Comments on The Weekly Muse from Love 2B Homeschoolers: Wasting food

I actually wasn't offended by how much you left......

2008-02-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

I actually wasn't offended by how much you left... I was just bringing up a point for debate. I suppose it's my nature. :)

Besides, I was much more horrified by what probably went into those pizzas (refined EVERYTHING, fake cheese, etc) and the iceberg lettuce. YIKES!!! Talk about nutritionally void! :)

"There is nothing worse than an over weight adult ...

2008-02-17T16:10:00.000-05:00

"There is nothing worse than an over weight adult complaining about obesity problems in children. "

Well anonymous, I actually do this quite a bit. I complain mostly though that people are so uneducated about how to feed their children properly.

I, on the other hand, know exactly how to feed my children properly. But unfortunately, having been diagnosed with an eating disorder, I'm not exactly a shining model for my own children. Sometimes we end up modeling for our children what *not* to do, so we have to be vocal about it so they understand. And then hope it's sinking in.

Again, it's not always so black and white.

Yes, children need to be taught to take a little a...

2008-02-17T14:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, children need to be taught to take a little at a time. Adults need to model this. Just like the obesity problem we have. Immediate adults need to model appropriate eating habits. There is nothing worse than an over weight adult complaining about obesity problems in children. Too many adults think it's okay to eat at fast food restuaraunts, too. I beleive children shouldn't be taught to clean their plate, but to take small helpings at a time. Ohterwise they may eat well after they are full.

I appreciate your thoughts, anonymous. And you are...

2008-02-16T20:57:00.000-05:00

I appreciate your thoughts, anonymous. And you are right in that we each tend to define what "waste" means to us as individuals.

I do not consider it to be wasteful to leave the bones behind when I eat a steak, even though I could, if I happened to need it at the time, use them to make broth (which I often do). And the idea of calling the crusts "bones" is that they simply hold the "meat" on and are not for eating; they are completely nutritionally devoid, and there is no healthful value in eating them.

I would not have been struck by a table full of "bones" as I was with this image of good, healthy food, which can sustain life. And although I may have raised my eyebrows at a table full of dessert, it still wouldn't have affected me the way this image did.

So while your point is well taken, in my view things are not as black and white as they are in yours.

And as for you being offended by the amount I wasted? Point me to *your* soapbox so I can read all about it ;-)

That's just terrible. This is one reason I avoid b...

2008-02-15T14:33:00.000-05:00

That's just terrible. This is one reason I avoid buffets. What a shame!

Wait a second... you just said that YOU left the '...

2008-02-15T12:48:00.000-05:00

Wait a second... you just said that YOU left the 'bones' as well.

So it's not really a matter of waste, but rather a matter of an amount that YOU are offended by.

What if I were offended by the little bit you wasted?

It's either WASTE or NOT.

But those are just my two cents. I actually am not trying to sound like an a#*, but just wondered if you'd looked at it that way. I mean, we all rationalize that OUR waste isn't too much (like I'm sure the ladies near you did), but isn't ALL waste too much?

Sure, go ahead and put it in your gallery. If you ...

2008-02-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

Sure, go ahead and put it in your gallery. If you want to use it any place else though, please be sure to ask first.

It's so pathetic that this problem is prolific enough to warrant a whole blog about it. Yours is great though; keep up the good work, and good luck with your book!

Thanks for sharing this story and photo. Sadly, th...

2008-02-12T17:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks for sharing this story and photo. Sadly, the scene your neighbors left behind isn't all that rare.

I write a blog on Wasted Food in America. Would you mind if I put that photo in my Flickr gallery of wasted food? Or you can do it if you have a Flickr account.

You're right in guessing that the restaurant is unable to donate the food from diners plates. Some buffets have instituted a fine system to prevent wasteful scenes like this one.

Finally, I appreciate your perspective on the "clean your plate" ethic. It sounds like your experiences have led to an enlightened policy with your kids and buffets.