It's probably my most-used catch saying: "It's paid for whether you eat
it or not". I say this when someone says they feel like they are
wasting food by not eating it.
Just a few minutes ago, after cutting off a big chunk off for my skinny
teenage daughter, I put half of my husbands triple-layer frosted cake
that I made for his birthday down the garbage disposal. Neither he nor I
want it sitting around tempting us. But as I did so I was thinking to
myself "My mom would think this is such a waste!". (Who can identify?)
However, what is a waste to her is an investment to me.
As my kids were growing up they were never required to finish things
like french fries or dessert, even when I was flat broke and a meal in a
fast food restaurant was a big treat. There's not much nutritional
value in those foods, and the lesson they learned about listening to
their bodies was worth the investment of purchasing the food.
And yes, I would say to them "It's paid for whether you eat it or not."
Next time you want to finish something simply because it will be thrown
away if you don't, ask yourself "Is the feeling of not 'wasting' this
worth it's negative effect on my body?" If the answer is no, save the
thing a few steps and just throw it right in the trash.
If you are with someone else who paid for it and thinks it a waste,
thank them sincerely, ask for a to-go box, and throw it out on the way
home.
Because regardless of whose dime it's on, it's still been paid for whether you eat it or not.
