Tag: green

Greening your bedroom

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date July 26, 2018

Since we spend a third to half our lives in our bedrooms or personal space, it makes good sense to make it as healthy as possible. Sleep deprivation has been proven to lead to number of health problems such as high blood pressure. The body needs sleep to replenish the damage of the day can do.

Making your bedroom eco-friendly consists of making many little changes to the decor of the room. This includes getting organic bedding, made with natural cotton, wool and latex, restored furniture, “green” paint, wood floors, natural fiber rugs, energy-efficient light bulbs, a dimmer switch and cotton pajamas. Surrounding yourself with natural fibers, pieces of furniture without glue or chemicals and paints with low- or no-volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) and organic cotton pajamas is a great way to keep your bedroom free of indoor pollution. Small steps like these help ensure that you are getting the most of your sleep experience.

Tags bedding, CozyPure, green, organic, sleep

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Project Earth Day: Fashion Trashion Runway Show

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date March 28, 2016
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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.

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.

Tags earth day, Environment, fashion, green, green living, natural, organic, renewable energy

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Remodeling the Green Way

Remodeling in a green light is on the rise in the United States. Many houses are even built in a green manor nowadays. If you are look good some good remodeling/decorating tips, look no further. Here are five tips to help you get started on your green home improvement project.

-Lots of open windows will bring in lots of natural light, which will help one cut down on electricity expenses and things of the sort. Not only is natural light green, but it is also beautiful, giving your bedroom/living room/whatever room and open feel, giving the impression of less clutter. Motes of dust swimming in the sunlight can even be considered elegant if looked at in the right angle. Polished surfaces such as hardwood floors or mirrors can also help introduce ample lighting into a room. Reflective glass tiling in one’s kitchen or bathroom is a great idea to incorporate light into your rooms, and the kitchen, above all, should receive ample light. After all, it is the heart of the home.

-Assure that your heating and air conditioning (among other essential living utilities) are of good quality. No need in spending extra money over time because your heating and air isn’t working the way it should be, no need to waste surplus energy that could be saved by checking your ventilation/insulation. Solar and wind energy is also very effective, if you can afford to install it. This is not to say that it does not come at a bargain, it’s just that you have to know where to look and whether or not you will have the means to do it.

-Keep a realistic budget in your sight at all times. There is no use in trying to do a whole bunch of big things that will run your wallet into the ground. Start small, begin with manageable things, DIY kind of things. Demolish those walls yourself, save money on contractors, this way you will have the savings to implement those solar panels or new windows with better insulation. It is all about how you spend your money, how far you can stretch your bargain, and how necessary some of your remodeling might be. Some things might need to be taken from your list in order to make room for others. This is OK! Going into a project expecting everything to get done on a budget that is only so big is never a good idea. Stretch your buck and save yourself.

-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! I can not stress this enough. Remodeling, redecorating, whatever you are doing, it is always a great idea to reuse old things. Thrifts stores and antique shops are great places to find bargains that will make a great addition to your home. Be on the lookout for things all around your neighborhood – old driftwood, furniture, antiques, etc. – there are SO many things that you can do with things that have been lost or thrown away. Always keep in mind that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

-Landscape with native plants. grow your vegetable garden with seasonal crops. Rotate your soil. Compost. Keeping your garden alive and well is important not only for the environment but also for the aesthetic of your home. Would you rather sit out on your porch overlooking a yard full of dried up grass and soil or a garden full of life, thriving. Not only will this help with your home’s aesthetic, but it might also give you something to be proud of, something to keep you entertained, and off of those drug infested street corners.

Don’t forget that a greener mattress is not only a good redecorating decision that will help aid the environment in the long run, it is also an investment in natural, organic comfort.

Eric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags eco-friendly, Environment, green, Green America, green energy, green living, healthy, healthy sleeping, organic bedding

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Have a Green St. Patty’s Day!

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date March 10, 2014
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As we know, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s day, and, as we know, St. Patrick’s day is just a week away. While the actual holiday is on a Monday, the parades and such will be held over weekend, which means endless partying for some, and trash, trash, and even more trash to be swallowed up by the sad streets that these parades and parties take place on. Despite being a holiday that thrives off of the drunken minds of those who celebrate it, we can all still find the time to throw away our surplus of empty beer bottles and our cans of confetti and streamers and beads. If we can’t pick up our trash and various other debris for ourselves or for our environment, we should at least do it for St. Patrick on his special day, and for all of the Irish.

A day to worship Shamrocks and vodka shots, St. Patrick’s day, or should I say the day of its festivities, has much in store for those who celebrate it. The first rule of St. Patty’s day is that one must wear green or they’ll receive a pinch! However, as we dance around the crowded streets of the parades, we must not only try to wear green, but we must also be, we must also think green. What easier way to start being green than by simply placing your trash in the trashcan rather than throwing it aside as the rest of the worlds problem. That’s not very saintly, now is it?

You can also buy your St. Patrick’s day clothes from a thrift store or reuse old outfits. Buying used products reduces the trash that will be sent to a landfill while also saving you money on a great deal. Instead of using plastic bags to carry your goodies in, try using tote, or other multifunctional bags, that way you are saving the environment while also saving you a couple of cents per bag at the grocery store. Plant something green, drink and eat organic foods, and do whatever else you can to reduce, reuse, and to recycle.

Spruce up the holiday with green beers and other kinds of ale. Have fun in going about your Saint Patrick’s day celebrations and remember that there could be no better way to celebrate the holiday than by going green in everything that you might do, no matter if it is sitting around the house all day or going out and enjoying all of the parades and the parties that come with the holiday in which everyone is celebrated as Irish.

Tags celebration, green, holiday, parade, party, st. patrick's day

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Be Green: Start in Your Bedroom

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date February 24, 2014
No Comments on Be Green: Start in Your Bedroom

If you are looking to live a “Greener’ lifestyle and save the world in the process, what better place is there to start than in your very own bedroom. Here are some Eco-Friendly tips that can help you keep your bedroom Green and save you money in the process. After all, we spend an average of 26 years of our lives sleeping, so make it comfortable.

-First of all, what better way to get in touch with your ‘Greener’ side than by sleeping on it. Change your bedding to organic materials that are natural and are not harmful for the environment. At the Organic Comfort Zone you can find a variety of comfortable bedding that is also natural and safe for Mother Earth. Some of our products include organic cotton sheets, la’noodle and kapok pillows, wool comforters, and latex mattress’.

-By turning off the air conditioner and turning the fan on at night you are not only saving yourself some money but you are also using much less energy. A fan can do the job of an air conditioner without making the air in the room feel uncomfortably cold. Also, if cold a night, use blankets to keep you warm and not heaters.

-In order to clean out your bedroom look to using a damp washcloth with some vinegar thrown into the mix to get the best results. This is an easy, green, and cheap solution to removing those dust balls from your shelf without exposing yourself and others (including the environment) to those harmful chemicals that are in some of the name brand products.

-Shopping at thrift stores for clothing and decorations can reduce landfill waste while also giving you a unique new article of clothing or decor. By the way, did I mention that thrift stores can save you a huge chunk of money, which is all the more reason to shop at them.

-When all that the day has brought has been said and done it might be a good idea to unplug and turn off all things electronic. Not only does this save a whole lot of energy, but it also keeps the user awake by emitting lights that tell the brain not to produce melatonin, and with their loud noises they are prone to make, and a multitude of other pesky things that might keep one awake at night. Just simply unplug or turn them all off and save energy, money, and time that might be spent on these devices.

-Use CFL’s vs regular light bulbs. These Compact Fluorescent bulbs can save you money because of their efficiency. Remember to turn off the lights when not in the room, though.

So go ahead and try out some of these tips, save the world and some cash in the process, and sleep tightly!

Tags bedroom, green, natural, organic, sleep

Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Coloring Your Bedroom

Did you know that the color of your bedroom can impact the quality of your sleep. For many, a blue room will do justice to your eyes because it promotes sleepiness while purple rooms stimulate the brain too much and can making sleeping a difficult task. Apparently yellow and green are also good sleep stimulants. Those with grey or brown rooms get less sleep because the colors are too dreary without making one sleepy. The color of your room can impact your mood and so it is important to decorate your bedroom with colors that work for you. Drab colors might not do the job in perking you up in the morning, while colors that are too bright can either counteract drowsiness at night or shock you when you awake from your slumber.

Purple stimulate the creative mind which can either lead to vivid dreams or vivid nightmares. If you are will to take the chance on that, kudos to you, but as for me I think I’ll stick to my blue bedroom and my dream-catcher. Because creativity is being prompted in purple rooms it can stop the brain from relaxing, and thus making the process of falling asleep harder. Soothing colors, such as yellow (but not neon, think dandelion or amber) and blue (like the sky) have a calming effect on the mind and can help one fall asleep faster and keep them asleep longer. The color green is associated with seasons like spring and summer, warm months of new life and growth that can promote deep, sweet dreams.

Orange might not be ideal because it brings energy to a room, and energy is something that is not always needed when falling into the arms of a warm slumber. Although red might be a good choice for the bedroom, seeing as it sparks passion and romance, so long as the color isn’t too jolting and prominent – crimson vs. FIRE ENGINE – because, like orange, it sometimes has too much flare, like the burning bush. However, when decorating other rooms in your house, colors like grey (maybe in the bathroom) or purple (perhaps in the dining hall) can give your home that warmth and royalty that you are looking for.

Don’t forget to cuddle up on a comfortable CozyPure mattress and beneath organic blankets and comforters for extra sleep promotion. White or cream sateen sheets can match any color on the walls without taking too much away from the rest of the room. It’s YOUR bedroom, and you should feel comfortable in it, so decorate it how you please, and stimulate your mind however you want.

Tags blue, color, green, sleep, warm

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Green is Good

I guess I’ve been on a health kick lately, but here is another food post. Eating organically will help boost the body’s immune system and other natural defenses, as well as keeping your complexion clear and your body trim. There are many ways to eat organically in this day and age and you should always be mindful of where your food is from, how fresh it is, whether or not pesticides and steroids were used in its production, and its nutrition level. Like many food posts I have compiled another list of things that can be bought with peace of mind whether or not they are from the farmers market or not:

-Avocado -Cauliflower -Watermelon

-Asparagus -Kiwi -Garlic

-Blackberries -Onions -Tomatoes

– Broccoli -Mangoes

-Cabbage -Pineapples

Now we can move on to a list of foods that are OK to buy non-organic, but still would be made better if bought fresh daily 🙂

-Bananas

-Green Onions

-Lemons

-Grapes

-Tangerines

OK. Now it is time to reveal the food that is safest to buy ORGANIC

-Almonds -Papaya -Celery -Cherries

-Apples -Carrots -Cucumbers -Kale

-Bell Peppers -Blueberries -Potatoes -Strawberries

-Peaches -Spinach -Raspberries

-Lettuce -Green Beans -Zucchini

-Pears -Plums -Corn

All our lives we will face tough choices about what we should be eating and why. We will be consumed with temptation when looking through the windows at Dairy Queen or maybe the bakery at your local supermarket. We can not let ourselves down, though. There are always healthier and safer options for everyone to enjoy no matter what your preference is. Just the other night I had a fresh, delicious, savory, spicy catfish sandwich from our local farmers market. The sandwich was rich with spices and subtle flavors and I enjoyed every bite of it. The dinner was healthy and it was also affordable.

Why should we stop where we eat though? We want to practice healthy choices in every aspect of our life, don’t we? We want to live to the fullest of our potential and we can only do that when we are thinking straight and clearly, but how can one think clearly after stuffing there body with greasy McDonald’s and wondering how long it might take for our body to digest the unnatural preservatives in our food. It is simple chemistry, the more organic the product, the easier it will be for your body to accept and also to make use of.

This is same for all the world around us, the more natural that the product is the safer it will be for the overall environment. So many landfills are just piles upon piles and stacks on stacks of waste that is not biodegradable. This is not safe for the ecosystem as these unnatural products release toxins and become and eyesore. Why not choose to be organic? In the end it won’t hurt a soul, but it can make millions of lives safer and thousands of places cleaner.

I remember taking a trip down to Puerto Rico over the summer and being struck in awe by the natural beauty that the country provided and then feeling like I had been slapped in the face when the juxtaposition of the filthy piles of waste that lined the shore appeared in my line of vision, and it was not only in one place, it was all over the place. If we all took simple, easy steps toward creating a healthier world we might not face the environmental issues that we are struggling with today.

Why not do your best to take part in cleaning up this world whenever possible. By buying Eco-friendly, organic products you are saving a whole crop from being poisoned by threatening chemicals. Even more, when you move from simply buying green foods to other green products than your role just became a whole lot more important. When buying organic bedding you are saving a landfill from having another filthy mattress being placed in it ten years down the road because natural bedding is just that good. Give it a try with your delicious new grocery list and then try to incorporate ‘green’ into other aspects of your life.

Tags Environment, green, healthy, natural, organic, pollution

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Why Wool Is Cool

A huge problem that people have with buying wool is that it is an animal product, and with the way that animals are treated in modern civilization people are skeptical on the matter. However, sheep are not killed when wool is attained, and while some people do bring harm to their sheep we make sure that where our products come from there is a safe environment for the animals. The wool is merely sheared off, so it is as if the animals are getting a haircut. No harm comes to these sheep, they enjoy their days long after the product has been taken, can you say the same about that burger that you ate last night?

Another concern with wool is the odor. So many people understand wool to retain a musty smell after being worn multiple times but this is true with all fibers, synthetic included! It is a fact that an article of clothing will get dirty and smelly if not washed for a prolonged period. All my wool sweaters and socks smell perfectly fine after being thrown into the washer, just as my spandex do. See, it can go either way in whatever you are wearing, no matter what your body will leave behind odors on your clothing and its up to you to make sure that it does not stay in such a smelly condition. Its either that or remove your sweat glands.

Wool is WARMER! Wool is capable of maintaining body heat, and while it dries slower than synthetic fibers it is still able to keep one’s body heat elevated without them burning up. Wool is a temperature regulator, meaning that in the cooler months it tends to retain body heat, while during the hot seasons it breathes with your body It is water resistant to a certain degree (lets not get too crazy here though, you can’t jump into a pool and stay dry) however, with smaller spills and messes there is a tendency for the liquid to drip down and simply spill off the fibers. Wool can also absorb up to 30% of its weight in water before beginning to feel wet.

Being the flame resistant fiber that it is wool will not melt into a persons skin when on fire. It is self-extinguishing, so when caught on fire it will typically only char (lets hope that fire gets contained though because you’d hate to ruin that polyester sweater of yours). Not only is it flame resistant but its super durable. Unlike other fibers that break and wear down over time, wool takes much longer to wear down.

Finally, wool is comfortable too! Every night I tuck myself away under my warm, cozy organic wool comforter and thank the stars that its available to me. In the morning I wake up just a little happier because of how cozy I am wrapped up underneath my blanket and my mood is destroyed when the realization that I actually have to see the world outside sinks in. Just another reason to sleep, I guess.

Tags green, natural, organic, wool

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Green Festival 2013

Though it took place nearly two months ago, I want to take a moment to express our gratitude toward all of the patients who showed up to the Green Festival in Washington, D.C. It is always such a pleasure to meet new and exciting people who truly care for the environment around them because for now it is all that we have left. We must take time to fix the problems that we create in our day-to-day lives and work for the greater good of the Eco-system. We also saw some familiar faces from previous shows and were overwhelmed that these faithful customers continue to choose us for their comfort needs, it is such an honor to know that people all over the country will lie down at the end of the day and rest soundly on their green mattresses. Ralph Nader even showed his face at our booth and laid down for a couple of minutes while we explained the benefits of CozyPure to him.

A major question that we were asked at the trade show, and a question that continues to be prevalent in our daily business is what makes our company different from other mattress companies? For one we are a woman-owned, self sustaining factory. We make our products by hand in our factory – which is also connected to our showroom – and our means of energy are environmentally friendly. We believe that people should be happy with where they are buying their products from and there is no better place to purchase organic bedding than the Organic Comfort Zone.

For one, we will build your mattress for you, unlike many other companies that send the latex pieces for you to put together at your own home. We are happy to make your bed for you, it makes us feel alive. All of our pillows are custom made to your specific needs because not everyone likes a giant pillow or a lite pillow. Noodles upon noodles with cakes of latex iced with wool comforters and truffles of kapok and cotton is what you will find in our factory, not some dingy hole in the alley behind your local drugstore or in the boondocks in the center of Nevada. Don’t believe us? Come feast on the image of us making your mattress for you for yourselves, you won’t be let down.

We also take the time to get to know our customers so that we can recommend what might be best for them to purchase based on their preferences. For firmer support you may want to choose a mattress that has less layers in it because these extra layers may provide a softness that may just bee too soft for some. While others may enjoy the softness that comes with some of our mattress’. In either case, you are welcome at the Organic Comfort Zone, we are happy to meet your specific sleep needs!

Another point I would like to touch on that pertains to the green festival is the support from not only the customers but from the other business’ there. It really seems to come together as a community and we are always ecstatic to come back to our family of humble Eco-friendly companies. Perhaps for those who did not attend the last one you may want to come to our next show. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn more about your planet and ways that you can make it better, because there are always ways that we can correct our living habits for the sake of the environment.

Green shows seem to be becoming very prevalent in today’s society as environmental awareness is spread and it can be a good learning experience for everyone, even those who are educated in green living. I know firsthand that shows like the one in D.C. can have a huge influence on a persons perspective. After attending the September show I know now how many industries rely on outsourcing and factory work for their production and I also know how harmful it can be to the world around us. These citizens in outsourced countries are working for wages that are too low when they could be making use of themselves by getting educated and learning about the world around it, without it we may have found the next Einstein or Bach.

Environmentally these factories are doing more harm than good. They release toxins into the air and their employees don’t seem to be happy or healthy. If we took a moment to realize the destruction our country is leaving behind versus the ‘good’ that it is actually doing we might actually see ways that we can change for the better. Without outsourcing Americans would have more jobs and opportunities and so would the people in outsourced countries who have no time or education or money.

Being green is more than simply being green. It is a way of life, a way of providing for yourself and for others with nothing other than hard work and elbow grease. Being green is a state of mind and it is the reflection that state of mind shows upon your life. Choose to be green. Choose to be happy.

Tags green, green living, natural living, trade show