Life without a Microwave...

Recently, Our Microwave started making a strained noise that I just didn't like. We've had it for a while now and really need a new one. BUT I have been thinking a lot about it and discussing it with my Husband that maybe we shouldn't buy a new Microwave, maybe we can do without one.

I've had a long love affair with my microwave, relying on it for speedy meals and in my single days (a lifetime ago!) for those (disgusting) macaroni cheese frozen meals which was my (unhealthy) staple when I was living alone in my early 20's. I have used it less and less for my family, but it still had a place in our kitchen. Or at least it has until now.

Rather than heading out on a shopping excursion to buy a new microwave, we have spent the past month with a broken one in our kitchen and turning to alternate quick heating methods. It was finally yesterday when we actually tossed the microwave out and now have a glorious big open space in our kitchen where our microwave sat. 

So why the decision not to replace our (once) beloved microwave? The number one reason is due to the research I've done into microwaves destroying valuable nutrients within the food it's heating. And it makes sense to me. My understanding is that the quick zap in the microwave creates more harm than the time it saves. After all, I'm going to so much time and effort and putting so much love into my food, making everything from scratch, why would I want to go and destroy all the wonderful nutrients I have so lovingly nurtured?

Life without a microwave has meant I have had to be a little creative in reheating methods. I regularly will cook a large meal one night and then used to reheat the leftovers the following night in the microwave for dinner. Now, I have been re-heating our meals on the stove-top, pouring over boiled water to help it along and speed up the process, if need be.

Where I'd previously defrosted food in the microwave, I now plan ahead and place food in the fridge to defrost, ready for cooking. If I need something defrosted quickly then I make sure it's completely sealed, place it in a pot, in the sink and cover it with hot water (from the tap, not the kettle), regularly changing the hot water. I find this does the trick and I've quickly defrosted soups and stocks this way.

Life without a microwave takes a little planning and creativity but the reward is delicious, healthy meals. It feels liberating to be microwave free.

I'd love to hear from you - how do you feel about microwaves? How have you coped if you have removed your microwave from your kitchen? And - what do you think we should place in our newly freed kitchen space? 

Edited to add - I ended up filling my microwave hole (as I affectionately call it!) with a CD Player... so now my kitchen is filled with music... rather than microwaves! :P

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