Man vs. Machine.

I asked an interesting question on my personal facebook yesterday and received quite a lot of responses. 

Can we do without a microwave?

I ask this question for multiple reasons.

Reason #1. As you are all aware, I am continuing to read through Nourishing Traditions. Allow me to quote an excerpt, if you will:

"Unfortunately, the microwave achieved instant popularity without much prior research to study the effects of eating microwaved food. In consequence, one large experiment involving an unwitting populace is now in progress. The small amount of research done on the effects of eating microwaved food has shown that the microwave may have unfavorable effects on fats and proteins, making them more difficult to assimilate. More recent studies carried out in Switzerland revealed that the microwave caused changes in vitamin content and availability. Eating microwaved food results in abnormal blood profiles, similar to those that occur in the early stages of cancer. An especially dangerous practice is using the microwave for heating baby's bottle. Altered amino acids in microwaved milk can be toxic to the liver and nervous system, especially for infants. We recommend that you resist using the microwave at all costs."

I am not a scientist, nor am I equipped to check the validity of such statements. But this isn't the first time I've read information "questioning" the effects that microwaving has on our food. And until the jury is back with a clear verdict on this, well, I guess I shall just be cautious.

Reason #2. I have 3 square feet of counter space. And of all the times that I exaggerate my facts, this is not one of them. I literally have 3 square feet of counter space. And as I was dusting the microwave yesterday morning, I thought to myself, "Self - why are you allowing this beautiful microwave to take up 50% of your available working space."

Good question, self. Good question.

Reason #3. We never use it. 

Okay, of the moments I exaggerate, that was one of them. We do use it, on occasion. To heat up a luke-warm cup of coffee or to make homemade microwaved popcorn. All meat defrosting and such is done in a bowl of water (something about microwaved meat really gags me...) If I had to honestly, with no exaggeration, guess how many times a week we use it, I would say probably three. Hardly enough to warrant the space it consumes and having to dust it.

It was a standoff between me and the beast. Man vs. machine.

Guess what.

Man won, baby.

I unplugged it, hoisted it up with all the strength I could muster (it's a big one!) and did the only thing I could think of at that moment: I set the microwave on the floor in the office. Not a very smart plan, as now it is taking up 25% of the floor space in the office, but none-the-less, there it sits.

It sits.

And I don't know what to do with it.

It was a wedding present, you know. Thank you Mom. Thank you Dad. I am sorry that your gift is facing an uncertain future as it sits on my floor.

I'm going to give it a week.

If I don't die of inconvenience, I'll say goodbye to the microwave forever.

What say you?