Give some people lemons and they will make lemonade.  For the founders of the Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company, give them elephant, cow, horse or panda droppings, and they will make stationery.  With the belief that products should fit into a cycle of responsibility and sustainability, the Company fashions tasteful paper products from the less than tasteful leavings of fiber-munching animals.  Beginning by using elephant dung as their material of choice, the Company intended to raise money and awareness for pachyderm well-being as well as provide jobs for those living in communities near parks and reserves.

The paper itself is made from dried dung pulp, a substance generally high in fibrous materials.  After collection, the poo is rinsed, leaving only the bamboo, fruits and veggies that the animal has consumed.  The remains are boiled for sterilization, and color is added.  Then, pulp from bamboo, banana trees and pineapples are mixed in to bolster the mush and to produce strength and thickness.   The wet pulp is separated into flat cakes and pressed against screens which are left out in the sun to dry naturally.

As a bamboo store with a sense of humor, there was no way that Bambu Batu could pass up the opportunity to carry their line of Panda Poopoopaper, featuring a graphic of panda nibbling on a piece of what will soon become material for the most unique stationery set you will ever own.

With Fall firmly established and Winter on its way, it is time to start the search for the season’s perfect, warming beverage.  Luckily for San Luis Obispo residents, we have a fantastic resource for some of the highest caliber tea around.

Founded by two sisters with a passion for tea and culture, Swan Sisters Tea is a boutique company that maintains a year-round presence in the US and China in order to ensure the quality of some of the best and rarest leaves in the world.  Each harvest season, Swan Sisters travel to remote regions seeking the most unique and delicious vintages.  To them, tea is a magical beverage that encompasses culture as well as health, ceremony as well as science.  It is the mission of the company to spread the joy of tea and educate the public in an effort to share their passion and promote the drink as a way to live a healthier and more connected life.

Consistent with an environmentally conscious business ethic, Swan Sisters only sources teas that have been grown organically and without the use of chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers.  All packaging is either recycled or reused, leftover tea and cardboard are composted, and press materials are printed with eco-friendly inks.  The farms chosen to supply the company are selected based on the ethical treatment of its workers, meaning that Fair Trade practices are followed and encouraged.  It is the hope of Swan Sisters to coordinate and fund more Fair Trade certifications for their growers in the future.  To ensure freshness, each leaf is hand picked, and the dates of harvest and grade of each tea are carefully marked and recorded.

Bambu Batu is happy to announce Swan Sisters tasting and demonstrations this Saturday, November 26.  Come and sample expertly brewed and beautifully presented varieties, learn a little about the company, and take home a gift for the holidays.  For more information on Swan Sisters, contact Didi Yeh at <didi@swansisters.com> or <info@swansisters.com>.

This Thanksgiving, take a break from the traditional fine china and roast turkey for a holiday with a little more color, spice, and of course, bamboo.

The Dining Room Table: For an easy cleanup without the worry of washing or guilt of paper plates, set your table with bamboo veneer wear.  The disposable plates are lightweight, strong, and with their raw, earthy tones, perfect for an attractive presentation.  Our bamboo flatware is sturdy, reusable, and a worry free alternative to grandma’s antique silver.   Leftover veggies and grains can be stored in our bamboo compost pail with charcoal filters and removable liner for quick, odorless, and  painless trips out to the backyard heap.

Dinner Preparation: All good chefs know that the right cooking tools can be just as important as quality ingredients.  Bamboo spoons, spatulas, tongs and strainers are not only sustainable alternatives to hardwoods and synthetics, but surprisingly heat resistant, robust, and light.  Cutting boards do not generally scar as badly as their plastic counterparts, and can also double as beautiful presentation pieces.  Check out the surf and ukelele cutting boards here at Bambu Batu!

The Meal: Add a little Asian flare to your meal by cooking your turkey in bamboo tubes or as a veggie option, sauté young shoots with mushrooms and your favorite bit of green. If you prefer pork to poultry, you might enjoy this recipe that features spicy bamboo shoots.

Clothing:  When dressing for Thanksgiving, fabric with a little stretch is key for maintaining comfort when in possession of a very full belly.  Bamboo is the perfect material for creating the softest, most flexible, and stylish wear for the holidays.  Relax in a pair of lounge pants, impress your guests in one of our many beautiful dresses,  or show your gratitude for your food and where it is produced with one of our locally printed “Support Your Local Farmer” t-shirts!

Express your thanks for a grass that keeps on giving this year!  With applications from clothing to food, it is hard not to be amazed by such a remarkable plant!