Why We Don't Use A Microwave

The short answer is that I like my counter space. And my cabinet space. Just think about how much space your microwave takes up, seriously.

The long answer is that at one point there was a science experiment going around where people watered plants with water that had been microwaved and cooled, water that had been boiled on a stove and cooled, and distilled water from a jug. The experiment implied that the plants given microwaved water floundered. It really weirded my husband out and he wanted to get rid of the microwave. We barely used a microwave in the first place so I agreed. (We put it in our finished basement- it still exists, it's just out of the way). The experiment has since been debunked (that's why experiments get repeated a lot before we acknowledge their findings), but you know what? I don't miss my microwave. We've used an electric teakettle for boiling water since I was in college, and since we don't eat soy, there isn't terribly much I want to microwave anyway.

-Making popcorn on the stove actually doesn't take much longer than making it in a microwave. I use a large pot, but DH prefers a really large skillet). Microwave popcorn takes 3-5 minutes. Skillet popcorn takes ~7minutes (AND you get to watch it pop through the glass skillet lid). The horror!

-Melting butter or scalding milk takes about twice as long on a stove than in a microwave. I've never been in such a rush that I can't wait 1-2 minutes for melted butter. We also have an espresso machine my husband uses everyday (which is about 6" x 10" and fits on a corner baker's rack) with a steamer attachment, should I feel so inclined.

I use the microwave maybe twice a year. If I'm feeling really lazy and don't want to put cream on the stove when making ganache, and when I make fastnachts (I microwave the raw potato). That's it. Twice a year. I wouldn't trade that 2 feet of counter space in a million years.

Almond Flour Waffles

I spent a significant amount of time on the GAPS/Paleo diet for my allergies, and I know how hard it can be to find carb substitutes that taste like the real thing. While we eat flour in moderation these days, almond flour waffles are absolutely delicious for those that DON'T eat flour. Because I have these recipes at my disposal, it's always good to share them.

These cook beautifully, and taste like the real deal.

I adapted this recipe from Taylor Made It Paleo and am cross-posting from my GAPS blog, Modern Mischief Managed


3/4 cup canned coconut milk
3 Tbs Honey

3 egg yolks (*keep the whites)
1/4 cup almond milk
1/4 cup nut butter- I used hemp butter. Soak your nuts/seeds with boiling water for approx. 30 minutes before blending.
1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
cinnamon, to taste


3 eggs whites- beaten til stiff


-I always begin by melting my coconut solids in a saucepan. Since I use a lot of raw honey, I add that to the pan too. Heat until melted but do not boil.
-Mix ALL wet ingredients except whites in a mixer (egg yolks, coconut milk, almond milk, vanilla, honey, and nut butter).
-With the mixer on, blend in almond flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
-Fold in the beaten egg whites. Most recipes tell you not to overmix your egg whites. I say "to hell with that!" Whisk in your egg whites until the mixture is fully incorporated. If you don't, you're going to have random sections of cooked egg white in your waffles. They will still come out fluffy, I promise.
-Spray down your waffle iron, I use a misto spray bottle filled with olive oil. Cook waffles following waffle iron instructions (Mine has a light that indicates when they are done). These waffles tend to stick so I like to use a chopstick to help remove waffles from the iron.

Drizzle with topping of your choice: Butter/Ghee, Maple Syrup (not GAPS), Honey melted with cinnamon, reduced fruit juice, fresh fruit or fruit puree.
* These waffles aren't super sweet so I recommend toppings.