Feeling drowsy this morning? Maybe you need to chill out. Experts agree: cooler temperatures help you sleep deeper and longer. That advice applies not only to room temperature but also to your bedding.
A mild drop in body temperature induces sleep
Mother Nature has put your body on a 24-hour cycle, called the circadian rhythm. Time, light and temperature all factor into how your body clock functions.
Every night, your body temperature automatically lowers by just a couple of degrees, signaling your tissues and organs to become less active. Even a slight increase in external temperatures can become so uncomfortable that it causes you to awaken. The closer you can stay to your body’s natural ‘set point’, the more rested you will feel in the morning.
Sleep experts typically recommend keeping bedroom temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In reality, you should set your thermostat at whatever temperature comfortably helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
New BiOH® soy-based polyols help memory foam achieve better temperature regulation
Your mattress is, of course, another part of the sleep equation. Memory foam mattresses are popular because they conform to your body’s shape, giving you maximum support, and helping to prevent tossing and turning
throughout the night. But foam is notorious for absorbing and holding onto body heat. In fact, some memory foams rely on heat to stay soft.
Now there is a way to enjoy the benefits of memory foam mattresses while also sleeping cooler. Studies show memory foams produced with a revolutionary new BiOH® Polyol dissipate heat more quickly, cooling off 15-40 percent faster than memory foams using infused gel technology. Foams made with BiOH® Polyols are also less sensitive to temperature overall, so they stay softer at cooler temperatures.
Concerned about durability? Memory foam toppers with BiOH® Polyols are resistant to rips and tears.
And, as a bonus, initial findings show that these new vegetable-based foams are 51 percent renewable, so you also are helping the environment when you purchase BiOH®-based foams.
The result is a memory foam that provides a cooler, more comfortable sleep. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new development.
New BiOH foam does not heat up as much.
After eight hours in an oven at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the new BiOH memory foam was not as hot as the gel-infused material.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on August 12, 2011
Sometimes, we need to treat ourselves to a break, especially during summer. After all the hard work you put in at your job, a vacation is definitely well-deserved. So get out your suitcases, sundresses, board shorts, flight tickets, and let’s go! But hold on. Have you given thoughtabout how eco-friendly your vacation spot is for you or your family? Oftentimes we are so focused on the idea of fun and adventure that we forget the potential ecological consequences these grandiose trips can cause. This summer, keep fun and the environment in mind!
Here are some general tips for an eco-friendly vacation:
Pick Driving over Flying: No one wants to drive to their dream destination when a simple one-way plane ticket can be bought. But you’d be surprised on how much driving lessens the ozone damage and carbon footprint we make on our environment. Air travel itself causes 3% of total U.S. carbon emissions! That number is only expected to rise over time as population grows.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Hotel: Many hotels and other resort accommodations have started renovations based on new environmental standards and needs. Some use ‘Energy Star’ or solar power to reduce energy consumption while many others have started recycling programs.
Pick a Single Destination: Not only will this allow you to save money on gas, hotel expenses, and other expenditures, exploring just one destination will allow you to truly explore the depth of the location through learning its culture and mingling with its locals.
Travel Light: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Bring only what you need to bring; instead of buying everything in new plastic travel-size containers, reuse old ones. Also, bring a reusable water bottle! J
Walk or Bike to and from Attractions: Again, doing this will not only save you from spending ridiculous amounts of money on transportation fees, but will also really give you the chance to see the place from a scenic perspective.
If you are really stuck on where to go, here are some wonderful eco-friendly places to explore!
Napa Valley (California): If you want great variety in your travel, this is where it’s at. Napa Valley has seven ‘Regions of the Valley’, with each region containing its own local attractions. The American Canyon, one of the regions, has lots of eco-friendly accommodations, including World’s First Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified Hotel called Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa. Its restaurant is very environmentally conscious in its food preparation, using only locally produced food. The hotel itself is made of sustainable designs, including carpets made from recycled materials.
Crystal Mountain and Resort Spa (Michigan): The Midwest has a lot to offer in scenery and chances for a healthy relaxation. The Crystal Spa is the only LEED certified spa in the Midwest and offers many organic products. In addition, there are outdoor programs near the resort, such as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can explore the sand dunes that rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan.
Amelia Island Plantation Resort (South Florida): Want some fun in the sun? The resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has been active in its eco-friendly practices since 1971 when it first opened. You can either golf away on a golf course that uses reclaimed water for irrigation, or take a trip down to the nature center to learn about the creatures that dwell around the resort. Amelia’s Wheels is another activity where you can rent bikes or golf carts to the trails.
Highland Lodge (New Hampshire): If you love hiking through the mountains, this is the perfect spot for you. Located in the east, the lodge offers a great deal of hiking trails as well as educational programs where guests can learn the history and making of the trails. It is a part of the Highland Center, where a great deal is made out of recycled steel with natural vegetation in front. Both parents and kids can take “Green Tours” and learn about ecology, rock climbing, how to track animals, etc.
Now you can grab your suitcases and everything else you need for an eco-friendly vacay with family or friends! There are plenty of choices out there to explore, ones that not only offer adventure, but a chance to learn and appreciate the environment that we live in. With that being said, I’m now going to pack my own bags for my own eco summer excursion!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on March 14, 2011
Welcome to the BiOH® revolution, a quiet revolution where small steps can lead to a big impact.
If you have ever wondered who we are and what we are all about then wait no longer. We have just launched a new video that simplifies the BiOH® polyols story.
We have removed the complicated chemical lingo and added a snazzy new tune. Just watch our quick one minute video to learn more and share your thoughts.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on March 4, 2011
If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you might have noticed a new challenge by ABC World News called Made in America. Part of the feature challanged one Texas family to empty their home of all foreign made products and replace them by purchasing products “Made in America.”
This feature gave exposure to many furniture and bedding industry partners who manufacture American made products every day and who also use BiOH® polyols in their cushioning. One company, Harden Furniture was featured in a video segment talking about how they are responsibly managing the forests that they obtain for their wood products.
Bedding manufactures Sealy and Simmons were listed as well.
Apartment Sofa by LEE
One common mistake consumers can often make is thinking that domestically made furniture and appliances cost more money. This segment shows consumers where to purchase products “Made in America” and how they could even save money by doing so! For more information, you can also visit the Made in the USA Foundation.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on January 24, 2011
This week the BiOH® polyols team heads out to the real city that never sleeps to uncover the latest and greatest trends in the furniture and bedding marketplace at the annual Las Vegas Market . World Market Center is the place to see “everything that’s new and unexpected in the world of home furnishings, all in one inspiring venue.”
If you want to be ahead of the curve and know new industry trends before everyone else, just like I do, this market is the place to be. Another great place to trend-spot is by flipping through the pages of Bedroom Magazine, the “Sleep Retailers Magazine.” Pick up a copy of the Winter 2011 issue or visit their website to read a new and exciting article titled Cargill provides Insights on Marketing “Green” featuring Cargill’s BiOH® Business Unit Leader, Yusuf Wazirzada.
Before heading out to Las Vegas, make sure to cast your vote online for the One Good Chair People’s Choice competition sponsored by the Sustainable Furnishings Council and World Market Center Las Vegas. This competition is similar to BiOH® polyols Project Udesign because the designs use sustainable materials but are not upholstered furniture like BiOH® soy-based foam ingredients.
Fingers crossed for a successful market visit that we learn a lot from the bedding industry leaders and maybe we’ll even get a little bit of sleep along the way!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on December 23, 2010
As the Cargill offices wind down for the holiday break, I snuck over to our research lab to see what the BiOH® polyols team was up to while their boss was away for the next few weeks. Much to my surprise, the skeleton crew was collaborating back in the “heavy lab” making some fun holiday decorations out of soy-based foam. Watch our video to see what interesting things you can make out of eco-friendly, soy-based BiOH® polyols this holiday season! Feel free to share other soy-based foam ideas that you might have.
Here is what they made:
Holiday tree: cutout form of recycled cardboard topped with soy-based spray foam, spray paint for coloring and a flexible soy-based foam star.
Candy canes: cutout form of recycled cardboard topped with soy-based spray foam and spray paint for coloring.
A special thanks to our lab team for allowing us to sneak up on them. Let’s hope they don’t get into any trouble for having a little holiday fun.
The Sage Award is an opportunity to recognize excellence in the home furnishings and bedding industries through honoring and acknowledging companies who lead in area of:
Reducing their environmental footprint
Expanding their positive social impact
Running a profitable business
This is the third year BiOH® polyols has partnered with the AHFA to present the Sage Award winner with a $2,500 donation to any non-profit organization of its choice. The purpose of the Sage Award is to seek out, discover and recognize true industry innovators from whom others can learn. This award is founded on the belief that environmental excellence is an ongoing journey requiring flexibility, insight and constant learning. The annual Award honors businesses that demonstrate a passion for and a sustained commitment to that journey.
Zenda Leather embodies these environmental requirements and many more by having internationally-recognized ISO 14001 environmental management certifications for its factories. This certification controls use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste, and energy consumption. Over the last five years they also have:
Developed practices to reduce over 3 million kilograms of solid waste per year by producing compost.
Opened the first private energy plant in Uruguay that transforms waste into energy, eliminating the company’s need to buy power from an outside source
Built a waste treatment plant in which the biological sludge is used as organic fertilizer for local farmland and also saves an estimated 2 million liters of water per day by recycling rainwater.
Invested in developing more eco-friendly products and introduced “Eden” leather to the residential market in 2008. Only natural extracts – no metals – are used in the tanning process for Eden leather. They have over 10 years of experience making chrome-free leather for the automotive industry.
Edith Ledzema and Juan Diego Casaretto of Zenda Leather
Finalists Flexsteel Industries, Inc. was the first AHFA member company to implement the program EFEC – “Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture” – a voluntary environmental management program for furniture manufacturers in all seven plants. As a result of the new practices and policies established during implementation of EFEC, they:
Reduced its waste to landfill from 554 tons per quarter in March of 2009 to 114 tons per quarter as of June 2010.
Energy consumption has declined every quarter since March 2009.
Water consumption and natural gas have also been reduced and the company has increased its use of recycled materials in operations and product development.
Pushed sustainable practices through the supply chain by requiring vendors to establish environmental goals – an effort now completed by 86 percent of its suppliers.
Finalist TLS by Design, which stands for Total Life Style, is an innovative, family-run business striving to follow an environmentally-responsible path. They are seriously committed to the environmental journey and on their way to be LEED® certified. In addition to energy efficient practices they also:
Use soy-based BiOH® polyols for foam cushioning, locally purchase recycled steel springs and all wood finishes are water-based.
70 percent of the company’s products are produced and sourced within a 75-mile radius of its base in Portland, Indiana including using local forests and mills for wood.
Repurposed their facility section by section, including buying old bowling alley lanes for a “new” 60-foot long cutting table and hired locally displaced employees.
Finalists TLS by Design's Jeff Day and guest
The competition for this year’s award was challenging. Thankfully we had a handful of incredibly talented judges. Ten environmental, media and industry leaders accepted the responsibility of reading and judging the entries. They included:
Ray Allegrezza,Editor in Chief of Furniture Today.
Mary Frye, Executive Director of the Home Furnishings Independents Association
Heather Gadonniex, managing partner of MindClick, a San Francisco-based consultancy specializing in sustainable business
Leslie Guevarra, associate editor for Greener World Media, the online publishing group founded by Joel Makower
Susan Inglis,Executive Director of the Sustainable Furniture Council,
Robyn Griggs Lawrence, Editor in Chief of Natural Home Magazine
Jean Nayer, former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day Special Interest Magazines and author of “Green Living by Design”
Richard Prisco, professor of industrial design, department of technology, Appalachian State University
Ryan Trainer, President of the International Sleep Products Association
Steve Walker, Assistant Directorof the Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center at North Carolina State University
Criteria for judging is based on three key points; Sustainable Business Practices, Commitment to Social Responsibility and Profitable Growth. We commend all entrants for their dedication to these efforts. For more information about the Sage Awards please visit: www.sageaward.org.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on November 23, 2010
In order to be a responsible corporation, a company must aim to be responsible across many ways that they manage and operate their business. We are excited to announce that on October 15, 2010, BiOH® Polyols corporate office team moved into a Gold LEED certified workspace. Cargill Incorporated through its Facility Department decided to use the LEED certification as a way to demonstrate broad commitment to sustainable office space design. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a ratings system guided by the U.S. Green Building Council.
At 766,300 square feet, Excelsior Crossings is one of the largest LEED application office-buildings in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Excelsior Crossings located in the suburb of Hopkins, MN is the realization of decades of commitment to environmental stewardship.
Excelsior Crossings Campus in Hopkins, Minnesota
The list to gain LEED certification through the USGBC is quite lengthy and can be achieved in a variety of ways. There are three Excelsior Crossings office buildings in which the first was awarded LEED Gold certification in 2008, the second in 2010 and the third is in the process for early 2011. Keep reading to learn more about the sustainable strategies Cargill is implementing in the planning, design and operation of the Excelsior Crossings campus.
USGBC LEED Gold Plaques
How we got to GOLD:
18 environmental and design credits implemented at Excelsior Crossings:
• Building orientation
• Alternative transportation (excited to park my bicycle up front when I unthaw from winter!)
• Storm water maintenance (come take a swim in our beautiful pond, not!)
• Water conservation
• “Smart” irrigation
• Energy performance & operations
• Environmentally friendly refrigerants
• Use & collection of recycled materials (you don’t get $.05 per can but consider it a good deed)
• Local construction materials
• Sustainable harvested certified wood products
• Day lighting and daylight sensors
• Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants
• Outside views for occupants (it’s fun to laugh at people stuck in traffic, until it becomes you)
• Thermal comfort for occupants (finally, no winter wardrobe and blanket in summer!)
• Green housekeeping plan
• Chemical-free water treatment
• Greenhouse gas neutral furniture and seating
(the use of BiOH® in sustainable lobby seating really helped gain GOLD)
• Environmental education and display.
Excelsior Crossings Campus LEED Display
We are very excited to share our new campus and ways that we are paving the journey to a better environment. Feel free to stop by and see this beauty all for yourself. Also, leave comments on how you or your company is doing great things to be more environmentally friendly. It’s very inspiring!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on October 15, 2010
Have you ever wondered where everyone in the furniture industry is during the entire month of October? Well, I have a little secret and if you didn’t already know… it’s time for the season’s hottest event for the Home Furnishings industry! High Point Market is “the world’s home for home furnishings” and runs October 16-21, 2010 in High Point, NC. This is where the furniture industry comes together to share, collaborate and connect with some of the industry’s most influential retailers and manufacturers.
The BiOH® polyols team is hitting the road and headed to the beautiful state of North Carolina where I get to experience my first High Point Market. Of course we are thrilled to kick-off the week at the Century Furniture showroom with the Project UDesign tweet-up on Monday evening. Don’t forget that UDecide the winner! So hurry up and visit the BiOH® polyols fan page before 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. We will announce the winner at the WITHIT student mentoring breakfast on Wednesday, October 20. Check back for more details on the winner… Until then, watch this video about the top three SCAD student designs and view inspirational quotes on sustainability from passionate interior design bloggers.
In addition to Project UDesign, we will be visiting with many of our incredible partners who share the soy love for sustainability and BiOH® polyols. If you happen to be at High Point Market, make sure to stop by one of these manufacturers and inquire about their furniture with BiOH polyols.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on October 4, 2010
On September 20th we took soy to the streets of New York City in an effort to continue promoting Project UDesign. Thanks to the help of super connected design bloggers and twitter friends (@moggitgirls, @creategirl and many more…); we were invited a the taping of the Nate Berkus show! As an added bonus we also attended the Rue Magazine launch party which was held in our Project UDesign partner Century Furniture’s incredible New York Design Center showroom on Monday night.
As you can imagine when you gather a group of trendy interior designers and savvy social networkers, it is quite the place to be seen. The shoe collection alone would make Carrie Bradshaw green with envy. Needless to say, Rue Magazine, a new online only “all things design” magazine kicked off in style. Would you expect any less?
A toast to the brains & beauty behind the Rue Magazine launch at Century Furniture’s NYDC showroom
This incredible opportunity enabled us to educate the interior design community about BiOH® polyols and the unique ways that we are leaving behind a smaller environmental footprint. Our message was so well received that a plethora of design bloggers are now supporting and talking about Project UDesign by spreading the soy love to their social communities.
Here’s a glimpse at these amazing blogs and their incredible authors, who we would like to thank a million times over!!!
Daily Grommet by Tori Tait, Community social media writer @DailyGrommet
The Studio Luxe, Marcia Zia-Priven, Partner and Creative Director of Zia-Priven, Inc. @ziapriven
Glad to finally meet Amy @abcddesigns and thank her for her incredible Project UDesign blogs.
Day two involved hours and hours in a holding pen to get into our seats at the Nate Berkus show. The group was amped up and ready to blog about the experience. Nate Berkus is an interior design icon, the Owner of Nate Berkus Associates and was often featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show before launching his own series dedicated to all aspects of design. It was a remarkable experience to speak with Nate about BiOH® polyols and better understand how interior designers are making great strides everyday to recommend and use more sustainable products such as BiOH® polyols!
Check your local listings because the Nate show episode we attended airs today, October 4, 2010 and features Project Runway’s very own Christian Siriano. What a great tie into our own, Project UDesign!
Great seats in the audience of the Nate Berkus Show! Airs Oct. 4, 2010.
All in all it was a successful trip and an abundance of new Twitter friends! The design community as a whole is a tight knit family who makes even newbie’s like me feel welcome! I look forward to working with many of them in the future and I am so thankful for all the support around Project UDesign and the success it is bringing to our BiOH® fan page.
Don’t forget to DECIDE NOW!Project UDesign ends October 19, 2010 so hurry up and decide on the next sustainable wing chair design from students of SCAD. The top three have been chosen from nearly 2,000 people so cast your ballot and show support for these incredible student designs!
The BiOH experience offers resources for you to learn and participate in helping communities and the environment. It is brought to you by the BiOH polyols business — a maker of soy-based ingredients for foam. Please explore our site and then share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you!
Subscribe
Read all of our recent posts in your favorite feed reader. Click here for the RSS feed.
Or, enter your email address below to get updates sent to your inbox:
Read all of our recent posts in your favorite feed reader. 
