Elvis Blog – Post #69 – All Diets Start on Monday

DATELINE: Amelia Island (near Jacksonville, Florida)
Remembering Sunday 7 October 2012

ELVIS QUOTE:
“Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave ’em all over everything you do.”

ELVIS TRIVIA:
What was Elvis’s mother’s middle name?

ELVIS HISTORY:
May, 1955
When Gladys scurried to Elvis’s waiting car to escape the screaming Jacksonville (Florida) teens, she saw names of girls lipsticked on every inch of the vehicle.

SOUTHBEACH DIET TOMORROW:
Sunday 7 October 2012
My goal is to lose eight pounds by 19 October.
My motivation: A wedding invitation and a dress I want to get into.
The conflict: Meetings I must attend—all offering food. I will also be sitting in front of the computer for the next month since I won six critiques (actually I won more but some control freak shamed me into giving up the others) and I have a request (from Deb Smith, Belle Books) for a full manuscript (7SON). 359 pages and 74,000 words to proof read a few more times. The six critiques are easy since I have at least eight finished manuscripts and I only have to send in partials. As you might have guessed, I’ve just attended the Debra Dixon workshop about her fabulous book: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. One more day of freedom before the diet. Tonight I will pop corn, eat the leftover chocolate, and watch the start of the second season of the new Upstairs, Downstairs. Those actresses are all so fit and trim. I think it must be the English food. The last time I was in England (two years ago) I was not even tempted to overeat.

JOKE OF THE DAY:
Self-important State Highway employee to an old farmer:
Inspector: “I am here to inspect your farm for a possible new road.”
Farmer: “OK, but don’t go in that field.”
Inspector: “I have the authority of the State Government to go where I want. See this card? I am allowed to go wherever I wish on your farm land.” Later, the farmer heard loud screams and saw the State Highway employee running for the fence with the farmer’s prize bull close behind, madder than hell and gaining on the employee!
Inspector: Help!
Farmer:”Just show him your card!”

RECIPE OF THE DAY:
Soft Sesame Seed Pretzels:
You’ll need 1 lb pizza dough & 2 hours
Place dough on floured surface
Knead 3 min
Place in greased bowl, greased top up
Cover with plastic
Let rise in 85 degree room 1 hr. (or doubled)
Divide in 8 parts
Roll each in 16” rope on floured surface
(keep unused dough covered with damp towel)
If it doesn’t stretch easily, cover & let rest 5 min (not you, the dough)
Twist each end diagonally & tuck under, forming pretzel shape
Cover with damp towel
Let rest 15 min
Preheat oven to 425
Fill saucepan with water
Stir in 3 Tb baking soda
Boil on med-high heat, reduce to med-low
Lower 2 pretzels at a time into simmering water for 10 sec on a side
Transfer to greased wire rack
Repeat
Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking pan
Brush with ¼ C butter & sprinkle with 2 T sesame seeds & 2 tsp very coarse sea salt
Bake 12-15 min

TRIVIA ANSWER:
Love