It’s just like nothing on Earth
The Stranglers had a quirky Album entitled “The Gospel According to the Meninblack“. One of the songs is “Just like nothing on Earth” peppered with alliteration and syncopation. It tells of alien visitation among other themes. And, it really gets you thinking about today, since this is Earth Day. But, what about things that aren’t on or from Earth? We are one of many planets in myriad solar systems in an infinite universe. So, our fascination with our own speck of dust borders on Narcissism. Yet, it’s the only planet we have, and our only sustainable choice for existence. That makes it important to protect it as we would protect ourselves. To that end, we created “Earth day”, an annual celebration of our planet and what keeps it going.
Thanks to space traveling telescopes like NASA’s 2009 Launch of Kepler, we know of at least 4,000 stars in our own galaxy that may be inhabitable. And, scientists estimate that there may be 40 billion throughout the universe. These are planets with similar attributes to our own in terms of proximity to their solar center and probable temperature. While figuring out the dynamics of distance planets is an amazing feat, it’s still based on Earth-centric thinking. We look for life forms such as our own. What’s to say there aren’t life forms that can survive on 1,000 degree planets? They would be vastly different from anything we know or perceive as living. But, exploration of our own Earth shows a diversity of life, especially when you look at life in the deepest oceans, deprived of light and other life essentials.
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Life on other planets is It’s just like nothing on Earth
While exploring exoplanets and imagining life in other solar systems takes some imagination and creativity, we don’t have to go to the stars to see things that make you say this is just like nothing on Earth. There are things in the deepest oceans, highest mountains, and in the dirt itself that defy our limited expectations of existence. There are things growing in the calderas of Yellowstone that shouldn’t exist. They can withstand intense temperatures. At the bottom of the sea, there are fish and other organisms that live in complete darkness, in super frigid waters, and under pressure that can crush a submarine. And, there are strains of bacteria that thrive in miles deep mines in Africa. Plus, we are exposed to space dust and debris constantly, Meteors are space debris hitting our atmosphere.
So, technically we have things on Earth that aren’t of this Earth. And, this year, Earth day coincides with another celebration of unearthly things. It’s also the Jewish celebration of Passover. The tale of Passover posits that a series of events: Locusts, Pestilence, water turning to blood, and the death of first born children, amongst others. All these events actually have Earthly explanations. But, most prefer the biblical interpretations that we were visited by “Angels”. For instance, although different species, Cicadas are sometimes called locusts. And, we know they come out every 13 or 17 years. This year, we had both the 13 and 17 at the same time. To the biblically minded, this is a sign from God. For the rest of us. it’s a natural occurrence, albeit, fascinating. It’s not just like nothing on earth, although it does appear that way.
There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
That quote is from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 1, scene 5). And, it truly applies on earth day. We are pretty quick to pounce on things as unnatural or unearthly, when indeed, they are all part of our place on this planet and in the universe. So, to truly grasp the importance of earth day, we must take a look at the Macro and micro universes. When we view the night sky, it is abundantly clear that we are a tiny speck of dust in the scheme of everything. This makes us feel insignificant. But, if you turn a microscope on everything we know, we see an inverse universe. Human beings alone have trillions of cells, including 86 billion Neurons in the brain. Even Mosquitos have 200,000 neurons in their brains. And, these Neurons are all part of a network linking different parts of the body.
To put that in perspective, every living thing has cells. While dirt itself doesn’t have cells, it contains bacteria, fungi and decaying material containing cells. So, the earth is home to Trillions upon trillions of living organisms, exponentially. I think the numerical nomenclature would call it googolplex 10/\(10/\[100]). Even that seems inadequate to count the actual number of cells in the Earth, let alone the Universe. But, we don’t need to drive ourselves crazy trying to fathom such truly innumerable concepts. Let’s take a more tangible concept: trees. Estimates posit that there are about 3 trillion trees in the world. That number may seem large. But, it only equates to about 400 trees per person in the world. And, when you take into account what they do, it’s vitally important for our very existence.
Why are trees so important?
We (and all animals) breathe in oxygen and expel Carbon dioxide. Trees and plants do the exact opposite. Even people who don’t believe in Intelligent design have to marvel at this system. And, it’s a delicate balance. We don’t think about the symbiosis of our relationship with plants. It goes far beyond trees. Trees are important because they filter the air on a macro level. Other plants also filter smaller amounts of air. But, they also provide nutrients to keep all things living. Just like the neural pathway in living beings, the function and existence of one thing links to that of others. Even Dirt, as mentioned contains dying and decaying material. Think of human funerals with the statement “dust to dust”. We come from the Earth and return to it.
Along the journey from dust to dust, it’s the earth that sustains us. There are some meat eaters saying, you’re not going to make me give up beef to become a vegetarian. Well, guess what: we are what we eat. And, what do cattle eat? Grains, grass, etc. There aren’t a lot of meat eating animals on our menus. While seafood appears an exception, the most prized: Lobsters, shrimp, and the like are scavengers, not predators. Even animals who are predators eat vegetarian animals. So, we owe our very existence to plants and the delicate balance of life. To those who think we are the top of the food chain, perhaps it’s time to re-examine the “chain”. It’s all interconnected. Remember Dust to Dust? The earth, itself will eat us in the end. If not, it’s ashes to ashes. Either way, the chain is not linear, it’s inter-related.
Stop blaming hypocrisy
There is a trend to point out that many climate activists fly around the world in private jets and create a giant carbon footprint. Most of these complaints come from climate change deniers. While it’s true that this contradiction and the underlying complaint that the Earth has natural events that do more damage than humans, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do what we can to mitigate our impact on the earth. The same people claim we are the superior species on the planet. If so, we should act like it. Our claim to fame is building things. We build roads, bridges, housing, society, and more. So, why is it anathema to help maintain a balance in the world?
The complaints against climate activists claim hypocrisy. They drive gas powered cars, fly in jets, and enjoy a world covered in petroleum products. Yes, this is true. But, we need to ween ourselves off those things. And, that doesn’t happen overnight. Plus, when anyone suggests mandating a change to “greener” fuels and curbing carbon emissions, the deniers scream it’s too expensive and will ruin our economy and way of life.
You want to see real hypocrisy? Look at Elon Musk. He sells electric cars, that are supposed to save the environment. But, electric vehicles have their own problems, like batteries that don’t recycle and more. At the same time, he is launching giant rockets and satellites into space. How much carbon is that creating? And, isn’t it suspicious that his car company was floundering until the push for electric cars. It appears it’s less about saving the environment than selling product.
Conscious decisions
We’ve said it before. And, we’ll say it again. Throughout history, humans have discovered new and innovative ways to do things. And, alternative fuel is just the start. Whale oil was once used to light lamps until a combination of government taxing and promotion of other fuel sources supplanted it. Yes, there was an impact on the industry. But, over time people adapted. Our government is more sophisticated than it was at that time. And, with a concerted effort, we can do the same today, with a lesser impact on those transitioning to newer fuel economies. While some people just want to see the petroleum industry suffer, the real answer is in a transition where displaced workers are trained to do something different. People tout that we are the product of evolution. Well, it’s time to evolve.
The problem with trying to “save the Earth” is that it involves a lot more than just getting onto alternative fuels. We also need more efficiency in all aspects of life, especially the food chain. many claim you should buy from local farmers using organic methods. This does have an appeal. But, it’s not extremely efficient. And, it may even contribute to climate change. If you go to a farmer’s market, you have dozens of local purveyors driving multiple vehicles and using multiple different implements to grow and bring their products to market. We complain about the mass food producers. But, the concept of mass production is far more efficient. While bigger trucks have a larger carbon footprint, multiple smaller trucks have a cumulative effect outweighing that negative impact. We need more accountability and better regulation of the mass producers to hold them to a higher standard, for efficiency’s sake.
Compromise is Just like nothing on Earth
Climate change deniers tend to view things through an economic lens. So, when alternative energy or “green” initiatives come up, they automatically deride them as crackpot, moonbat tree hugging proposals. They view the impact on certain industries as too great a risk versus the benefit of the new technology. Unfortunately, even when presented with an economic solution that will lessen the immediate impact and ensure a smooth transition, they entrench themselves in their refusal to accept anything that changes the status quo. As we speak, Electric vehicles are gaining ground in the marketplace. This is driven by a more economic incentive than climate concern. Do you think Ford, GM, and other major manufacturers would make these if there wasn’t a market? No one is “forcing” them to make this change, they see the income possibilities.
Deniers blame liberal government for “forcing” these changes, causing gas price increases. Never mind that there are multiple wars and political upheaval in all the countries that control the oil industry. The transition to greener fuels is only a small part of the increase. And, if there was a willingness to compromise, and work together, we could have a much smoother transition. And, we don’t have to transition to just one answer. Electric cars aren’t “THE ANSWER”. Especially since most people get their electricity from non-green sources. Today, we have multiple sources of fuels and energy creation methods. But, this isn’t a new concept. At the time when whale oil dropped out of favor, we had camphene, lard, coal, and kerosene and petroleum as alternatives. Whale oil was the most expensive. And, an added tax on camphene pushed coal and petroleum to the top of the market.
reasons to be skeptical
So, we do see a slight parallel to government intervention favoring one alternative over another. And, some climate activists are too quick to want to destroy the industries causing pollution. Similar to their counterparts, they too entrench themselves in dogma that the other side is completely wrong, and they only want to destroy the world. At heart, I don’t think either side wants to “destroy” the world. But, fighting over who is right isn’t productive or constructive. Just because you don’t want to hear or believe that someone with an opposing viewpoint might be on to something isn’t a reason to either foist your ideas on the other side or force inaction altogether.
Unfortunately, this is how government and industry work, hand in hand to benefit some at the expense of others instead of doing the most good for the planet itself. And, since plants don’t vote, they end up left out of consideration. Deniers need to think outside of the box. And, Climate activists have to spend a little time in the real world where people have to work for a living and can’t afford a house, let alone a state of the art green living space and transportation mode. What we need is real world solutions to real world issues.
What about food?
Most of our discussion centered on fuel and trees because that’s the biggest impact on the environment and economy. But, what about food? We did say our food system needs to work on efficiency from a transportation perspective. But, we also need to look at it from efficiency of land and calories. Vegetarians will tell you, you need to eat plant based diets for better health. While that has some truth, it’s not the whole picture. We are omnivores. That means we can eat all types of food (as opposed to carnivores and herbivores in the animal kingdom). It is possible to fulfill most of your dietary needs with a plant based diet, there are some components only found in meats that our body needs for proper functioning. Strict vegans need to replace these ingredients with vitamins and supplements.
And, meat eaters know they can’t live on meat alone. Although meat like poultry, beef, and pork come from animals eating plants, it doesn’t retain, nor transfer the vitamins and minerals from plants to the consumer of said meat. Plus, animal protein heavy diets do have deleterious effects on the body. Additionally, animal protein consumes a lot of land. technically, an acre of land is insufficient to raise one cow, while that same acre can feed a family of 4 for a year. While this is a compelling argument, some land isn’t arable. Crops won’t grow on “marginal” land. But, cattle can eat what does grow there. So, while ethically questionable, eating meat is not totally wrong. If you do eat meat, though, your body doesn’t need that much. We only require 10 to 35% protein in our diet and that doesn’t all have to come from meat.
Ditch the Diets
Since humans aren’t just like nothing on Earth, we should follow the rules for optimum performance. Of course, that is not practical in our day to day lives. And, the body is relatively forgiving. Technically, we should have a balanced diet with the right amount of calories to perform our daily activities. But, they should come from certain food products. About half to 2/3 of our calories should be Carbohydrates, despite what your weight loss diets tell you. Fat and protein should make up the other 1/2 with a good spattering of vitamins and minerals. Contrary to the American dinner plate, protein should be a side dish, not the main focus of the plate. Vegetables should be at least 1/2 the plate.
Unfortunately, most people skip the vegetables, and don’t adjust their diet to their physical output. The result is weight gain and improper nutrition. If you’re body building you want a heavier protein intake. If you are physically active, carbs give an immediate boost of energy. But, too many carbs end up stored in the body as fat. And, fat is necessary for some nutrients in your body to function. So, eliminating any one element is self destructive. And, over-indulging in one or the other is also counterproductive. Of course, we don’t come with a meter that accurately counts calories going in and out. So, we have to rely on our own feeling, and learn to moderate.
Enjoy life
But, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life. Isn’t that the whole point of earth day? We want to save the Earth and respect it. So far, the Earth has proven pretty resilient. As are our bodies. So, while you can recover from an abuse of the body (or Earth) it isn’t a good idea to purposefully abuse either. So, have some fun. I remember Julia Child telling us to indulge when you dine out or have a celebration, and save the dieting for your daily at home routine. What’s the point of life if you can’t enjoy it? Remember, we are only here for a finite amount of time. At the same time, though, the Earth has a lot more time to go, so don’t let your life party ruin hers.
To that end, we believe you should live in harmony with the Earth, and enjoy what she has to give. But, be prepared to give back. Eventually we will return to dust. For our Earth day celebration, may we suggest a meal that nourishes and excites the palate. Eating a plant based diet offers all these things. But, we don’t preach to leave out the animal products. Moderation is the key. So, here are a few recipes to get you going. Try these or just go to your local market and see what’s fresh and in season. And, nosh on fresh food while you contemplate life on this earth while proclaiming these flavors are just like nothing on Earth (even though that’s where we are). We even include our recipe for Vegan Matzo soup for Passover 🙂
Vegan Avocado soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped fresh sweet onion
- 1 Tbsp Chopped fresh garlic
- 2 Tbsp Chopped fresh jalapeno
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup Vegan cream or milk (almond, coconut, or oat)
- 4 cups Peeled, pitted, and chopped avocado (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped scallion for garnish
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (plus more for garnish-optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Avocado oil to cook and garnish
- Vegan sour cream to garnish (optional)
- diced tomato for garnish (optional)
- Hot sauce or chili oil to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat avocado oil over medium heat in a heavy pot. Add in the onion and garlic, Saute until translucent. Add the cumin, chili powder, and jalapeno and stir. Then, add the stock and milk/cream. Reduce by about 1/4.
- Transfer the soup to a blender. Add in the avocado, cilantro, and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper. Blend and taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve hot or chilled with tomato, avocado, and green onion. Drizzle with avocado oil, hot sauce, sour cream, and sprinkle a dash of chili powder. Serve Tortilla chips on the side. Or you can just serve it straight up. Either way, enjoy.
Vegan Herbed Matzo Ball soup with Wild Mushroom
Ingredients
- 2 cups matzo meal
- 3 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seed soaked in 3 T warm water to approximate eggs you can substitute egg substitute products
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1 1/4 cup warm water may take more or less, up to 1 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs: thyme, parsley, oregano, sage
- 1 tsp chopped fresh garlic
- For the soup
- 12 cups Fresh vegetable stock/broth Make home made preferably
- 1 tsp vegan bouillion powder or 1 cube to boost the flavor
- 1 cup each cubed or sliced onion, carrot, and celery
- 1 tbsp sliced fresh garlic
- 2 cups sliced wild mushrooms Preferably mixed varieties
- 2 Tbsp Chiffonade fresh sage Chiffonade is a term that means thin sliced
- 1 Tbsp Fresh picked dill sprigs
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- A little olive oil to saute the vegetables
- Parsley and herb sprigs to garnish
Instructions
- "bloom" the flax seed in warm water. Let the flax seed soak up the water until it becomes viscous
- Mix together the dry ingredients for the matzo balls in a mixing bowl
- add in the water, flax seed, oil, garlic, and herbs
- Mix the matzo ball dough by hand until it can form shapes. If it is too wet, you can add more matzo meal. If it is too dry add more water.
- Form the dough into balls . Dip your hands in water to help form the balls. You want to shape them and roll them between your hands. Try to make the smooth. If the aren't perfectly smooth, cracks will form when you cook them. You should get 12 to 18 balls. Place them on a plate or cookie sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Heat the vegetable broth in a large deep pot. When it comes to a boil whick in the bouillion Add in a little salt and taste.
- Place the matzo balls in the boiling broth. Bring the broth back to a simmer. You don't want a hard boil or it may break them apart. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
- In a separate pan, saute the vegetables in a little olive oil. You just want them to be slightly cooked, not all the way through. Strain them after to remove excess oil and juices. This can be done before or while the matzo is boiling
- Add the vegetables and herbs to the soup and season.
- To serve, place 3 balls in a bowl and ladel the soup and vegetables around. garnish with parsley and/or herb sprigs
Notes
Corn Crusted Sea Bass with White Wine Spring Pea Puree and Sauteed fiddleheads
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 Lbs Sea Bass (Striped bass or chilean. Other substitutions re fine, too.)
- 1 cup corn meal
- salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil to cook
- For peas:
- 1 cup sweet green peas (preferably fresh)
- 1/2 cup Sweet onion (Diced)
- 1/2 tsp chopped fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Fresh green Parsley
- garnish:
- 1 cup Fresh fiddleheads
Instructions
- Clean the fiddleheads. Soak in water, change the water a couple times to remove all dirt.
- Make Pea Puree: Heat a little olive oil in a pan. Add in onion and ginger. Cook until translucent. Then add in the wine. Reduce by half. Add in peas. Cook until soft, and most of the liquid is gone. Do not overcook. Season withlemon juice, salt, and pepper. Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. The consistency should be spreadable, not too thin. Adjust seasoning if need be.
- Mix Salt and pepper in corn meal. Cut fish into portions. Since we are doing a buffet with other items I would go with a 3 to 4 ounce portion. If this is for a main course you could do 6 or 8 ounces.
- Heat olive oil in a saute pan over high heat. Dredge the fish in the cornmeal and place in the pan, I usually start with the top side of the fish, then flip. Cook about 2 minutes per side to get a nice caramel color. Turn down the heat to medium, and, finish cooking. How long it takes to cook through depends on the thickness of the cut of fish. Generally, it should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Saute the fiddleheads in olive oil over medium heat. You just want to bring out the color and cook to al dente. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the fish with pea puree either as a base or drizzled on top. garnish with fiddleheads. You can also garnish with corn if you have it.