You are cordially invited to…
Mind the Microwave in May
An initiative to encourage people to be more conscious about microwave use (and un-use) sponsored by Kitchen Stewardship.
My challenge to you:
When you are about to open the microwave door…
THINK
…Can I do this another way?
- Toaster oven
- Pot or pan on stovetop
- Teapot
- George Foreman grill
- What else?
CONSIDER the research:
If you’re going to cook food…some research has shown that cooking food in the microwave oven causes it to lose nutrients. Do you want to do that to your veggies?
If you’re going to reheat leftovers…is it worth the possible nutrient loss?
If you’re just boiling water or coffee…some research suggests that microwaves may emit radiation that could harm our bodies. How about that teapot?
CHOOSE what you’ll do for this microwave opportunity: to use or not to use?
COMMIT to doing your best WITHOUT stressing out over it.
COUNT your minutes saved…
At the end of each day, think about how many microwave minutes you avoided that day. Come back to Kitchen Stewardship and enter your minutes in the sidebar counter. (Look for the Mind the Mic button there too!)
Rejoice over a challenge accepted and met head on! If you’re onboard with Mind the Microwave in May, please comment to let us know. My goal is 100 people participating. If you’re willing to pass the information on to others via your blog or Facebook page:
- Put the banner html in your sidebar for this month (see below, the link will take people to this post)
- Blog about the initiative to explain it to others and link to this post or related microwave posts (optional)
- Enter your blog post or homepage in the Mr. Linky below to help you get hits, too!
See how many microwave minutes KS users can avoid this month!
Participants:
1. Kelly the Kitchen Kop
2. Shower of Roses
3. GNOWFGLINS
4. Allison at Hospitality Haven
My Microwave Story, Part Three
When I first started being mindful of my microwave use last fall, I was lying in bed thinking – because that’s what women do when we’re supposed to be sleeping, right? – and I reflected on the microwave choices I was able to make that day without too much effort. I used a teapot instead of the microwave to heat water for homemade baby wipes. Four minutes saved. I used a pot with steamer insert to cook our broccoli for dinner. Four minutes saved. I used the toaster oven to reheat leftovers for lunch. Two minutes saved. Do the math…TEN MINUTES! This seemed significant to me at 12:30 in the morning. Thus was born Mind the Microwave Month – and now you can tally up your minutes and feel that quantifiable sense of accomplishment with me!
Read more about the origins of Mind the Microwave here.
Other Mind the Microwave Posts:
- Practical Tips for Success
- Research Notes, part one
- 10 Tips for Avoiding the Microwave
- Time Management/Fewer Dishes Tips
- 13 Surprising Benefits of a Microwave Free Life
- Research Notes, part two: Radiation Danger
This week’s challenge: Learn to steam veggies on the stovetop.
Sign up for an email subscription so you won’t miss a single one.
Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
Find more Real Food ideas at Cheeseslave this week. See lots of Homemaking Tips at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven.
The button you can get for your sidebar or post:
Hungry for more? Related posts:
It’s hard to break the habit of using the microwave to prepare my veggies. I may have been planning on using the steam basket on the stovetop, and then find myself with the casserole dish in my hand.
Tracking minutes saved will be difficult for me because I use the Sensor Cook feature on my microwave. If 4 minutes is the time you saved to do broccoli then that’s the time I’ll use.
One of the benefits of NOT reheating in the microwave is the length of time the food stays hot. How nice to still be eating hot food after the first few bites.
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Katie Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Hi Mom! Yes, it is a hard habit to break!
You’re right, I used the “veggie” button on my mic too. Broccoli may have taken longer than 4 minutes, perhaps up to 7? Maybe other people will chime in so we can get accurate tallies! Thanks for accepting the challenge!
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Twitter: nourishedmama
// May 5, 2009 at 11:28 am
We ditched our microwave about 6 years ago. Due to space constraints, we kept food on top of the microwave and it kept melting the chocolate even when not in use which was a little freaky. Now we simply reheat things in a skillet if we need to and we’ve never looked back.
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Great idea! We got rid of our microwave about a year ago, and really haven’t missed it. Plus we were relieved to not have “microwaves” in our home.
Blessings,
Michele
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Interesting idea. I mostly use my microwave for reheating, but maybe this is something I should reconsider.
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Just take baby steps…come back Friday for some research notes on microwave use/dangers.
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Amen to no microwaves! We stopped using ours in January and haven’t looked back! It’s something I’ve been wanting to blog about, so I’m glad you’re giving me a reason to!
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I know. I’ve read the research. I know I shouldn’t be using a microwave. And I’ve got hubby convinced to dump it except for one issue.
We have a large family and two “clean out the fridge” meals a week. We don’t have any way of heating up one meal at a time other than the nuker when we are all eating something different. Sure, 8 pans would do it, or kids washing one pan after heating up their food (yeah, right.)
We have a water dispenser for hot and cold water, and I do all the cooking on the stove and oven except for those two meals a week. We can’t afford investing in a toaster oven right now (and I hear they are a bear to clean if kids use them anyway.) I’m looking forward to hearing some alternatives!
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Phew! 8 different meals will be a challenge, but hopefully some ideas will help you out at least sometimes. Way to go on your Baby Steps to getting rid of the mic!
Katie
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Dipi Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I know this is from a year ago, but we gave up the microwave almost 2 1/2 years ago and use a saucepan or the oven. I find I can heat up food on a dinner plate in the oven, or else in little pyrex glass dishes (and kids could even just eat the meal straight out of that to save washing).
Hope this helps if you’re still having trouble.
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Katie Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:37 am
Dipi,
Katie
Thanks for the tips! We’re pretty well-versed at going no-mic now, and I think just like you (save on the dishes!).
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We replace our microwave with a toaster oven about six months ago. It is so much more versatile, takes up less space, easier to move to clean under, etc. I now steam my veggies on the stove top and thaw things by pre-planning. Melting a bit of butter for a recipe is the only time I think longingly for the microwave and that’s only when I forget I need to do that step.
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Oh, yes, the melting butter is a tough one. I hate dishes, so dirtying a pot bums me out!! The pre-planning is absolutely important, too. More to come next week! Thanks for visiting; come on back to enter your minutes in the tally counter!
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We haven’t used a microwave in over two years. I don’t know what the tally would be for you count though!
I was intimidated at first, but now it’s weird seeing people use them. Just last night we were at a friend’s house and they warmed something up in the microwave. It was strange to see after not being around it for so long.
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Olivia Wasik Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Sorry… “you’re count”
I should proof read better…
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
It would be hard for you to even guess what you “don’t use” each day! Thanks for visiting!!
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i think its a good concept but if its a choice over the oven or stove, its hard cause the microwave is much more energy efficient but since its so nice out I do the grill for as much as I can.
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Courtney,
I wondered about the same thing when I started avoiding the microwave. I have a pretty detailed post about kitchen appliance costs here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/03/05/appliance-cost/. The microwave is more efficient than the oven and stove because you don’t have to run it as long, but it’s mere partial pennies that you’re splitting. If the microwave kills nutrients, it’s more frugal (and safe and healthy) in the long run to keep the nutrients and spend a few pennies. Thanks for allowing me to address the energy cost issue! Katie
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I have to tell ya—we are saving tons of minutes this week because our mic died about a week ago.
It has not been easy for us!
We’ll see how long we last……
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Katie Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Niki, Ouch! Dead mics are not exactly Baby Steps!
Next week I’ll publish lots of practical tips to surviving w/o a microwave. Hope they can help you!!!
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GREAT! We got rid of our microwave 10 years ago and have never looked back. It’s really not hard. We are a family of 6. We reheat leftovers in the little toaster oven if for one or two people or we put all the pyrex cold in a cold oven to reheat several things. There are studies that sans microwave protects nutrients in food and there is no denying it tastes better, plus there is the “love” factor that I do believe is put into the food with how it is prepared and you just can’t get that from nuked food. I’m with you! Love it
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We’ve never used our microwave for anything but heating water and making popcorn so we moved it downstairs. Than I had this whole shelf I could use more productivly. My MIL noticed. Guess what we got for Christmas?
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Okay, so, from the research you’ve read … I’m afraid to ask, but … does the microwave kill the nutrients in milk when I warm it up FOUR TIMES a day for my little one??
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You are right Katie – I definitely am interested in this! I know May is half over, but I will post about it. Great idea. And feel free to directly copy whatever from my site as long as you send a little link love my way! The more we get the message out about healing foods, the better. =) m
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Twitter: WardehHarmon
// May 12, 2009 at 10:33 am
We’ve been microwave free for at least 5 years. I can remember where we lived and how wonderful it was to free up that counterspace. We’ve never looked back!
Some ideas for the family of 8: you could use a muffin tin to reheat individual foods in the oven. Use the Texas size muffin tin for large servings! Some foods can be warmed up next to each other in a casserole dish in the oven. This would save dirtying 8 pots if you could do some combining in one or two oven safe containers.
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I have been trying to cut back on using the microwave. We have been on a “slow carb” way of eating, meals involve eating protein, vegetables and legumes with every meal. I had been reheating veg. and legumes in the microwave, but a while back got a silicone steamer basket and also a set of two egg poacher cups (also silicone). I have found that steaming food to reheat it is almost as quick as in the microwave, and the flavor and texture and color remain intact. The silicone steamer is easier to handle than the stainless steal one. I use the egg poacher cups for reheating items as well as cooking eggs in.
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Katie Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I’d love to get my hands on a silicone steamer. It does sound easy to handle. Be sure to check out my posts on beans and legumes: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/04/05/food-for-thought-nutritional-benefits-of-beans-and-legumes/ and http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/04/06/monday-mission-legume-recommend-some-beans/
You’re so right about flavor, texture and color on the stovetop vs. the mic!
Thanks for joining us on this adventure!
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Ok — So my goal for May will be to not break down and buy a new Microwave… I got rid of ours last month during the Lenten 40 Bags of Stuff Challenge! =) I never realized how much I still used it (although I avoided it for the most part…) until now!
The challenges I’ve been dealing with:
1) My morning cup of Soy Chai Tea — it just doesn’t seem to heat right on the stove… It always separates… Ick! I’ve been trying to think of a solution and am thinking about purchasing a steamer? We’ll see..
2) Dinner Leftovers — I REALLY need to get a toaster oven since my oven is so old and uses so much energy, plus my children are getting tired of cold leftovers
So far most other things can be done easily enough on the stove top and with a little more planning! =)
Thanks for the challenge! You have a great blog!
God Bless,
Jessica
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Katie Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I’ll have to get my toaster oven in the “gadget wishlist”, but if you’re looking to buy one, go whole hog! It’s fun to have a toaster oven that can bake a whole pie and easily fit an 8×8 dish in it, plus 6 slices of bread…
Would just whisking the tea a few times while it’s cooking along help? I don’t really know what soy Chai Tea is, so I’m probably not much help there!
Lots of dinner leftovers seem to do quite well in pots, even casseroles (unless they need to remain layered). If you can stir it, you can heat it in a pot. Someone commented on another post that they will put little plops of different leftovers in a large pan and they can keep them separate while heating on the stovetop.
My oven costs less than I thought to run, and about the same as the toaster oven overall — you can calculate your energy costs with the resources at this post: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/03/05/appliance-cost/.
So glad you stopped by!
Katie
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Around the Blogosphere - Week 84 // May 17, 2009 at 12:00 am
[...] are invited to Mind the Microwave in May. This is an initiative sponsored by Kitchen Stewardship to encourage people to become more aware of [...]
Link Appeal: GNOWFGLINS™ // May 19, 2009 at 11:52 am
[...] Mind the Microwave in May. Your invitation to join a great challenge, sponsored by Katie of Kitchen Stewardship (who also wrote those sneaky liver tips) to reduce microwave usage during the month of May. She’s also put up 10 tips for avoiding the microwave and how to reheat leftovers withOUT the microwave. (Here are my tips for how to reheat foods without the microwave.) [...]
Food on Friday « Saving Money Ideas // May 22, 2009 at 7:21 pm
[...] Mind the Microwave in May at KitchenStewardship.com (thanks to 5 Minutes for Mom) [...]
Twitter: organicthrifty
// May 24, 2009 at 3:16 am
Thanks for the invite, Katie! What a beautiful blog and mission! I wish I would have seen your invite sooner as well!!! Here are my tips for living without a microwave:
http://oreganicthrifty.blogspot.com/2009/03/tips-for-reheating-food-without.html
Organic and Thrifty’s last blog post..Contest Winner!
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We said,” Adios” to our microwave a week ago. I had slowly weaned most of my usage after your mission and then my husband jumped on board! We need to get a toaster oven now but we are managing fine with out it. Plus, I have a permanent place to set my nutrimill for fresh flour in minutes. Yeah!
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Katie Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Lynnette,
Wow! Congrats! We still have it b/c hubby is not quite on board with quick oatmeal in the a.m. But we hardly use it, and I’m ok with that.
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