Eating with others provides nutrition AND socialization, which is a great combination. As people share meals together, they share customs of their culture and their heritage. Oftentimes stories are shared over a meal that connect people with each other’s worlds. Sharing a meal together has also been shown to increase the secretion of oxytocin, so. When we choose to bond together over a meal, we are making key connections in our brain that help us regulate our emotions, and the release of oxytocin is known to aid in the digestion of foods as well – it’s win-win! Another benefit to eating with others is that when we take time to sit down at a table and engage in conversation with others, we pay more attention to what we are eating. Studies have shown that mindful eating reduces the risk of overeating which reduces the risk for health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. You don’t have to be a member to enjoy our in-house dining, but you get a discount if you are one so please, come on down to the Golden Circle, pick up a monthly calendar of events, go on a tour and join us for a meal or three; we look forward to dining with you!