Kids Try Struggle Meals I Had As A Child || Hard Times With Food Insecurity

[@tiffanysamuelson9262]

I can not tell you how much I love that you can share these struggles without any blame or contempt on anyone in your past. Not one negative word spoken toward anyone. Just mature assessment that times were hard. This is why your life is so beautiful. You choose to see the beauty. You extend grace for your loved ones. This is how trauma heals folks ❤️

[@MishCreates01]

@@tiffanysamuelson9262 same 💐🫶🏼

[@truthseeker243]

This really is interesting. And you kept it light hearted 👍. I think the current young can relate to my early 20's being my era of struggle meals. My after work meal mainly consisted of a junior size can of corn or green beans and a glass of chocolate milk. I was size petite 5. (That was the good part).

[@reginastephens935]

I think being food insecure as a kid does something to you. I absolutely have to have my fridge, freezers and pantry brimming full at all times. I buy groceries like I’m preparing for the zombie apocalypse. You just never get over it.

[@kricketcooper5024]

I’m the same way.

[@BonusFiddle]

My husband is like this. There is never any room in the pantry. He thinks I’m scolding when I suggest we don’t need ten of something.

[@angelaaguilar8591]

I’m the same way. I like my cabinets overstocked with snacks for my kids but lately been struggling to pay bills. I feel unworthy when I can’t have the food stocked up for them

[@CherylBailey-o1q]

Yes I know exactly what you mean. It's like a sickness or something

[@marjoriesmith4839]

I definitely agree

[@whittkatt]

As a nurse, we used to recommend jello water for moms to make for their kids when they were sick. It soothes sore throats and provided some electrolytes for kids who don’t want to drink anything. They usually would drink that!

[@Michele-wb3nm]

@whittkatt my daughter was in the hospital 33 years ago she had the flu she got the last available hospital bed. The doctor told me to give her jello water because it would help her from getting dehydrated.

[@ilinoisy]

My mom did that for me! It also helped make me feel very grown up and dignified like I was drinking tea (my mom served it warm). 😂 Thank you for sharing!

[@pigoff123]

In Germany the doctors recommended kinder tea or camomile tea.

[@SuzieQ-lw2kp]

My mom would fix jello water for me anytime I got a stomach virus and I couldn't keep anything down. It always helped me feel better and it stayed down. I had forgot all about it till I seen this I loved it.

[@maryjohnson7110]

I got sore throats and bad coughing fits. My mom gave me bullion broth. So salty. I can't stand the smell of bullion in soup 60 years later,

[@metoo5004]

Macaroni and tomatoes with butter salt and pepper.... still love it 😂

[@debragrossbach102]

This one of my favorites! To this day, if I'm feeling a little under the weather, this make me feel better. I so appreciate you mentioning this!

[@annehedonia156]

Mac and cheese with diced tomatoes is also really good.

[@CherylBailey-o1q]

Me too my dad loved it also

[@barbaram3153]

that is still a favorite at my house made with stewed tomatoes

[@bethpowell6466]

Family favorite.

[@JaneLight-n6j]

Oh my. You made me cry on the tater story. I'm 62 and I cried after ordering and getting a toy I had years ago and had to get rid of. It was a musical Rushton stuffed Santa Claus that I got from an aunt and uncle that have passed. I was 2 when they gave him to me and had him till I was 29. He was in storage and when I pulled him out of the bag, he had mold on him and his music box wasn't working anymore. I was sad, but I had to throw him away. This year I was searching through Etsy as I had been for the last 3 years for that familiar face on my Santa and never had any luck till this year when God heard me. I found one that looked EXACTLY like the one I had!! I bought him and when he arrived at my house, I opened the package and pulled him out of the box and held him tight and all the memories flooded back and I bawled like a baby. There are things in our lives that will always remind of special times. Merry Christmas Brooke!!! ❤❤❤

[@SuzieQ-lw2kp]

I'm so so glad you found one that's wonderful 💛🙏💛

[@rachaelmay1088]

❤ A beautiful memory ❤

[@beckystone7994]

Mine is a little leather change purse in the shape of a boot with a zipper my aunt snd uncle brought me back from Mexico when I was about 8 years old ! I still have it today and I’m in my 70’s !!

[@pattitowry6114]

Well, dang! Now I’m crying with you! ❤ I’m so glad you found one!

[@BevCro09]

For my 50th birthday my Mom surprised me with a brand new Mrs. Beasley! I cried like a baby! I used to take her everywhere. Im almost 58 now & Moms been gone 5 yeara now so glad we shaed that together. Shes the best🥰 Love all these good memories everyone is sharing❤

[@Kat-tr2ig]

When I divorced my very violent ex-husband I was left with nothing. I was always working-class poor, but this was now abject poverty. And, I had a disabled 5-year-old son (cerebral palsy) and no family even remotely nearby. It was a tough time. I was able to buy a 50 lbs sack of potatoes, and we had them for every meal for a month. Our favorite struggle meal was potato cubes with half a chopped onion, some garlic cloves, and three sliced hotdogs baked all together in the oven. That was 20 years ago and we still talk about "potato month".

[@k.h.307]

My teenage son and I struggle as we're both disabled and we have rice and beans months...it kills me I can't keep enough food in the house for him ever.

[@terriburns8174]

My dad always said, "potatoes and gravy for dinner and gravy and potatoes for supper."

[@joltjolt5060]

We always had rice. Rice with some meat, rice with egg, rice with rice lol.

[@annehedonia156]

Does anyone else remember when Kool-Aid was just 8-10 cents a pack?

[@patwilder1340]

And Jello, too.

[@tracibest7049]

I remember pick 10 for $1.00

[@GenXTired]

Yes! 10 for a dollar. Also, ramen noodles were 10 for $1.

[@debgordon6542]

​@@patwilder1340 The Jello brand jello small box is $1.69 at Publix in Central Florida. They don't offer an off brand but $tree has an off brand (when I'm lucky) for $1.25. I still can't get over the increase, it's highway robbery!!

[@rael.5967]

Or when ramen was like 17 cents a pack

[@shirleywells862]

When you said jello water it reminded me of something in my life. I was raising my baby on my own and she was allergic to milk and milk products. Little did we know at the time and allergy tests later just how many things that she was allergic too. (She was just a baby, 41 years ago), but couldn’t keep anything down. So mom and I were at wits end and we made jello just as the box directs and put it in her bottle. It worked and lots of prayers after she recovered, and many trial and error formulas we finally found one she good use with soy. Even the Dr was surprised. Thank the Lord and jello she has 6 children today!!!!!

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

That is such a sweet story! Jello really helped out!!

[@BevCro09]

My oldest son also couldnt keep down formula. My japanese mil taught me about rice water . It totally settled his tummy & we could sleep! Also had to use soy. Hes 35 with 2 girls now❤

[@Kathy-n5q]

Moms raised 9 children. We grew up dirt poor.she could make up a recipe from anything.Great cook. Miss and love her for my raising. Great Mom Thanks.

[@debragrossbach102]

The way you share your emotions and your past struggle, just tug at my heart strings. When you said, "I'm crying over a tater," I literally have tears in my eyes. I have had times in my life that I struggled. I believe you are God-send to so many who have struggled, so that they know they are not alone, and so many of us understand.

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Thank you! That’s partly why I make these videos. ❤️

[@KathyWaldner]

@@SouthernFrugalMomma I can remember my mom telling me that whenever grandma made a pot of bean soup for supper, the next day, she would make cold bean soup sandwiches for my mom and her siblings to take to school for lunch.

[@barbfrontczak1791]

I have done the mashed potato 🥔 sandwiches 🥪❤!

[@AngelaSchaefer-c5n]

I love baked potatoes for lunch. This looks good. Thank you

[@barbfrontczak1791]

@@AngelaSchaefer-c5n yes they look delicious 🤤😋

[@deeriehs4777]

Oh sweet lady, you made me cry too. Remembering my grandmother making us coke floats with vanilla ice cream and we’d watch the Miss America pageant together. It definitely wasn’t a struggle meal but the memories are precious. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TracieL1234]

When I was a kid, I thought pancake Sunday suppers and sugar cinnamon rice were treats. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized my mom was just doing the best she could with what we had. Dad was the only one who had an income, and there were 4 kids. When I lost my job and the ex “forgot” to pay child support, I ended up feeding the kids pancakes, rice, noodle casserole, spaghetti with 1/4lb ground beef, and those other “special meals” I had growing up.

[@lyndarussell241]

We had rice with cinnamon and sugar and pancakes too.

[@lyndarussell241]

And my daughter STILL uses jello water when she or her daughter have a cough.

[@EgoBrain1]

Those are things kids love, so I'm sure they are happy. And that and full bellies is what matters. 😊

[@cynthiajones1113]

We've all done it. My grown kids still love pinto beans too.

[@JysMe]

Me too Hun!

[@dannadonahue916]

Nothing wrong with crying over good memories. ❤❤❤

[@donnawheeler6283]

I'd think it staved off hunger pangs because of the sugar and gelatin, which is a small amount of protein. Your sister was very resourceful and smart, Brooke. You crying over a food memory is so touching. Flavors and scents can bring memories back and make you feel like no time has passed. This was a great video!

[@StefsMiniaturesandCrafts-ej3mz]

I could literally eat potatoes on anything!LOL!! My mom always made soup (she liked convience too- she rarely made a from scratch meal) to make it last several days- may we never forget those struggle times so it humbles us in our times of abundance!

[@septemberdavis3615]

As a child growing up poor, one of my favorite meals was stuffed hotdogs. My Mom would make some mashed potatoes, then warm up hot dogs in a pot of water on the stove. She would split them length-wise (but not cut them all the way through), put them on a baking sheet, spread them open and put mashed potatoes in them and top them with "plastic" cheese. She put them in the oven and let the cheese melt. I still love them today. I didn't realize back then we had them because money was so tight.

[@mariafree6737]

That sounds yummy. Gonna try

[@AGee2217]

We had the same thing! We called them mashed dogs. Only my stepdad would make them in a foil pouch then put them in the oven to heat everything.

[@janicekobetich1138]

This was a leftover tater dish always. I too still love it! We thought it was a treat!

[@stellarose5887]

We had the same meal, except we used fried bologna instead of hotdogs.

[@pamelarichardson428]

​@@stellarose5887they called them flying saucers.

[@Lindsey-C]

Single mom from Iowa here. This is my new fav channel to watch! I’ve learned so much from you!! God bless you mama ❤

[@Jswilk830]

I didn’t grow up in the most normal family- my mom & dad had problems with legal prescription drugs & my dad liked his alcohol. however, I never went without food so this video is making me realize some things I should be grateful about in my childhood… Thank you Brooke! ❤

[@francisjohnson665]

Oh my , I loved this . Thank you . I am 77 years old now , we were poor money wise but had a big garden and momma canned everything she grew. We killed hogs and chickens s . Had eggs , had a milk cow so milk and homemade butter . We ate gallons and gallons of dried beans with cornbread. Still one of my favorite things . Got water from a hand dug well , carried it to the house, it was like ice water . We had never heard of microwaves probably not invented 😂😂. Didn't have a TV until I was 7 , had an outhouse. I relive those times , the best times of my life . I think the Jello water would be a lot like Koolaid, just not as strong of a taste .I still occasionally buy plastic cheese , I like it . Please do more of your childhood stories and meals . I adore Brayden , he likes everything that you cook ; I did my mommas too . Love and hugs too you all . Merry Christmas. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@dmmrad54]

Same here my grandparents had a farm. My parents had a garden and chickens. We didn't waste anything.

[@sunnydaisy5906]

@@francisjohnson665 oh how I remember these things along with you. Thinking back of all those times now those were the good old days .

[@Debbie68]

I grew up in rural Texas as number 6 of 7 kids. We got creative with food just as you and your sisters did. We would spread country crock (butter, what is butter?) on whatever bread (not toast) we had in the house and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on it. Another was to scrub a potato and boil it in water mixed with milk powder, add in some country crock and season it with salt and bam, soup. We got our water from a well on the property. We were also known to eat frozen orange juice or 5 alive concentrate straight out of the can. lol we ate lots of soup beans with bread and country crock.

[@RobinHampton-uh8qh]

I love you show! I watch it everyday almost. I grow up poor too. One of my favorites struggle meals is when Momma would pop popcorn with butter at night . Then next morning she would put sugar & milk on it and we ate it like cereal. Growing up poor was hard, but I had the best childhood. Thanks for what you do. Be Blessed

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Oh that’s so cool!! I’ve never thought of that!

[@James-v9z2i]

I came across your channel a few months ago, I am from California, but I'm living in the Middle East, and I miss home so much. Just watching your videos comforts me and gives me a sense of calmness. It's a little piece of home that gets me through the times I struggle. Thank you.

[@whyme7400]

I thought it was so sweet the way you teared up while eating that familiar meal. I had to cry along with you! My mom grew up during the depression and with 5 siblings and no money food was scarce. I remember 2 things that must have come from her childhood. Saltines broken up in a glass of milk and for dessert white bread spread with butter and sprinkled with sugar. I loved that stuff and never gave it a thought.

[@jackielowe2895]

My dad grew up in depression. He ate milk and saltine crackers as snack in evening. I still have that every once in a while. Great memories

[@charleneheiland8803]

Drank jello too,but not as a struggle,just no kool aid .We thought we were darn clever. Around 6 years old.Currently 84 ! Happy Holidays🌲🥰

[@marykriglein9839]

As the youngest of 7 in NC during the early 70's and beyond my favorite struggle meal was when my Daddy would make us Cinnamon toast in the oven. It was a treat then and I still do it to this day! Loaf bread, country crock ( I used butter now) sugar and cinnamon in broiler til toasted. Delicious!

[@lynnestamey7272]

It's still a favorite treat to me. I'm 70 years old and I also love rice with butter, sugar, cinnamon and a little bit of milk. It's dessert to me!

[@karenfaries5056]

Our mom made us tator sandwich and jello drinks and I always said momma it's good 😊 !! We eat what ever mom made for us and she always prayed over it thanking the Lord for being able to feed her children and daddy would always say AMEN AMEN. . I cried with you 💞 ..

[@nancymcsweeney1920]

My grandma would make us brown sugar and butter sandwiches on Wonder bread.... Loved it!!!!!!

[@rael.5967]

Nice mine too but she would toast it in the oven; i still make ghetto cinnamon toast to this day ❤

[@rowendacarter8790]

@@nancymcsweeney1920 I would do just regular sugar

[@donnaspindler5933]

We used to eat creamed tuna on toast. Take a can of drained tuna, mix with a can of the cheapest cream of mushroom soup, simmer together a little while till all the tuna is dispersed in the soup and pour over toast. It really was yummy and filling. Our favorite night, twice a month, was a bucket of KFC, homemade mac and cheese, which was actually boxed mac with an extra two slices of plastic cheese melted on top, and a can of heated pork and beans! Delicious!! Thanks for the memories Brooke! Love to you and your family!! 🐢🐢💚💚💖💖

[@brylenesells7842]

When I want comfort food I go for tuna and cream of chicken soup and pour over toast.

[@sdlady1]

I also grew up eating creamed tuna on toast. We usually ate it on a Friday during Lent. It was a change from eating sardines or having salmon patties. Plus mom would always make tuna noodle casserole any time.

[@lpschick7237]

You were emotional because as an adult & Mom you realize just how had those struggles were. Back when you didn’t necessarily understand that. Now as a Mom you do. Not only does it bring back those memories, it brings back just how much struggle your family went through back then. You see & understand things differently once you are an adult. Back then it was just life & what you ate.

[@lisaloonin1087]

Jell-O water is good if you are sick too. I grew up with that.

[@WorldOfWonder66]

This is my favorite video that I have watched in a long time. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It brought back so many memories for me also. Not just of my childhood but even when my kids were little. Even my grandkids learned about eating like this when were little . It was always kind of funny how that little bit of lettuce made those potatoes pop. Yes the chicken nuggets were on the cheap side because you could get a large package of them for really inexpensive and also you could do the same thing with fish sticks. Of course none of us really knew what we were eating. It was just something to fill our bellies. I love the mixed vegetables just like that. In fact I have a bunch of them in my pantry right now. Oftentimes we would add a box of mac and cheese with those dinners. Thank you again for this video ❤ I'm just an old widow lady who lives alone now and videos like this really brighten my day ❤

[@KenCollinsworth-e8t]

We ate lots of beans and cornbread, spam, bologna and soup. We always had something, but I could do without spam!! Later after my mama was widowed she kept a tbsp. Of green beans, 2 tbsp corn, 1 tsp peas etc and about 1 or 2 ounces of chicken breast and she would make ramen noodles and put all that in it and said she had soup for days! She was very resourceful and creative. Miss her so much! And I had to use that knowledge/memories when times were hard when I was raising my boys. Thanks for the video Brooke and the memories. I cried with you and my memories! Love you brstie!❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@WorldOfWonder66]

My grandmother would make Jello water and I still love it to this day. She would tell us how healthy it was for our fingernails and our hair. She instilled in us that no matter how much money we didn't have we could at least look nice. You know as I got older I even went to beauty School. . I didn't choose it as a career however I ended up going to medical school. It turns out Jello really is good for us 🙂

[@rhondasmith1901]

We used to drink unflavored gelatin because the protein in it was supposed to grow your hair and nails.this was High school in the 60's . Supposedly the gelatin was adequate from horse's holes. Unfortunately modern jello only has 1 gram of Protein and stuff like corn syrup. I love hearing your stories. I am 75 and was on a small farm in NC.

[@rhondasmith1901]

Wow. I hate when the system changes my words. That was made from horse's hooves.

[@debgordon6542]

​@@rhondasmith1901 lol, too funny but I knew what happened even before you explained it 😊

[@ladywytch129]

​@@rhondasmith1901😂😂😂Well, you really don't know these days 😂But we knew what you meant.

[@velmahopkins8070]

Tears of joy…! You are so very lucky to have had your grandma when you were growing up…!

[@kimberlycaldwell3124]

I also remember just spaghetti noodles, butter, salt and pepper. And dessert was a slice of bread and butter with sugar.

[@erderder1]

Reading your comments and learning about different struggles is so heartwarming. My parents worked and mom would make a big pot meal or I would fend for myself with making pancakes or a box of pudding I would cook on the stove.

[@BabsAmato1]

Growing up all of our neighbors were in the same boat, so we were poor but we didn’t know it. Thanks for sharing your memories and nostalgia with us.

[@gracekennelly8534]

Brooke, I’m a longtime sub, ….. Just wanted to say, I love ❤️ your videos! 😊 You always cheer me up, and help me feel less anxious 😬! God bless you and your beautiful family! I’m 65, disabled and my kids and grandchildren all live far away 😢…. I enjoy all your family !!🙏

[@DS-yo8dx]

Hugs!

[@ksewald91]

We had our Sunday nicer meal, but lots of homemade bread, rice, pasta and beans to fill out meals. Chili, spaghetti, soups, stew and potatoes.

[@barblindsey9596]

I agree about the butter! Imperial or Blue Bonnet was butter back during childhood! 😊

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Right?! I was so shocked to find out it wasn’t real butter 😂

[@BigLeLe58]

@barblindsey9596 "everything's better with Blue Bonnet on it"!

[@sunnydaisy5906]

Wonderful memories . I cried happy tears too with you. In my adult years My dear mother would fix me a fried tater sandwich when I felt down . She's gone to heaven now and what I'd give to have that sandwich waiting for me . Cherish your memories❤

[@KenCollinsworth-e8t]

Amen!

[@rls2348]

I love your sweet memories. My grandparents were my everything. Your childhood is a part of who you are and the strong kind woman you grew into 🥰

[@patriciaharlen4823]

Brooke you're so correct. Many people that you would not expect have struggled. I've seen it with my own eyes. And as a kid we sure did. Cannot tell you how many times we ate whatever we had. My mom even had to use dishsoap for bathing and shampooing when my dad was layed off. That was in the 60s and 70s.

[@lisalee9182]

We ate a LOT of beans and cornbread growing up and I still love it. oh yes mashed tater sammich, I also ate ketchup or Mayo sandwiches.

[@ladywytch129]

I hated ketchup sandwiches, but I would eat mustard sandwiches every chance I got😂

[@carriesessum2505]

I cried right with ya !! I have lost my grandma now but I can’t smell Lipton iced tea powder mix , or butterscotch hard candy , so many memories flood back .. I miss her so much !! She was (IS) my hero !!!

[@orleysmith4852]

We didn't have leftovers very often because we had to cut it pretty close, but on the rare occasion we'd have a little bit of leftover mashed potatoes, Mom would mix an egg or 2 with it and fix mashed potatoe patties

[@emmagraceanderson1054]

@@orleysmith4852 I still do that now! I add a little green onions into it now. They freeze good too so I don’t waste any of the food I’ve made.

[@lisah.8653]

Loved those!

[@suz5271]

I loved hearing you say Mamaw and Papaw, the same way me and my brothers called our Mamaw and Papaw. Brings back memories.

[@EgoBrain1]

My parents are Mamaw and Papaw to their grandkids. 😊

[@MsV3]

Brooke, I love the vulnerability you have in this video. You are so amazing. We would have mashed potato sandwiches too. I didn’t know that was a struggle meal. Lol. My sister would make us “juicy noodles.” It was elbow macaroni with a can of tomato sauce. I loved it. Love, love, love you.

[@jmethegirl]

Brooke, since you love potatoes, you need to try mashed potato tacos! Just warm up your leftover mashed potatoes, fry up some corn tortillas, add the potatoes instead of meat, and top with any taco fix-ins you have on hand. My favorite toppings are lettuce and salsa or just on their own with a little bit of salt and pepper so good!

[@annikanygaard7443]

I do this for my family. Or I'll fry them like taquitos. Sometimes I'll add chorizo. We will them with some fideo/sopa

[@annikanygaard7443]

I do this or I roll them and fry like taquitos. And I'll make fideo/sopa

[@BabsAmato1]

My mawmaw or nonna was the same. Being at her house and having meals with her were the best. I miss her all the time and this brought back such wonderful memories. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@debgordon6542]

My Nana was the most influential person in my life.❤

[@Willow555]

lol “who knows what these things are” (talking about the bacon bits)😂 you are so down to earth and likeable😊

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Well thank you lol

[@eileenworth7862]

We'd have what my dad called "Johnny cakes" which was flour, water, baking powder (no eggs) made like a pancake, butter (if we had it) oil in the pan if no butter. Then syrup if we had it, or sprinkled cinnamon and sugar (if we had it), or brown sugar.

[@kimandgreg4404]

Don't apologize!!! I'm happy for you that you were able to feel those happy memories. I think about my grandma every time I make mashed potatoes. Also, white bread toast and corn flakes. I loved my grandma so, so much. She loved me unconditionally. I used to joke that if someone said I was a serial killer, she would have said, "I'm sure Kimmy had a good reason". ❤

[@jasonsdodd]

We grew up poor, too. We were not the poorest people I knew but we were close. Here are some of ours. 1. Cornbread in milk dessert. 2. Peanut butter and kayro syrup dessert. 3. A pack of ramen noodles with a slice of that plastic cheese. 4. Imitation kraft mac and cheese. With some tuna on a good day. 5. Any kind of beans. 6. Egg noodles with very little chicken with a cube or two of chicken broth. 7. Scraps of anything fried with potatoes and/or eggs. 8. Egg salad sandwiches. 9. Peanut butter and jelly. 10. Ketchup sandwiches - really bad day if we were eating these. 11. Grilled cheese sandwiches - with tomato soup and a slice of the cheapest bolony on good days.

[@CherylBailey-o1q]

A great Sunday dinner was when daddy would shoot a wild rabbit in our back yard and mom would make rabbit pot pie with a can of mixed vegetables and her homemade biscuits on top. My sisters were told it was chicken lol

[@shirleystrinden477]

Here to. 60ties baby

[@shirleystrinden477]

​@@CherylBailey-o1qomgosh!! My dad did the same thing. With rabbit and frog legs. Lol

[@AmyLou1967]

I used to eat a ketchup sandwich as a child for a snack. 1 piece of white bread folded over with ketchup. Maybe that's why I don't eat ketchup as an adult. I don't guess we were necessarily struggling with no food in the house since it was a snack but we certainly didn't have all the cakes, cookies, chips etc that my family has for snacks now. We were poor for sure but not starving. Daddy was on disability and he paid all the bills and mama worked in a factory making very little and it took her whole check to buy groceries for a family of 8. My brother got a job at a local grocery store when he was old enough and on payday he would buy Shasta cola and sometimes cotton candy for all us girls (1 boy oldest 5 younger girls) it was so exciting to get that treat!

[@EgoBrain1]

That is how we were. Had more than some others I knew, but still had hard times. My parents kept our house overflowing with food though. They saved money in other ways. And we never has mac and cheese. My dad refused to buy it. 😂 He had it so much when my mom and him were starting out (they literally ran away together as teens lol) that he wouldn't touch it. When they made velveeta shells and cheese, they'd get that like once a year. Lol

[@rachaelmay1088]

My oldest nephew would get strep a lot. His paternal great grandmother told us to give him jello water and it works. We gave it to him in his bottle. It stops vomiting, lowers fevers, and it made him feel better. I understand the value of jello water. It does work!

[@Happyscmm]

I loved jello water! It wasn’t a struggle meal for me hahaha. You’d be surprised it works so good for a sore throat if it’s warm. I’d just heat water up and put a spoonful of jello powder in it and drink it. I still do it at times if my throat hurts.

[@annawims6510]

Many great family memories hanging out with her.

[@karenmiernicki9981]

God bless Grand-Parents. I remember spending summers at my grand-parents, (a cottage on the rocks facing the ocean and forest all around), black flies feasting on our flesh and mosquitos too, but the best memories I have is of being near my grand-parents. Balony, fish and crab that my Grand-Father would catch. At low tide, all grand-children were sent to dig out clams that my Grand-Father would later boil for us (no sides, just clams as a delicious meal). We had no access to candy, chocolate, chips, soft drinks, but we were happy. My Grand-Mother made the best bread in the world. Catholic priests would sort of push for French people to reproduce up here in Quebec, so my poor Grand-Mother had 14 kids, adopted a 15th, and always fed those who came along, and let me tell you: we were many! All that with a fisherman's/hunter's catch.

[@EgoBrain1]

🙏🏻 Yes 😊 My Grandpa made the best pancakes. For my Grandma, I loved her fried potatoes and her haluski. Idk what she did to them, but I still haven't had either that were as good as hers and she just effortlessly threw them together. 😂

[@Kimbermom4908]

My sister and I used to reminisce about foods my mom made. We always thought it was such a treat to have strawberry shortcake for supper multiple times in the summer. Then, my sister said, "One day i was thinking about that, and it occurred to me that it was a treat for us, but mom was giving what she had abudance of at the time......we had it bc we were poor." We had lots of potato soup, goulash, and cream cornedbeef on toast. She cooked everything ftom scratch.

[@jeannine1739]

Every time I was sick as a kid, my mom would feed me cracker soup, milk toast and/or warm jello water. We didn't think of ourselves as poor, these were sick kid foods for us, but they got me through a very sickly childhood.

[@naturefeeder5748]

Black cherry is the best! And if you ever get hit by diverticulitis and have to live on a liquid diet for a few days, warm black cherry jello drink is a life saver!

[@sandyweatherwax4877]

When we were sick Dad would make potato soup from instant potatoes. We KNEW we were sick when DAD would make us soup! It was the best! He would add lots of butter, salt pepper... & eat it with saltines! Yummm!

[@annputman9603]

When my dad was out of work we would just have a huge amount of white rice. I would have mine with milk and cinnamon. Another meal was what I called meat sauce over mashed potatoes, she wouldbrown up 2 pounds of ground beef and stir in some tomato sauce and chopped onion. 10 pound bags of potatoes were cheap. So was a 5 pound bag of rice.

[@countycalling]

Brooke, oh darling, I went into foster care when I was 3 but I remember before that when I live with the joke of parents I was gifted to, one day there were 8 kids in my family and my sister Brenda 9 years older then me we had one can of peas to split between us. I was the baby and I got the pea juice and she made it so special to me

[@kpopp8686]

Tomato noodles. Just elbow macaroni and a can of tomato soup. Margarine if we had it. Boil and drain your noodles, add the soup, salt, pepper, margarine. We ate it every few days. Now my own girls love it.

[@paulet3682]

We had tomato noodles with fish sticks or salmon patties on Fridays, you know, Catholic.

[@themadwomanskitchen9732]

20:39 thank you for reminding me, Brooke. Mom and I got blessed with a big cucumber from the food bank that is starting to go bad so I need to make into sweet refrigerator pickles. I used the EASIEST brine, one part sugar to one part white vinegar!

[@jeannetaylor2217]

When we were sick, my mother always fixed us jello water. Only it was served to us warm. It was fantastic! Thanks for the memories 💕🙏🙏

[@lynabercrombie7139]

You have wonderful memories, my grandparents never wanted anything to do with me because I was adopted. Love the ideas, we may need them in the future!

[@gamingwaffle1171]

Looking forward to more stuggle meal recipes

[@djc-p5b]

We made it hot and called it Jello Tea. Definitely something mom gave us when we were feeling sick. Helped to warm us up and filled our stomach with something easy to digest.

[@judithrichardson8213]

Hi Brooke. I love mashed potato sandwiches, but it has to be cold mash, and have one slice of bread with butter or margarine, the other slice has ketchup on it. To me it is one of life's little pleasures. The other really cheap but easy AND delicious meal, is plain boiled pasta, a little salt and pepper, topped with a tin of baked beans, and if we want to feel like rich folk, we add some grated/shredded cheese, usually extra mature cheddar or sometimes red Leicester. Oh my so quick, easy, cheap and soooooo tasty. Much love and respect to you and your family, from me and mine, here in the South East of England. xxxxx

[@pennylynch913]

Mine was pasta, sauce and cheese. I love your positive attitude Brooke about your struggles. ❤ I'm from Australia and food is getting crazy expensive. Feel sorry 4 families trying to feed their kids! Thanx 4 sharing your sweet memories Brooke. 😅❤

[@jinglesh1398]

My grandmother (I'm a great grandmother now) would make macaroni and eggs which was cooked macaroni in a skillet with margarine whipped eggs and season salt til the eggs were cooked. My mother would make from scratch pancakes or corn fritters with vanilla water and sugar for syrup. Mom would take leftover boiled potatoes (when there wasn't enough) slice them and add bread broken into chunks with margarine and fry till golden. Still love all of them and so do my grandchildren

[@darcyferrigno]

I remember one struggle meal (which as child I loved and didn't realize that my mom was out on her food budge). it was "Bland Macaroni". LOL. Dried elbow pasta, milk, some flour (to thinken), salt pepper and some butter. Filling and cheap

[@annehedonia156]

Did you cook the macaroni in the milk?

[@louisewilliams1258]

Creamed peas on toast, elbow macaroni with canned tomatoes + bread and margarine, pancakes with one sausage link 'fan' cut into 4-5 slices.

[@kimberlyhayworth4012]

Don't ever apologize for feelings,you are human,and good memories are awesome as long as they are good memories ❤

[@wovenwoman]

I had sliced apples sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon in a bowl with milk as a snack at my childhood friend's house. They had 9 kids!

[@annehedonia156]

I adore fruit in a bowl with milk and sugar! Better than cereal. Berries work well with this, as well as things like sliced bananas. I've never tried it with apples.

[@kathyhanson509]

We had jelly water when we were sick. It's not sad, it's the best. Makes sense now. If it coats your stomach, makes you feel better. Great for dehydrated kids too. Warm and tasty.

[@bettymadden3615]

Don’t cry. I think it’s good that you are talking about it to show you were grateful even in hard times.

[@Animaluvr]

Love you❤ Im a Chemo patient and I have stomach problems!! And I am financially deficit being on disability. These meals really helped me. I am #1 gonna try the Jello Water to begin with how awesome!!! LOVE THAT!!! Love me some tators and looove chicken nugs pickles and veggies!!! You have the sweetest boys!!! God Bless you...keep the wonderful videos coming 💝 🎄🎁

[@ladywytch129]

I have a condition called gastroparesis and sometimes can't eat solid food. Even soup is a challenge. Jello water is great for those days! (I actually laughed when a nurse suggested it, I hadn't had it since grade school 😂)

[@Animaluvr]

@ladywytch129 I can totally relate lol Do you have a Jello flavor preference ❣️

[@tonyasalo]

My husband's favoritewas French fry sandwiches, mine was left over fried breakfast potatoe sandwiches with home made sweet or dill pickles. You started a long conversation about what we ate as kids. Memories of hard times & living through it are special times lots of love. Thanks Brooke hugs, love & blessings to you & your fellas.

[@CatriellaCatriella]

When you grow up poor you don't realize it until you *thankfully and eventually* get out of that situation, and when you do it's like a punch in your stomach that leaves you breathless. I once was making my kids breakfast, nothing fancy just some eggs, grilled cheese and fruit and I remember looking at my kids plate and immediately it struck me how when I was a child I thought that having bread with butter and cheese was like a special breakfast because normally it would be just plain bread and some herbal tea or nothing at all.

[@bobstubesocks]

Brings me back to childhood. Random fridge stuff on bread, buns, or crackers. I like to make quesadillas and stretch the cheese by adding leftover mashed potatoes-dollar chorizo (if I have it), a pound of shredded cheese stretches so far over cheap tortillas and it’s actually super delicious!

[@angel196989]

I was crying with you. I'm a sympathetic crier If someone starts crying around me, I' crying with them. I wanted to give you a big old hug. My mom wasn't a very good cook either, she made awesome homemade bread, rolls, biscuits and donuts but as far as regular food went, it was a big nope. My dad was the cook in our family, and he taught me how to cook. I still make his homemade stuffing, spaghetti sauce etc. to this day.

[@Sweetrottenapple]

You are one of the stongest person I've ever met on KZbin. You don't have a bad bone in you. You are someone people can look up to. Thank you for sharing the story of your past, and your upbringing. The dignity and gratefullness of yours is incredible. Also the resilience of you and your family is fascinating. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@Zombie-adventures]

We drank jello water as kids; my Mama would use it as either/or with Koolaid. I like the flavors.

[@debgordon6542]

We never had fresh fruit. On holidays we had canned fruit, usually in gelatin. We rarely had milk so we ate cereal right outta the box. On a good night, we'd have fried bolgna with fried potatoes. Yum 😊

[@jeanniewright2554]

You’re looking really good these days. Your hard work is paying off!!

[@SouthernFrugalMomma]

Thank you! I’m really happy with how far I’ve come!

[@drealake3281]

How clever. You are so full of love and it sounds like you were surrounded by love growing up. Thank you for reminding me of my many blessings! My heart goes out to anyone who is struggling now. Especially those who are not in a loving environment. Hang in there! We are all rooting for you to succeed. Love & Light to ya'll.

[@GiancarlaMacaluso-u3i]

Thank you for sharing these sweet memories! I’m over here crying too ❤

[@Lil_Bie2]

(15:37) in reality you are crying over a wonderful memory ❤❤❤

[@lyndarussell241]

Your Aunt Vickie sure looks like your Mamaw 😊 And yes, I cried with you. Thanks for sharing some of your childhood with us ❤️

[@rebekahhansen1112]

My mom made our popsicles with jello . She also gave us frozen bananas and we kids would take a paper towel put ice on it and eat/ crunch away . These were our summertime treats.

[@bridgetmarden7224]

❤ Don't apologize ❤ I'm not crying with you babe my eyes are just leaking with you love. I grew up poor too. Love you and all that you share ❤

[@valeriekuhns5305]

I know we had struggle meals when I was young growing up in the 80's & 90's. My mom would make this when my brothers and I were sick... I make it every once in a while as an adult because I love it and sometimes when I'm sick.

[@thrifting_in_the_ozarks3887]

I’m 70 and my mom started working when I was 16 and I’d make myself an instant mashed potatoe sandwich on white bread. Good stuff.

[@teresawagoner3958]

Girl, you had me crying and laughing with you. It's amazing how something so simple can bring back such strong memories ❤

[@crystalmichelle659]

Omg!! I cried watching this! Girl!! I felt this!! And it was good stuff!!! My favorite was the microwaveable potato! I used to do the same thing after school going to my Grandmas!! Thank you for sharing this! My son was asking me why I was crying! I had to show him your video!!!❤

[@JJ-zc7yu]

I just started reading all the comments and have to comment again. Sorry. Based on reading these comments, we have all been there. Most struggle meals are amazing still because of the memories we have from them. We learned from our childhood and the struggles we had then and now and become better from those. In a community like this, we can gather strength from others and feel safe. I love this. ❤

[@barbiemarie2376]

It's the pectin. It expands and makes you feel full.

[@CelerySunrise]

Aw geeze, crying over the tater was so cute. I get like that with biscuits. They don't even have to be good ones haha they bring me right back

[@DS-yo8dx]

We used to eat canned sardines on saltines with mustard on top when I was little and times were hard. I love your channel :)

[@sharonstevens8709]

Still eat this but I add a drop or two of soy sauce. It's the perfect added touch and so, so good!

[@DS-yo8dx]

@ I thought we were the only ones! Small world haha.

[@lizalynnrivera1329]

It broke my heart watching you and your sister talk about your childhood and not having any food . So seeing what you do now showing teaching people how to shop store and cook with very little is absolutely wonderful .