We don't have a microwave. Well, that's not actually true. We have a microwave, but it's broken. I think it broke about two years ago. It's been broken so long I can't even remember when it actually stopped working. We basically use it as a big clock and timer now. But it doesn't heat anything.

When it broke, we planned on getting it fixed. But we didn't. As time passed, we adjusted our cooking and eating to make life without a microwave work. Microwave dinners? Nope. Can't do 'em. Reheating leftovers in potentially dangerous plastic containers. No, that doesn't happen at our house. Water gets boiled on the stove. Meat is grilled on our grill or baked in the oven. Veggies are roasted in the oven. You get the idea.

Nearly all of our meals are made from scratch and cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. We eat a lot more fresh vegetables, lean protein and grains such as quinoa and brown rice. Sometimes, it can be frustrating, since it would be so nice and so easy to pop something into the microwave. But in the end, it really drives us to eat healthier since we have to make all our meals from scratch. Many of my lunches lately have been full of sautéed  spinach, asparagus and kale with black beans and grilled chicken because I don't have a microwave to heat up something less wholesome. It stills surprises me how quickly I can make a lunch like that. All those healthy greens and yummy protein in less than 15 minutes. It takes a mind and lifestyle shift, but once you make that change it's awesome. Real food, cooked on the stove/oven/grill tastes so much better.

Now, I'm glad we don't have a microwave and have plans of fixing ours.