can somebody check the punctuations and any grammatical errors for my first sentence in my essay

Question

anonymous · Answer

In today’s society the common connotation behind food are some of the following; basic nourishment for the body, health and dietary, various ethnic foods which amount to different flavors, a wide range of different experiences, or quite simply an adventure.

anonymous · Answer

did i use the ; right

anonymous · Answer

and should i write "or quite simply, and adventure" or does it sound ok without the comma

anonymous · Answer

following:

anonymous · Answer

u sure?

anonymous · Answer

connotation should be plural

anonymous · Answer

this is the beginning of a essay 
not a list of anything

anonymous · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

well it still is a list of things

anonymous · Answer

hmmm ok

anonymous · Answer

so in what instances do i use ;

anonymous · Answer

this is a fun way of learning about semicolons... http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon

anonymous · Answer

oh ok thanx now give me a medal and ill give u one too

anonymous · Answer

That's not how the system works...

anonymous · Answer

well u should give me a medal cuz my question is superawesomefantasticlevelover9000!!!!

anonymous · Answer

I have seen better... cya