I might be a little crazy to feel excited about National Blog Posting Month but there it is, my true feelings. I didn’t even mind the cat’s usual wake-up call at the crack of dawn this morning. Past years of blogging have intrigued me to the principle behind the month but I have never gotten motivated enough to participate. This year, I’ve been scheming since early in October.

For the uninitiated, NaBloPoMo is simple; write a post a day for 30 days. That’s it. November is the traditional month for it, developed after the idea of National Novel Writing Month where you challenge yourself to write a novel in 30 days. Since my current novel is running towards the two-year mark, it’s unlikely I could do that, but write 30 food posts in a month? That I can do. These days NBPM happens year round, usually with a theme.

Back in October I posted about monthly happenings, holidays of the sort, that occur for our 10th month. Just to grease the wheels and really get me out of the garage, for this post I’ll discuss November. If you want an entire breakdown of monthly celebrations, go here. I plan to just mention food occurrences, and a few other important ones.

November is American Diabetes Month, Gluten Free Diet Awareness Month (visit my friend Angela for some amazing GF/CF recipes- she is tops in her field!) Good Nutrition Month, I Am So Thankful Month, National Adoption Month, National Georgia Pecan Month, National Life Writing Month, the aforementioned National Novel Writing Month, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month (we will happily re-visit and discuss this in depth on the 20th) National Pomegranate Month, National Roasting Month, National Vegan Month, Pepper Month and Raisin Bread Month.

I mention Nat’l Adoption Month for the sole reason that adoption is something that has touched the lives of many people I have known in my lifetime, including my best friend Joanna. When she knew she couldn’t have children of her own, there was no doubt in her mind that her and her husband would adopt, and I had the monumental joy of watching the entire process unfold in her life from the moment she met her future family until the day they sealed the deal forever. Jay and Cecelia are wonderful children who have really blessed her life and I couldn’t be more thankful for her opportunity.

There’s another one; being thankful- as in I Am So Thankful Month. We shouldn’t set aside just one day a year, the fourth Thursday in November precisely, to be thankful for everything in our lives, including the wonderful family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers etc. that bless our lives each day. That being said, while a month is better, we really need to remember every day of what brings joy and happiness to our lives. I could list out everyone in my life that’s important to me, but they all should know anyway- even if they don’t read my blog, which they should!!-and that would bore you to death. I’ll just gently remind everyone to make more of an effort to recognize this in your own life.

Good Nutrition- this just shouldn’t be sneezed at; good nutrition, healthy eating and regular exercise are vital to well-being. Again, it’s something that needs to be recognized daily, not just one month a year. I really don’t need to talk any more about this.

Gluten Free Awareness- I’m hardly one to start on about this topic; my personal awareness of this has only been enhanced by the presence of Angela who has Celiac disease (she’s a silly yak….teehee, get it?) and the amazing and inventive way that she turns cookies, cakes and other goodies into delicious and healthy treats for her family, which includes two daughters who are silly yaks too. You hardly even know that what you’re eating is gluten-free as you can barely contain yourself from gobbling down all her delicious foods. Visit her blog and enjoy.

Then there’s the foods. And if you stick around this month and visit me to see if I’m keeping my NBPM promise, then you will see 29 more posts all centered on a particular food (and a beverage or two) each day.  Along with those monthly holidays there are daily ones as well, and that’s the journey I will take you on this month.

See you tomorrow!!