| If anyone were to tell you that the shirt they were | | | | alternative. It is able to naturally eliminate or reduce |
| wearing was made out of bamboo would you believe | | | | odors because of its anti-microbial capabilities. It looks |
| them? It is not likely. But, it could very well be true. Not | | | | much like silk and it is even softer than cotton fabrics. It |
| only is this plant being used in making clothing that is | | | | is lightweight, breathable, and can be made into shirts, |
| beautiful and long lasting, it is also being used to make | | | | blouses, skirts, shorts, and capris. It is also made from |
| high quality furniture and flooring, and it is also becoming | | | | pesticide free plants. |
| a popular gardening and cuisine item. It is also a highly | | | | Cuisine: |
| renewable resource that has been around for millions | | | | You should not run out into your garden and start |
| of years. | | | | chewing on a stalk of bamboo. Not only will it probably |
| Flooring And Furniture: | | | | taste terrible, but it is toxic if you eat too much. |
| Bamboo has a naturally occurring bug resistance and | | | | However, scientists are working to discover the healing |
| durability that makes it a natural for use in flooring and | | | | and anti-oxidant benefits of adding this plant to your |
| furniture products. The flooring is installed much like the | | | | diet. It also has potassium, which is beneficial to heart |
| pre-fabricated flooring products like Pergo that you | | | | health. In order to prepare it for eating you will need to |
| see on the market today, but the difference is, that it | | | | peel it and cook it. It can be used in many dishes such |
| really is a natural flooring product and it looks like real | | | | as scalloped bamboo. |
| wood (or bamboo as the case may be.) The furniture | | | | Gardening: |
| comes in two basic styles with many variations on | | | | Contrary to what many people might believe, you can |
| each style. You can get bamboo furniture that looks | | | | grow this plant in nearly any climate from the dry, arid |
| much like the type you would find on "Gilligan's Island" | | | | country like Arizona, to the cool mountainous climate of |
| with a slightly more sophisticated air if you want to | | | | New England. It is not just a tropical plant. It can be |
| duplicate a tropical paradise in your home or patio. Or | | | | grown nearly anywhere. Some bamboo is only a few |
| you can get furniture that looks much like the other | | | | inches tall, while others can grow to more than 40 feet |
| hardwood furniture on the market with clean lines and | | | | high. It can be an indoor container plant or it can |
| elegant shapes. You can get bamboo dining room sets, | | | | provide a natural privacy barrier or screen between |
| coffee tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture. | | | | you and your neighbors. |
| Fabric: | | | | As we learn more and more about how to use our |
| Synthetic materials are becoming more and more | | | | natural resources wisely, so that they can be more |
| popular. You can get a shirt or a pair of shorts made | | | | easily renewed, we will be better equipped for the |
| from the same material that they make drink bottles | | | | future. When we do this, we are becoming better |
| with. Bamboo is a new environmentally friendly | | | | stewards and more responsible citizens of the planet. |