What I Don't Have and Glad!!

[citizentwiglet]

Re: microwaves - It's so hard to find scientific info nowadays on the hinterweb without having to pay for it, grrr!

Vit C is going to be depleted however it's cooked but it looks as though you lose as much through microwaving as you would do by steaming (which I used to do until the sprog decided to dance on my bamboo steamer!)...it certainly looks as though the quickest way to deplete vitamins is to boil your veg, which I never do. Quick blasts of the microwave, frequent stirring to avoid hot-spots and only using a small amount of water seem to be the best ways to microwave, TBH.

MIL brought us back some of those 'zipnsteam' bags from the USA - wouldn't buy them myself, hideous waste of plastic really but boy, are they good!

[ina]

Quite apart from the effect on the food that microwaves have - I've heard too much about the negative effects leaking radiation can have on the person using it to ever want one in the kitchen... I heard from a friend about somebody who developed serious problems with the skin on her hands because she used a microwave regularly in her job; admittedly, she probably didn't use it correctly; but I've seen almost everybody here in the UK using it that way: opening the door before it's finished cooking - and it doesn't actually finish cooking before the end of the "standing time" after the ping.

[citizentwiglet]

Urgh, opening the door whilst its still on REALLY creeps me out...I hate seeing people doing that.

[theabsinthefairy]

Don't have and GLAD - supposed labour saving electrical items - except for the kettle for my morning coffee which is the only way I can get up and face the day, and a top loading washing machine running direct from the back boiler so no electrical water heating.

so ...
No:
dishwasher
tumble dryer
microwave
juicer, blender, steamer or other gadget type thing
iron

hair dryer
or any other styling product

toaster
vacuum cleaner

electric radiators
electric blankets

electric shower - Rayburn does the water heating and that is the only hot water we have so you learn to use a tank of water wisely.

electric garden equipment like hedgecutters or strimmers- although I do have petrol powered rotavator with plough attachments, lawnmower and brush cutter.


We do have one TV and DVD player, stereo and laptop - turned on only when going to be used and not sat around on stand by.

We also have power tools as our house was a renovation site when we arrived.

Generally we got rid of most electrical items when we moved and have not missed them since.

[Wombat]

Mrs Wombat, What we don't have? Living here, central heating is a non essential item so is a clothes dryer. Most people have one but rarely use it as we are the land of the Hills hoyst! I have recently purchased a small portable rotary camping clothes line which I can put anywhere, garage, loungeroom etc. Don't know how to use a dishwasher, when I was a kid only rich people had those things and only now is it starting to become standard in peoples homes. Along with the dreadful pace of life people now lead. If you have a family they can make a weary day easier after a hard days work but here we share the task around evenly and that seems to work for us. When Nevin changes jobs we will be without a car My parents think we have lost our marbles! His is a company car so comes with the job. New job no car and no intention of getting one cos then we would have to pay for it. Fortunatley for us we are close to public transport. Some people aren't so lucky. Love my t.v Australia got rid of licenses years ago. Thank goodness. Microwave, mine broke a while back and I nearly went insane! Oh well will have to work on that one. Maybe? Nah not going to happen. Sorry guys. Everyone's life is different. Decisions in life? Make them yours. Night everyone going to bed