Connect over a homecooked meal

Dining in is the new dining out

Maintaining healthy routines can be comforting in times of change. If you’re spending more time at home these days, one routine you can stick to is mealtime with your family. Daily meals are not only a source of nourishment to help you stay healthy, they also offer an opportunity to check in with your loved ones. Sharing food with others creates connection, which can help bring a sense of calm during this period of isolation. So here are a few ways to make dining in just as special as dining out.

Play with your food!

Go out to eat – at home.

For a lot of us, dining out isn’t just about the food, it’s about the occasion and the company. While there is comfort in the routines around meals, if you’ve worked hard to make a new, delicious dish, you can also treat it as special occasion. Schedule a digi-date and dress up a little for dinner. Set the table and set the mood. You could even go all out and print a menu. The point is to have a little fun and designate the meal as a special time of your day.

Table for one. Conversation for five.

With a little creativity, you can still find ways to share a meal with loved ones, even if you’re home alone. Contact a friend, family member or group and share the recipe you’re about to make, encouraging them to give it a try as well. Once you’ve made your meal, video chat with them and enjoy your creations together, comparing notes on the food and your experience making it. If you’re at home with your family, use the meal as an opportunity to connect with each other and talk about something other than the daily grind. A great conversation starter could be having everyone list one thing they’re grateful for or one thing they’re proud they accomplished that day or week.

Adapting our routines gives us the ability to practice positive productivity and wellness during these uncertain times. And maintaining a healthy routine when it comes to mealtime will keep our minds and bodies well.