The Link Between Turkey and Sleepiness

This Thanksgiving after you have stuffed yourself full of turkey, cranberries, potatoes and pie, you'll feel sleepy and the need to go take a nap. Every year people wonder what it is that makes you sleepy after eating turkey. Here are the facts about why turkey makes you tired.

Tryptophan is the amino acid in turkey that many have been taught to believe is what makes you tired. This ingredient helps the body to produce serotonin, a calming chemical in the brain that makes it easier for you to sleep. However, after scientists studied tryptophan, they found that it works best on an empty stomach. Even then, only half of the tryptophan from the turkey reaches the brain. This means that it really is not going to produce a sleepiness-effect more than any of the other food you are going to eat on Thanksgiving.

Your whole traditional Thanksgiving meal is high in carbohydrates, which is going to make your body work harder in order to process all of that pie, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Add in the alcohol you might be sipping on as you cook food and eat your meal, you will get a nice sedative effect in place.

It isn't just turkey that makes you tired. It is what you eat, how much you eat, and the atmosphere around you that makes you tired in the long run. The holidays are a busy time of year, causing you to generally feel tired. Eating foods that are harder to process and overeating are also going to cause you to be tired and go for that much needed nap.

Instead of blaming the turkey on sleepiness, now you can blame the whole season and what is brought with Thanksgiving.

Why Memory Foam Bedding?

Purchasing a bed is an important process and decision. You don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a bed only to discover that it is uncomfortable and not right for you. When it comes down to it there are a lot of mattress types to choose from. Memory foam is one of the popular choices. Why do so many people choose memory foam bedding?

1. In response to the heat and pressure from your body, memory foam evenly distributes body weight by forming to your body. This causes a different type of comfort as you will not deal with springs from other types of mattresses, a bed being too soft or too firm.
2. Memory foam is made up of a material called viscoelastic, which is highly absorbent and soft. The same material is used in helmets, shoes, medical products and other products that require a a dense material.
3. Memory foam is denser than ordinary foam. This makes it heavier but more supportive, offering you the softness you desire with the supportiveness of a firm mattress.
4. The material retains heat, which is beneficial for those who suffer from pain as it is known to alleviate the pain.
5. It is great for any sleep position as it will form to your body, offering you the support you need.

Memory foam bedding is beneficial for many people with different needs. Whether you suffer from pain, need a mattress that supports your body without being uncomfortable, or you just want to try out a new mattress style, there are a variety of different memory foam bedding that will give you exactly what you need.

How to Pick the Right Pillow

            There is nothing better than a great night's sleep. After a long day the last thing you want to do is lay your head on a flat-as-a-pancake pillow or a pillow that is simply not right for you. Here are some guidelines for picking the right pillow:

1.  Your sleep position matters A LOT. Your pillow should support your sleeping position, keeping your head in line with your back and spine. If you sleep on your side, you need a firmer pillow so that it supports your neck and head. If you sleep on your back you need more cushion, and if you sleep on your stomach you need a soft pillow so you do not strain your neck. Picking the right pillow is going to help you stay comfortable throughout the entire night.

2. A lot of people spend their night shifting from different positions. That being said, find a pillow that is comfortable for you. Keep in mind that your spine and back should be in line with your head, but also find something that is going to make you the most comfortable. Maybe that means having six different pillows, all different to provide you with the support that is necessary.

3. Know the different fills. Many pillows use down feathers, synthetic fibers or foam. These are the typical fills used that provide a wide variety of different firmness levels. Be aware that some feathers can cause allergic reactions. Different types of down feathers can be more expensive as well, but they tend to last longer and be more comfortable. Synthetic and polyester fiber pillows tend to be more cost-friendly.

4. Consider when it's time to get a new pillow. One good, efficient way to test when it is time for a new pillow is to fold the pillow in half and see if it unfolds on its own. If it unfolds on its own you can get by with the pillow for awhile longer, but if it does not unfold it is time for a new pillow.

Picking the right pillow is beneficial in getting a great night of sleep. By knowing the type of pillow you need you will know what it's like to get a full night of sleep.

What is Our Down and Feather Cleaning Process?

At American Down and Feather we pride ourselves in taking our time with the cleaning process. The down and feather cleaning process is something that we take seriously, understanding that our customers desire products that are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly and FDA approved.

A majority of all people that say they are allergic to a certain type of down or feather are not actually allergic. The reason for that stuffy nose and allergy symptoms could simply be because the material inside of the pillow, cushion, or other soft product was not properly cleaned before it was distributed to the customer.

We have an entire down and feather cleaning process. The down and feather in your product goes through the cleaning stages completely, using environmentally friendly cleaning solutions multiple times to ensure the down and feather meets our high standards.

Even though we thoroughly clean our soft products it is still recommended that you replace your pillows every two years. The bacteria on your skin and the environmental dust and mites that form on pillows gather every night, which can often be the cause of your allergic reactions. Pillow protectors can also help prevent mold and bacteria from growing on the pillow, as well as washing your pillowcases often, preferably once a week.

American Down and Feather provides you with the cleanest soft products possible, ensuring they are fully cleaned and prepared before we distribute them. All of our material is eco-friendly, cleansed and sanitized to provide you with a high resilient feel. Contact us to discuss the down and feather cleaning process more thoroughly.

Down and Down Alternative

Have you ever bought a pillow or a cushion only to ask yourself, “what kind of down is in this?” There is a difference between down and down alternative; it all depends on how much you are willing to spend on the material and how comfortable you want the soft product to be. Here are some of the differences between real down and down alternative.

Down is great for being naturally insulating without being heavy – perfect for comforters and outdoors clothing. It is also ideal for pillows because they are soft and very comfortable, something that is not common with down alternatives.

With a variety of types, down provides you with different levels of comfort, weight and warmth. Pillows that are made with down tend to last longer because it is easy to fluff them up and get them back to their previous condition. However, you do have to have down materials dry-cleaned so that it can stay in pristine condition.

Down alternatives are cheaper than the feather down. It might be a good alternative for people that suffer from allergies because they are filled with cotton, polyester or tweed. However, they do not last as long as down and tend to get flat very quickly and you cannot fluff them up the same way you can with a down soft product.

You are able to wash and dry down alternative in regular washer and dryers, giving you an easier cleaning solution for the product. People that need support in their neck or back can benefit greater from down alternative because it offers better support than down does.

Knowing the differences between down and down alternative can be what solves those restless nights and help you to sleep more comfortably. We offer a wide variety of options for all of your soft product needs!

150" Poly Silk Wrapped, High Resilient, Medium Density Foam Cushion

Today we delivered a 150" high quality cushion to Cloth Constructions in Boulder, Colorado -www.clothconstructions.com. This is the last of four giant cushions we have custom-made for them.  After final upholstering, the cushions are being installed as window seat across the back of a beautifully constructed newer home in the Boulder area.

Custom manufactured in our Henderson, Colorado factory, the cushions are made of medium density high resilient foam for the core, wrapped in 100% cotton ticking filled with Poly Silk down alternative fiber.

Timeless Simplicity

Inside beautiful…

By Paul Terlizzi

Annie Morris

annie@morris-design.com

970-963-8828

Annie Morris didn’t figure on becoming a Home Stylist in addition to her more than full-time work at Morris Design, a creative agency located in Basalt, Colorado that she runs with her husband Alan Morris.  And more than anything, her work as a home stylist can be better described as creating beautiful and comfortable home environments for her clients from the exterior gardens to the tissue box covers and jar of pink sea salt tucked away in the cupboard. 

Annie studied fashion and began her career in New York merchandising and sourcing apparel and accessories for major retailers before moving to Basalt, Colorado with her husband and family to embark on a new career in Advertising, Design, and Sourcing unique Promotional items for their clients.  She has a natural affinity for the selection of fabrics having travelled throughout the world searching for unique and beautiful cloths and materials for wearables.  She has an amazing eye for details; nothing escapes her vision when she has the opportunity to create.  Annie and Alan recently sold their family home in Basalt and their realtor noticed that the value of their property was in the details and he asked her “Annie can you make this house a home?”  Annie jumped right in with plans from an architect and began working with the contractor on every detail of what was to become this man’s… a home for him and three young sons’.

Annie is working on her next project transforming the interior space of a two-bedroom condominium for an investor group as part of a team in the concept phase of a renovation project. Of course she is still working full-time at the agency currently sourcing a unique cork cosmetic bag for a local golf club’s member’s gift bag.

“I take every project I do very personally, my clients become part of my life” She is in constant communication with her clients, is available any time of day or night and on weekends. 

Annie has incredible vision.  When approaching a project, she can “see” the results before beginning the search for every last detail.  This makes the sourcing of decorative items and finishing touches far reaching because her inspiration is coming from within rather than from printed media or established decorator lines.  Annie admits…“I tend to chose items I love and things that speak to me”.

“I am fanatical about schedules and budgets” says Annie; she literally lives and breathes the project.  Nothing waits until the last minute and she can stay within a budget because of her creativity and vast knowledge of sourcing.  “I am the gatekeeper.  I keep everyone on task and on budget” she says with a coy smile.

“I make extensive use of the internet to source and to illustrate to my clients what I am envisioning for their space”.  In the condo remodel, Annie wanted to re-use the “dated” globe light fixtures from throughout the 1970’s built property and put them in the kitchen.  Her clients could not “see” this until Annie, while sourcing lighting for the rest of the house came across a kitchen design featuring the “vintage” light fixtures.  That’s all it took to communicate her vision to her clients who now love the design.

annie@morris-design.com

970-963-8828

To find out more about Annie Morris, visit her page on LinkedIn, check out www.Morris-design.com, or give here a call.