Simultaneously Occurring Anonymous Dinner Parties With Neighbors

The first two Nourished By Neighbors were held in summer and fall seasons, 2011. Neighbors in the Greenway Fields neighborhood created dishes that complimented the season and their flair.

Nourished By Neighbors is an opportunity to share in the energetics of local, seasonal foods prepared with love and enjoyed in the company of neighbors.

Brian Hedgpeth of Pivotal Moments Health created the Nourished By Neighbors program during his certification process at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is coordinating the next Nourished By Neighbors to coincide with Food Day.

"I was surprised by the intuitive connectedness people had with creating dishes that complimented the season. I think people are craving this kind of connection to food and each other", said Brian.

Neighbors who participated have since said:

"I loved the Nourished by Neighbors dinner because it gave me an opportunity to meet and get to know neighbors I'd not previously known. I know our neighborhood is a great one, but with a hectic career, it's often hard to find opportunities to meet other neighbors. I've been telling all the folks I do know from the neighborhood about it and encouraging them to sign up next time. It is so very Brookside!" - J.

"Simply a terrific evening and I'm looking forward to the next NBN dinner! When I was telling my friends how enjoyable the evening was, they said the concept is cool and they plan to participate next time." - G.

"Nourished by Neighbors is a delightful mix of suspense and comfort. We got better acquainted with neighbors we already knew and established a connection with neighbors we had never met. It was interesting to see how each dish complimented the others with the result being a perfect union of flavors. A glass of wine, good conversation and a lovely meal, what could be better?" - K.

The next Nourished By Neighbors will take place in fall season and is available to be replicated throughout Kansas City area neighborhoods and beyond. The simplicity of the program means no one person—whether coordinator, host or guest—expends much effort!

For information on starting a Nourished By Neighbors program in your community, contact Brian at Pivotal Moments Health

Food has an energy of its own — "food energetics" is the exploration of how food imparts a living wisdom that is separate from the science of nutrient values. Ancient peoples, through their relationships with the plants and animals providing their food, understood that their food conveyed the unique energetic qualities of its source. For example in summer, we naturally crave more fresh and raw foods. These foods have a cooling effect on the body. The lightness and high water, fiber and vitamin content work together to act as our internal air conditioning during these warm months. At this time of year we also need less dense, high–energy food because we get so much energy from being outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

Similar, in that there is a transfer of energy from food, there is a transfer of energy from the "surroundings" of the food as we prepare and consume. The smiles, anticipating guests, that accompany the preparation. The ambiance—from our mood, music and laughter—that surrounds us as we eat together.