Sunday, November 21, 2010

Goodbye Plastic, Hello.... Squash Plant?


Sometimes I think I'm pretty crunchy, crispy in fact.  Other times I think "Seriously?  Why did it take me so long to figure this out?".  Like the other day when I realized that I was scrubbing myself with a big chunk of plastic.  I hate plastic.  I needed a new scrubby puff, but I didn't want to go out and buy more plastic only to have it end up in the plastic-Texas-in-the-ocean when I was done with it.  So I went searching and found some really cool options!


Did you know that a loofah is a dried squash plant?  I had no idea!  I found the coolest Etsy shop that sells homegrown loofahs, and they sent us two to try out.  These are grown in Florida at EcoFarm.  Check out these pictures they sent me:


growing...


drying on the vine...


Evidently the seeds are quite prolific and will sprout anywhere.  The growing cycle is quite long, so I'm not sure how well they would do in Michigan.  You can order seeds here if you are interested in trying it out.  (If you do, let me know how it goes!)


These were hand milked and dried in the sun last year because the weather was so moist.


We have been enjoying using our loofahs in the shower instead of a big ball of plastic.  Its a bit scratchy at first, but works well.  Loofahs can even be used to scrub produce, or cut in slices and used as a soap saver.  Here is a blurb from the Etsy shop owner TiffyPop about loofah care:

You want to make sure that they dry in between uses, so hang them or lay them on an open shower rack, not in a pool of water. You can cut them down depending on how and what you are using them for. they last for months really, or until they arent scrubby enuf :) i spray mine with a vinegar and tea tree disinfectant spray every once in a while, and sometimes lay it out in the sun just to crisp it back up. 


So, am I the only one who didn't know what a loofah was?  Anyone want to try one out?  Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win the loofah shown above!  For an extra entry, become a Facebook fan of One Little Word She Knew and let me know that in a second comment.  I'll close this on December 3 at midnight.  Now go check out EcoFarmFL's Etsy shop; a loofah would make a super fun Christmas gift!

26 comments:

  1. My Mom always used that type of loofah, but I thought it was some kind of dried up sea creature... the ribs inside make more sense if you know it's a plant!

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  2. WE grew up using this in the bath.....back in India these are very common...we use to call it "Subi"...

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  3. Funny, for some reason I always thought a loofah was from the ocean! Too funny :)

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  4. I think I might have to put this on MY Christmas list! How wonderful...I had no idea.

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  5. I had no idea. I'd love to try it!

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  6. I am a fan of yours on facebook and also real life. Does that count as an extra entry? hehe ;)

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  7. Well that's the coolest thing ever!! Count me as another who always thought loofa was a sea creature.

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  8. I had no idea either. That's pretty cool! I'd love to try it.

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  9. Me too. Totally thought it was a sea vegetable! LOL I guess I'm in good company! : ) If I can get my squash to grow next year, I really would like to try growing some myself. I wonder if you can buy them from the grocery store and then dry them out?

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  10. I also thought it was from the sea...neat to know!

    Heather

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  11. just wanted to pop in hear and ask Elle, or any one, if they have seen loofah in a grocery store to dry out?? you can eat the loofah when it is young, and it is really good! but have never seen it in a grocer! interesting!
    i have really enjoyed your blog! thanks so much for including the farm!

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  12. I had no idea either! I guess I never thought about it, it would be fun to try though.

    jewelsntreasures (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  13. I "like" you on fb (Vanessa 'M' J)

    jewelsntreasures (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  14. These grow all over in Angola. I guess it was when I moved here that I found out where loofahs come from.

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  15. This is the first time I heard what a Loofah really is!!!
    I love your blog but I don't like facebook, sorry... other than that I'd love to win the Loofah. (I'll become a Follower in roughly 10 seconds, does that count?) ;)

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  16. Wow, thanks for this great information! I have always loved loofah, but had no idea it helped the environment. Loofah- one more step to converting the bathroom into a chemical free place.

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  17. I'm with the others on thinking it was some variety of sea sponge-type creature that had been dried. Who in the world came up with the idea to dry a squash and use it to wash with?! lol

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  18. I'm so glad you shared this! I got one similar in Brazil in August and I love it, natural is best! Do you have any info or good recipes for natural shampoo or soap?

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  19. Hm, I haven't tried making my own really. We do use all natural soaps and shampoos. Check out cosmeticsdatabase.com for info on the safety ratings or various products. :)

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