I discovered a better way for covering food plates in the microwave than what I'd been doing.  Paper towel and wax paper cost money, and I really try not to use any kind of plastic because of the health hazard.

     So I bought a couple of extra glass lids with handles--the kind that go on top of casserole dishes like Pyrex or Corning--at a thrift store.  They work beautifully!  They keep the splattering down, they pose no health risk, I can see through them, and they cost almost nothing.  Such a deal!