A Secret I've Learned About Healthy Living

I guess I am going through a mid-life crisis of sorts. I am tired of all the aches and pains that seem to have gotten worse over the last ten years of my life. Can you relate to this? Well, I have decided to make changes for the better. You probably have heard about the ill effects of microwave cooking on your health. I think the jury is still out regarding microwave cooking, but why take chances? Our microwave happened to break a few months ago and I determined that it would cost hundreds of dollars to replace it. So I seized the opportunity to drop all microwaved foods from my diet.

At first, that seemed like a formidable task. It's amazing how dependent we have become on a technology that's only existed since the 1980s! What did people do before the advent of the microwave? They used ovens, stoves, crock-pots - (and before that, fire).

I have wrestled with the dilemma of how to have cooked lunches without the microwave - especially at work where I don't have access to my kitchen. There is the constant temptation to just go out to eat (an expensive proposition) or use the ubiquitous microwave (not as healthy and food does not taste very good) so available at workplaces around the world.

My Secret to Healthier Eating

I found an great answer when I purchased a mini crock-pot (2 1/2 quart size) for less than than $20 at the local discount store. Mine is the original Crock-Pot, but many of the competitive crocks from Rival or Proctor-Silex will do. I think most people think of potlucks when thinking of crocks, but a crock-pot is more versatile than that with many benefits:

1. It is quiet.
2. It doesn't get very hot on the low setting yet still heats food through nicely.
3. It is easy to clean - I just use a paper towel to wipe out the large food remains and then rinse the rest with a tiny bit of hand soap in any sink. That way you can use it anywhere - such as while at work - where you might not have access to a regular kitchen sink with a garbage disposal.
4. It doesn't consume much energy.
5. It is simple to operate, having only 3 parts - a lid, the glass crock itself and the outer metal heating element.

To set up my crock-pot in my work cubicle, since the cord is pretty short and made more for a kitchen counter, I set up a power strip on my desk, plugged the power strip into the outlet on the floor of my cube, and plugged my crock into the power strip.

At first, I was concerned that it would cook rather than reheat my dinner leftovers. My fears were unfounded, however. That is, if I don't leave the food in there for too long. It is best to keep it on the low setting for reheating purposes. It is nice keeping the crock on my desk since I can keep an eye on it while working.

I have found that it takes about an hour or so to reheat most foods on the low setting. Since one of my other goals is to walk briskly during my lunch hour every day, I just pop my leftovers into my little crock-pot, go for my walk, and then come back to a warm, healthy lunch ready and waiting for me!