- by Natasha Beatson

I hope the weather over the last few weeks has you excited about this summer season. I have already started adding events and places to visit to my Grey Bruce summer bucket list. Many of these special events are centered on eating together with friends and family – barbequing, campfires, beach picnics and visiting local cafes and ice cream shops.

On Friday, June 22, join us for a BBQ at Owen Sound Zehrs for the second annual #EatTogetherDay. Donations collected in the name of President's Choice Children's Charity will stay in the community, helping to fund local child nutrition programs, including cooking classes and breakfast programs in schools..

According to a new survey commissioned by President's Choice, almost half of all Canadians eat lunch alone every day at work, many stating that this is just the new societal norm. Some people like to spend this time catching up on personal business or social media. Others say they are too busy with work to stop and take a break. But all of these factors mean that more people are spending more time with technology than building relationships with other people.

Something beautiful happens when sitting around a table with others – food is shared, stories are told, deeper connections are made, and colleagues become friends. When we take a break from working, our mood and energy levels also improve, helping us be more productive for the rest of that day. People who take breaks at work are happier and have higher job satisfaction.

What is interesting, is that although we know the benefits of eating together, the majority of us still don't. Make it a personal goal this summer to start eating together more often. Unplug from your electronics for a few minutes to enjoy your food. With less distractions we tend to taste and smell our food more. Ask others at the table what they are eating in order to get ideas for new foods to try. If you can't make it to our Eat Together event, plan an office potluck and try out this delicious no-cook summer nacho recipe! Go to https://eattogether.presidentschoice.ca/ for more information and inspiration.

It's at the table where we can turn a house into a home, a stranger into a friend, and a village into a community. But more than anything, eating together simply connects us. And our world can use a little more connection right now. This year, let's eat together on June 22nd.

No-Cook Summer Nachos with Sriracha Sour Cream

Ingredients:
1 pkg (240g) mango salsa, drained
2 cups (500 mL) frozen PC Avocado Chunks, thawed
1 ½ cups (375 mL) frozen PC Cooked Peeled Wild Atlantic Cold Water Shrimp, (about 100 g) thawed
2 tbsp (25 mL) fresh lime juice
Pinch (0.5 mL) salt
2/3 cup (150 mL) sour cream
2 tsp (10 mL) Sriracha hot sauce
8 cups (2 L) blue corn chips (about one 368 g bag)
1 cup (250 mL) cherry tomatoes, halved

1. Stir together salsa, avocado, shrimp, lime juice and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Stir together sour cream and Sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Spread tortilla chips on large serving platter or rimmed baking sheet. Top with salsa mixture and tomatoes. Drizzle with sour cream mixture. Serve immediately.

Tip: Transfer the sour cream mixture to a resealable plastic bag and snip off one corner for easy, mess free drizzling.

Makes 8 servings

Per serving: 220 calories, fat 13 g (3 g of which is saturated), sodium 240 mg, carbohydrate 19g, fibre 3 g, protein 6 g

Recipe source: pc.ca

Natasha Beatson is a registered dietitian with Owen Sound Zehrs. She is part of a network of more than 70 dietitians who provide services like one-on-one consultations, assisted shopping, school tours, group workshops and recipe ideas at locations across the country.