Do you live to eat or eat to live? Do you ever wonder what the big deal about food is? What does being a "foodie" really mean? Whatever you call it, there are many people in the world who see food as so much more than just a way to satisfy hunger. Would you consider yourself one of them?

I know I do! For me personally, food is so much more than just the functional aspect of feeding my body. Yes, getting nourishment from my food, all those critical vitamins and minerals and calories that give us energy are so important, but it's more that that. I know it sounds cliche, but it's also really about feeding my soul.

Food is a huge aspect of our social lives and our culture. Recipes are passed down through generations in families. Friends ask friends for their secret to making that perfect dessert. Meals are shared at favorite restaurants.

I thought it would be fun to share a list of the ways that food can bring friends closer together (or even create new friendships!).

1. Invite a friend or a group of friends to meet up with you at a new restaurant you found that you love. We often don't take enough time out of our busy lives to make those in-person connections anymore, so making a point of sharing someplace that's special to you is a great way to show your friends you care and not only are you thinking of them but that you'll also make time for them.
2. Make a homemade cake or cupcakes for your best friend's birthday. It doesn't matter how it tastes or looks, when they see that you took the time to make something for them, it will make their day.
3. Make a pot of homemade soup to take to a friend who is under the weather. You can throw it all in your slow cooker before work and take it by at dinner time. It will take minimal work on your part and your friend will appreciate the help and the healing powers of the soup!
4. Take a dinner to a friend or neighbor in need. Whether they had a death in the family or have been dealing with a medical condition, when you have an unexpected hard ship it can be difficult to handle some of the daily tasks like cooking. Make up a baggie for their slow cooker or a casserole for their freezer that they can cook at their convenience. Or, if it's possible to contact them without adding any stress to their day, find out what might be a good time to drop off a hot and ready to go meal.
5. On the contrary to number 4 above, if you live in a community where the person may already be overloaded with more casseroles than they could ever eat, consider taking them some healthy breakfast options. Quinoa breakfast bites, mini hash brown cups or even egg and sausage bowls can be frozen in individual servings and they can just pop them in the microwave.
6. Invite your friends to have a recipe swap or cookie exchange! Have everyone pick a favorite recipe and then make enough to share with every other person coming to the party. Not only is it a great excuse to get together and socialize, it's also fun to see what kinds of foods your friends love enough to share with you!
7. Buy a cup of coffee or a pastry for the person behind you in the morning drive-thru line. Okay, so technically this person is a stranger and you will likely never meet them, but it's still a wonderful gesture of kindness and friendship that will make that persons day brighter. I've had it happen to me, and it's such a fun surprise!

My challenge to you is to think of a way to share a recipe, create a meal or make a dessert for a friend and just see if it doesn't brighten both of your days.