I have to tell you, it’s been tough living without a microwave. I don’t think I realized how many times I used it for convenience – to thaw frozen something (which I’ve now learned probably means I destroyed all nutrients while doing so) –

I’ve used it primarily to “steam” frozen broccoli (which I’ve now learned probably means I destroyed all nutrients while doing so) –

I’ve used it to reheat cooked food (which I’ve now learned probably means I destroyed all nutrients while doing so) –

I’ve used it to lightly soften hard butter (which I’ve now learned probably means I destroyed all nutrients while doing so) –

…and I’ve wasted more coffee gently reheating it in my lovely vintage Cuisine pot (post later on vintage cookware) – because I forget its there even though it does taste better being reheated this way.

I’m torn in two – I want to eat more healthily but doing without a microwave means having to THINK in advance. And seriously – who has time to think? No no, I didn’t mean it that way. I have just realized something about myself. I’m spoiled rotten. I am so used to last minute thinking like, “Oh, the broccoli is frozen? No problem, zap it in the mikeywave for 11 minutes.”  Zap being the focal point since I learned that it probably means I destroyed all nutrients while doing so (do you see a theme going on here?).

If I do without a microwave it means I have to thaw food in advance or learn to put it in a ziplock bag that doesn’t leak and sit it in cool, not warm, water to hurry up the thawing. It means taking the time to heat water to boiling and cooking frozen broccoli that way (or *horrors* digging out the steamer and using it). MAN – that’s WORK! It means I have to dirty extra pans to reheat liquids and food items. It means planning things in advance – and who wants to do that? Who doesn’t like bieng able to just toss it in the microwave?

Who cares that it probably means we have destroyed all nutrients while doing so??  If I plug my ears and pretend I don’t know that, then it isn’t true, right?  RIGHT?  Hello?  Is anyone out there?

I have to tell you… it’s been tough.  Not because it is impossible.  No, I have all the pots and pans I need to re-learn how to cook and reheat the old fashioned way.  I’ve blowing it a couple of times because I reach for it automatically and hit that “ON” button before I realize what I’m doing. I have a little trouble trying to remember to think in advance so I’m not automatically turning to the microwave to fix things.  Does anyone else have this problem where modern convenience has shortcircuted your brain so you don’t have to think anymore?

And would anyone else miss the microwave if they didn’t have the convenience of  destroying all nutrients in their food?  I’m gonna miss old Mr. Hottie.

Partially based on this article about microwaves: Why did the Russians Ban an Appliance Found in 90% of American Homes?