I’ve never really mentioned it here..not completely sure why. I guess that I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal. But after my family and real life friends made such a big deal about it..I got to thinking about it some more. And I realized that indeed, it was a little strange in this day and age. And well lately, I’ve been all about strange. I’m all about getting freedom from the normal, too. I’m sure you’ve been able to tell that by now.
Are you ready?
You may want to sit down. Oh yeah, most people use their computers sitting down, that’s right. Moving on.
Here it goes. Here’s my secret: I don’t have a microwave in my kitchen. Or in my house for that matter. It has been that way since right before Thanksgiving (I do believe) and quite honestly, I don’t miss it. As a matter of fact, I don’t see me having a microwave anytime soon.
Here is how it all came about. I had a small, white microwave that I got when I graduated (for free from our Project Graduation Party). It worked, but it was on my counter and was the only appliance in my kitchen that was white, both of which annoyed me greatly. When we bought our refrigerator, we came across a Fridgedaire Stainless Steel over the Range Hood Microwave. And I loved it. It had a big dent in the side so it was on major markdown, so we bought it. Removed the dent. Installed it. Used it 6 months when it quit. Kaput. I was livid.
While we were waiting to get it to the shop and on the verdict from the repair man, I noticed that it was easy to get by without the microwave. I still had my white one that we had moved to our pantry, which is actually a room off of our carport that is heated/cooled, but I never used it. I didn’t miss it. Granted it took a little while longer to prepare things, but when I did, it was much better than when I used the microwave. No mush. No hot spots. And no worries! Then the verdict came, it was going to cost more to repair the microwave than what we paid for it. Not happening!
By no worries I mean this. My husband is fully and completely convinced that plastics in the microwave (from them being heated up) can cause autism. Not saying that it does, but still. Considering that we question whether our oldest is on the spectrum or not–this is something we tried to avoid. Even if it isn’t partly responsible for autism, it is proven that microwaving your food in plastic (or even covered with plastic wrap) releases cancer-causing compounds. While I know that there are supposedly “safe plastics” and that glass is also an option–I don’t want to worry about it.
Not only that, but microwaving food significantly reduces the nutritional value. I came across one study that stated microwaves decrease 97% of the flavonoids which contain anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial properties as well as B 12 (which helps your nervous system and with red blood cell formation). I think I want as many flavonoids and B 12 in my food a I can get!
I also know that we lived without microwaves up until about 1946. Many, many women (and men) cooked without one, and they survived just fine. While I will admit that it takes more preparation on my part to warm us up lunch, that is really the only negative side effect, if you want to call it that.
How do we deal? That is easy!
- I use a kettle for hot cocoa and hot tea.
- We have completely switched over to what I call “real popcorn.” It’s not that fancy stuff you find in bags with the butter and seasonings (as well as numerous other chemicals) mixed in. Instead we get the pure delight of watching ½ cup of popcorn kernels turn into 2 big bowls of popcorn that we get to flavor to our individual preferences. I love white cheddar, while my DS loves cinnamon sugar. Not to mention this way has far less sodium and Lord only knows what else. Plus, it’s frugal!
- Since I menu plan, I know right off whether I need to pull something out of the freezer for dinner.
- I begin to think lunch around 11 or so. This gives me ample time to warm something in the oven if need be.
- Anything that can me made in the microwave can be made (and was probably originally made) on the stovetop or in the oven. For example: I got some frozen vegetables in a steamer bag for free after coupon. When my microwave broke I didn’t know what to do with them. Haha. Open them up and cook them! Just because they are in a fancy bag doesn’t mean they aren’t “normal”. The packaging doesn’t change the product. It’ll cook.
All of that to say, you may think I’m weird. You make be looking at your screen going….”Wha? Seriously? Nuh uh!”. But I’m for real. It works for me. I’ve survived without my microwave. I love it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So if you must, go ahead and think I’m weird. I’m just on my way to getting freedom from normal. And I’m completely okay with that. You never know, my TV just may be next…. (yeah right, I think my husband would really think I’ve lost it then!)
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I could do without ours as well. I can't even remember the last time we used it. All it does is collect junk on the top of it and that drives me insane!
I also hate defrosting meat in the microwave because it also somewhat cooks it and gets hard edges, no thanks!
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I've started to stress every time I run my microwave… and you're about to push me over that cliff!
It's one of those things. You know, those things that you KNOW are bad, but you want to ignore the bad for all the good?
I know.. I know… release the beast!
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I stopped using a microwave a several years ago. It was a hard adjustment at first…now I don't miss it at all.
Funny story…my boys…who can cook lots of things DON'T know how to use a microwave!!! (backwards from most kids!) Last time we were at my dad's one of my boys put a piece of bacon in the micro to re-heat…for like 3 minutes!!!! Sick-o! I was so cracking up!
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I wish I could join you on your journey without a microwave, but I just can't give it up quite yet. Although, I no longer use plastic of any sort in it. I enjoy the convenience (and lack of heat released during the summer) to steam our veggies and to reheat our left-overs. I would like to get to where I don't use the microwave, but for me that is a long way off.
How do you reheat your left-overs? Just put them in the oven or on the stove?
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Wow, Phoebe, you are a trail-blazer!
We still use our microwave. Mostly to reheat food or my son uses it to make microwave popcorn.
I do occasionally use it to cook with but not often.
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I completely agree! Several months ago our microwave was broken and I didn't even get around to calling the repairman until a couple weeks had gone by because I didn't miss it that much. Turns out it was an easy, cheap fix, but I was ready to say "goodbye" and not replace it if it had needed major work! Before that I never knew how easy (and quick) stovetop popcorn is! We'll never go back to the microwave kind!
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I try to avoid my microwave as much as possible for the exact reasons as you. Our son may or may not have a spectrum of autism and I hope and pray it has nothing to do with the fact that I microwaved everything when he was younger… now I actually cook LOL.
For your popcorn I have a butter flavor grapeseed oil, that's DELICIOUS on popcorn… and it's healthy for you and ALL NATURAL! The link to that is http://amanda.mywildtree.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?prodid=184&cid=102
Also stop by my blog and read about how I'm keeping my son up to par w/remembering what he learned in school this year throughout the summer.
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i should give this a try.
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I've been without my microwave for over a year now. I don't miss it. I use my cast iron skillet to reheat pizza on the stovetop. Comes out perfect. The people I work with can't understand why I have not run out to get a new microwave until I bring them the real popcorn. I use a glass lined thermos to keep my coffee hot so it doesn't taste reheated ether.
You are not alone with your secret. And you're right. It isn't a big deal.
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Our Microwave and Dish Washer both went on the fritz at the end of 2008. As the chief domestic these days, I missed the dishwasher a ton more than the microwave. We didn't really miss the microwave at all. We replaced both right after CHristmas, but we still hardly ever use the microwave.
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I love my microwave. We drink instant coffee which saves us tons of money on coffee and electricity that would be used with a coffee pot. I dirty less pots and pans with reheating leftovers which also saves water and money in my dishwasher. The microwave also uses less electricity than using the stove or oven.
As for heating things in plastic in the microwave causing Autism, we aren't all Autistic are we? My son was born with Autism (diagnosed at 18 months) and my daughter does not have it and I have been using a microwave since I can remember them being in existance.
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By the way, you can reheat on a plate and not in plastic if you want to avoid harmful effects of plastic. I usually put the leftovers on a plate or in a bowl to reheat food.
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We use ours to cook rice. That's it. At this point I don't know why we don't part with it…except that it is our hood/fan over our gas range.
Interesting though – thanks for sharing!
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While we haven't gotten rid of the microwave completely, we use it as little as possible. I have read some bad stuff about microwaving! I would rather switch to a toaster oven if our microwave ever dies. Wait, are those bad too?
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We haven't had a microwave for a few years. We had ours in storage for a while, but finally gave it away to a friend. Neither of us really care for "nuked" food. The amazing thing is that we don't have a rice cooker. We're asian so for us that's crazy. lol. We just make it on the stove.
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It would be a big adjustment for me to go without a microwave, but I know it can be done. We sometimes get too dependent on things and it's nice to know it doesn't have to be that way. ~~Tiffany from Eat at Home
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I hate counter clutter – especially since I don't have that much counter space. I frequently have thoughts of saying bye-bye to our microwave when I look at it. I'm not sure how that would fly at this point in our house. We use it to re-heat left-overs. Sometimes I defrost veggies with it, too. I think if it ever breaks down, we'll give it a go without one. Kudos to you for paving the way!
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I seldom use a microwave. We even lived without one for 1 month while we were moving (I gave away the old one since the new place already had one). I was surprised at how much I didn't miss it! DH sure did, though. As long as I have my crockpot and my stove, I'm fine.
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We been w/o ours for just over 3 yrs. When it died I told my DH I would rather wait and save for the nice over the range model than a cheaper one that takes up counter space. As time went by we realized we didn't miss or need it – and so the "new" one also came off the "saving" list. I was so surprised to find out how easy it is to make "real" popcorn.
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We have one, justn ever use it. Ever… It just sits, looking pretty. I just like how food tastes when done on the stove. We eat real popcorn too.
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I took mine out of the house a few weeks ago after reading on another blog about the dangers. I tend to be a bit extreme when I do something. On the blog was some type of challenge about using it less, well if it is in my house I will use it, so I got rid of it. But I had debated that since my oldest was a baby and I was told you cannot microwave breast milk as it alters nutrients. We don't need any of that. So weather we will be healthier or not I am actually enjoying not having a microwave:) Thanks for your post.
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Wow, I'm impressed. Thank you also for the info you've provided here!
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I too think I could survive without a microwave but my husband would be completely lost without it.
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http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=stove-versus-microwave-energy-use
This is a link to an article in Scientific American about how efficient a microwave oven is vs. a stove.
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Except for the constant reheatin of my morning cup of joe that always gets forgotten
I haven't been using it as much either. Don't know if I'm brave enough yet, but I applaud you!! Great post.
Oh and I'm a little shamed to say I just learned from my family on this vacation how to make popcorn on the stove top w/ a pot and some oil! LOVED it! And WAY better for you!
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You are so funny! I rarely use our microwave. I just don't trust it. Now, my husband on the other hand is another story. Great post, love the supporting info too!
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Without a microwave you have more room, right?
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I don't use mine for cooking. And if it died, I probably could go without it. I have another one – our dryer died this year and we couldn't afford to replace it. We already hung a lot of things to dry, now we hang everything. And I like it. Even when finances get better, I don't see me getting a new one.
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we don't have one either, for about 3 years now.
Sometimes I miss it(especially in the summer) for warming something up quickly, but we survive and make do!
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I try not to use the microwave at all. My Mom has been telling me for years how bad they are. I grew up in a microwave-free home:)
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