Tag: organic

Green to Work

In this day and age people all over are looking for ways to be greener, and if you are reading this blog right now you have already taken one giant step in the right direction. However, being green can be more than buying non-GMO foods and recycling plastic water bottles. In the case of what you drive to and from work each day you can either choose to be green, or you can choose not to be. However, although it may seem expensive to spend money on cars such as the Prius or the Fusion (both of which are great for going green) there are many other ways to save money and live green on the way to work.

First of all, if you can manage it and you want to stay in shape, it might be time to start biking or walking to work or to school. If the day is sunny and the weather nice, biking or walking is a great method of getting to work. it saves gas money, seeing as there is no gas involved in the process, and it’s great exercise too. Many people forget about the biking option because, of course, many people are too lazy to do it. This is not true in all cases, though. Some people don’t have the bike lanes in their city that promote safety for the bikers themselves. Some people live too far away from work and some people just don’t have time. That’s OK, there are other options.

Like I said in my first paragraph, the option to trade in your car for a car with better mileage, perhaps a Hybrid, would be a wonderful idea. However, it does not have to be a Hybrid, there are plenty of cars on the market that are much cheaper than Hybrids and still have excellent gas mileage. A car with 30 or more miles per gallon will typically save you money and help save the environment in the process. It’s not a bad idea to get a Hybrid, though, and in the end the gas savings that come from purchasing one will add up to be worth the amount of money that you spent on the car itself.

Another option is public transportation. If you live in a city where it is accessible and efficient then you should definitely go for this choice. It is typically cheaper than driving your own car to and from work everyday so long as you buy a pass that lasts for a month or a week. Public transportation includes anything ranging from the bus to the light rail to the subway. Most cities at least have a bus system that is capable of taking people where they need to go, so why not use it if you have it?

You can carpool with someone who works with you or goes to school with you. Carpooling saves a person from having to use more gas than needed as long as a good friend or co-worker can help you out with a ride. There should be no problem with it so long as you’re comfortable with the person whom you are riding with. Work out some details with them and you will be green to go.

Tags CozyPure, eco-friendly, Environment, Green America, green energy, healthy, natural, organic, renewable energy

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy Sleep Tips

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

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles

Natural Wonders of the U.S.

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date February 10, 2014
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Since the environment is such a beautiful and delicate thing, we might want to take better care of it than we do now. Many of us do not realize it because we spend so much time in our homes, in our hometowns, and our worlds begin to shrink, they become where we live. Many of us don’t understand that what we do in our homes has an effect on the entire world around us until we actually see it. If we saw the things that make this world beautiful more often, perhaps we would take the time out of our day to realize that the small things can make a big difference in some of nature’s most fascinating places.

I’ve compiled a list of what I think are some of our country’s most intriguing landscapes, ranging from valleys to mountain peaks, these places are sure to excite:

1. Surrounded by valleys of dazzling flowers that cover the entire spectrum of the rainbow. Outlined by purple and red and orange skies as the sun rises and falls, clouds protecting it from the harsh world around it, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous, yet most beautiful volcanoes in the U.S. The state park is a popular tourist attraction in the state of Washington, where people come for a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, and mountain climbing.

2. Utah’s Island in the Sky is a wonder no matter where you are standing. From above you can see the valleys and rivers below as if they are in the palm of your hand, in your control, as if you rule the world from the sky. Or, from down below, where the rivers are running and the waterfalls are wondrous. Hikers and climbers visit from all locations to get a peek of the wonder that is the Island in the Sky.

3. What would a National Park post be without the Grand Canyon on it. A favorite for honeymooners, this canyon is one of our nation’s most prized Natural Parks. The magnificence of this canyon is brought on by its overwhelming size, at a mile deep, 18 miles wide, and nearly 277 miles long, its massiveness alone is breathtaking. Not to mention the colors of the rocks when the sun is hitting them just right, and the hiking potential, this canyon is not for the faint of heart.

4. The John Hopkins glacier greets the rush of the ocean in Glacier Bay is a glacier that can get up to four thousand feet thick and 20 miles wide in places. Imagine it melting, that would be four thousand feet and 20 miles worth of extra water that could help in drowning our nation. The sea was once described as a five mile indent in a glacier, but has now receded up to 60 miles to form what is now known as glacier bay.

5. Bordering between Canada and the United States is the lush, wild, and memorizing Niagara Falls. Formed at the end of the last ice age, Niagara falls looms at about 167 feet, with more than 4 million cubic feet of water dropping every second. This wonder is also a favorite for honeymooners and travelers. Truly, it is one of the most jaw-dropping places on the continent of North America and I’m sure many would hate to see it defiled. The sad part is that many, however, wouldn’t even care.

So there you have it, a list of some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the U.S. alone – imagine the rest of the world – and then try to imagine a world without these wonders. Like Glacier Bay, much of our natural landforms are being destroyed and/or altered by pollution worldwide, and we have the chance to stop it, so long as we learn the facts and do what we can to stop the pollution that consumes our planet.

Tags Environment, landscape, national parks, natural, organic, world

Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Products & Sales Sleep Tips

Which Pillow Is Right For You?

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date January 27, 2014
No Comments on Which Pillow Is Right For You?

Waking up with a stiff neck can be a pain; it can set your hole day up to be a struggle. It is very unpleasant to sit at a desk massaging your neck and shoulders to no avail. You wake up feeling worse than when you fell asleep all because your neck and shoulders have become stiff overnight. This can all be fixed with the right pillow, though.

While choosing the right pillow for you there are many factors that should go into your decision, and at the Organic Comfort Zone, there is a bundle of options for you to choose from.

First of all, you should consider the fill of your pillow. Here there are a few different fill choices for you to choose from. For someone with a neck that should be elevated during sleep (snoring or apnea problems), perhaps an extra fill would do you justice to help open the airways – keeping the head and neck elevated can help with one’s breathing. If you are a stomach sleeper, like myself, you might want to try using a pillow with a lite fill so that your body isn’t being stretched backwards. And for those who are ambivalent to either choice, perhaps you might enjoy the regular fill which suits most side and back sleepers. Choosing the wrong fill can be uncomfortable and, of course, it can make one’s neck very stiff by the time that the morning hours roll around.

Next you should consider the softness of a pillow. In a lot of downy-feather pillows the fluff begins to fade within a year or two and usually the feathers disperse every night so the pillow goes flat (we don’t offer down pillows).

With a wool pillow the fluff is batting that provides a slight softness with support. The wool compresses and will become flatter with use so if you like that type of pillow, choose wool. However, if you prefer a pillow that sinks and forms to your head, you might enjoy the La’Noodle pillow, because while it conforms to your head and neck, its fluff factor does not fade for ten or more years. You can sleep on the pillow every night and it will bounce right back to natural plumpness once fluffed. It offers both contouring support that is soft and squishy. Other pillow options at the Organic Comfort Zone include organic pure Kapok, Cotton, and Buckwheat.

Tags cotton, Kapok, latex, organic, pillow, sleep, wool

Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy

Latex is Green, not Mean

“But latex isn’t natural!” Is the first thing that comes from my friends lips whenever I tell them that I make natural latex mattress’ as a part of my work. I simply smile and say “Yes it is,” and being the simple-minded yet stupefyingly deep teenagers that we are, that is usually where the conversation ends. However, while talking to customers, I receive that response more often. It is a common misconception that latex is not a natural material and that it can only be a synthetic fiber. This is not true.

The natural latex that goes into our bedding is one hundred percent natural. We live up to our reputation as tree-huggers, literally, because our latex rubber is extracted from the rubber trees in Sri Lanka. The product is then put into a mold and baked until it has been hardened to our liking, no harmful additives or environmentally unfriendly chemicals added, thus proving that latex, or rubber, is not always an unnatural material only to be found on the tips of pencils and to be worn over somebody’s sweaty crotch. No, latex can serve as a natural haven for those who choose to lie on it and indulge in all of its benefits.

When you decide to take home one of our natural latex products you are doing more than purchasing a new item of bedding material. You are supporting the environment by not having to throw out a mattress or a pillow that is unsafe every three years, you are supporting your local economy and giving the people in Sri Lanka a trade, thus supporting the larger, international picture. Do you see it now? Taking one small step can effect many other small things that have a big impact.

We are taking our part in protecting the environment by producing organic products that are safe for one’s own household as well as Eco-friendly. We make sure that our customers get only the best from us and that they know what to expect every step of the way. You can rest assured that all of our products are natural, even the latex ones. We wonder here, at the Organic Comfort Zone, why people don’t take the necessary steps to improve our natural world and instead, many show habits of regression that will bring us farther back than we’ve already come in cleaning up our Mother Earth.

With all the opportunities and choices that lie in front of us, all of the ways that we can be ‘Green’ – whatever that truly means – in this day and age, it stumps us as to why people choose to not do their part in cleaning up our world. It breaks our tiny hearts to see such a beautiful and vast land that once held so many wonders turn into a wasteland, so of coarse our latex is natural, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Our electricity is self-produced – or, in fact, I guess the sun should take the credit for that one, seeing as it is solar panels that light us up down here in Ocean View. We do our part daily to make sure that our customers receive the best products, and that Mother Earth, being our biggest supporter, gets treated with the best respect that we could possibly fathom. So do your part, make your decisions, become educated and cultured in every way possible, be ‘Green’, be wild and free. Do your part, make smart choices! It is the best that we can do, and sometimes it is the only thing that can be done, but it has to be done, in order for our planet to function correctly.

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 cozy, latex, natural, organic, rubber, synthetic

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy

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

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Kapok: The Tree of the Gods

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date December 4, 2013
No Comments on Kapok: The Tree of the Gods

Yesterday I wrote an article about wool, hoping to persuade those against it to join; however, I understand the integrity our customers hold and that some of them can not sacrifice their beliefs for a product, no matter how cozy it may be. This one goes out to all the vegans out there.

I understand that wool is an animal product and I am a firm advocate of animal rights, and while I still enjoy my wool comforter and indulge in feasting on a Thanksgiving turkey or a juicy burger whenever the time comes, for the most part I steer clear of products in which I know that animals are treated harshly. The food chain is real, and I wont sacrifice my appetite as long as the chicken that I am eating grew up happy and healthy. I also hold true to using wool products such as socks and bedding. Still, there are substitutes for wool all over, it just depends on where you are looking for them.

Good thing you are looking at CozyPure, though, because our natural Kapok has much of the same therapeutic effect as wool does, and its just as comfortable. Kapok is a soft, all natural product that comes from none other than the Kapok trees in South America. Kapok is a non-toxic, hypoallergenic fiber that has been used for centuries for things such as pillows and in other bedding products because of its durability and also because it is safe to grow, without comprising the environment around it. It has been used for a variety of things from stuffing life-preservers to cushions and saddles and woven into blankets, its wood has been used for carvings and coffins and canoes.

The Mayans believed the Kapok tree to symbolize the heavens and all of the glory than shines in the night time sky. This is where their Gods reigned, in comfort and peace, stowing away in the trees. Who could blame them? I would be propped up in one at this very moment if there were any nearby, what with all the comfort and beneficial properties that the tree holds. It is used as a medicine plant in the Mayan culture and in most wedding ceremonies, as well as other gatherings, it is made use of.

My affection for the tree is so high that I wrote a small poem dedicated to it. Enjoy:

The majestic Kapok tree, how we worship thee

you are oh so divine, your qualities benefit mine

and I am happy to use you: in my pillows,

in my blankets, and even between my toes!

Ok, so maybe I’m no poet, but at least I know it! (Bad joke?) Still, there is no denying the natural benefits of Kapok products and it is the perfect substitute for those who are allergic to cotton and wool, or are against the manufacturing of wool, or other animal products. Don’t waste your time, try it for yourself today. It can’t hurt, it can only help.

Tags healthy, Kapok, organic, wool

Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

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

Environment

World Environment Day

Today is World Environment Day! This years theme is Think.Eat.Save . Think.Eat.Save is an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint.

We at CozyPure® loved the idea and wanted to give it the “CozyPure touch” by creating Think.SLEEP.Save.

We want others to reduce their carbon footprint by making informed decisions while choosing their bedding.

Think.

What better way to help the environment than to make something you use everyday more Eco- friendly? You spend many hours a day lying on your mattress but did you know it could be hurting you? Conventional mattresses today are made from synthetic materials derived from petrochemicals which can breed mold, mildew and dust mites causing moderate to severe allergic reactions. Producing these materials contribute to generating more pollution in our environment, plus creates a dependency on our supply of nonrenewable resources. In addition, manufacturers use toxic chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), a class of synthetic chemicals as flame retardants. Disturbing concentrations of this chemical has been found in human blood and breast milk – a major human health concern.

All of these factors contribute to our health and that of our environment. The materials we choose for use in our mattress components are made from earth-friendly renewable resources that are better for you and better for our environment.

Our CozyPure factory is actually powered 100% with solar and wind energy to bring sustainability full circle.

SLEEP.

Sleep is very important in our everyday life. After a good nights sleep your thoughts are clearer, and your emotions are less fragile. Without adequate sleep your judgement, mood and ability to learn and retain information are weakened. Achieving restful sleep begins with keeping a consistent sleep schedule and creating a bedroom environment that promotes relaxation starting with your mattress. Using fibers such as polyester can overheat your body at night and make you feel uncomfortable. Natural fibers like cotton and pure wool wicks your body’s moisture causing you to stay a little cooler so you can sleep better through the night. Don’t forget coverings such as blankets and even your pajamas which should also be made from natural fibers to help contribute to better nights sleep.

SAVE.

When it comes to purchasing a mattress many think short term. Buying a conventional mattress made from synthetic materials will only last for a couple years, then you will have to buy another one. Many mattresses today are designed to keep the customer coming back. Spending money year after year to repurchase the same item. Its time to start thinking for the long term. A CozyPure organic latex mattress is not designed for planned obsolescence. The organic mattress and organic bedding you purchase will last you for DECADES. Think about how much money you are spending by just buying and replacing old mattresses. The money that is spent replacing an old mattress year after year can be used to pay for and organic latex mattress and it will be your only mattress purchase for a very long time.

The benefits are well worth buying one! No sweating in bed, no permanent bed impressions. Just nice, cool, comfortable organic comfort.

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Jamar Diggs is a PR Communications and Social Media 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 Environment, natural, organic, organic bedding, organic mattress, world environment day