Electromagnetic Stress

[deus]

eh? didn't quite get that, Johnny, mate.

Thing is, I have limited cooking facilities at home, and no way of cooking anything at work, just reheating rice and veg in said microwave. Only alternative lunch is what I've been doing recently and getting veg-rice take-out, which, of course, has too much oil and only white rice.
If I could eat brown rice and veg instead of this, would the health benefit of that outweigh the use of a microwave?

[janeyric]

Hello Deus

I understand and share your dilemna!

One solution I have found:
Prepare your chosen meal before you go to work and while it is still hot, use a thermos flask with a large opening for storing your food. If you do not have one, use a jar or two wrapped in a jumper in your bag. This will keep hot(ish) for about 5 hours indoors. If you work outside try using more jumpers.

Alternatively, soak some rice overnight, dry the outside and dry roast it for about 15mins either in the oven or in a frypan. Take this with you. It can then be 'cooked' by placing in a thermos flask of boiled water, either from home or from a kettle. Leave for a while (oh, about 1hour?- experiment with the timing) with the flask shut tight and it will cook all by itself!

It seems to me that the waves used in microwaves are very strong and have a similar effect on the mind and body as high electric currents. It has been said by some to cause cancer and interfere and disturb the natural energy waves of the body, the 'Chi'. This i also get from sitting at this computer. I guess its about damage limitation- if you can find a way of eating the way you choose without using machines you want to avoid, then cool. If you dont find it works for you at the moment, so be it.

The other thing I sometimes do is make riceballs or sushi to take to work. This may be cold but is preferable to gacky rice from a take-away!

This may seem like a lot of effort. There is definately more care put into macrobiotic food. However, by making more food than you need at one meal, the leftovers can make for really good lunches and 'save some time' too. Have fun working out how you wana do things...

best wishes,

fearlessness and harmony from
*j*

[macroPsychotic]

My experience with microwaves is that they give me an unnatural buzz and tend to fragment my thinking. I tried eating white rice from a local takeout but have found it not nearly as strengthening as brown rice. I now just pack brown rice and eat it at room temp which I actually enjoy. I let the rice sit out overnight in the pot I cooked it in so it will slightly dry out and keep better the next day. But just use your nose if it has sat an extra long time.
Sushi wraps work well too. I used to debate compromises (like freshly steamed white rice vs. nuked brown rice) and have found that you must feel the difference within (how the energy affects your mind and body) you which is unique to you, not intellectually weigh the pros and cons with other. On that note, for me, I found freshly cooked white rice to be more calming and better over all than nuked brown rice, but again, that was for me.

[bckiceman]

Originally Posted by deus

from what I understand these would be out of bounds on mb diet... but using one at work would make eating my grains and vegetables sooooooo much easier... thoughts anyone?

The Soviets actually developed microwave technology years before the United States, but refused to utilize the is because it significantly alters the molecular structure of the foods being cooked. Not to mention the toxins that are released into your foods by heating in plastic or plastic wrap. I would recommend slow cooking all of your food, whether steamed, boiled, etc. This helps retain the vital elements of your food.

[JanetM]

I am currently in a situation where I am exposed to substantial amounts of electricity (and other harmful energy) - the place we live in has an electric stove (which we cook on) and I have a job where I spend long periods of time in front of a computer (albeit a flat screen computer).

Although I are working on how to address these issues in the long term, does anyone have any advice on how I can minimise any harmful effects in the meanwhile?

I understand quality miso is a good detoxifyer and immuse booster and I am trying to have plenty of miso in my macrobiotic diet. Do you have any other foods / activities you would recommend?

Many thanks, Janet

[anniek]

One way to reduce your exposure to electrical energy would be to switch away from the electrical stove. It may be impractical or impossible to change the stove that you are cooking on in your home or apartement, but you can purchase a camping stove, which runs on propane canisters. It may seem a bit odd, cooking on a camping stove indoors, but if your commitment to avoid electricity is important to you, you can make the change.

I moved into a home with an electric stove and oven. It was fairly new so I listed it for sale in the paper, sold it, then purchased the least expensive gas model available. Before that, I contacted propane gas dealers, natural gas is not available here, and found a dealer willing to install the lines and do hook up for free if I signed a one year contract.

As for work, make sure to take some breaks and lunches away from your computer. Outside would be nice, under a tree with your shoes off? Annie

[Gloria]

Toss out the Microwave oven!

Here are some of the reasons. It's not wise to heat water in a microwave!

Microwave rays are unhealthy radiation, and when you microwave in a plastic container, it drives the phylates of the plastic right into your food, which gives an otherwise excellent meal a toxic twist that you definitely do not need.

Microwave radiation also leaks throughout the whole kitchen from most microwave ovens, which creates an unhealthy atmosphere for adults, children, and pets.

Q: Does microwaving vegetables destroy their nutrients?
A: Answer from Cristina Garcia-Viguera, PhD: Yes. In a recent study, broccoli cooked in a microwave lost more than 97% of its disease-fighting compounds known as flavonoids and up to 40% of vitamin C. Although veggies that are boiled retained more nutrients than those cooked in a microwave, they still lost 66% of flavonoids and up to 40% of vitamin C.

Best: Steaming vegetables reduces their nutrients by only 10%.