Monks Bribe Locals With Holy-Doughy Treats

Monk-A-Licious!
The exact origin of the pretzel is not known, but it is believed that in 610 AD the monks at a monastery somewhere in Southern France or Northern Italy took the scraps of dough and transformed them into treats in the shape of a child’s arm folded in prayer.  The three empty holes of this twisted temptress represented the Holy Trinity.

The monks used these scrumptiously holy-doughy treats to bribe the town’s children.  If the kids memorized their bible verses and prayers, they would be given a pretiola! (Pretiola is the Latin name for little reward.)

On the Road
Yummy and anxious to please, the pretiola did a lot of traveling.  It passed though the French and Italian wine country, up and down the Alps, through Austria and into Germany where it was called a Bretzel or Pretzel.

Pretzels were served on Easter with two hard-boiled eggs and were hidden on the farms for the children to find – much like an Easter egg hunt.  And there was a time when Brides and Grooms would tug on the pretzel, like a wishbone.  The newlywed who pulled the larger piece was assured that their spouse would fulfill their wishes! 

The Pretzel shape came to represent good luck and prosperity as well as a reward.

Where are the origins of the present day pretzel?
As with so many fabulous discoveries, it was a happy accident!

In the late 17th century, a Pennsylvanian baker fell asleep while his pretzels baked in the hearth.  When he woke up, he realized that the flames had died. He feared that his pretzels weren’t cooked long enough, so he tossed them aside - to be discarded.  His boss, Mr. Master Baker (oh, that’s funny), came in and tasted one.  Eureka!!  The pretzels were delicious and this particular baking process allowed the pretzels to remain moist.

Reward Thyself!
Low in fat and calories (as long as we adhere to a single serving), the pretzel is a fair treat for us modern day health enthusiasts.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories - 110 calories per a 1-oz. serving. (approx. 10 thin pretzels)
Total Fat - 1 gram (no trans-fats)
Sodium - 480 grams (you could opt for baldies)
Total Carbs - 22 grams
Protein - 2 grams
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Special notice: There's a KICK in the TUSH CLUB forming in Houston - Oklahoma City - Brevard County, Florida. Want more info? Want to stay a Kick in the Tush Club in your area? Send me an email! info@ourladyofweightloss.com

.LINKS:

The definition of 'monk.' Is it a word of the church?
Meditation mapped in monk's mind!

 

Our Lady's Tush Bustin' Tips Exercise Tips for Exercise Drop-Outs & Top Ten Weight Loss Tips

Set up a KICK in the Tush Club in your area.

The Ten Commandments of Permanent Fat Removal as seen on Good Morning America!

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Righteous Recipe ~ Zucchini & Tofu Stir Fry

Ingredients: One can of no-fat chicken broth 2 zucchinis 6 scallions 1 inch hunk of ginger, grated 1 tablespoon soy ginger sauce 2 cloves garlic, crushed tomato (orange) couscous 1 package of tofu, cut into chunks.

Directions: Make couscous with chicken brother (Instead of water. Follow basic instructions on package) In wok, stir fry garlic, ginger, scallion and zucchini. Add package of tofu. Heat through. Serve on cous cous. Green, orange, gorgeous & delicious!

Want to whip up another dish?
Send Our Lady your favorite recipe! Keep them easy, low-cal and FUN.

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Pious Project™ -TapeMeasure Bracelet -

If you've got a tape measure lying around the house and the thought of wrapping it around your waist, hips or thighs is just too overwhelming, why not make a groovy, funky, fun bracelet out of it?!

Supplies: One tape measure (color of your choice, although the red with red nail polish makes a lovely combo).
Black elastic thread. One needle with eye that is large enough to get the elastic thread through.

Instructions: Thread your needle with the black elastic thread. Place needle at the 1/2 inch mark and go through, then loop the tape measure to the left and put the needle through at the 1.5 mark (you are putting the needle through at the 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 - inch mark).Then to the right - putting the needle through at the next 1/2 inch mark. Keep zig zagging back and forth so the bracelet looks much like a ruffled collar. The needle is going through in the middle of the bracelet, not at the ends. When you get to the end of the tape measure, tie a knot, cut elastic. Tie ends together. The bracelet slips on and off, given its elasticity.

Special thanks to our very talented hand model, Abby.