The 7 Snacks of NaNo | NaNoWriMo Prep (part 2)

Forget about writing, I want to talk about FOOD! Specifically, my favorite NaNoWriMo snacks.

They say Rome wasn't built in a day...well I say, my novel wasn't written without amazing snacks. Hum, maybe that doesn't really translate, but oh well.

There are a few key things to think through when choosing the perfect Nano snacks.

1. Accessibility
What can you readily grab from the cupboard or fridge without losing your train of thought?

2. Cleanliness
What can you snack on that won't leave your fingers sticky or require you to wash your hands?

3. Health 
What's relatively healthy but still tastes good?


Here are my top 7 favorite snacks for NaNoWriMo
*P.S. For the sake of this post I shall deem liquids comparable to snacks...don't ask.

1.  Coffee
All day. Every day. All the time :)

2. Pretzels
Love these little guys. Tasty and yet not messy.

3. Carrots & Celery
Meets all the criteria and gives you a satisfying crunch!

4. Tea
Favorites include: Peppermint, Moroccan Mint, Lemon, English or Irish Breakfast (with cream, thank you), and Sugar Plum Spice Tea (bring on the holiday's).

5. Chocolate
You've got to be careful with this one, but M&M's work great - the whole "melt in your mouth not in your hand" thing works very well for writers.

6. Popcorn
Blurs the line slightly here, but I use an air popper machine so there's no butter. Just takes a while to eat so there's a time factor to consider. 

7. Coffee
Oh, er- did I already say that? I guess I could put apples in here too, but coffee just seemed to fit so nicely...

There you have it. Some of my favorite snacks! Did any of mine make your list?

What about you? What are your favorite snack foods? What, in particular, will you be stocking up on for NaNoWriMo?

***See part 1 here.

Food to read and write

This is a little-known fact, but I also have another blog devoted to FOOD!  I don't update it very often because Thinking Thoughts and my photography blog keep me very busy, but there are times when I'll come up with a recipe or make something fantastic that I just have to share and, rather than try and make it writing or photography related, I just stick it up on Tasty Ideas.

Being a writer, it's important to have great snack items around. I'd say the same is true for readers!  I'm talking healthy, tasty, feel good foods that are quick and easy so as not to tie up your hands for too long. It's good to take a break, but the end goal is to "get back to it" - you either want to finish writing the next great novel or reading it!

Banana Applesauce Muffins

Knowing this, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes from Tasty Ideas.  My Banana Applesauce Muffins are by far the favorite on my food blog.  They are easy to make, healthy, and taste great - a must have for me and for a blog with "tasty" in the title.

There are many alternatives to the recipe as well - feel free to add in chia or flax seeds, nuts of any kind, dried cranberries or raisins, or even chocolate chips (though that kind of defeats the "healthy" purpose a bit).

So, go on into the kitchen, give your fingers (or eyes) a little break and whip yourself up a batch of muffins. They will be great for (shorter) future breaks and I'm sure your family will appreciate them too ;)