Slow Meals, Strong Bonds

Good morning & greetings from Washington State.

I’m about 70% through my trip to the Pacific Northwest, and today marks my first day in Olympic National Park. The vibes are great & morale is high.

When I planned this vacation, I assumed that getting away from the computer & into nature would have the biggest positive impact on my well-being, hands down.

And I’m happy to report that reconnecting to nature has been incredibly nourishing.

However, I've been pleasantly surprised by an even more profound difference-maker— the simple practice of having dinner with friends over the course of a few hours.

Over the past week, we’ve shared three three-hour meals with three different couples, and I’m shocked by & grateful for the transformative impact the combination of conversation & food has had on our experiences.

So today we’re going to explore the power of slow meals and how they can enrich our lives.

Plus, stay tuned til the end for some travel pictures.

Let’s dive in.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have the regular experience of family dinners.

On school/work nights, we gathered around the table, my parents, brother, & I, while on Sunday evenings, our meals expanded to include grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins— creating

As I reflect on these experiences, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for those days when family dinners were an integral part of our lives.

Those moments were about more than just eating— they were about coming together as a family unit— connecting & nourishing each other with food, conversation, and encouragement.

As I shifted into adulthood, however, the dynamics of my meals shifted, and I found myself eating meals on my own more & more.

At work, the corporate culture led me to eat at my laptop, often multitasking while consuming my meal.

And for dinner, I would resort to microwaved meal prep, post-workout, while listening to a podcast.

In conversations with friends over the years, I discovered that my experience was not unique… many peers have echoed similar routines, and some doctor-friends even explained that they have less than 10 minutes to scarf down their only meal of the day.

From my perspective, the fast-paced & results-centric society we live in has gradually eroded the value & cherished tradition of sharing meals with loved ones.

Moreover, the diet-culture dogma of “calories-in, calories-out” further perpetuates the notion that food is merely fuel, neglecting the deeper social & emotional aspects that come along with the most human element of food— sharing meals with those you care about.

As a society, we seem to have lost sight of the profound connections that can be fostered over a shared meal.

Yet, the importance of these social gatherings & communal meals cannot be underestimated.

They provide a space for meaningful conversations, shared stories, and the strengthening of relational bonds.

In an effort to reclaim some of that lost connection, I’m committing to re-prioritizing shared meals in the back half of 2023 because I've come to realize that these moments of togetherness are essential for my well-being.

Keith Ferrazzi, a Pennsylvania native with degrees from Yale & Harvard business school, sheds light on the concept of nurturing relationships by sharing food in his book, Never Eat Alone.

The book revolves around the idea that building & maintaining meaningful relationships is a fundamental key to achieving success & happiness in both personal & professional life.

He goes on to suggest that cultivating these strong connections & networks does not demand complicated strategies or complex tools.

Instead— he provides one simple principle:

Never Eat Alone.

The book's title, "Never Eat Alone," symbolizes the idea that meals provide an excellent opportunity for connecting with others & building relationships.

Ferrazzi encourages readers to use mealtimes as a chance to engage with others, ultimately nurturing relationships over shared food & conversation.

It’s a phenomenal read that also highlights some other valuable business concepts, such as:

1. The importance of being proactive in reaching out to others and fostering a sense of genuine curiosity about people's lives & interests.

2. The significance of attending social events, conferences, and gatherings to meet new contacts and expand one's network.

3. The idea of being generous and offering help or resources to others without any strings attached.

4. How to follow up and maintain relationships through regular communication and genuine interest.

5. The role of mentorship and how to seek guidance from experienced individuals in one's field.

I’d highly recommend checking it out and if you’re interested in learning more this article provides a 5 Minute Summary & an interesting 20 Lessons Learned.

On top of all this, I recently came across this tweet.

Just let that one sink in.

If Tim Ferris, an author who studies health & happiness on his podcast “The Tim Ferris Podcast” sees the power of slow meals, there’s probably something to it.

Photos of the Week:

Thanks for reading

Hope you have a great week.

Your friend & supporter,

Aidan