Categories
Miscellaneous

A Doggone Broken Leg

Sometimes we get a call that makes us put on our thinking caps! The Dorias had a “comfort problem” and consider CozyPure to be an authority on the subject. Their two year old son had broken his femur and was finding comfort on mom and dad’s king size LaNoodle pillow but needed something better suited for him. They were initially thinking that a bean bag chair full of LaNoodles may be the answer. However, we had tried this out before and it just would take WAY too many LaNoodles to have it stand up correctly. Cheryl Hahn, owner of CozyPure, quickly suggested the large Orthopedic Latex Pet Bed as an alternative. Inside is filled with 100% resilient latex foam noodles (no polyester), for superior support while also delivering cushioned softness for ideal comfort. Covered in organic cotton twill (various colors available), it is safe and all-natural and just the right size for a little guy.  Mrs. Doria welcomed our suggestion wanting Hunter to be as comfortable as possible while wearing a cast.  We shipped it out right away and it was a hit!

I thought having a running around toddler was a hand full but wouldn’t you know a stationary one was two hand fulls

Hunter Doria recovering on a CozyPure pet bed
Hunter Doria recovering on a CozyPure pet bed

. -Mrs. Doria

Mrs. Doria emailed us a report after Hunter’s cast was removed, “My husband likes using the pillow at night to lay on the floor and read.  Thank you for the suggestion and this “dog bed” is now a pillow for hanging out spot, yoga spot, reading and a cozy spot. Actually we call it “the spot”. It fits under our couch so I can put it away. Thanks again love you guys!   -The Dorias”

We would like to thank the Dorias for trusting CozyPure to provide comfort for their child and for sharing their story!  Do you have a CozyPure success story that you would like to share?  Share it HERE!


Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous

Answers to “Where do you put your cell phone when going to bed?”

Following up with our previous blog post about sleeping with cell phones and why it isn’t a good idea, we
decided to poll the sleep snobs at CozyPure and see what their nightly routine is when it comes to “putting
their phone to bed.”

Here are the individual responses, to the question, “Where do you put your cell phone when going to bed?”

  • Cheryl – “I place mine on the bottom of the nightstand with a shirt over it so that the light will not distract me. I also have notifications turned off – the only sound that is on is the actual ringer. I started sleeping with it in the bedroom when my daughter left for college in case she needed to call. Before that I didn’t even bring it in to the bedroom at night. Sometimes I will listen to sleep/meditation music on youtube but I still keep it covered.”
  • Troy – “Wherever it ends up. I don’t really pay much attention to where it is when I go to bed. It just stays wherever I last used it.”
  • Susan – “I plug it in to charge in the bathroom in my bedroom. This way the light does not disturb my sleep but I can hear it if I get a call.”
  • Diane – “I plug it in on the nightstand.” We are going to have to make her read the last blog post!
  • Debbie – “Just wherever.” Debbie is our newest team member, she’ll learn to talk more to survive!
  • Sherry – “On the nightstand, on silent.” That’s a no-no, Sherry.
  • Cris – “In my purse on the floor because it is not good to have it on the nightstand.” Cris is a seasoned sleep snob.
  • Angela – “It is always on silent and usually on the floor beside the bed, although I’m guilty of falling asleep while scrolling through Facebook. How else will I know who to vote for?”
  • Hans – “In the other room, on the charger.” Perfect!
  • Rudy – “I just plug it in to charge on my nightstand.  If it rings, sometimes I answer it and sometimes I ignore it.”
  • TJ – “On the nightstand charging with the volume sky high. I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.” TJ is a popular guy!

Although research shows that a high percentage of people go to bed with their phones, we are not the norm (but we already knew that). Maybe it is because we all have such a love affair with our CozyPure mattress that we embrace sleep or maybe it is just because we are educated on all matters sleep related. Whatever the reason, I am glad to report that no one at CozyPure sleeps with their phone.

Coming soon: It claims to be organic. What does that really mean?

Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Sleeping With Your Smart Phone May Not Be So Smart

There are articles in the news every day about sleep – how to get more of it, why it is crucial, how to do it better, ways to enhance it – it’s how we spend a third of our life. In a The-Sleep-Revolutionrecent article “Book Talk: The Sleep Revolution,” on Washington Life Magazine’s website, Erica Moody talks with author Arianna Huffington about her book, “The Sleep Revolution.”

From the article, “In 2014, people around the world spent a staggering $58 billion on sleep-aid products, a figure projected to rise to $76.7 billion by 2019, author Arianna Huffington says. Not only do many Americans not get enough sleep; when they do try to sleep, an increasing number are relying on pills to get there. When Huffington herself collapsed from “sleep deprivation, exhaustion and burnout” in 2007, she decided to do something about the issue. Her fascinating, accessible and necessary book “The Sleep Revolution” (Harmony Books) delves into the current crisis, the history of how we got there, the science of sleep and how we can begin to change the role of sleep in our lives.”

The article includes a question and answer session with the author addressing key points from the book. One topic that is discussed is that of “unplugging” and how our phones keep us up at night. This is a topic I see often in sleep news. Not only are we so accustomed to staying connected via our smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc., social media provides an outlet for us to waste precious time that could otherwise be spent sleeping. The author suggests that sleeping with your smart phone may not be so smart.  Rather putting our phones “to bed” in another room will allow us to sleep better. I know that having my phone on my nightstand is a horrible idea. Not only am I distracted when it lights up, buzzes or dings, I can’t always resist the urge to check social media one last time or type out one more email or listen to one more song. Going to sleep without your phone is not only a good way to get to sleep faster it also gives your mind a much needed break from the constant communication to which we’ve become accustomed.phone on bed
Katy Hall, Managing Features Editor, Huffington Post, cites in her 2013 article, “How Mobile Phones Affect Sleep,” a study concluding sleeping near our phones also has negative physical implications even if we don’t touch it. “If your phone wakes you up in the morning, it may also be keeping you up at night. A 2008 study funded by major mobile phone makers themselves showed that people exposed to mobile radiation took longer to fall asleep and spent less time in deep sleep.” Her article also discusses the aforementioned “need” to stay connected and how it is costing us valuable sleep. An additional resource cited in this article indicates that “nearly three-quarters of young people fall asleep each night with their phones within reach.”  We may all have a hard time convincing a teenager that they will actually live through the night without their phone but  it really is a habit to be discouraged.  Older (and wiser) cell phone users may be easier to convince that “unplugging” for eight hours each night may be well worth it.

There is plenty of research, articles and books that discuss healthy sleep habits.  Taking a break from your electrical devices is certainly a step in the right direction.  Once you break that habit, take the time to research the importance of the materials you are sleeping on.  Many mattresses and bedding materials are just as full of junk as your social media.  Sleeping on natural latex and using organic bedding not only provides better, but a more healthful, sleep!

Coming soon – How “smart” are the sleep snobs at CozyPure?  We know about a good mattress but where are our cell phones when we are sleeping?  I’m going to poll our staff…

Categories
Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Home Organic Comfort Products & Sales Woman-Owned

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift: SLEEP

It is no secret that moms are some of the most sleep-deprived people in the world. They tend to juggle responsibilities all day and spend countless hours at night thinking about how to juggle even more. Studies show that mothers with small children are seriously lacking sleep, which over time can have some pretty negative effects on both physical and mental health. No matter how old her children, mothers tend to continue the habit of putting others needs before their own. Instead of shopping for the trendiest new gift of fashion or settling for the obligatory flowers, why not give Mom what she really wants (and needs) – SLEEP!
Just in time for Mother’s Day, CozyPure has assembled a bundle of some of our most popular items for the sleep deprived mom. We’ve paired together:Mother's Day Bundle

  • Our best selling LaNoodle pillow, the perfect pillow for Mom – it is adaptable to any type of sleeper, made with all natural latex and organic cotton (no harmful chemicals) and simply the coziest pillow to be found – and designed to last up to 10 times longer than conventional pillows
  • Our ever popular Pebble Pique Travel Blanket which is handcrafted in our Virginia workshop and made from luxurious Organic Cotton Matelasse and beautiful like Mom
  • Organic Lavender Linen Spray, soothing aromatherapy to relax Mom’s mind, body and spirit

This trifecta is the perfect Mother’s Day gift and will arrive packaged in our kraft bag with a complimentary handcrafted note card.

Due to the handcrMothersDay_online cardafted nature of our items, we can’t guarantee delivery by Mother’s Day on orders received after May 1st. However, Mom will agree it’s worth the wait. In the meantime, you can print out a gift announcement HERE to put in Mom’s card notifying her that the gift of sleep is on the way!

Our products are sustainable, natural and organic and made in the USA, and our company is woman-owned by a mom that grew this company while raising children of her own. She thinks sleep is the perfect gift and every mom is sure to agree!

 

The retail price for the items in this bundle is $133 – the Mother’s Day Bundle is being offered for $99.  Valid until Mother’s Day 2016.

Categories
Environment Green Living Miscellaneous Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Press Releases

Project Earth Day: Fashion Trashion Runway Show

As manufacturers of natural latex mattresses and organic bedding, CozyPure has a year-round dedication to earth-friendly practices.  Not only do we manufacture GREEN bedding using only renewable and sustainable materials, we are eco-conscious in all of our operating procedures right down to the light bulbs we use in our showroom and workshop.  Although we like to think of everyday as a day to celebrate Earth and her renewable resources, we join the rest of Earth’s inhabitants to celebrate “Earth Day” on April 22 each year.  CozyPure typically has a sale each year to celebrate Earth Day and of course that is well received!  This year we will be doing something new and exciting (in addition to a sale):  A fashion show in which contestants will be challenged to use their creativity to design a wearable fashion using only local business scraps and waste, otherwise headed to the landfill.

On April 22, 2016, The Venue on 35th in the Park Place District of Norfolk will host Project Earth Day: Fashion Trashion Runway Show. Sponsored by CozyPure, Virginia Fashion Week and The Venue, this fashion competition is open to all ages and levels of experience.  project-earthday-poster

This community event seeks to showcase Hampton Roads’ creative talent while participating in environmental stewardship through the demonstration of upcycling – also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless and/or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.

Attendees of the event will enjoy a runway show featuring the designs, as well as Earth Day-themed live performances by area talent presented in interims throughout the show.

All interested contestants are encouraged to register at http://www.cozypure.com/projectearthday. Spots are limited, first come first serve.

The general public is welcome to attend the event on Earth Day, April 22nd at the Venue on 35th located at 631 W 35th Street in Norfolk. Doors open at 6pm. Runway show starts at 7pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase through a local non-profit organization. Contact CozyPure Organic Mattresses and Bedding for more information, 757-480-8500.

Categories
Green Living Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding

From Rubber Milk to Latex: How is your Latex processed?

In the past 25 years CozyPure has accumulated customers from all over the country; Even before the internet, we were able to serve customers nationally through our catalog. Since purchasing a mattress is quite the investment, we have customers call our Norfolk, VA facility every day asking questions to help them finalize their purchasing decision. Some common questions include: the difference between our Organic Mattress and Natural Latex Mattress, how to determine the proper firmness, what materials are used in our all natural products and just general concerns you would expect from someone shopping for a new mattress.

I’ve also noticed that some consumers do a little more research than others and have very specific questions,like is our latex “dunlop” or “talalay.” I knew the answer to be “dunlop” but I did not know the difference between the two and decided to do some research. Here is what I found:

Natural latex starts out the same; Rubber milk is harvested from the rubber tree. You can read more about how CozyPure’s latex is harvested in our blog post, “Organic Comfort Made Fresh Daily with Farm Fresh ingredients.”RubberTree

After the rubber milk is harvested the way it is made into durable and all-natural latex varies; It will either be the “dunlop” process or the “talalay” method. Dunlop latex is mixed with a gelling agent while still in its liquid form and then put in molds and introduced to heat through a vulcanization oven. This vulcanization process is what turns the rubber milk into a durable foam rubber. It is then washed out to remove any naturally occurring impurities and then dried. A fairly simple process, which makes Dunlop latex more affordable and more eco-friendly. The Talalay process is more complicated. It requires the latex to be placed in a mold and then introduced to a vacuum for expansion, then frozen. The gelling occurs when carbon dioxide gas is forced through the mold. After the vacuum, freezing and gelling, it is then vulcanized. In addition to being a more expensive and less environmentally responsible process, it is not available in as many sizes and a naturally occurring topper is not made in the process as in the Dunlop process.

When discussing with Cheryl Hahn, the owner of CozyPure, about why CozyPure uses Dunlop latex in the crafting of our CozyPure organic mattresses, she refers to the Dunlop process as “tried and true.” “What I particularly like about our Dunlop latex rubber is that we deal direct with the grower. The latex is processed on site at the plantation. We never have to wonder what it went through before getting to us.” Hahn sums up her preference by saying, “It is grown there, harvested there, processed there and shipped directly to us.”

The Dunlop process results in the most natural latex available.
The Dunlop process results in the most natural latex available.

It may have been believed at one time that Talalay latex provided a softer alternative to the original Dunlop latex, however through constant improvements the Dunlop process has become more sophisticated. Through density variations and sculpting, Dunlop latex can acheive any desired softness while maintaining the firmness that makes it sought after. CozyPure’s mattresses are available in varying configurations to accommodate the various softness needs of individuals. If you are a discerning customer that wants to know how your latex is processed, now you know!

 

Categories
Environment Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Products & Sales Sleep Tips

CozyPure’s wool comforter: A lesson in temperature regulation

Working at CozyPure has caused me to examine my sleeping habits. And I’ve discovered something about myself…I’m a cover kicker. For those who aren’t aware of this type of sleeper, it’s when you’re constantly kicking the covers off and searching for them over and over again in the night. I just never seem to be able to find that perfect temperature to maintain REM sleep.

 

TroyLaNoodle
I may never be much of a heavy sleeper, but I need the sleep I get to mean something positive for my health.

So, I began researching temperature regulation and its effect on a healthy night’s sleep. The facts about this subject were eye-opening. What I have learned is that us endotherms have two zones to regulate during sleep. These two zones are the core temperature and the shell temperature. Now, the brain does the work when it comes to the core temperature. Our hypothamalus regulates the temperature in our core, i.e. the abdominal, thoracic, and cranial cavities, which contain the vital organs. It is our shell temperature that is most affected by external temperature. So, if the room temperature isn’t conducive to proper shell temperature regulation, the result can be a night of pulling the covers on and off, never quit achieving that precious REM sleep we all need for healthy living.

 
Then I considered my background when it comes to external temperature. My dear departed mother simply could not stand warm weather. To give you an idea, we had a particularly bitter winter with very low temperatures when I was a child. Our heat had given out for a few days. We were all bundled in sweats and blankets. My mother was dressed like it was mid-summer in Florida. Over time, my body became conditioned to being in a pretty chilly indoor environment. I’ve come to prefer a very cool bedroom. Heavy blankets and comforters simply haven’t worked for me.

 
So, getting the wool comforter from CozyPure and using it for the first time, I was definitely skeptical. The comforter is soft, yet substantial to the touch, at least seemingly more substantial than someone like me could handle. Before I even settled in for my first nap with the comforter, my first thought was that this was going to have me sweating inside of a half-hour period. But as I settled in under the CozyPure comforter, I was eventually given exposure to proper temperature regulation during sleep. I had achieved that level of comfort where you can’t determine where your body ends and the comforter begins. And as for sweating…not a drop. I remained cool and relaxed for the duration of my nap. It’s amazing how nature has the solutions to problems we create in our lives. I may never be much of a heavy sleeper, but I need the sleep I get to mean something positive for my health. Thanks to the CozyPure wool comforter, I can keep my shell temperature just where it needs to be for a healthy restful sleep.

Categories
Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers News Coverage Organic Mattress & Bedding Woman-Owned

As Seen on TV – Behind the Scenes at CozyPure Mattress Factory

There’s never a boring moment here at CozyPure.  Some days you come in to a ton of online orders, some days you are swamped with customers in our Norfolk, VA showroom, and some days it’s “lights, camera, action,” fortunately for me the latter isn’t too often. Today we were visited by Cheryl Tan and her camera crew to do a segment for HR Business Weekly, a 30 minute show produced by WVEC ABC13 and their partners, that serves as a resource and voice for entrepreneurs and small to medium sized businesses in the region.

Cheryl Hahn being interviewed by Cheryl Tan for HR Business Weekly.
Cheryl Hahn being interviewed by Cheryl Tan for HR Business Weekly.

They were here to interview Cheryl Hahn, our fabulous owner, as “entrepreneur of the week.”  There is always plenty to say about our organic latex mattresses and Cheryl’s passion to her company,natural latex mattresses, organic bedding materials is inspiring to other local entrepreneurs.

 

Cheryl let us know that filming would be taking place in the workshop and showroom today and my seat in the lobby is often a hot-spot for traffic so I knew to brush my hair.  What we could not foresee is that one of our artisans would be out sick today.  When the camera is on, you naturally want everything to look it’s best and CozyPure’s workshop looks best when everyone is busy working.  So, guess who had to fill in?  That would be me, the new girl.  I’ve never operated a sewing machine in my life but for “staging purposes” I sat in front of one today and that is all I intended to do was “sit“. However, I was quickly approached by a true artisan that thought it would look even better if I was actually working and she taught me how to sew on a blanket’s binding.  I never expected to sew today and I don’t expect to sew tomorrow but I’m glad I could fill an empty seat, while the cameras were rolling at least.

Just for the cameras, I pretended to sew.
Just for the cameras, I pretended to sew.

The camera crew seemed mesmerized by our workshop bustling with activity – there is something aesthetically pleasing about seeing hands working with beautiful raw materials.  In our workshop our artisans make the finest bedding materials from all natural materials.  This behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship that goes in to every CozyPure mattress is sure to make a great video for the local viewing audience.  The camera crew captured the sewing of organic cotton, the tying of handmade wool comforters, even the creation of CozyPure’s exclusive LaNoodle pillows, hand filled with pure natural latex noodles.  There are much more interesting things going on in the workshop than me pretending to be a seamstress, but that was the highlight of my day nevertheless.

Written by Angela Carey, CozyPure’s newest team member.  Angela brings over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing to the CozyPure staff and is currently greeting customers, answering phones and pretending to sew when the camera is on.  

Categories
Eco-Tips Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Products & Sales

The LaNoodle Pillow Education

I consider myself a country boy with a broad, somewhat worldly perspective. I was born in Maryland. I grew up in North Carolina and Virginia. There are some things country folk are known for, but healthy lifestyles has never been one of them. That being said, I know that there is a certain amount of education that has to occur for someone like me, when it comes to organic products and healthy living. Add to that, I am an overweight, type 2 diabetic, which is a further indication that I do not have a great track record of making healthy choices.

But I’m still fighting to change all that. I’ve cut out fried foods as much as absolutely possible. I’m eating more kale than any ten human beings around me at any given moment these days. Hell, I even got a bike for Christmas … and I’m actually riding it. I’m getting healthier is my point.

TroyLaNoodle
I’m not much of a sleeper, but the LaNoodle pillow is teaching me that a healthy life begins with healthy sleep.

So, coming to work at CozyPure has been a huge step in the right direction and a graduation to another level of educating myself about healthier living. And let me just preface the rest of this by saying that listed on my chart of medical conditions is occasional bouts of insomnia. These bouts have been so frequent that I’ve sort of written off the notion of getting a lot of healthy sleep in my life. But as I’ve learned in a short period of time of working and researching sleep issues at CozyPure, it is definitely something I need to pay more attention to on my quest to healthier living. More sleep equals more energy. And more energy equals more weight loss. I’d clearly neglected a vital link in the chain to a healthier me. I need to solve this whole sleep conundrum.

Step one to solving this mystery has been sleeping on CozyPure’s bestselling LaNoodle pillow. While I can’t speak to the science of what tiny, little latex noodles masterfully stuffed in an organic casing should do for helping you sleep, but I feel tremendous after sleeping on one of these organic gems.

My neck pain has reduced greatly, as the LaNoodle cradles my rather bulbous head and shoulders in a way that makes drifting off to sleep a much less daunting task. With each passing night of sleeping on the LaNoodle pillow, I value sleep a bit more. And that is huge for me.
I don’t think any other product could’ve affected that change in me.

Sleeping on my new LaNoodle pillow, I begin to think maybe my sleep woes are more a case of I’ve been doing it, but I haven’t been doing it with the right tools. I guess it’s the equivalent of eating your farm fresh peas with a fork with only one tine. You can get it done but it probably could be done better with a spoon. So I’m thrilled I turned in my old pillow for a CozyPure LaNoodle pillow. It has opened the door to the school of healthy sleep. I can’t wait to see what CozyPure’s entire sleep system has to teach this country boy.

Categories
Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom News Coverage Press Releases Products & Sales Retailers

Embracing National Cuddle Up Day on January 6

January 6 is National Cuddle Up Day and we’re embracing it at CozyPure. After all, who better to celebrate this nationwide day of cuddling than makers of organic mattresses and bedding? So it’s official, CozyPure declares National Cuddle Up Day as it’s holiday.

Some may wonder why the nation would adopt a holiday devoted to such a seemingly inconsequential activity like cuddling. But, there is so much more to a good cuddle than we realize. There are many physical and emotional benefits to cuddling. When cuddling, the body releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, endorphins, the chemical most experience after exercise, and dopamine, the hormone that enhances sexual desire. These chemical and hormonal releases have been shown to help lower blood pressure, chances of heart disease and aleviate anxiety. That’s right, you get all that from just cuddling up with a loved one.

To celebrate National Cuddle Up Day on Jan. 6, CozyPure is hosting contests on Facebook and Instagram.
To celebrate National Cuddle Up Day on Jan. 6, CozyPure is hosting contests on Facebook and Instagram.

Moreover, human contact makes us better communicators as well. We can communicate soothing thoughts and comforting wishes through cuddling, hugging and kissing.

Of course, there’s no better place to engage in these comforting and sensual activities than on CozyPure Organic Mattresses and Bedding. Knowing that your cuddle time is free of harmful chemicals and fillers will add peace of mind to your warm snuggle. And since all CozyPure bedding is made with organic and sustainable ingredients, you can cuddle knowing that you’ll have pure organic comfort to cuddle on for years to come.

Since we’re so excited to celebrate National Cuddle Up Day on January 6, we’re holding two social media contests on Facebook and Instagram. On Facebook, you can enter the “Who Ya Wanna Cuddle?” Contest. Just comment on our “Who Ya Wanna Cuddle” post with who you’d like to cuddle with on National Cuddle Up Day and why. We’ll choose the comment we like most and that person will win a $100 gift certficate to CozyPure. You can also enter the “Cutest Cuddle” Contest on Instagram. Just post a photo of your cutest cuddle with #cozycutecuddle. The winning cuddle will also receive a $100 gift certificate. Winners for both contest will be announced on National Hugging Day, January 21, 2016. So enter now!

Also, because we want you to get closer to us on National Cuddle Up Day, we’re having an in-store only sale at our location at 2308 Granby Street, Norfolk, Va. Stop in and practice your cuddling skills in our showroom on January 6. And if you purchase a CozyPure mattress, you’ll be welcomed into our prestigious Cuddle-Up Club. Members of the Cuddle-Up Club get 20% off all future organic bedding purchases. You can enjoy healthy slumber and loads of cuddling for years to come.

So, celebrate National Cuddle Up Day by entering our social media contests and/or come by CozyPure on the big day to embrace some big savings. Happy National Cuddle Up Day!