Comments on: What I learned from Paper Plates and Broken Microwaves

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:54:13 +0000

I was just hopping on your site (I usually read from Google Reader) to suggest freecycle.org, and I’m so glad to see that Dawn already recommended it! So now I’m seconding her suggestion. Freecycle is awesome – kind of like the free section on Craigslist, but a bit more reliable. Why throw stuff out when someone else could use it? Why create demand for new stuff when someone probably has what you want sitting around collecting dust?

Not that you NEED a microwave, but this might be a way for you to make it happen. :-)

By: Hanlie

Hanlie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:02:55 +0000

We also never replaced our microwave and I don’t even miss it! The next thing to go was the TV. Best decision of our lives! We CAN change!

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:06:07 +0000

Roni! Good for you for making changes and accepting changes in life! That’s something I have a hard time doing.

Now to fix that Microwave! I had the same thing happen to me once. I had the repair guy come out (it was a slightly extensive SS maytag over the range micro) – he said it had been switched to demo mode! Apparently there was a demo mode on this microwave. So consider that there might be some buttons you can press to fix it :)

By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:03:45 +0000

NEVER reuse your water bottle – in fact, you should switch to a stainless steel water bottle, and scrap drinking water from water bottles at all. Research it more on line – plastic water bottles are not good for our health. And NEVER cook in or on plastic….not having the microwave is probably the best thing to happen to you – we got rid of our microwave and got a hot air popper like the old days…..

By: michelle

michelle — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:29:59 +0000

Hi from Canada!! I’m new to your site & loving it! Tried butternut squash fries for the first time tonight…2 thumbs up from the hubby & I loved them too! By the way we gave the microwave the boot almost 3 yrs ago & never looked back(although our friends still think we are crazy!!)…your so right it’s all about adapting, often we can do more than we give ourselves credit for.
Keep up the great job & keep running~

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:24:12 +0000

This is a great post because it’s really about more than a microwave and paper plates!

Having said that, I could NEVER live without my microwave!! :)

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:58:37 +0000

I use to use paper plates, plastic forks, and plastic cups for years…and then about 3 years ago I said no more…then about 18 months ago we stopped using plastic bags from the grocery, zip lock bags, paper towels, plastic food containers (love pyrex). I really love it, and feel that I am doing something good.

Also…just let me say..instead of reusing your plastic water bottles, think about buying a reusuable stainless steel bottle. So much better, and I have read that reusing plastic water bottles release chemicals back into the water because they are intended for ONE use.

By: LG

LG — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:35:37 +0000

Some people use paper plates for every meal? Really??? I have never met anyone who does this!

By: pam

pam — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:31:29 +0000

I had the same “traumatizing” experience with the microwave! It was like I was a cave man trying to make fire. How do I HEAT MY COCOA???? ha ha ha People laugh when I tell them I don’t have a dishwasher. They look at me like I am Caroline Ingalls. It isn’t that I don’t want one…I just don’t have one! We have made it into a family event…washing….drying …..putting away. Take lemons and make …….you got it….lemonade! Love the fact that we all face these daily grinds. The challenges we face make us who we are….and how we deal with them lets us change and grow… or be one bitter person. Thanks for the encouragement Roni!

By: Laura Jane

Laura Jane — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:18:54 +0000

Great post. It is amazing what we can give up without even missing it. The things are just so much a part of our lives that it’s difficult to imagine life without them. One thing that I gave up that had been a regular part of my life was TV. When I moved 6 months ago, I just didn’t want to pay the stinkin’ cable bill – ridiculously expensive, and I only watched a few things. I was afraid that I would really miss it and end up caving in and getting it. As it turns out, I did not miss it all – not even one little bit. I haven’t even thought about watching TV in who knows how long. And it turned out to be a good thing, because now the only access I have to TV is at the Y while I’m working out – an added incentive to work out! It’s amazing how much we really can change – it’s the first little bit that is the hardest. Anyway, the thing I’m considering giving up now is Diet Pepsi. I drink at least a can a day, sometimes more. And I’m tired of paying for it, and water is better for me.