This is Cohousing | Ep 6 | How Common Meals Nourish Cohousing with Vesanto Melina

What if the secret to a thriving neighborhood was as simple as sharing a meal? In this episode, Charles sits down with Vesanto Melina — registered dietitian, author of over 15 books, and resident of Vancouver Cohousing — to explore how common meals bring cohousing communities to life. From signup spreadsheets and cooking trios to rooftop gardens and $5 dinners, Vesanto and Charles dig into the practical and the profound: how shared cooking builds trust, how plant-based eating can work at scale, and why showing up to dinner on time might matter more than you think. Vesanto also shares her expertise on nourishing community meals — covering protein, vitamin D, accommodating dietary needs, and why moving toward plant-based eating is good for both people and the planet. Whether you live in cohousing or are simply curious about a more connected way of life, this conversation will leave you hungry for community — and maybe dinner. Resources mentioned: Vesanto's website: nutrispeak.com Plant-Powered Protein: plantpoweredprotein.com The Cohousing Company: cohousingco.com