Earth Day 2020
Each year on April 22, more than one billion people around the world participate in Earth Day activities. An annual focus on a different theme assures global environmental concerns receive highlighted notice. This year, April 22 marks the 50th celebration since the first Earth Day in 1970.
The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.
Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. We all have the power to create a better world. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward. For us, that message is loud and clear. In our latest books How To Eat Right & Save The Planet and Go Vegan we cover everything that anyone needs to know to make the change the world so desperately needs. You have this decision at your fingertips, you can do it right now, you just make the decision to Go Vegan, that's it. We seriously can save the earth, we are part of it, not separate from it.
Bills video on Earth Day is filled with gems to make us all think in a 'good way' about what can be achieved when we work together, please share this message with family, friends and colleagues.
As for me, I am sharing with you my favourite food on the planet that is a daily staple in our home, short grain brown rice. From this one grain we can produce 10,000 grains. No man woman or child should go hungry. With a plant based vegan diet, we can feed the world. Food is grown, not born.
Lemon-Infused Baked Tofu Brown Rice Bowl
A very versatile recipe that works well in sandwiches, salads and rice bowls, this baked tofu brown rice bowl is high in plant-based protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals and tastes fantastic. With layers of flavour and texture from marinated baked tofu, fresh carrot, crisp mange tout, chewy brown rice, crunchy black sesame seeds and creamy sauce, you’ll love how these delicious ingredients and textures come together.
For the rice bowl
4 cups cooked short-grain brown rice
For the tofu
250 g pack firm organic tofu
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp brown rice syrup
1 tsp sriracha (optional, if you desire a hot sensation)
½ cup filtered water
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Lemon & Lime Tahini Sauce
2 tbsp. organic white tahini
2 tbsp. sweet white miso
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp. brown rice syrup
1 tsp. ume plum seasoning
½ tsp. oregano
Pinch celery seeds
Splash of tamari
Filtered water
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl adding water gradually until thick and creamy.
Serve over broccoli and decorate with toasted black sesame seeds.
Blanched vegetables
2 carrots
2 cups mange tout
Toppings
Lemon and lime tahini sauce
Black sesame seeds
Blanched carrots and mange tout
Fresh coriander
To make the tofu
Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients except the tofu together and set aside. Wrap the block of tofu in a clean towel, place it on a plate and cover with another plate. Place something heavy on top of the plate and leave for 1 hour. This will squeeze the water out. Cut the tofu into slabs about ½ inch (1 cm) thick, then cut into squares. Place in a dish and pour the marinade over the tofu. Shake well to cover all the cubes. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven 170°C (340°F), gas 4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu cubes in a single layer. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then turn the tofu over and bake on the other side for 5 minutes, until golden brown.
Blanch the carrots and mange tout in a pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove and drain. Rinse under cold water.
To serve, divide the rice among four to six bowls. Top with tofu and drizzle over a generous amount of lemon and lime tahini sauce. Top with the carrots, mange tout and some black sesame seeds. Makes 4–6 servings.
As always, we ask you to take care of each other, or if you are on your own, take care of yourself.
We are here to help and assist should you need any further information but please refer to all my previous blogs on how to stay strong with a robust immune system.
In good health
