“Natural Habitat”
posted by Rex | January 5, 2009
As a child, I remember a special trip taken with my parents to the famous San Diego Zoo. Wide-eyed and fascinated, I stared at the large array of animals – and they stared back at me. I stood in amazement and wonder but also contemplated their quality of life as they were confined to cages and concrete-condo unnatural environments. It was then that I became familiar with the term “natural habitat” and realized that no matter how hard we tried, a zoo would never be a “natural habitat” for wild creatures.
On the ride home from the zoo, my young brain was deep in thought, but not about things that most children would have been thinking about. Instead my mind raced with how different life must be for wild animals verses the captive ones that I had just seen.
When we arrived back home I looked around and thought how similar our house was to that of the artificial environments that the animals were housed in. What was our natural environment? Were we meant to live in a forest near a running stream? Certainly, prior to modern civilization there were not concrete, brick and vinyl structures. The air we breathed was not forced threw metal and plastic pipes. The water we drank was not filtered at some distant location before being piped to us. We didn’t sit, walk on nor sleep on petroleum based plastics. In essence, we live in an environment that is anything but the natural habitat of the human species.
Don’t misunderstand me. There is no way that I would trade my modern comforts for a life of foraging, hunting and sleeping on dirt. I enjoy hot showers and the protective structure that I live in, but I am attempting to get back to as natural of a life as I possibly can.
I am wearing mostly natural and organic fabrics. My home is decorated with used and reclaimed furnishings and I am in the process of upgrading my bedroom into an organic, natural sleep sanctuary. My head rests on a wonderful CozyPure® La’Noodle and I am snuggled under a CozyPure® Amaizing Wool Comforter and soon I will be sleeping on a new CozyPure® natural latex organic mattress. I am on my way to a complete organic lifestyle!
My environment may not be what the original “human habitat” was, but it is becoming as comfortably close to natural and healthy as can be expected in modern society – a warm, safe and healthy organic home and I think that is a perfect compromise.
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Favorite green thing to do….
posted by ~cher | January 2, 2009
Better late than never….
Here’s a pic of my daughter and me (boy, our bangs needed a trim) at Coop America’s Washington DC Green Festival. The question was: “”What’s Your Favorite Green Thing to Do?”" Well, DUH… of course you know what my answer was! My “little” girl added Biking… peace, love, and chill out. It all sounds good to me.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us!!
Our best wishes to you for health, happiness and good fortune.
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La’Noodle Wins Another Award
posted by Rex | December 16, 2008
I have been singing the praises of our La’Noodle pillow, but it’s like a proud parent saying how wonderful and gifted their own child is – it means little until you can flash their straight “A” report card to your friends and family.
The reviews are beginning to come in and not just from happy customers.
As well as being listed as one of the “Top Five Takeaways” at this year’s Green Festival® in Washington, DC, the La’Noodle was just honored by Natural Home® magazine as one of “The Best New Eco-Products for 2009”.
We know that our La’Noodle is wonderful and unique, but it’s always wonderful to have outside unbiased eco-smart reviews from folks that are constantly searching the market for the best, healthiest environmentally friendly products offered.
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Going Green is a Journey
posted by Rex | December 3, 2008
It’s time to replace my roof. I looked at solar options and of course, the wonderful selections of innovative green roofs, but alas, my budget is forcing me to either prepare for some leakage or revert back to traditional shingles. I am opting for the traditional, but this has given me much pause. Ever ounce of my fiber wants to be as kind to the environment as possible but sometimes my desires and budget are in conflict. It will only be when more people are actively purchasing eco-friendly products that the prices will be driven down. Currently, the rules of supply and demand have not devalued the cost of some of the sought after products by folks like me.
Every time a purchase is made here at Organic Comfort Zone I am grateful. I know that as Americans become more environmentally aware and purchase natural and organic American made products that the direct result will be lower prices. Every time an American made item is purchased, it helps to ensure an American job, which gives that worker more capital to put back into the economy. If everyone replacing their roofs this past year would have chosen to go green then my new green roof would have been affordable.
I do understand that my steps towards a greener world need to be small and very conscious and that at the least when I can; make the right choice. I need to constantly remind myself the going green is not a destination: it’s a journey and that I cannot expect myself or anyone else to become green overnight.
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EcoScene Selects La’Noodle as Top 5 at DC GreenFest
posted by ~cher | November 17, 2008
Ecoscene is an online website and weekly e-magazine that encourages people to choose eco-friendly options…. to “go greener” by providing better access to sustainable products and services.
Apparently these folks evaluated products offered at Coop America’s Washington DC Green Festival, and the CozyPure® La’Noodle Pillow was selected as one of the Top 5 most intriguing green products. Thanks for the kudos!
The above image is our very own JT hugging the La’Noodle. Part of JT’s job is supervising the production of our organic bedding — including the La’Noodle Pillows. The other part of her job is spent finalizing patterns and making spec sheets. JT enjoys listening to classic rock. She also enjoys teasing Rex.
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DC Greenfestival was Organic Comfort for Us…
posted by ~cher | November 12, 2008
WOW!! It was so GREAT this past weekend at the Washington, DC Greenfestival. I’m glad we decided to go, even if it was last minute and thrown together so quickly. We just finished a 3-week local home show in Virginia Beach, so we weren’t sure we could squeeze the Greenfestival into the schedule but four days beforehand we voted “YEAH” and went. I want to thank Hans, Cris and Rex for getting there to setup and take care of things. They arranged our Cozy Caress organic mattress, stacked layered Cozy Cabin organic beds, a few bins of organic cotton loungewear, and LOTS of natural latex organic pillows. Considering this was all arranged in only one-week, they did a TERRIFIC job. My daughter and I drove up late Saturday afternoon to enjoy the last-half of the festival.
We were chilling-out in our organic cotton sleepwear - and you folks really seemed to love it! Thank you for the compliments on our booth and on our products. One woman commented that “this is what heaven would be like.” What a job we have… lounging around, laughing, chit-chat with our customers and always in an ultimate organic comfort zone. It was a really fun time. We SO MUCH enjoyed meeting and greeting the show visitors and speaking to you about the benefits of CozyPure bedding - better for your health and better for the environment.
Proving again to be our best-selling “got to have” organic bedding accessory…. We took one-hundred CozyPure® La’Noodle organic pillows and we only had three left at the end of show. Loved the elderly couple who returned Sunday for a second La’Noodle (they bought one Saturday). They even sang a little “La-La-La Noodle” jingle. It was wonderful. And then there was little Emily…
Emily was a darling four-year old who propped herself down on our layered Cozy Cabin organic cot beds and proclaimed “This is MY bed!” Ironically, mom and dad were looking for Emily’s new “big girl” bed. They were able to buy both of them Sunday night at the end of the show and tote them away in their Prius.
Speaking of…. Rex had to leave so I carpooled everyone back to Norfolk, Virginia in my Prius. We calculated a total cost of $15 in gas roundtrip. I love my car! I wish there was a bridge across the Atlantic Ocean
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2008 Young Eco-SuperHero
posted by ~cher | November 9, 2008
Here he is… our top-title holder for the Hampton Roads Young Eco-SuperHero 2008 award. Christopher McElroy, of Norfolk, Virginia impressed all of us with his amazing presentation about Green Roofs. WOW, this kid had us wanting to install a green roof on every home in the country! As the winner, Christopher won his very own Cozy Haven organic mattress by CozyPure® - complete with his name and the Eco-Superhero title embroidered on the mattress. Four runners-up received personalized bed-buddy body pillows. We’re hoping these young eco-heroes sleep great and have green dreams that inspire them to become wonderful leaders of the future!
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Win FREE passes to DC Greenfestival
posted by ~cher | November 2, 2008
Come join us in Washington DC this weekend!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS….
Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th
Coop America’s 2008 GREEN FESTIVAL
Washington DC Convention Center
This is a fantastic venue if you’re interested in green living! A terrific line-up of speakers and an amazing assortment of vendors (like us) will be there to entertain, educate and interact with eco-minded folks in the DC area.
We’ll have our Cozy Caress organic mattress plus our infamous La’Noodle Pillows and lots more organic comfort basics!!
We attended the very FIRST Greenfestival and remember Coop America’s apprehension. Before the doors opened, Denise Hamler, Director at Coop America chatted with our president, Cheryl Hahn: “You know… we’re a bit nervous. It’s the first one. It’s like throwing a party and hoping people show up.” Well, people showed up, that’s for sure! It was so successful that the Greenfestivals have expanded into other metro areas across the country for annual events.
YOU CAN WIN TWO FREE TICKETS…
We’re awarding ten lucky winners two sets of FREE PASSES to the Greenfestival in Washington, DC.
All you have to do is send an email to —> charley at tomorrowsworld.com < ---- and tell us why YOU deserve to win! That's it. Our staff members will pick the ten lucky winners and notify them before the event.
But hurry… deadline for this contest is November 6th.
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Passing Thoughts
posted by Rex | October 15, 2008
Like most Americans, the economy has been foremost on my mind. The downturn in the stock market, rising prices and the threat of a recession or worse is a cause for concern, but it also a good opportunity for reflection and evaluation.
Growing up, I would listen to stories told to me by my grandmother, who had lived through the Great Depression. Things were difficult for her as they were for nearly all Americans, but her struggle was compounded with the fact that she was single parent and also the caretaker of her mother. Mostly, she worked multiple shifts as a waitress at various restaurants here in Norfolk and with her meager income and frugal lifestyle, she and her small family managed to get by. From her struggles and experiences came some of life’s greatest wisdom, which she passed on to whoever would listen – I was a captive audience.
“Always buy quality,” she would tell me. “If you buy poor quality then you will only have to keep replacing the same items over and over. Buy it once, take care of it and it will last!”
My grandmother was a beautiful woman who was always dressed in classic style. She avoided trendy fashion in clothing and home decore. Her choice of fabrics was cotton, wool and silk. She could best be described as warm, loving and elegant. She took loving care of her things and they lasted. Most of her furnishings are in my house today and remain in pristine shape.
As we all come face to face with tightening our belts, my grandmother’s lessons become more important – conserve, reuse and only buy quality.
As I look around the shop and warehouse here at Organic Comfort Zone, one thing rings clearly – quality. I know that we will never make large volumes of money by reselling the same products over and over to the same people – I know that when they purchase our products that they will last if cared for properly. Our merchandise is not meant to be disposable, but is intended to last.
My grandmother would have liked it here, and furthermore, she would have liked my association with Organic Comfort Zone. Our products are much like she was, strong, wise and something you like to be around.
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Homearama
posted by Rex | September 29, 2008
A rush of excitement is in the air here at Organic Comfort Zone as we prepare for the 2008 Hampton Roads Homearama show in Virginia Beach.
Our wonderful products have been selected to be featured inside the “green” house, which is the largest home featured this year, boasting over 6,500. “The Mothership” is a Georgian style home with 5 bedrooms and 6 ½ baths built by Miller Custom Homes. Look for our CozyPure® mattresses is every bedroom except the nursery. This is an outstanding way for us to display and for you view our products in an exceptional environment.
Homearama is an educational and pleasurable way to spend an afternoon and for eco-minded folks, “The Mothership” enhances the experience. “The Mothership” is an EarthCraft certified green house, built with PolySteel insulating concrete forms, features green products such as solar panels that sell electricity back to the power company, greywater recycling system, geothermal HVAC, whole-house backup generator, conditioned attic, simulated slate 50-year recycled rubber shingles and tankless water heaters. Builder offers guaranteed $115-a-month utility bill. It also offers amenities such as a meditation labyrinth sponsored by the Edgar Cayce Foundation, outdoor kitchen, large entertainment room, steam shower in the master suite, four covered porches, conditioned wine room and safe room. Brick barrel ceilings highlight oversized dining room.
More than just being a green structure – once adding interior items such as:
CozyPure® organic mattresses, Naked Spa personal care products, natural cotton towels and bedding, then this house becomes green from the inside to the outside!
This is a brilliant opportunity for all of us here at Organic Comfort Zone to meet and help educate the over 100,000 expected attendees. We hope that you will be one of them. Stop by and visit us. We will be on location in the downstairs bedroom and we would love to meet you face to face.
Homearama 2008 will run from October 3 – 19. For more information about this event, go to http://www.homearama.tv/
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Slumber
posted by Rex | September 15, 2008
Is your pillow making you sick? Mine was and I didn’t even realize it.
“Here, take this home and try it” Cheryl said to me shortly after I started here at Organic Comfort Zone and handed me a pillow. “It’s our new product, the La’Noodle pillow.”
Not meaning to seem ungrateful I thanked her and took my gift home … but honestly, I was unsure. The La’Noodle pillow seemed heavier and bulkier than any pillow I had used previously. I was concerned about how my head might sink into it. I was worried that there was not enough support for my neck.
Despite my concerns, I took my La’Noodle pillow to bed with me.
To my surprise, the pillow allowed my much more privilege of positioning than I imagined. My La’Noodle contoured to my needs and remained obediently positioned. I slept like a kitten that had a long day of play – deep and sound, however, the real surprise came in the morning.
Like many people in this southern beach community, I am plagued with allergies. Part of my morning ritual is sinus medication – or at least it was.
This first morning after sleeping on my La’Noodle, I awoke to find no sinus pressure, none of that groggy allergy feeling – nothing – I felt normal. I shrugged it off as a low-pollen count day. The following day, my experience was the same – no need for sinus meds.
Months have passed – I’m not saying that I’m completely without a sneeze or cough, but for certain, my morning congestion and head ache no longer exist. My La’Noodle pillow has contributed greatly to my well being – thanks again Cheryl!
Here’s the question – I know that my La’Noodle pillow is made from natural latex noodles that are surrounded by organic cotton stretch knit – but what was I sleeping on? And an even worse thought – what was growing inside my old pillow? Yuk.
Not surprisingly, the La’Noodle pillow has become a customer favorite here at the Organic Comfort Zone. It’s difficult to keep them in stock. For me this pillow brings me one step closer to a healthier, happier and more organic lifestyle.
If you suffer like I did, give one of these pillows a try! And sweet dreams!
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Organic Bedding Boat that Floats
posted by ~cher | August 24, 2008
It was a great day at the annual Willoughby Marina Duck Tape Regatta. We couldn’t ask for nicer weather! Our “Organic Comfort Zone” six-member team built a boat in 4 hours and guess what? We WON the “Most Unique” award. We used our CozyPure® scrap organic bedding to decorate and it looked like a cozy coffin to tell you the truth - LOL. Next we had to race the boat… and not only did it float, but we came in 2nd place for our heat. All proceeds for the event benefit the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter, so that just made it more worthwhile. All in all it was a fun outing for everyone. Check out our fast-forward video with some snippets of the day:
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How I Came to be Part of this Family
posted by Rex | August 15, 2008
I admit it. I feel guilty when I leave the grocery store with a fist full of plastic bags filled with containers that may be made from toxic plastics and I consider their inevitable resting place. My heart falls when my furnace or cooling system engages at the thought of what I am personally doing to future generations.
The threat of climate change, household toxins, economic downturns and a slew of other environmental and social issues makes me both sad and angry at once. By nature, I am a problem solver, but the overwhelming scope of the crisis at hand leaves me bewildered. Void of super-powers, I felt nearly helpless. My tiny efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle and educate seemed futile compared the ocean full of monster ahead.
I have to make a difference. My legacy must include leaving behind a better world than the one I entered. All the wealth and popularity in the world means nothing if I leave a stack of wreckage and damage behind on my way out. My goals include cleaning my own litter box and maybe what the careless cat before me left behind as well. However, in a consumption based society like the one we live in, fulfilling my aspirations is not an easy challenge. I’m not a farmer, I did not inherit either one of my mother’s green thumbs but I still need to eat and earn a living. My quandary was how to earn a living while not betraying my aspirations. Enter Cheryl Hahn.
I was introduced to Cheryl through a mutual friend. I guess our friend saw an unspoken blend of personalities and ideals that with a little effort could create a new joint energy that would be beneficial to both of us.
Upon entering Cheryl’s business, I was taken with a sense of freshness. Don’t misunderstand – there was some clutter, but the air quality and softness of the fabrics meshed into a rarely found purity.
Cheryl’s energy and passion was amazing. She proudly presented her designs, products and concepts to me with passion and enthusiasm. We discussed ideas, world issues and she presented me with so much wonderful information, hope and inspiration that when I left, my mind was filled to over-flow. I needed to be a part of Cheryl’s vision, but how and where could I fit?
After some time past, both Cheryl and I knew that I would become part of the OCZ family … maybe as her assistant … maybe marketing … maybe anywhere.
Like most small companies, it is required that everyone involved must wear different hats. If needed in the warehouse, answering the phones, designing the new catalog, merchandising the retail area – then that’s where I will be found. It sure beats doing the same job day after day! Officially, I am the Director of Communications, which is a generic term for … “go talk to Rex”.
This is my first blog entry and simply, my way of saying “hello” and letting you know how I came to become part of this wonderful group of eco-minded beautiful people.
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Moving is not easy, but worth it.
posted by ~cher | July 29, 2008
The summer is flying by too fast. We’re still settling-in at our new location which we love! Here are shop pictures we took as we were setting up and unpacking. Our new facility offers triple production space. YEAH. We renovated using “green” materials, including restoring the original concrete floors in the showroom. I’ll try to get some pictures of the retail area posted soon.
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Organic Comfort Produced with Green Energy
posted by ~cher | May 28, 2008
Gearing up for our move down to the corner unit - hopefully next weekend. Our new space will offer us triple production space, and we’ll soon be opening our new company, Go Solar Man, which will be right next store. My hubby, Richard, is back on board in the business. For you folks who have been customers of ours since the beginning, many of you remember Richard from way back when. He’ll be in charge of the new company which will offer sales, service and consultation of green power, something Tomorrow’s World offered throughout the 1990’s. Our new space already has Geo-Thermal HVAC and will also feature wind and solar energy, so in addition to our full-circle “green” products being made with our own “green energy”, it will also be a hands-on working demo for the new company. We’re excited, and we’ll keep you posted.
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