bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

My parents were similar, but expressed it in a different way.
Mom used to tell the kids: "Make sure that you eat every carrot and pea in your plate!"

petrochemist Loc: UK

My problem too!

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

I resemble that remark.
On the plus side, I can eat anything I want, It won't show!

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

Left-over pizza. Breakfast the next morning.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

My mother always told me to eat everything on my plate, and “think about the poor kids in China.”

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Yup[/quote]

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

I note the several responses that their parents survived the depression. So did mine, and I feel blessed to have their value system, built on that experience, ingrained in me. Waste not, want not!

neillaubenthal

Bacon, wine, bourbon, brownies, chocolate, hot bread with soft butter, roasted garlic.

LestheK

#1 pizza, especially pepperoni.

koratcat

Blue Bell Homemade vanilla ice cream.

petrochemist Loc: UK

It wasn't the depression with my parents (in England) but rationing during & after WW2, along with more severe shortages just after WW1 for my grandparents in mainland Europe. Waste was simply not tolerated.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I’m up fer a pint or two. Nice and frosty cold, pleease!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

A cup of fresh brewed coffee. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold, has milk, or black with or without sugar.

The last slice of pizza comes to mind. Now if I just had the last five, I’m sure I’m full but my dog is waiting patiently.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Yup[/quote]

My parents were also, which made clearing out their house after my Dad's passing quite revealing. He was a longtime football coach, but as strings in his shoes would break, they didn't get thrown away. He'd tie them together and hang them on a hook in the garage waiting for a use. As he would receive FedEx packages, again, the used package would not be thrown away. They were neatly stored behind the door to his den. At one time he re-strung tennis rackets. Instead of quickly cutting the old strings out of the rackets, he would methodically pull them out of the rackets and wind them into neat rolls. I found a small box of these strings in the basement. I do remember them being used to straighten the saplings that were planted in our backyard when my parents built a new house. My parents had a nice basement with shelving and another storage area. Despite their tendency to save things, all was done neatly and out of site. Mom kept a clean and neat house and was a great hostess and cook. When a couple of uncles came up to go golfing one day, they came by for sandwiches. Ha! You should have seen the spread!! Just an example.

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

I grew up at a time when I was told I had to "clean my plate" at dinner time. Because there were thousands of "hungry children" in countries around the world who would've loved to finish what I left on my plate! And, I grew up thinking that because I cleaned my plate. . .I probably saved thousands of starving children!