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Pandas eat bamboo, so why shouldn’t we? Many Asian cultures have used bamboo as a food source for centuries. But what exactly can bamboo offer to people as food and medicine? - Much more than originally thought.

Bamboo is rich in minerals and high in fiber, which can be a great addition to any nutritious, well balanced diet. Bamboo offers a variety of different amino acids, including eight types of amino acids that humans must receive from a food source, since the body does not manufacture these certain amino acids within the body.

While most would have to eat several different types of foods to receive these eight different amino acids, by including bamboo in your diet, you can receive them all in one serving! Imagine, eating one serving of bamboo versus choking down on several servings of fruits and vegetables.

Most food choices center on the shoots of the bamboo, which are tender and delicious vegetables. Once it hardens, the bamboo is practically inedible. But shoots are used in different recipes, such as bamboo candy, beer, chutney and even soup.

Much like fruits and vegetables, shoots have a season too. Since shoot blooming season only last one to four months a year, shoots are not readily available year round. Bamboo vinegar has also been produced for multiple reasons, including medicinal purposes. Bamboo vinegar has been used to treat various stomach disorders.

With bamboo shoots becoming more popular in western cultures, shooting harvesting can actually be not only a food source, but an economic one as well. Rural communities which rely on bamboo shoots for food can now rely on bamboo shoots as a source of revenue and economic growth within their small communities. It is a way that the entire planet can give back.

As medicine, bamboo can be used for a variety of ailments, such as intestinal disorders like diarrhea. It is also thought to promote healthy body functions, like the female menstrual cycle and while the bamboo leaves are known as an anti-spasmodic and blood secretion.

Boiling the leaves and mixing it with palms jaggery can induce labor in pregnant women or cause a spontaneous abortion of a fetus earlier in the pregnancy. Bamboo shoots itself aids in digestion of proteins and can promote stomach functions. While most of these claims are not completely substantiated by scientific evidence, the practice has been in place in certain cultures for centuries and proven quite effective over the years.

Bamboo has a rich history in Asian cultures as a material for strength and construction, but little else is known of its food and medicinal properties. Yet, as bamboo is explored and researched more, we learn more about this special and unique grass that panda bears have been enjoying for centuries. So whether you are looking for a simple stomach digestion aide or a nice addition to your backyard landscape, bamboo has much to offer you, if you will give it a chance. If pandas can eat shoots and leaves, it is not so unreasonable that we can too!

Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.

A hardy plant, bamboo grass can be quite daunting to deal with when planted in your backyard. Bamboo will grow as far and wide as you will allow it, covering most a yard in months and just about all of the sky line if you allow it. Bamboo is also difficult to remove, as it virtually cannot be killed. No matter how much you poison it, chop it, burn it, dry it out, bamboo will just return in a matter of weeks without warning.

With it being such a hardy plant, bamboo has developed many new and exciting uses. Not only is it pest resistant, it can help farmers with wind erosion and rain run off. This sturdy plant can keep soil in place, particularly in new construction areas, where the goal is to keep soil in the proper place and not have it move after a heavy rain.

Its durability makes bamboo an excellent industrial material as well. When dried and treated, bamboo can be used for a multitude of products, such as clothing, paper, furniture and building/construction material. Bamboo is also considered a food alternative. Bamboo shoots are widely held as a delicacy in Asian cultures, but are slowly finding an audience in American and European cultures as well. The Chinese have even devised a way of making beer out of bamboo. There are fragrances now that are use the essence of bamboo. You can even wear bamboo organic clothing. The possibilities are endless when it comes to bamboo!

There are so many ways to use bamboo shoots, runners and stalks for industrial and commercial use. Its quick growing nature makes it a valuable renewal resource, only requiring a few weeks to grow to full capacity rather than several decades as most trees. In fact, certain species of bamboo can grow up a foot a day, if living in the proper conditions.

While most bamboo is native to Asia and Australia, there are some that have become acclimated to certain regions of the United States, particularly the more tropical regions of the south. Florida has many types of bamboo growing wild in the swamps, as well as in the landscapes of well-groomed and finely manicured yards. Bamboo is a naturally dense plant and makes for a great environmentally friendly and very private fencing substitute.

The American trend is to use bamboo as a hardwood flooring alternative to pine, oak and other flooring. Since bamboo is naturally pest resistant, it makes it a great choice for household use. It is also as strong and durable as its hard wood cousin. While bamboo might be a bit more expensive at times, it is an environmentally friendly, eco-centric decision to install bamboo flooring in your home.

Purchasing bamboo products is a sound decision. Not only do bamboo products stand the test of time, yet as a renewable resource, bamboo can be replenished in nature within weeks without any major environmental harm. Utilizing the growing speed, strength and versatility of bamboo allows the environment a chance to replenish its own tree population and gives us much more sound, environmentally friendly options.

Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.

The thought of bamboo furniture conjures up images of beach houses and squeaky chairs for most people, does it for you? Don’t worry, you are not alone in that thought, but with the popularity of bamboo as a commercial and industrial product, the bamboo furniture of yore is slowly becoming more fashionable and comfortable.

Though many believe bamboo to be a tree, it is actually a grass. Yes, it is a grass and a large grass at that. There are several varieties that can encompass vast amounts of land and can grow upwards to eighty feet tall; the more common types used for furniture range in diameter from two inches to seven. While it grows quickly, it does take up to seven years for the bamboo to thoroughly dry out and harden for furniture production.

However, compared to its hard wood cousin that takes around six decades to mature into a size worth harvesting, bamboo is still a better and quicker alternative. Despite being a grass species, bamboo is just as strong as any tree when harvested and treated.

While you may want that beach feeling on your patio or sun room, most people want a stylish, yet comfortable look to their decor. Yes, there are still those Tiki hut styled furniture sets still out there, so don’t worry. You can still build your island oasis off your backyard swimming pool with furniture that looks island authentic; but for those homeowners hoping to add environmentally friendly, eco-centric furniture to their household, welcome to the new world of bamboo furniture.

Bamboo furniture has transitioned well from the old versions, becoming much more refined as the years have gone on. Since bamboo is popular, many companies are invested much more time and energy into incorporating this sturdy, hard wood alternative into their repertoires.

But first, prior to purchasing your new furniture, do some homework. Do not just trust the first product you see. It may not be made of real bamboo, but a plastic press made to look like bamboo. If you are looking for the real thing, research. There are ample amounts of web sites that host bamboo furniture, in different styles, shapes, colors. You can get an entire room suite or just that one piece you have been looking for over the years.

Most individual homeowners will put bamboo style furniture on their back porch, as it feels more like an outdoor style, but bamboo can be utilized indoors as well. Go crazy, think outside the box! You do not have to have bamboo furniture outside; you can bring the island oasis indoors if you want. It is completely up to you and your design ideas.

Bamboo is so versatile that it can be produced in just about every color imaginable and any style, shape or size you desire. All you have to do is research and scout out the different types of bamboo furniture made. Remember, bamboo is pest resistant, so wherever it goes, you will not have to worry about little bugs destroying your new furniture.

Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.

Firstly what is the connection between The Great Ocean Conveyor and a water to gas fuel conversion system for cars which improves mpg, reduces carbon gas emissions, thereby helping the environment by reducing global warming? Puzzled, read on.

Question: what is “The Great Ocean Conveyor”? Is it a conveyor system in a food distribution centre, or perhaps a fish, or evem a ships name, or what?

It is none of the above, as some of you in the know will be aware of, the Great Ocean Conveyor is however planet Earth’s most important component.

The Conveyor is simply a current of water which flows through the oceans of the world in a continuous flow and may take a 1000 years to complete its cycle. The current when heading south through the Atlantic is cold and runs deep continuing through the southern oceans just north of Antartica and south of Australia before heading northward through the Pacific. As it continues to the northern parts of the Pacific the current warms up and rises to nearer the surface it then turns southwards and heads west past Indonesia, through the Indian Ocean to round the Cape and head back up the Atlantic. When it reaches east of Greenland, and already cooling, the Conveyor meets the melting ice cap waters, it is these cold waters which keep the Conveyor operating. If there is no ice cap because of global warming, and the ice cap is now fast disappearing, then there will be no cold water to form the lower circulating channel southwards of the Conveyor.

The consequences of a breakdown of the Conveyor are horrendous, the worst case scenario would be another ICE AGE which could happen within 2-3years of the Conveyor malfunctioning. A lesser harrowing scenario would be a “little ice age” lasting perhaps a couple of centuries which would lead to extremely harsh winters, draught, desertification and crop failure.

A simple geographical comparism of the latitude of Alaska and the permafrost locked regions of northern Canada and central Siberia show them to be similar to most of Europe and Scandinavia, yet Europe’s climate is more similar to that of North America (whose eastern seaboard would be seriously affected too). Why so? Simple, the Gulf Stream which is a part of the Conveyor and which brings that warmer climate to Scandinavia and Europe, would not exist and thus we would be consigned to those other much, much colder climatic conditions.

Do not imagine that these flows can be altered by man as the statistics are stupendous. With a flow rate of only 10cm per second there is a moving mass of water equivalent to 100 Amazon rivers, with an average 30million cu ft of water entering the system every second. If this flow is upset the results will be felt within as short a period as 2-3years.

When you consider the minute limitations of man’s control over nature you realize that it is nature that is in charge of planet Earth and quite simply we have to comply with nature and not the other way around.

Our carbon gas emissions from factories and motors cannot be sustained and for our existence MUST be reduced, yet what do we do? We go out and cut down the very forests that can absorb 25% of all carbon dioxide produced and which has a profound effect on global warming.

As individuals we can cast our votes for politicians to hopefully change their policies to be more eco-friendly but do not hold your breath there; or we can take positive action ourselves with our cars and not emit as much as 3.5 tons of CO2 per individual car per annum by installing a water to gas fuel conversion system which dramatically reduces carbon gas emissions thus reducing global warming and helping to save the environment.

Bill is now retired but as a keen motorist has driven on most continents of the world and has a keen interest in environmental issues, these account for only a couple of his many varied interests. For further info on the Water4gas fuel conversion system please visit..http://www.the-car-hub.co.uk/

Very few people know the true power and versatility of bamboo. Once thought of as just another landscaping grass, bamboo is quickly becoming a great alternative to wood products. There are over 1,500 types of bamboo available, though just over two percent of those types are currently being used as a material.

The Asians have utilized bamboo for centuries, used in their food, their shelter, and their daily life. Ancient Asians used bamboo as a paper product, created homes and furniture with dried bamboo, and even used it in soups. Yet, bamboo can be used for some much more.

When dried and treated, bamboo is a very rigid wood, which can be used in flooring for homes. While at times expensive, bamboo is a great alternative because it can so quickly be replenished in nature. Bamboo can hold up in most any element, which is why it was so valuable to the ancient civilizations of Asia. It’s durability and strength makes bamboo an excellent choice for building material.

Bamboo is often seen in construction due to its rigidity and core strength. It is no wonder that previous generations in America used dried bamboo stalks as fishing poles. The bamboo stalks were durable enough to hold when a fish was hooked. Bamboo is still used in small towns across America, though western and European cultures comprehend its value beyond the every day fishing pole or wind chimes.

Since bamboo is a grass, it is a renewable resource. It needs very little room to grow, since certain varieties grow upwards to sixty feet. It generally takes weeks for the grass to grow back once harvested and continues to grow year round. It is these certain attributes that make bamboo quite beneficial to modern civilization.

However, if you are planning on adding bamboo to your current garden, it is advisable to do your homework first. Bamboo, while easy to maintain, can be tricky to remove from your land once it is planted, so make sure that you have the proper plant for your climate, garden and abilities. Once planted, all you will need to do is keep it watered regularly- after all, bamboo requires a great deal of water- and trim it to the appropriate length and width you desire. With over 1,500 varieties of bamboo available, it can get pretty tricky trying to find the perfect plant for your yard. This is why researching your grass is so important. There are varieties that have both clumpers and runners, then bamboo which have one or the other. Clumpers tend to grow outward, while runners grow upwards. Depending on your garden, you will need to decide which one is best suited for you.

The Chinese consider bamboo to be extremely lucky, so having this evergreen in your yard or home can bring much luck to your family. Though lucky bamboo is not traditionally bamboo, but more of a houseplant per se, it is still lucky. And anyone who has bamboo in their yard should consider himself or herself lucky, for they have planted one of nature’s greatest grass and are giving back to the planet they love.

Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.

While bamboo is a tropical grass, many different varieties have appeared in the continental United States, particularly in regions not known for being tropical. While bamboo is readily available in swampy, tropical zones of Florida, bamboo is found all over the southern states.

The bamboo variety that is popular in the southern states is commonly known as the fishing pole bamboo, or Golden Bamboo. It’s golden colored stalks and leaves lend to its name, as well as the fact that in the south, Golden Bamboo is used for fishing poles. There can be no doubt that Golden Bamboo has been responsible for a majority of fish caught in the southern United States.

Golden Bamboo can grow up to thirty feet tall, a mid size variety compared to its cousins. The first bamboo cultivated within American borders, tobacco farmers to prevent wind erosion on their crops utilized Golden Bamboo. Golden Bamboos strength and durability made it a fine choice to block wind from crops.

Japanese timber bamboo is one of the most common types of bamboo around. Its strong durability makes Japanese timber bamboo a great candidate for larger projects. It is the variety most commonly utilized in construction, from home construction to erosion prevention. The timber bamboo is also quite a delicacy, offering a very nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.

Yet it is the Moso bamboo that is the most commercially used type of bamboo. It is used in everything from paper products to home construction to landscaping. Moso can grow upwards of 80 feet tall, three to seven inches in diameter and has a beautiful shade of green to it. Moso is the most common type of bamboo growing in the forests of China today. It bends and sways into arches, creating beautiful topography within any landscapes, and makes Moso the most prized foliage in China.

If you have seen thick growing bamboo at your local restaurant or hotel, you have probably seen the variety called Robert Young bamboo. With its density, Robert Young bamboo makes for a perfect privacy fence for backyards, pool areas, or any areas where you just do not want anyone peeking in.

This ornamental variety is commonly used to landscape, as it can grow two to five inches in diameter and upwards to fifty feet. It allows maximum coverage for minimum area, just in case you do not want your neighbors spying on you!

There are many types of bamboo available, 1,500 different species to be exact and only 700 varieties being utilized in the commercial industry today. Whether you are planting bamboo to prevent soil and wind erosion from the elements, landscaping your new backyard, or trying to protect the privacy of your business, there is a bamboo that can assist you in your endeavors.

Most bamboos have become resilient in the American climate, just so long as you remember to water them! It is advisable for you to do as much research as you possibly can on bamboo before planting any on your land. You need to understand the species, its needs and its growing patterns prior to planting, to ensure you have enough room for your bamboo to grow.

Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.