Growing up, it has always been rather apparent that my family lives a rather food-centric lifestyle. There are certainly no complaints here--from a rather early age I acquired an appreciation for food and I've gotten to eat in a number of incredible restaurants.

My family definitely wears the title of "foodies" proudly, although my dad certainly champions this concept. Whenever friends and family are taking a trip to somewhere we've been, my dad's the go-to guy for recommendations. I've taken on this role slightly as well by giving recommendations to non-local friends in the Philadelphia area.

Growing up in a family of foodies comes with a unique appreciation for food as not only sustenance but as a way of bringing people together. So, here are some of the characteristics that make foody families so unique:

1. Vacations aren't planned around the sights you see, but rather the restaurants you eat in.

Anytime anyone asks me where to eat, I'm flattered. Apparently, my reputation precedes me. Not only am I well-versed in Yelp when I don't know an area, but when I do know the area I always have favorites. When I am asked for recommendations, however, I have a tendency to go a little overboard and send far more than the circumstance warrants.

4. Your camera roll is filled with food pictures.

Birthdays. College acceptances. Reuniting with old friends. No matter the occasion, the best way to celebrate is with good food.

6. Meals are a form of stress-relief.

This picture was taken the day I finally decided where to go to college--a decision that had bee plaguing me for months. Nothing helped cure the stress of that decision better than a good meal.

7. Food brings your family together.

With crazy schedules to coordinate, meals are one of the times my family gets to get together and catch up on everything. Growing up, we always had family dinners almost every night (when schedules allowed), and we've continued this into college as often as we are able. Having a family who values food, we see it as a time to connect with one another.