Also, she doesn’t really say anything childbirth related that would gross out poor Kaiser, so that’s a plus too:

On Her New Business Venture: “It’s an eco household-and-baby consumer product line,” she explains proudly of The Honest Company, a web-based enterprise situated here in Santa Monica. Set to launch this month, it will be marketed with the tag line: “honest baby products for the next generation.”

“Our core item will be diapers,” says Alba, adding that the idea behind the brand came when she was pregnant with Honor. “We also have household cleaning products and bodycare products.” Alba is quick to stress that the range of environmentally-friendly items, to be available through the site thehonestcompany.com, will be “accessible and affordable. If something is healthy and non-toxic, it is usually at a premium price point. We aren’t going to be the cheapest, but certainly not the most expensive.”

It’s Not A Vanity Project: “When I started to talk about doing something with consumer products, a lot of people were like, ‘Huh? Why not fashion or bags like most actresses?’ But this is what I am passionate about; it affects the health of not only my children, but all children.”

On Her Pregnancy Style: “I didn’t want to feel frumpy. I still wanted to feel beautiful, elegant, chic and playful-if I could. Especially because you feel so sick, hot, achey, swollen and all of those wonderful things that come with being pregnant.”

On Losing Weight Again: “[When I was pregnant] with Honor, I didn’t make the healthiest choices when it came to eating. All of a sudden, I had gained over [30 kilos]. I stopped weighing myself after that. With Haven I didn’t gain as much, so [afterward] I was closer to where I felt comfortable in my own skin.” She also works out with a personal trainer three times a week, often alongside Cash. “It’s fun and another way we get to spend time together.”

Even With A Nanny, Mothering Is Hard: “It’s overwhelming. I don’t consider myself a lot of the time. I think a lot of mums do that, try to be everything to everyone all the time. I make mistakes. I do try to do way too much.”

On How A 2nd Child Is Different: “I’m more relaxed. Every sneeze or runny nose or little bump on the head that would have freaked me out before…I am more easygoing with that sort of thing. And the sense of knowing that I can get Haven to stop crying. It was all new with Honor and I wasn’t confident, and she could feel that so she continued to cry. That didn’t happen a lot, but when it happened I felt like I would crack.”

On Cash Warren As A Dad: “He’s totally great and a real hands-on dad. He’s just such a nice, good person…His biggest thing is that he doesn’t like the idea of them growing up and dating! He’s kidding, but I can tell he’s kind of thinking of the future already.”

[From InStyle]

Okay, so the nanny thing coupled with “mothering is hard” sentiment won’t win Jessica any new fans, but I’m slightly impressed that she’s considering her career options outside of acting. Honestly, I didn’t know that she had it in her. Also, it’s nice to see that she and Cash are still going strong. Still, I wonder if there was ever any truth to the rumor that he made out with Lindsay Lohan in a nightclub a few years ago? God forbid.

From what I can tell (and there isn’t much to go from), this InStyle photoshoot is pretty airbrushed up, which is only to be expected. Jessica looks good though.

Here are some photos of Jessica and Cash out with Haven on 12/4 for a bit of grocery shopping.

Photos courtesy of InStyle and Fame