My friend was looking about my kitchen. “Where’s your microwave?”, they asked. I don’t have one. WHAT?! YOU DON’T HAVE A MICROWAVE? No, we got rid of it about 5 years ago and haven’t missed it. “How do you live without a microwave?” she asked. I said easily…
Back in 2000 when I started down the road of natural health I would get an earful about microwaves from my mentor Kathy Kouwe. Microwaves and diet soda were two things Kathy told everyone she met to get rid of. Later I would attend some Natural Health Expos in Toronto, Canada and learn about raw food, cooking food to preserve their nutrients, and eating healthy. Microwaves didn’t have a place in our health regimen anymore. Although I did keep 2 at the office to warm up my hot packs I used in my sessions.
Think twice about warming your food in the microwave. I know it’s more dishes to wash but in the long run if you continue to use it I believe it will contribute to more health problems.
Think about it.
Dr. Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
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The term “microwave society” was coined about 20 years ago. It refers to a generation who wants things done instantaneously and right now. In fact, living and cooking with a microwave is a perfect way to describe how most of us want our food quick and easy.
Other than the TV the microwave is the second appliance most homes have. Interestingly, they did not exist when I was young but I remember they came into our home right about the same time all these Weight Watcher and Lean Cuisine frozen dinners did. Imagine what did the frozen food aisle look like before microwaves.
Many have written about the negative effects of microwave cooking and how the fast oscillating electromagnetic energy is bad for food and health. You may have even done the experiment when water is microwaved and then used to water a plant versus just tap water. The microwaved water kills the plant.
Rather than writing about the bad, here are tips and benefits of living and cooking without a microwave:
One: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural state, without cooking retain their natural goodness. Cooked food according to some raw food experts will add acidic toxins faster than what our body can eliminate.
Raw foodists believe that cooking above temperatures higher than 115 to 118 degrees leaches enzymes and vitamins necessary for proper digestion. I am not a raw foodist but eating lots of fruits and vegetables in our daily diet will definitely help promote good health.
The minerals, vitamins and fiber found in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, Type II diabetes, obesity and many other diseases.
They are also convenient to eat in any meal, good for grab-and-go and are readily available. When choosing fruits and vegetables for your family, remember to go for all colors- yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green and white. Each color represents a certain type of nutrient good for our health.
Two: Eat eggs
Eggs are cheap and easy to prepare. You can boil, poach, scramble or fry an egg. They are nutrient-dense and provide Vitamin D, choline, calcium, folate, selenium, iron and protein.
The American Heart Association (AHA) in 2000 gave eggs the green light as a good source of protein, vitamins and nutrients. It also ruled out eggs’ bad reputation. One large egg contains only 213 mg of cholesterol.
Here is my boiled egg and some suggestions from readers on how to use them in salads:
1. Use black olives, sea salt pepper, cilantro, red onion, turmeric – A.L.
2. Just add curry powder to suit your taste! -A.K.
3. Mayo, salt, and pepper! I serve it on one piece of toasted Ezekiel bread along with salad greens and tomato slices! -J.B.
4. Add some curry spice along with a bit of mayo, & mustard. -N.M.
5.I do Greek yogurt, a tiny bit of mayo and fresh dill little sea salt and pepper. Then you get the added benefit of protein and yogurt. It’s good i like it. –A.K.
6. Just add an avocado. –M.R.
Three: Cook from scratch
Slow cooking with a slow cooker is a great way to prepare meals from scratch. It saves time and money too. Your food will be warm when you are ready to eat. You can read about it here: Slow Cooker Suppers for Busy Moms and Pregnant Mothers.
A good Dutch oven can help make a good stew on a stovetop. The tight-fitting lid of Dutch ovens (heavy cast-iron with enameled coating or stainless steel pots) help retain the flavors and nutrients.
Four: Invest in good pots and pans
Ever heard of the right tool for the right job or you are only as good as your tools? It is the same for your kitchen. The right type of pots and pans will do wonders to the time spent in the kitchen and the flavor it brings.
Don’t forget to invest in herbs, spices and basic ingredients for home cooking.
Five: Eliminate processed and pre-packaged foods
Since the creation of the microwave, food companies saw a need for pre-packaged foods. Some call it ‘TV dinner’. The only requirement for preparation is a microwave.
Most pre-packaged food contains trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, salt, refined grains and preservatives.
Six: Meal Plan
The hardest part when preparing meals for the family is “what do I cook tonight?” Having a meal plan is essential for busy families like ours and helped me take out the ‘figuring out’ or needing to get to the grocery store more than needed.
I use eMeals to help me plan my meals. eMeals helps me choose a plan according to our eating style, family size and favorite grocery store. Every week we receive our meal plan in our inbox complete with seven simple, family-friendly dinner recipes including entrées and side dishes. I receive a detailed shopping list including sales from selected grocery stores. Most importantly, we get to enjoy healthy home-cooked meals.
Think you can’t live without a microwave? Think again. You can do it. Do you have any tips on preparing meals without using the microwave? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.