The former child star, best known for her role as Punky Brewster in the popular '80s sitcom, is the author of a new book on "imperfect" parenting. Here, she shares how she learned to love chaos -- and turn trash into treasure.

I used to dream I ...
Would have 100 kids. Two [Poet, 6, and Jagger, 3], it turns out, is enough.

I never thought I'd ...
Be able to get this mom thing down. When I had my first daughter, Poet, I felt like I'd landed in some parallel world where everyone was better than me at parenting, flicking their strollers open with one hand while I wrestled with mine. I thought there was some secret manual everyone had gotten but me!

I don't believe in ...
Worrying about every single thing I eat. I want to set a great example for my kids, and that means sometimes saying yes to dessert. I believe preparing and eating food is something to be celebrated together -- especially when it includes brownies!

What I do to stay fit ...
I started doing Pilates again, but mainly I get my workout from regular dance parties with the kids.

The movie I watch when I want to laugh ...
"Sixteen Candles." I'm obsessed with '80s movies.

Guilty pleasure ...
Those 15 minutes at night when I can get my gossip fix from TMZ.

Greenest habit ...
We grow our own strawberries, lemons, and basil. But we also love coming up with fun and creative ways to turn trash into treasure, like using milk bottles as vases and turning shoe boxes into jewelry boxes.

My mom was right about ...
Never underestimating what you can do. She was a chef who put her dreams on hold to be a single mom after she and my dad split when I was 2. I realized that I could pursue a career and have a family as long as I am 100 percent present wherever I am.

I'm currently reading ...
"My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler. My husband and I read parts of it to each other out loud and laugh really hard.

Proudest career moment ...
Getting the final manuscript of my book. I gave my mom a copy on her birthday and told her she'd inspired me to be the mom I am. We both cried.

No one knows I ...
Am a tech geek at heart. I'm obsessed with my iPhone and Google Analytics.

Whole living means ...
Embracing all the joy and chaos that comes from living our best lives.

Toughest lesson ...
When my father was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's six years ago, we were heartbroken. He and I went on a road trip from L.A. to Iowa, where he grew up, and visited all the places that meant the most to him throughout his life. I learned that the most painful experience can also be the most beautiful.

My dad taught me to ...
Get up if you get knocked down. He was a boxer, so he should know.

My mantra ...
All we have is the moment. It's important to press pause, step back, and cherish it.

Frye cofounded The Little Seed, a kids' eco-boutique in Los Angeles. Her new book is "Happy Chaos: From Punky to Parenting and My Perfectly Imperfect Adventures in Between."