#Bottle gourd

[tanuki-kimono]

Sleek dark autumnal hues for this outfit, pairing a bold asanoha (stylized hemp leaves) kimono, and a striking golden zakuro (pomegranate) obi.

The star is the black haori, showing crawling karasuuri (Japanese snake gourd), its leaves and fruits with inner patterns. I like how the hyotan (bottle gourd) obidome compliments the haori pattern!

[octoshroom]

A year ago, I got some seeds in the mail. Out of those seeds, four viable plants managed to grow. Out of those four plants, they produced a single fruit that I struggled for months to keep alive, and once it was ripe, I took it, cleaned it, and harvested the seeds from it and turned the fruit into a teeny tiny bottle. This year, I've replanted the seeds from that one fruit, and already there are ten healthy sprouts growing strong and happy, much earlier in the year, all the children of that one struggled fruit. The rest of the year is uncertain, but I'm happy, proud and thankful for what I have now, and the purpose taking care of these little things gives me right now, and being able to wake up, tend my little babies and see how healthy they are makes me feel a little healthier myself. That's all. That's the story.

[nikofortuna]

JTTW Chapter 35 Thoughts

Chapter 35 for the @journeythroughjourneytothewest Reading Group!

This chapter is starting off very strong with gender shenanigans and this go about we are in for a doozey.

So one can either see Nüwa as a separate entity or go with Laozi being kind of genderfluid. Both options are delightful in my opinion, but personally I prefer the version that is not a desperate attempt to retcon Nüwa being a woman and a goddess.

Love the little fiend hand waving the sexes for they do not contribute to each gourd’s capabilities, that’s a great attitude to have! As much as the story has problems with some old fashioned ideas, it still has positive notions like this even if they weren’t originally intentioned to be read this way.

At least that’s what I would like to say if it wasn’t for the next bit messing it all up again. It could easily be rewritten as one gourd being older, that would work just as well and not have these problematic implications.

In fact that work around would not just work as well, but better even by making more sense! As it is the gendering of the gourds makes no actual sense since it is about the fruit and not the flower. Depending on the species of gourd they are either monoecious where they have both sexes in one flower, which would make gendering irrelevant. Or they are dioecious where they are separated into female and male flowers, but only the female flower has the potential to develop into a gourd, so there couldn’t be a ‘male’ gourd.

Bottle gourds, which might be the kind of gourd here, specifically are dioecious. They have pretty white flowers and it is easy to distinguish male and female flowers since the female one already has a little fruit attached.

For comparison here are the flowers of melons, which can have all three kinds of flower sexes. And yes, if a flower contains both sets of reproductive organs it is called bisexual!

Also here’s an extra plant fact! The first flowers to grow on some vine crops are predominantly male for two or three generations. Something interesting for gardeners.

First a mountain and now fire, Sun Wukong really can’t catch a break from traumatic callbacks this Arc.

He’s such a loot goblin, very relatable.

Hm, this chapter contains a fine description of depression actually. Much sad makes you much sleepy, that is very true.

They’re more of a footnote here, but it is nice to see the female demons be combatants as well and treated much like the other fiends in that regard.

The demons in this Arc were depicted in a very sympathetic light, which I appreciate since they are clearly people and not just pure evil. Then again in the end it is revealed that they technically weren’t demons to begin with.

Though I do feel a bit like Tang Sanzang might have some double standards, after all he usually preaches not to kill people, but he doesn’t seem very bothered about the killing of so many creatures this time around.

I very much agree with Sun Wukong that Guanyin can be quite devious. And I love to see it!

Also a neat little bit of trivia at the end from the German translation! Laozi, his two youths and the five treasures seemingly represent the “Great Oneness”, the duality of Yin and Yang and the Five Phases. Please correct me on the oneness part though, I did not know how to translate it or rather which specific thing it was referring to in English.

[fangourdshop]

Calabash pyrography is a painstaking and exciting process that requires attention to detail, patience and artistic flair. This art allows the artist to express his creativity by creating unique and beautiful works. Each calabash, thanks to its natural shape and texture, becomes a unique canvas for creativity.

Buy it on etsy shop https://fangourdshop.etsy.com #calabash

[papiyaskitchen]

Lau'er Khosha Recipe | Bottle Gourd Peel Stir Fry |  লাউয়ের খোসা ভাজা গরম ভাতের সাথে একবার বানিয়ে খেলে আর কোনোদিন ফেলে দেবেন না

[thebotanicalarcade]

[plantlawn]

Beautiful white gourd flower in my garden.It’s scientific name is calabash.

[auntmorphriska]

I took more photos of the pumpkins and squashes.

A bottle gourd. The shape is so cute.

Butternut and……a fairytale pumpkin? I’m not sure. I read that fairytale pumpkins are the same as musquée de Provence, but I have musquées de Provence and they don’t look like that. I don’t know.

Here are the musquées de Provence!

A blue hubbard and a marina di chiogga!

[diabetes-health-corner]

Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd (Lauki)

Bottle gourd is rich in fibre, vitamins, and micronutrients, making it invaluable as a natural treatment for diabetes and blood sugar management. For the best results have the juice of the bottle gourd in the morning on an empty stomach

Read more to know the nutritional values: https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/a-bottle-gourd-way-to-fight-diabetes-naturally/2679

[belles-place]

The Versatile Bottle Gourd: Beyond the Soup

The bottle gourd, also known as calabash or lagenaria, is a fascinating and often overlooked vegetable. With its unique shape and mild flavor, it's more than just an ingredient for a refreshing summer soup. Let's explore the versatility of this gourd and discover why it deserves a spot in your kitchen!

From Garden to Table:

The bottle gourd is a climbing vine that thrives in warm climates. Its fruits can grow to be quite large, with some reaching over a foot in length. They start out green but mature to a pale yellow or white color.

Culinary Delights:

Soup's On! The most common use for bottle gourd is in soups and stews. Its mild flavor complements a variety of spices and ingredients. Try adding it to your favorite vegetable soup or making a light and refreshing summer soup with coconut milk.

Beyond Soup: Don't limit yourself to soups! Bottle gourd can be stir-fried, sautéed, or roasted. It pairs well with garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. You can also use it in curries, stir-fries, and even as a stuffing for savory pies.

Sweet Treats: In some cultures, bottle gourd is used in sweet dishes. The flesh can be candied or used to make jams and jellies.

More Than Just Food:

The bottle gourd isn't just a culinary delight. It has several other uses:

Craft Supplies:The dried shells of bottle gourds are used in crafting. They can be carved into beautiful bowls, diyas (oil lamps), and musical instruments.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives: In some regions, bottle gourd is used to make water containers, bowls, and even musical instruments. This makes it a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic and other materials.

Health Benefits:

Bottle gourds are low in calories and high in fiber. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including:

* Vitamin C

* Potassium

* Magnesium

* Folate

The next time you're at the market, pick up a bottle gourd and give it a try. You'll be surprised at how versatile and delicious this unique vegetable can be!

[whats-in-a-sentence]

When they crossed, before the rising oceans drowned the land bridge around 12,000 BCE, there were no domesticated food crops to bring; by the time there were domesticated food crops,* the land bridge was submerged.

*As opposed to nonfood crops – a 2005 DNA study suggests that the first colonists of the Americas brought with them from Asia cultivated bottle gourds, which they used as containers.

"Why the West Rules – For Now: The patterns of history and what they reveal about the future" - Ian Morris

[fangourdshop]

Pumpkin carving is a process that requires attention to detail and patience. This is a great way to show off your creativity and create a unique holiday decoration. Each pumpkin is unique, and each new pattern is an opportunity to try something new and surprise your loved ones. Thus, pumpkin burning combines elements of art and craft, allowing you to create truly amazing and beautiful decorations.

Buy it on etsy shop https://fangourdshop.etsy.com

[reddirttown]

Language of Flowers: Gourd

In the language of flowers, there is a designated flower for every day of the year. That flower for today, November 22, is Gourd, which signifies unrequited affection. Image above from Wikipedia. Gourds belong to the family Cucurbitaceae which consists of 95 genera that include 965 species. This family includes cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and melons. One of the earliest domesticated types of…

[thebotanicalarcade]

[thegaruskitchen]

Lauki ki Sabji Recipe for Navratri Fast | Bottle Gourd Curry Recipe