Tilikum Tofu & Broccoli on Shells

I saw Blackfish two nights ago. It's a documentary about orcas in captivity. It includes testimony from scientists, former Sea World trainers, and a grizzled old guy who captured orca calfs decades ago and now admits that it was the worst thing he's ever done in his life. The film is commendably level-headed and even-handed. If I'd have tried to make it, it would've come out a vitriolic propaganda piece and call to action. There's no explicit appeal to action at the end of Blackfish, but I can't imagine anyone watching it could leave without feeling sickened by the thought of an orca like Tilikum living most of his life in a tiny enclosure without stimulation or company. It's easy to feel horrified that he's killed three people, but it's neither surprising nor reprehensible. If I'd grown up abused in captivity I can only hope I'd try to kill everyone I could get my teeth on.

Shut down Sea World and all the rest of the marine life "amusement" parks! Shut down aquariums! It's cruel and unusual to do what we do to sentient beings, perhaps especially so when they're as incredibly intelligent and social as whales.

serves: 2 or 3
prep. time: 25 mins.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb. shells
1 medium white onion, chopped
2/3 lb. firm tofu, cubed
1 head of broccoli, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
oil
curry powder
soy sauce
apple cider vinegar
nutritional yeast
ground flax seed
chili garlic sauce

DIRECTIONS:
1. Bring water to a boil. Simmer pasta until al dente.
2. Place onion and tofu in a medium-sized pot with oil and cook on high heat. After it's gotten noisy in there, splash some vinegar and soy sauce on it. Season with curry powder.
3. Add broccoli, nutritional yeast, and ground flax seed. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Stir occasionally.
4. When the broccoli tender but before it loses all of its snap, shut off heat and mix in chili garlic sauce.