Mmmm.... Radiation Never Tasted So Good!

We grew up with it.  We all know how to work it.  We all have heard about the hazardous radiation levels.  How come we all just assume it's okay?  Oh, maybe, it's because we heard back in the 1970's that the FDA started regulating the radiation leakage from microwaves and felt confident in their reassurance that mircrowaves were safe?  Let me remind everyone that microwaves have several health hazards to watch for...

Radiation Leakage:  Yes, back in 1971, the FDA did start regulating the radiation levels for microwaves on the market and they did make them BETTER.  Better doesn't mean it's safe though.  According to Powerwatch (http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/), microwave levels in the kitchen are higher than any nearby cellular phone base-stations.  If that isn't scary enough, Dr. Joseph Merocla indicates that exposure to those levels, just a foot away from the microwave, is linked to diseases like leukemia.


Nutritional Value:  Microwaves kill enzymes in your food.  It doesn't take more than a second and all the live enzymes in your vegetables are immediately destroyed in the microwave.  Not only that, it has also been shown to reduce nutrient levels in food.  Reduced vitamins and minerals, plus destroying the enzymes?  Yum, sounds good huh!?


Carcinogens:  The health hazards are clear when it comes to using a microwave.  Not only from radiation levels, but what it does to your food.  Microwaves have a reputation to change the molecular make-up of your food.  Again, Powerwatch reports that carcinogens are formed on your microwaved foods.  Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents.

Let's get this straight....  We all use microwaves because of convenience!  Yes, I admit that I use it as well, although I'm trying to reduce instances.  What about my lunches?  I religiously bring a lunch of leftovers to work with me everyday.  Leftovers obviously require heating.  Really? I should warm up my Minnesota hotdish of the week in the oven?  Or, face the consequences of the microwave turning my healthy leftovers into carcinogens, killing the enzymes, reducing nutrients, and exposing me to enough radiation that I could get leukemia?  Awesome.  (That's sarcasm, if you didn't catch on.)

You're probably thinking, "Joy, what are some alternatives?"  Well, I'm looking for suggestions too, but here are some things at the top of my head.  Keep in mind that my microwave is level to head in our kitchen...

    -   Eat raw foods.  Well, they are healthier for me anyways.  Eating raw fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, etc.             would be good lunch, but ugh, I would totally miss my leftovers.

    -   Yep, use an oven.  It's more time consuming, but at least my food would be safer.

    -   Invest in a toaster oven.  Or a convection oven would work as well.  I know, I know....  They aren't near as             fast, but if I use them, I'll have more time on this planet to warm my food instead of dying from using a                 microwave!

You may not know it, but I was extremely nice to microwaves and the FDA in this article.  There are so many known health hazards when it comes to using a microwave, I just don't have time to list them all.  The main thing I want you to get out of this post today is try to slowly reduce the use of your microwave.  Start planning ahead to make sure you will not need to use it.  Eventually, maybe we can all toss the death-machines to the street!

Oh and as for my lunches, well, I'm going to try to eat more raw, organic foods instead of heating up leftovers.  Small changes make for huge differences in the future!  That's all we can do!

Stay healthy.  Joy Boerboom