By Rikki Lee Travolta
I have an addictive personality. If I like something, I like it more than just a lot. I find that I don’t just want it, I need it. I go through a physical and psychological craving of such intensity it feels like my life depends on it.
I have been sober for over seven years. I have been cigarette-free for close to that as well. Neither experience of quitting was enjoyable.
PRONE TO ADDICTIONS
In the case of alcohol, I had to go through rehab to kick the addiction. It was very hard at first, but with the help of AA, I made it through. Now I am to the point that it’s not even a thought in my head.
Cigarettes I quit on my own. I didn’t want the health risks and was tired of the drain on my pocketbook. It took numerous attempts to get over that evil weed. I tried vaping. I tried the patch. I tried the gum. Eventually, it just became a matter of sheer will and determination.
I’ve learned that I can never do anything that would likely tempt addiction because chances are it would happen.
Heroin, for instance, is something that I will never experiment with. Without even trying it, I know I would be instantly addicted. Quite frankly, I don’t want to be giving blowjobs in the train station bathroom for drug money, and that seems to be the destiny of most people who try heroin.
So, I keep my guard up. I don’t try things that have a relative chance of addiction.
SECRET INGREDIENT
Recently, however, something slipped through my line of defense. I find myself addicted to something once again. In this case, it’s Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.
I can’t be sure, but I have reason to suspect that the secret ingredient in the “Original Seasoned” pretzel twists is crack.
While I have never done crack, I have heard of its addictive qualities. Once you try crack, you never get rid of the desire for more. The same rule applies to Dot’s Pretzels.
The tagline for Dot’s Pretzels identifies them as “The snack you didn’t know you needed.”
Prior to trying Dot’s, I would have pretzel twists or pretzel sticks every once in a while. They weren’t a staple that I had to have in the house at all times.
Dot’s Pretzels are different. I have to have them in-house at all times. If my current bag is running low, I don’t wait for it to reach empty to get another batch. Rather, I rush out and buy a second bag so that when the first one runs out, I won’t be without. That’s a hardcore addiction.
DOT’S ORIGINS
Dot’s Pretzels found their origins in the Arizona kitchen of Dorothy Henke and her family around 2009. Dorothy began experimenting with custom seasoning pretzel twists that she bought at Sam’s Club.
After giving away some of her creation, Dorothy was inundated with requests for more. “Obsessed” is how fans of the treats were described.
Fast forward to today, and Dorothy and her family are sitting atop a gold mine. Dot’s Pretzels are available in stores around the country. Retailers like Walmart are selling out as fast as new shipments arrive.
The seasoning recipe for Dot’s Pretzels is a closely guarded secret. Consumers with discerning palates will be able to identify butter and garlic flavors in the forefront of the Dot’s experience. The rest of the spices, though, remain a mystery.
FUTURE THINKING
We may never know if crack is one of the secret ingredients in Dot’s Pretzels. They certainly are addictive enough to make one suspect it.
Dot’s also makes other flavored snacks including Southwest Seasoned Pretzel Twists, Honey Mustard Seasoned Pretzel Twists, and Original Seasoned Baked Cheese Curds. However, I haven’t tried any of the spinoff products as of yet. I already have my addiction to the Original Seasoned variety.
One doesn’t need to try “frosted crack” or “peanut butter flavored crack” when they already have an addiction to regular crack. The same applies to Dot’s Pretzels – my addiction to the original version is enough. I don’t need to tempt addiction to multiple flavor varieties.
If you haven’t tried Dot’s Pretzels yet, prepare yourself for culinary bliss. They are that good. And they’re a hell of a lot more healthy than heroin.
