Using the power of cacti to heal has been the MO ofMona Bahrainifrom day one—first with her Sacramento-based cactus and succulent nursery,The Prickly Pear, and later withPPBody, the skincare line she launched in 2020. The later uses the natural wonders of the prickly pear plant to create a line of face and hair oils, body scrubs and whips, and lip balms that have gained a beloved following. Mona was a plant lover and collector (with over 200 cacti and succulents of her own) before she became a plant-centric entrepreneur. A “freak accident” led her to taking a break from her work as a dental hygienist in Arizona and travel to Northern California, where she soon opened her nursery (listen to her inspiringstoryhere). And in just a few months time, another big new chapter will begin for Mona: motherhood! Currently 8 months pregnant, the self-proclaimed “Earth Muffin” (“someone who tries to honor the Earth first in every aspect of life”), shares her nature-centricPregnancy Essentialsbelow!

Morning Shower Routine.“I love waking up with the sun and try to avoid sleeping in. A morning shower usually helps to boost my energy and using PPBody’sPrickly Pear Face & Body Scrubis a must.Rhyme and Reason’s Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditionerare my go-to’s for healthy hair and scalp. Not to mention, their products are infused with prickly pear, which I’m obsessed with, and are vegan. Next, I wake up my skin with PPBody’s Prickly Pear Face & Body Scrub andMorning Majestyfacial oil.”Prickly Pear Face & Body Scrub, $25,PPBody。Morning Majesty Oil, $39,PPBody。RR Hair Rhyme & Reason Repair and Restore Shampoo Conditioner Set, $15.99,Amazon。

All Natural, Small Biz Skincare.“After showering, I lather my body and baby bump withPrickly Pear Body Whipto help my growing belly with stretch marks. The key ingredient in PPBody’s products is Prickly Pear Cactus, which is jam-packed with vitamins and nutrients beneficial for your body and topically. I love that these facial oils are also non-comedogenic, which means they do not clog pores, they actually balance the PH of your skin and its microbiome without stripping your skin of the natural microbes its needs on a daily. Using natural products is important to me and I enjoy supporting brands with the same values as me, such as Kopari, Bite, Unsun Cosmetics, and 100% Pure. Once I switched toBite’s Fresh Mint Toothpaste Bits, I can’t go back to any other toothpaste brand and it comes in non-plastic packaging, so that’s a win for our mama earth. Kopari’sCoco Deodorantworks SO WELL, and I only need to re-buy once a year! Although it comes in a plastic container, it makes me feel good knowing it can be recycled. The only sunscreens I use are from Unsun Cosmetics; they’re mineral, vegan, and reef-safe!Unsun’s Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen是惊人的,作为化妆底漆/基础工作。100% Pureis my go-to makeup brand and truly all of their products are magic. Its name says it all, 100% pure formulations, naturally pigmented, and cruelty-free is a win in my book.”Prickly Pear Body Whip, $25,PPBody。可可除臭剂,10美元,Kopari。Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, $29,Unsun。Fresh Mint Toothpaste Bits (4-Month Supply), $32,Bite。Fruit Pigmented Full Coverage Water Foundation, $48,100% Pure。

Mid-Day Workout.“When I need a break, I love to workout for about 30-40 minutes. It does wonders for my body and mind. I workout on myAssaultRunner Pro, a non-motorized treadmill powered by your own stride. Since I started using it, it reduced the swelling in my knees and I never have knee issues anymore.”AssaultRunner Pro,$2999,AssaultFitness。

Eating Local.“I try my best to source all of our food from local farms, co-ops, and farmer’s markets because it’s important to know where your food is grown and to be sure it’s nutrient-dense. One of my happy places is theSacramento Natural Foods Co-Op。”Sac.coop。

Nighttime Routine.“After I wind down, I prepare my skin for beauty sleep using PPBody’sQueen Of The Nightfacial oil. This one facial oil replaces toners, moisturizers, and serums. It renews and hydrates your skin throughout the night, and I can see the difference in my skin complexion, dark areas, and fine lines and wrinkles thanks to its key ingredients: prickly pear seed oil, broccoli seed oil, and baobab oil.”Queen Of The Night, $39,PPBody。

For moreMother Essentials, peep our recent features on Solace Summer founderMegan Bre Camp, Wonder Valley co-founderAlison Carroll, OZMA designerHeidi Baker, authorTiffany Rose Smith, PR proTemi Adamolekun,Heidi Bakerof OZMA,Phoebe Sungof Cold Picnic, Sach Paneer founderJasleen Kaur, Essential Labor authorAngela Garbes, The Mamas authorHelena Andrews-Dyer, Olivia J founderShae Jones, authorBrynne Barnes,Tisha Thompsonof LYS Beauty, Blueland’sSarah Paiji Yoo, Heirloom’sSri Bodanapu, Lady Falcon Coffee Club founderBuffy Maguire, the mama-duo behindSpring & Mulberrychocolate, and Dear Bella Creamery co-founderAlice Cherng。