I was raised in the clean-plate club, more because my parents didn't have any extra money to waste. It was a big no-no to throw food away. My dear beloved father even used to drink the brine from pickle juice and things like that. Nothing was thrown out. I call it "thrift eating." I have carried that behavior into adulthood, doing things like cleaning my kids' plates if they didn't want to finish. Now I can't do any of that any more. And I am finding it liberating. I am done--my sleeve says so--and what I don't finish is tossed out. Who knew this could be fun?

I suppose I could save leftovers, but who wants to eat a little piece of turkey burger or whatever? I'm not saying I throw everything away. But it's a lovely feeling to be free of the guilt of tossing what is left on my plate.

Proud of you!!!!! My husband and I had a lot arguements over this! We both grew up in a household of where you had to clean your plate because children in China are going hungry. I refused to pass this on to my children. My husband felt they should clean their plates and I didn't. I did not want them to be overeaters like me and him. My children are now grown and are healthy eaters with no bad habits of overeating!!!!

LOL. My sister-in-law is Chinese and she had to clean her plate, too! Its a marvel to see her completely clean her plate ising only chopsticks.