My mom is Asian and loves all of the throwaway parts of the

Chrissy Teigen once spoke with humor and reverence about her family’s traditions: “My mom is Asian and loves all of the throwaway parts of the animal, so she actually thanks me for saving her the neck and other parts.” In these words is hidden an ancient wisdom, one that goes beyond food and culture, into the realm of gratitude, resourcefulness, and reverence for life itself. What some dismiss as refuse, others treasure as nourishment. What one hand casts aside, another receives with thanksgiving.

The heart of her words lies in how cultures shape perception. In many modern kitchens, the throwaway parts—the neck, the bones, the organs—are discarded without thought, deemed unworthy of the table. Yet in countless traditions across Asia and beyond, these very parts are seen as treasures, rich with flavor, nutrition, and meaning. To savor them is not only practicality but reverence, an acknowledgment that if a life is taken for food, no part of it should be wasted.

Her mother, with gratitude for the neck and other humble portions, embodies this spirit. She finds joy where others see little, wealth where others see waste. In her thanksgiving, there is a reminder that abundance is not always found in the finest cuts, but in the humility of making use of all that is given. This attitude is ancient, born from times when nothing could be spared, when survival demanded ingenuity, and when every meal was a lesson in respect for the earth’s bounty.

History tells us of similar wisdom. In ancient Rome, the poor often ate what the wealthy discarded, creating dishes from tripe, feet, and tails. Over time, these meals became delicacies in their own right, celebrated for their depth of flavor. In China, cooks turned bones into broths that healed, and in the Middle East, whole animals were honored by using every part for food, clothing, or tools. In each story, the lesson is the same: nothing given by the earth should be despised. Throwaway parts became symbols of resilience and respect.

The meaning of Chrissy Teigen’s reflection is thus twofold: first, it reveals the power of perspective—how one person’s discard can be another’s delight. Second, it shows the beauty of inheritance—how a child, by honoring a parent’s traditions, connects to something older and greater than themselves. Her mother’s gratitude is more than a thank you; it is a blessing passed down, a reminder that even the smallest, most overlooked parts of life can bring joy.

The lesson we draw from this is clear: learn to value what the world overlooks. Do not measure worth only by glamour or prestige, whether in food, in people, or in opportunities. What seems small or humble may carry richness unseen. Just as the animal’s neck holds flavor for the stew, so too do the overlooked moments, the quiet tasks, and the forgotten people carry gifts of depth and beauty.

Practically, this calls us to live with less waste and more reverence. In the kitchen, let us use more fully what is given. In life, let us honor the overlooked—the quiet worker, the hidden effort, the humble path. Gratitude transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, and what once seemed worthless becomes a source of joy.

Thus, Chrissy Teigen’s playful remark becomes timeless wisdom. To save the throwaway parts is to embrace gratitude, to honor tradition, and to see value where others see none. May we, too, learn from her mother’s example, and cultivate hearts that give thanks not only for the grand feast but for the hidden blessings, the humble gifts, and the treasures found in what others cast aside.