Categories
Environment Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

We Generate our Own Renewable Energy

We had fun making this video and thought we’d start with a quick peek at our renewable energy system. The problem with the video is the footage we took is from “Phase One” – about one year ago….

You may notice when we show the solar roof panels there are only a few panels.  Now we have over fifty full size panels running side-by-side on almost the entire length of our roof building. Plus two wind turbines in our parking lot.

Our factory, offices, warehouse and retail showroom are energy-efficient meaning we don’t use any traditional incandescent light bulbs. We maintain a moderate yet comfortable temperature with our geo-thermal system.  Small on-demand tanks provide instant hot water.  We only use energy-efficient appliances, like our Vestfrost refrigerator – same goes for our washing and drying machines.

It’s critical that you reduce your energy consumption with more modern and efficient means before you attempt to generate your own energy!

We’re a business… and for that reason our electricity is “tied-in” to the grid. If for some unforeseen reason our system should have maintenance problems, our back-up would be conventional electricity. What’s really great is our meter goes backwards once we shut down for the day and power down our machines, lights, computers, etc. That’s when WE get to MAKE the power that we’re NOT using and send it back to the electric company. Cool, huh?

Since we’re “tied-in” we have to “pay” for the privilege of being a “customer” in both fees and taxes. Believe it or not, the customer fees and taxes cost more than the fuel that we use. When we have to use the heat or air conditioning, our energy fuel costs average an additional 10 KW  a month (we produce approx 6,000 KWH per month).

Keep in mind this is for a 7500 sq ft manufacturing factory plus our offices and storefront. What could be better than using 10 KW in the winter? How about this:  Moderate spring-time weather is ZERO $$ – ZERO KW.

That may be why, according to the US Department of Energy, our factory can be considered a “Zero-Energy Building“.

The US Department of Energy defines a zero-energy building as “a residential or commercial building with greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with renewable technologies.”

If we weren’t so busy designing and producing new organic bedding, we’d have time to showcase our renewable energy system a little more to you. It’s something we really love and believe in and it’s something that makes us come fully “true-circle” in our mission of “green bedding” made entirely with our own “green-energy”.

We promise to post more on our solar panels and wind turbines before the year is up! Until then… sleep well.


Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

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Categories
Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home

Tossing and Turning All Night…

Last night I didn’t get the best sleep. It wasn’t because I was anxious, stressed or worried. It wasn’t because my bed was too hard or too soft.  It was something that told me summer is right around the corner.

I was just too hot. And not in a way that made my husband go “woo woo”.  I suffered from the heat in the bedroom.

So the first thing I did was quickly go over the DOs and DONTs:

  • 100% natural blankets – no synthetics? Check.
  • 100% natural mattress – no synthetics? Check.
  • 100% cotton linens? Check.
  • 100% cotton PJs? Check.
  • Any medications? Nope.
  • Any illness? Nope.
  • Time of the month? Nope.

That left only one more thing…

When I checked the thermostat I saw it was 82 degrees. EIGHTY-TWO DEGREES!  Even though it was a nice night outside, our bedroom was not getting any breeze through the open windows. It was pretty stifling. I thought about kicking on the AC but then realized I would have to go into the kids rooms to close their windows.  It was 2am. I couldn’t risk waking them up too. So instead I sweated it out and was grateful for at least having the occasional breeze from the ceiling fan.

The optimum temperature for sleeping is 68 degrees – give or take a few. My bedroom was almost 15 degrees above the ideal so it’s no wonder I was tossing and turning all night. It seems like only yesterday we had the heat on and now we have to put on the AC already?

What happened to the beautiful and comfortable Spring time weather? Did I miss it? Or maybe I slept right through it…


Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

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Categories
Green Living Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home

How the heck can bedding be good for the Earth?

There’s a lot of people that ask that question. They don’t really take the time to think about what’s inside conventional bedding. You know what I’m talking about – those $100 bed-in-a-bag packages. The $499 Plushtop Queen mattress set. The fake softness of a synthetic fleece blanket.

Most all of these types of conventional mattresses and bedding are made with cheap foams or petroleum based polyester batting and fabrics. And many times they’re produced using undisclosed amounts of toxic chemicals.

None of these chemicals, foams, fabrics  or battings are what you could call “earth-friendly”  – they’re not renewable or sustainable. In fact, the majority are made without quality in mind and are designed for planned obsolescence to break down faster, throw it away and buy a replacement. Also not good for the Earth.

So what’s the solution? Well let’s look at bedding made from eco-smart and natural materials like organic cotton, organic wool and natural latex rubber.  All of these components are renewable and sustainable meaning we don’t exhaust our resources to attain these materials. There are no harmful chemicals added during the production process. The quality exceeds modern expectations of conventional bedding which means you get real value because it will actually last you much longer than that so-called “bargain”. In contrast, organic bedding is great for the health of our planet Earth. Hey… did we mention the health benefits to you?

Not to be overlooked are the wonderful advantages organic bedding can provide to the sleeper. You’ll enjoy materials that breathe – just like you do! Temperature regulating wool that’s moisture resistant means you’ll not only sleep more comfortably but it’s also naturally dust-mite resistant. Organic cotton is fine quality cotton at it’s very best with absolutely no chemical treatments or synthetic blends which can contribute to overheating. Natural latex comes from the sap of the rubber tree and contours to your body while providing optimum support – and it’s also breathable and dust-mite resistant.

Organic bedding is simple, classic and timeless. It has tremendous VALUE…. to your health, to the product’s long-term durability and to the Earth as well. Next time you get all cozy with your bed, blankets and pillows – think about what you’re getting cozy with.

CozyPure® organic bedding and mattresses are made in the USA from only ecosmart organic materials. Every item is expertly hand-crafted and ships direct from their factory to consumers nationwide. They’ve been doing it for twenty years and satisfaction is guaranteed.


Visit the CozyPure® website.


Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

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Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Natural Bedroom Natural Home

Get Close and Feel Great with Organic Bedding

This was a challenging but FUN project for me. Our branding team wanted to make an easy-listening music video slide show featuring our safe and healthy CozyPure® organic bedding and mattresses. My job was to choose the music.

The objective was to find a song that represented the absolute purity of our bedding. Something safe and healthy and comfortable – that doesn’t have harmful chemicals and petroleum foams. A song that also portrayed the love you have for your family and wanting to provide only the very best for them.

A song that reminds us our bedroom is a healing space – and even though it’s not a “status symbol” because no one sees it – it shouldn’t be an area you neglect by choosing the cheapest options. Your bedroom truly is your night-time retreat. It should be stripped down to only the classic basics. Your mattress, pillows, comforters and blankets should be made from the finest natural fibers that are not treated with any harmful chemicals. After all, you’re snuggled up close to that bedding for up to eight hours every single night!

During the day we plan nutritious meals for ourselves and our family. Perhaps we encourage our kids to play a sport so they can get a good dose of exercise. If someone is ill we nurture them back to health or visit the doctor. In other words, we consciously take care of ourselves all day long, right? So why would we neglect choosing a healthier sleep system?

I spent hours listening to so many different artists and songs to represent our CozyPure® brand, yet nothing truly represented the meaning of how I felt about our organic bedding. How I felt about my loved ones sleeping safely. Or how I felt to be back home after a trip.

Finally frustrated, I took to pen and paper and wrote my thoughts. Simple lyrics to express both my love for our sleep products, as well as the love for my family. Wrapping them up cozy and snug in our CozyPure® organic bedding… the hugs that last all night long once I leave their room.

“Closer” was written in about ten minutes. The arrangement and recording took another thirty. We didn’t  clean the track or auto-tune so I apologize for the “static noise” in the sound… but even this DIY low-budget song was “closer” than any other song I listened to…

It’s me 100% raw and unplugged with a ten dollar microphone.

A song to my kids, and also to my CozyPure bedroom-sanctuary after a long weary trip.

It’s always good to be home. Good to be “close” to  family and back in your own bed.


Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.


Categories
Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home

The Difference in Organic Cotton On Bedding

As you shop for new bedding – be it a mattress or pillows, sheets and toppers – you’ll find an array of different materials used to help create your sleeping environment. Cotton is especially a popular material as it is easily grown and harvested, and because cotton is a prime resource in the United States people may be more inclined to buy products made of it. Check labels, and you’ll find some products made of organic cotton.

Some may suspect, though, that the organic label is slapped on just about everything to convince people to buy the products. Others will argue that such items are genuine are eco-friendly. You may not be able to directly see or feel any difference between organic and “regular” cotton, but look deeper and you will – even sense – unique qualities.

Firstly, how is it that not all cotton material is considered organic? It all grows from the soil, correct? Synthetic fabrics are usually given other names – if you believe it isn’t labeled all-natural only when it is blended with rayon or other materials, consider this: oftentimes when crops are planted and maintained, they are treated with pesticides to prevent bugs from eating everything. Chemical based fertilizers, too, my cause these crops to be disqualified from earning the organic label. How the plant is cultivated plays a large role.

Once the raw material is harvested, too, what happens to it will determine its final label. Cotton that is not treated with chemicals during the weaving process is identified as organic. These products are certified by agencies approved by the USDA.

So if you see “USDA Organic” on the sheets or mattress you wish to buy, you can rest assured – literally and figuratively. Consider organic cotton as you shop for bedding and sleep well knowing your purchase has helped the environment and your sleep health.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on organic mattresses and organic pillows.

Categories
Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home

Are You Really Allergic to Your Bedding?

It’s no secret people can be sensitive to certain types of fabric. There are those who suffer allergic reactions when exposed to latex, and some may complain of rashes and other skin irritation when they wear a certain type of clothing. When it comes to bedding, it’s important to make sure what you sleep on doesn’t cause you discomfort. If you plan to spend eight hours a night lying down, you definitely don’t want to wake up sneezing!

Many manufacturers of green bedding products will tell you that you are better off buying organic bedding – mattresses, sheets, and pillows – to combat allergies and health problems. What if, however, you believe you are allergic to cotton or wool? Is there any hope for a comfortable night’s sleep?

Consider this: with all the different chemicals and additives used to treat fabrics, there is a possibility you have associated an allergy to a fabric merely because you see it. You itch when you put on a shirt, and you automatically think it’s the shirt. You can see and touch the shirt, but not necessarily the dyes and soaps that have been used on it. Consider the possibility it is not so much a cotton or wool fabric that makes you sick, but these chemicals.

When in doubt, take the opportunity to have an allergy test. This will help you determine exactly what bothers you, and if you find cotton and wool are not the culprits, you can look for alternative bedding ideas. Contact stores and suppliers that deal in organic bedding and make sure what they offer does not contain the allergens that irritate your skin or sinuses.

You may find, as you learn more about your body and tolerance, some allergies may be misdiagnosed. For the sake of getting a proper night’s sleep, take a test to see if you are truly allergic to your bedding.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on latex mattresses and latex pillows.

Categories
Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom

The key to living in any area that is storm prone is being prepared

The November 2009 Nor’ Easter is now history, but damage throughout Hampton Roads remains.

I faired well. My little house sustained no damage and with the exception of no electricity for nearly 30 hours, I was unharmed and maybe a bit wiser and more grateful as a result.

Without electricity, some of the luxuries we assume are basic in our life cease to function. Without electricity my computer was unable to operate and I found myself suffering from writer’s withdrawal. Finally, by candle light, with paper and pencil, I recorded my thoughts and inspirations; it was quite enjoyable.

On the downside, as each hour without power passed, my house became colder. The wind and rain pounded, which increased the psychological effects of the chill. As I sat in the living-room, using a coffee table with 3 illuminated candles as a writing desk, I realized our human vulnerability to the elements. With out fur or scales like most of the other inhabitants of this planet we need something to protect us from the elements.

Decidedly chilled, I grabbed my CozyPure® organic wool comforter from my bed and carried it to the living room. I wrapped myself in it’s warmth and continued to write. The weather was all the inspiration I needed as my comforter sheltered me from the cold. I felt warm, safe, secure and content.

Cuddling under my wool covering, I began to fantasize about days gone by; before there was electrically powered homes and modern heating systems. I thought about what life must have been like when people cared for themselves with what nature had provided for them. My CozyPure® organic wool comforter is much like what folks from long ago would have used for warmth, comfort and security. In truth, my CozyPure® wool comforter may be more elegantly crafted and durable than those from days gone by, but essentially, it is much the same; pure and natural.

The key to living in any area that is storm prone is being prepared. In addition to the obvious essentials such as food and water, I also keep candles, flashlights and my comforter handy just in case… and now is the perfect time for making preparations.

– Rex

Categories
Green Living Natural Bedroom

You can’t choose your family, but you CAN choose your pillow.

A pillow is like a friend… it can bring great comfort or be a pain in the neck.

Sometimes folks don’t realize the importance of choosing the correct pillow for proper support – the wrong one can provide discomfort throughout the night. For instance, if you sleep on your side with a very flat pillow, you’ll most likely wake up with cramps in your neck and shoulder. The same is true for back sleepers that use a very thick high-loft pillow which can crane the head too high. And just like friends… it’s important to know your pillow inside and out.

What’s inside your pillow anyway? Did you know the weight of an average one-year old pillow contains about 20% dust-mite matter? Feather and down provide very happy breeding grounds for these little critters. Dust mites thrive in moist, warm environments – it’s crucial to their survival – so you want to keep room humidity down and select fibers that naturally wick away moisture. The objective is to keep your bedding as dry as possible, and wash bed linens weekly, which helps deter these nasty guys from sleeping with you every night.

Many synthetic pillows can be washed regularly, however since most are derived from petroleum, some folks get a hot head sleeping on them because they retain moisture and heat. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource, therefore petro-synthetic materials are not an eco-friendly choice either – and of course, they’re blended with a host of other undisclosed chemicals.

pillows.jpg

Pillows, such as those made by CozyPure®, are made from organic and ecosmart materials that are NOT treated with harmful toxic chemicals so they’re a healthier sleep option – especially for folks that suffer from headaches and sinus congestion. You’ve got your nose buried in that pillow every night and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that a chemically-treated pillow is befriending you like the Toxic Avenger.

Pure wool and natural latex (from the rubber tree) are porous and breathable. They help keep your bedding dry to provide better sleep comfort while also deterring dust mites. Be sure the outside fabric, also known as the shell, is made from 100% cotton (preferably organic cotton). I once tested a pillow made from latex with a synthetic cover and woke up in the middle of the night with a drenched head. I remember finally throwing the pillow across the room, where it hit the wall with a loud thud.

Like a good friend, choosing a pillow that offers comfort, support and longevity is just as important as the physical well-being they provide. You would be smart to get rid of that so-called “friend” who is a real pain in the neck and gives you countless headaches…. isn’t the same true for your pillow?


Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

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Categories
Organic Comfort

Pure Organic Comfort

We pioneered the industry of “Organic Comfort” when we decided over a decade ago to manufacture exclusively pure organic comfort products.

Not just mattresses. Not just bedding. Not just clothing. No… we decided to specialize in designing products in all of these areas since they complimented each other so well.

Organic Comfort Zone 2005 Catalog
2005 Tomorrow's World Catalog - discreetly introducing our manufacturing name "Organic Comfort Zone" to our customers

Not knowing how to market this to consumers we coined the term Organic Comfort to describe the whole package of pure organic comfort products we offered.

Leading the way is CozyPure® – our brand for organic bedding and natural latex mattresses – both of which offer pure organic comfort for healthy sleep. Next is EcoAveUSA, our brand of organic and eco-smart loungewear offering casual basics that also deliver simple and basic pure organic comfort.

Under the umbrella “Organic Comfort Zone” – we are the original manufactures of healthy, eco-friendly, pure organic comfort products for your home and body. If you want to learn more, or have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at 800.229.7571. It is always our pleasure to serve you!