Put the phones down, clear your schedules, and make time for loved ones—it might make you happier and healthier.

All of us know how busy daily lives can get. From work meetings, sports practices, after-school extracurricular activities, and other commitments, it’s become increasingly hard to get the whole family together for a meal, even if it’s just a quick dinner. But there’s a lot of science that back up the importance of the family meal. Studies show that by sitting down with your loved ones, this simple act can reduce stress, boost brainpower, and make you healthier.

Sitting down to dinner with your family can build relationships and bring people closer, but it can also be a relaxing experience and relieve some of the stress of a work or school day. And it makes sense too—when you put your phone and work aside for a few minutes to eat and catch up with family and friends, you’re bound to get your mind off whatever’s bugging you.

And that’s not all: More family dinners mean smarter kids. A child's vocabulary can be boosted through a meal, sometimes even more so than the act of reading a bedtime story aloud. Older kids can reap the benefits, too—teens were more likely to get A’s if they ate family meals five to seven times a week.

Of course, we know that when you sit down to a home-cooked meal, it’s a lot more nutritious than eating fast food or TV dinners on the couch. You can use family dinners to control portion sizes, offer more servings of fruits and vegetables, and choose healthier options. By keeping a tradition of nutritious family meals, kids will make healthy choices when they grow older.

So, after reading all of this, you’re probably thinking, “Why in the world am I missing out on these important benefits?” This is where BACI Kitchen comes in—we’re making it easier to enjoy family dinners.

Our EVOO is the perfect accompaniment for any dish—salads, mains, and yes, even dessert! You’ll actually enjoy making dinner with our unique olive oil because food will just taste better (plus, the added nutritional bonus, too). Add the amazing health benefits of our extra virgin olive oil and the benefits of family dinners, and you’ve got a win-win situation.