Ice cream was pretty much the only sweets we ever had too. I came from a very dysfunctional place too. My father was an abusive alcoholic and my mother was a very sick co-dependant. We were very poor due to my father's escapades - drinking up the pay check/bailing out of jail. Not a pretty picture, I know.

However, his favorite thing was ice cream after dinner in the evening. If we had anything more than ice cream as dessert, it was definitely a holiday or guests were around.

So, that's the one habit that we all inherited. Ice cream in the evening.

My brother still thinks he has to have half a gallon at a sitting. I'm much better, although it's been hard. It's okay with me if I just use a cup instead of a bowl or I often buy the pre-filled 4 oz cups. Now and then I find myself wanting more so I stop bringing it in the house. Then, if I absolutely feel I 'need' it, I will take myself in the car to find it. I have, however, learned that frozen yogurt is just as good and lower in fat and calories.

All things in moderation. What a concept!

Nancy, to top off my dysfunctional family, I'm also Polish. When all the other families were getting in line for brains, my family was waiting in the cheese and sausage lines. My "normal" aunts are food pushers. Who can say no to a plate of steaming pirogis?