Are Organic Mattresses Worth It?

If you're looking at purchasing an organic mattress there are a few things you should know before hand.  When you're looking for an organic mattress be advised that there isn't a 100% organic mattress on the market.  Only two components in mattresses can truly be organic:  cotton and wool. 

Organic cotton is free of chemicals and is grown without any kind of modification. 

Organic wool is good at whisking moisture away from your skin, keeping your body naturally cool. 

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Jetheads Disposable Airline Pillowcases - Review & Giveaway

The Perfect Airline Travel Accessory

I'm not a huge germaphobe. I do hate bugs however. Not your average garden kind, more like the teeny tiny invisi-bugs that live on people's heads and skin. When we travel via car, I always bring my own pillow wherever we go. That's not always easy to do when flying though, and my family will testify that I lift mattresses and check for bugs in each hotel room we stay in.

With the rising costs of air travel and the diminishing services they offer, it probably doesn't come as a huge surprise that airlines don't change the covers on the pillows they offer for use after every flight. Which is why I ball up my sweater or jacket and lean on it. That however, does not thrill me to do for our flight home next year from Barcelona. 8 hours using my jacket as a pillow is not enticing.

Jethead pillowcases have come to my rescue, through the Parent Reviewers Travel With Me blog tour! These disposable pillowcases are a very good way of protecting your family from previous passengers potential germs and (I don't even want to think about it eww...) bugs.

The fabric used in the manufacturing is soft on the skin. The only thing that I could see on them that could even be counted as negative is minuscule. The serged ends on the threads are clipped a little long and it detracts a bit from the look of them (it makes them seem not so quality, but they are it is just a perception of the longish threads). Since they are to be disposed after use, that was probably not worth mentioning, but it may bother some people.

I wish they would sell them in different colors or patterns as well (hint hint). Licensed characters would certainly attract children to them!

I would recommend these if you are planning on airline travel with your family. This is an extremely functional travel accessory. While it may seem a little pricey at $5.95 for a package of two (available at Travel With Me), look at it as cheap insurance from a ruined vacation due to sickness or infestation or from a heyday of doctors visits when you return home.

Please read **About Reviews at the bottom of this page.

Since I received more Jethead pillowcases to review than I can use with my family, I am going to give away 2 packages (a total of 4 pillow cases) to one reader.

To enter just let me know where your next airline travel destination will be.

For Extra Entries (please leave a comment for each one you are eligible for):

1. Blog about this giveaway and link back to me and Travel With Me.
2. Follow me on twitter.
3. Tweet this giveaway, I've made it easy, just press the retweet button in the upper corner of this post and leave your twitter link in the comments.
4. Follow my blog publicly.
5. Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or reader.
6. Add my button to your blog.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents ages 18+, and will end on July 26th, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst.

Sleep Saturday - Foods That Can Help You Sleep

Welcome to the last installment of June's Sleep Saturday posts. Although...I may extend them to July, and feature some other products and ideas for sound sleep if I can find some!

Today I want to post about foods that can help you fall asleep quicker at night. However, if you are on the Atkins Diet then chances are I can't help you. That's right because these foods are full of carbs. Apparently high carb foods boost your serotonin level but don't overload your digestive system.

Popcorn (yummy one of my favorites!!), pretzels and whole wheat waffles are just a few of the items mentioned in this article featured on MSN Health & Fitness. If you want to see more you should click through to it.

I'm going to have Amber try some of these suggestions, as she tells us that she has a hard time falling asleep some nights, maybe a pretzel snack washed down with a cup of tea will help her fall asleep quicker!

** Moonshadow43 pointed out to me in her comment that tea is loaded with caffeine and would negate the effect of any of the sleep inducing foods :) Which (lol) is true. However, and so I amend - Herbal tea (chamomile, peppermint, lemon blossom) are naturally caffeine free.

Thanks for commenting Moonshadow43. I wouldn't want to be the cause of anyone staying up all night, when they just wanted to catch a few zzz's!

Photo Credit by Peasap.

Natura World Review & Giveaway - Because You Deserve A Better Night's Sleep!

Today for June's Saturday Sleep Month post I'm going to be giving you a review and a chance to win!

About a month ago I had the opportunity to receive and then take my time to review products from Natura World. Natura World is a company that is committed to giving their customers products that allow them to Sleep Well For Life.

If you want to feel like you have a new bed, the items at Natura World can deliver that for you.

We got to test drive four products of the many that Natura World sells, so read on to find out how we've been sleeping using them.

The first item I'll touch on is the Fitted Washable Mattress Pad. We put this on Amber's bed when it arrived. The mattress pad she had on her bed up to that point was a cheap-o one that had actually been on our bed for many years prior to that. It was definitely more of "clean" barrier than anything else so if she got sick the mattress would not get soiled.

The Fitted Mattress Pad is filled with 6oz/yd² machine washable Natura Smart Wash Wool™. This easy-care version of their fitted mattress pad features the same moisture-free, temperature controlled barrier that repels common allergens. The white cotton sateen cover has a fully elasticized cotton percale skirt that fits mattresses up to 12 inch in height.

This was the easiest mattress pad I've ever put on a bed. It's generous dimensions allowed me to put it on the mattress without a struggle, but it still fits snug and hugs the mattress the way it should. I have not had to wash it yet, but that is a huge perk to me, especially since my daughter is known for getting sick in her sleep, and has in the past frequently. Compared to the other mattress pad that was on there, it has firmed up the bed for sleeping yet is still comfortable. When I asked Amber what she thought, she said it was soft, but didn't really notice any difference in her sleep. I however have. Since the Natura World mattress pad has been on her bed, she has consistently slept an hour or two more longer each night than she used to. I don't know if it's the temperature control or the feel of it, but regardless this mom is glad her moody and growing teenager is getting more sleep each night!

We also got to try out the Classic Summer Weight Comforter. The Classic Summer comforter is a light weight comforter perfect for summer sleeping or tropical climates. Filled with 6oz/yd² Natura Smart Wool™ to help regulate body temperature throughout the night, the summer weight comforter provides just the right amount of warmth without overheating. Natura Smart Wool also wicks away excess moisture, creating a fresh, dry sleep environment that repels common allergens. The soft, unbleached 100% cotton cover is quilted to the fill to eliminate shifting, clumping and hollow spots.

Okay I know what you're thinking. Wool in summer? Are you crazy? Actually I had the same perception at first. We have a winter comforter that is made from wool that Hubby has had since before we were married. I love it in winter, but it is very heavy and we could not use it in summer, in our second story room it was just too warm.

The Summer Weight Comforter from Natura World is so great. It truly does regulate the body temperature, and there has been no sweating while we have used it this past month (and we keep our place quite warm even with the air on, about 77 degrees that would be 27 degrees for you metric folks!)

The product that we got to try that I LOVE LOVE are the Perfect Pillows. The Perfect Pillow's dual-sided core allows you to choose your own comfort and support level with just a simple flip of the pillow! This unique 2-in-1 pillow features contouring, resilient Talalay latex on one side and gentle cushioning memory foam on the other. Combined, this dual core provides one-of-a-kind head and neck support to encourage proper spinal alignment and restful sleep.

I am completely in love with this pillow. You may not know my history of pillows, let's just say I change pillows as often as I change socks. My closet is full of different types of pillows because bi-weekly I decide I no longer like the one on my bed and will switch it out for a different one. I've gone from feather, to synthetic to memory foam and back again, and am forever trying to find one that I can sleep with. I have used the Perfect Pillow for a whole month, without once wanting to grab a different one.

The cover features two different, but equally plush and luxurious, velour fabrics, the cover can be switched around to match with whichever side of the dual core you prefer. Cover removes for easy cleaning. I have not felt the need to put a pillowcase on mine, I love the feel of both sides of the cover, one is almost like a really soft towel, and the other is like a minky blanket. I have kept a traditional pillowcase on Hubby's because he drools and sometimes gets nosebleeds at night!

I am also happy with the Re•Groove•N8™ Aromatherapy Spray. Re•Groove•N8™ with the relaxing scents of green tea and aloe. Spritz a room. Spray your body. Mist a pillow. Then inhale its calming essence and feel your body immediately relax. It is very nice. I have been seen spritzing it on myself just because in the middle of the day too, it does have a relaxing quality to it.

I really like all the products that were sent for us to review.

To some the prices of the products may seem really high, but honestly you cannot put a price on a good night's sleep. When I think of all the money I've spent on the numerous pillows (that will now be only used for pillow fights) I could have easily bought the Perfect Pillow and been satisfied with my purchase the first time. I've found over the years there are certain things you don't skimp on when it comes to quality and price, and bedding is one of them.

I certainly know that it will no longer be hard to come home after our cruises, because I'll be anxiously awaiting my own bed at home and the bedding that is on it!

Please read **About Reviews at the bottom of this page.

Love what you see but can't wait to win? Natura World has provided a promo code for my readers For every person who comes to their site and makes a purchase, they’ll include an 8oz aromatherapy spray at no charge ($15.00 value). All you need to do is include the promo code at time of purchase: “NaturaPillow”

They have also generously sponsored a giveaway for you all! One random commenter will win two perfect pillows!! That's a value of $240.00!!

To enter this giveaway visit Natura World and look around come back and comment on another product that you would love to have on a bed in your home(other than the Washable Mattress Pad, Summer Weight Comforter, Perfect Pillow or Re•Groove•N8™ Aromatherapy Spray). The above must be done first in order to gain extra entries. For more entries (leave a separate comment for each one) you can:

1. Become a Fan of Natura World on Facebook
2. Follow me and Natura World on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway leave your user name and the link to your tweet (you can do this daily)
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link back to my site and Natura World
4. Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or reader
5. Follow my blog publicly
6. Add my blog to your blog roll
7. Add my button to your blog

This giveaway will end on June 30, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst. It is open to Canadian and U.S. residents ages 18+. The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the winning e-mail or another winner will be chosen.

Sleep Tonight

Welcome to my Saturday post on all things Sleep!! June is Sleep Month here at Three Different Directions, and I hope the posts that I put up, help both you and me to find ways to get a better night sleep!

Today I want to highlight the website Sleep Tonight. Sleep Tonight will tell you all about why you might have a nightly fight with your pillow (and not a fun one at that!), what GABA is and why you should care....(no not Yo Gabba Gabba for you with toddlers), why you need sleep and why you should talk to your doctor for options when your insomnia is overwhelming. While this website is non-branded, you will see an offer on it for a free trial for a sleep aid. However, it has a lot of good information on it about sleep habits and vices that keep you from sleeping.

You really must take a poke at the Sleep Tonight game where you can play as Drowsy Dan or Sleepy Sue - whack sleep impairing activities with pillows and collect good sleep icons to help you rest. It's a lot of fun, and slightly addictive! Leave a comment and let me know if you played, I want to try and beat your high score!!

June is Sleep Month!!

I've officially declared June as SLEEP MONTH on my blog! Many nights I don't sleep well. A lot of times it is because Hubby is snoring, sometimes I'm agitated and my brain is in overdrive and other times, well I don't know why, but I just don't. So I stay up late (and blog!), and then I'm tired the next day. If I'm able to I catch a nap, but then that begins a vicious cycle because often I can't sleep at night because I'm not tired enough, and it starts all over again!

SLEEP MONTH doesn't mean I'm going to stop posting the rest of June lol! It just means I'm going to dedicate Saturdays in June (I know it's Sunday today, I thought two posts yesterday was enough already, I didn't want to overwhelm all of you) to posts on how and/or why you should be getting a better sleep and resources to help you do that!

I found some insanely scary facts over at U.S. World & News Report in their Living Well section on what can happen if you don't get enough sleep!

Heart disease is at the forefront of my mind a lot, for a couple of reasons, both my in-laws died because of it. Did you know that heart attacks are 45 percent more likely in women who sleep for five or fewer hours per night than in those who get more?

Or how about that 20 percent of serious car crash injuries are caused because of sleepiness (that are not alcohol related)?

There are more facts and statistics in that article and I urge you to check it out.

U.S. World & News Report has a whole area on sleep in their health section. Some of the articles are really fascinating to read. There is one that has 10 Ways to get a Better Sleep.

A couple of the ideas are; to create a "safe room", a room you go to when you can't sleep but you don't "do" anything in it. No lights, tv, books or music. Just chill out there and see if you get sleepy. The purpose is, to not associate your bed with frustration. Another idea is to make sure you don't exercise too close to when you go to bed. Again if you have trouble sleeping and need some more tips, you may want to read the sleep section at usnews.com.

I'm hoping that by the end of June all the discoveries I make that I share with you will help all of us have a more beneficial sleep. Make sure you read this coming Saturday's post (June 13th), where I'll introduce you to a website that could help you sleep at night!