The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

"I always buy organic."

" I wish I could, but it's too expensive."

"I heard there's no point."

"How can you say that? Everything else is terrible for you, AND the environment!"

There's really nowhere to turn and no one to trust in today's crazy world of food fanaticism, nutritionist culture, labels that tell you what to eat, what not to eat, Atkins Vs. Veganism, and a general lack of CONCRETE knowledge about what goes in to our food, and where it comes from. A lot of extreme ideologies about food have developed in this modern age. Personally, I have to say I find it fascinating that in America today, more people die from obesity than starvation, and while we have fought to have equal education for all, we have some of the least educated people in the world. Additionally, the biggest indicator of obesity is income. It's cheaper to buy burgers for your whole family then organic broccoli. But if you're thinking to yourself, "I can't afford smoothies and soy products every day, but I'd like to vote with my dollar," then this article is for you. Here are 15 foods that are just fine to buy conventionally because they are the least likely to contain pesticides, and 12 that you absolutely shouldn't buy any other way than the big O. (NOT an Oprah reference.)

The clean fifteen:

• Onions
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Sweet Peas
  
• Asparagus
  
• Kiwi
  
• Cabbage
  
• Eggplant
  
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
  
• Grapefruit
• Sweet Potato
  
• Honeydew Melon
  

The Dirty Dozen

• Celery
  
• Peaches
• Strawberries
  
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Nectarines
  
• Bell peppers
  
• Spinach
  
• Kale
  
• Cherries
• Potatoes
• Grapes

So there it is, a little money saving device for those of you who can't afford to shop at Whole Foods all the time. Here's hoping that someday, this won't be an issue, and safe foods will be the only option, and an affordable one at that. Until then, write on Micheal Pollan, keep fighting Morgan Spurlock, grow grow grow SlO Grown Produce, and stay on your toes consumers. If you want to have a discussion about it, come down and see us at Bambu Batu... we'd be happy to show you some kitchen ware you can eat your conventional AND organic foods off of!


Song of the day: "Aint Nuthin But a Party" by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Change is in the air

A new month has begun, the groundhogs are chomping at the bit, and spring is in the air. (If you live in San Luis Obispo, spring is always in the air.) We already have our sights set on some new styles for the new season. Check out the elegant Isis Dress (left), coming this week, and the Zoe Gathered Top coming next month.

In the mean time, we have a new selection of fair trade purses, totes and shoulder bags coming in this week. Also, with the closing of the Hemp Shak this month, we're looking forward to expanding our selection of natural fiber products to include Hemp shoes, bags, wallets and jackets.

And don't look now, but the new, improved Bambu Batu web store is virtually complete.

Tour de force

For those skeptics who read the post below and doubted we were ever really in France, here's another couple pictures. They don't come any Frencher than this.

¿Donde estan los bambúes?

Ever have a hard time getting to the bathroom in a foreign country? Sometimes they can be devilishly camouflaged, like this lavatory near Atitlan, Mexico. My brother found it just in time.

Now for something completely different . . .

In our unending efforts to see the world from a new point of view, and to see that paradigm shift become a reality, we spend an inordinate amount of time turning the world on its head, engaging in deep meditation, and conducting meaningful discourse on the matters closest to our hearts.

As purveyors of bamboo, we are deeply concerned with issues of ecology, sustainability and habitat conservation, as well as fair and just social policies and labor practices. As an environmentalist, I have a passion for all things green. As a world traveler, I enjoy studying cultural characteristics and local customs. And as a writer and literary scholar, I'm fascinated by the poetic traditions that crop up in various eras and locales. Not surprisingly then, these interests intermingle to foster a zeal for literature from the green island of Ireland, and an irrational obsession with Limericks.

On that note, it pleases me to offer you the following words of wisdom for your consideration:


"Winds of Change"
There was once an iniquitous breeze
Blowing garbage with consummate ease
          As the Styrofoam floated
          I carefully noted
How quickly it grew on the trees

"Hug a Tree"
There's a movement we've recently seen
After treating the planet so mean
          The force of our mass
          Is killing the grass
So give up the gas and go green

"The Human Scourge"
Mankind is in need of a better direction
Consuming and killing with savage perfection
          Where lies the answer
          To this bipedal cancer?
What can be done to contain the infection?

"Scorched Earth Policy"
Open your eyes to this uncommon era
And dry up your tears ‘fore they run your mascara
          As the king plucks his fiddle
          The Earth’s in the middle
Defending herself in the war against terra

"Earth in Peril"
Old humans once honored their planet
It seems now they take it for granite
          But the Earth’s plenty strong
          She’ll heal before long
Global warming can’t kill us — or can it?

"Wasteland"
Rushing downstream like some ill-guided salmon
Our bodies are wasting with spiritual famine
             The flesh has grown fatter
             From meaningless matter
We’ve traded our souls for the almighty mammon

"Mars Attacks"
Mr. Martian stepped out of his cosmic two-seater
Joined by his wife, for he hoped to entreat her
             Unsure what to think
             I said, “How ‘bout a drink?”
“Why yes,” he replied, “take me straight to your liter!”