Today, I'm sharing a great recipe for Flax Bread that I recently tried.  Flax seed has good health benefits.  Flax seeds are a source of good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber.  There are many other health benefits connected to the consumption of flax seeds and you can find out more information easily via a Google search.

We like a hearty bread for toast in the morning.  I found that this bread is pretty easy to make, is delicious and makes great toast. 

Below is the link to the recipe.  It is made in a bread machine but is baked in the oven.  I think you could bake it in the machine if you wanted to, using the whole wheat cycle.  But since I didn't try it myself, it may take some experimenting on your part to get a good bake using the bread machine.  You can also make this dough by hand or with a mixer able to handle bread dough.

I prepared my dough in my Zojirushi bread machine on the dough cycle, then removed it for shaping and the final rise before baking.

I also tweaked the recipe a bit to suit our particular tastes. I used organic ingredients where possible.  Instead of whole wheat flour, I substituted am equal amount of HI-Maize High Fiber Flour that is sold by King Arthur Flour.  I also added a seed soaker made of 1 Tbsp. of dark flax seed, 1 Tbsp golden flax seed, and 1 tsp of poppy seeds.  I covered them with water to soak.  The seeds will absorb the water and the mixture will thicken.  Because seeds absorb water just adding dry seeds to the dough would require additional water to compensate.  Using a seed soaker will help keep the dough hydration where you want it.  However, as always, when making yeast dough, you may still need to increase/decrease flour/water amounts depending on your environment.  Another change I made was to brush the top of the baked loaf with butter after I removed it from the pan.

http://www.food.com/recipe/flax-seed-bread-bread-machine-143230

King Arthur Flour Hi-Maize High Fiber Flour
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/hi-maize-high-fiber-flour-3-lb

Yesterday's Musing highlighted the dangers of e-cigarettes to pets (and children).  The risk to them is exposure to the contents inside the e-cigarette should they chew up and be exposed to the cartridge contents or come in contact with e-cigarette refill container's contents.  Check out yesterday's Musing to learn more if you did not see the post.

Today, I am following up on e-cigarettes and their relative "safety".  I ran across this information today, and learned a few things about "vaping".  It is well known that smoking conventional cigarettes is dangerous to both smokers and those nearby inhaling second hand smoke.  The smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals resulting in concerns for health and environmental cleanliness.  These concerns have bought about implementation of laws and practices establishing smoke-free environments and designated smoking areas.

E-cigarettes have become available and are popular as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.  It advertised as a "cleaner" and "safer" cigarette, as no smoke and resulting toxins are created from combustion.  However, whilecertain levels of toxins are reduced in e-cigarettes, research shows that others still exist, in levels found to be "quite high" and potentially dangerous to your health.

Studies have shown that e-cigarettes actually emit higher levels of toxic metals.  Researchers suggest that the metal particles come from the cartridge in the e-cigarette, which could be addressed by the manufacturers improving the cartridge design and manufacturing.  E-cigarettes still do contain toxic carcinogenic ingredients.

How do e-cigarettes work?  When you take a puff of an e-cigarette a battery heats up a liquid. That liquid contains a flavoring (such as tobacco, menthol, cherry, vanilla, or java), a humectant (typically propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin) and, sometimes, nicotine. As you inhale, you get a "dose" of flavored nicotine without the chemicals typically produced from burning tobacco. That being said, you're still getting a dose of chemicals. (source: mercola.com)

In addition to metals, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indentified a potentially deadly antifreeze chemical called diethylene glycol in an electronic cigarette cartridge along with tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are linked to cancer. (source: mercola.com)

To learn more about the hazards presented by smoking e-cigarettes, visit the links below.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/17/e-cigarette-second-hand-smoke-effect.aspx?e_cid=20140928Z1_SNL_MS_1&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=ms1&utm_campaign=20140928Z1&et_cid=DM56871&et_rid=673861402

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/health-risks-e-cigarettes-emerge

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/17/more-ecigarette-injuries_n_5165480.html

I don't smoke so I haven't followed the e-cigarette development closely.  I ran across these articles, and realized that people might not know the dangers of this "better than cigarettes" alternative.  If you are around pets, you need to exercise care to keep them away from animals (and children).  They contain very toxic substances and can have fatal consequences in the wrong paws (or hands).

The primary danger to pets is the nicotine they can be exposed to.  There is a cartridge in the e-cigarette that contains nicotine at levels toxic to animals.  Pets may be exposed when they chew up the e-cigs or the bottles containing e-juice, or even when they walk through puddles of spilled e-juice and get it on their paws.  The signs of nicotine poisoning may begin within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to the e-liquid; in contrast, signs of nicotine poisoning following eating tobacco products may take a few hours  as the nicotine must be released from the tobacco.  (source: veterinarypartner.com)

The links below will provide more information about the dangers posed to your pets.  Please read them so you will know what symptoms to look for, be ready if an accident should happen, and above all, know how to keep your pets safe in the first place.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/e-cigarette-toxicity-in-cats/page1.aspx?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_content=CL-20140925%20%281%29%20remainder

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/e-cigarette-toxicity-in-dogs/page1.aspx?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_content=DL-20140925%20%281%29%20remainder

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=3557

I ran across this video today, and its powerful message struck me.  We live in a world filled with so much self centered and self important thinking and behaviors.  Social networking, selfies, advertising, merchandising, changes in social/cultural standards and the prevalence of "all about me" thinking  seems to reinforce this pattern.  Examples of the decline of humanity are evident every day, as witnessed in our daily lives and in the news.  For example: murder, abuse, theft, road rage and the general rudeness, lack of respect for others.   Sadly, compassionate stories such as this one are but a small percentage of daily news messaging.

So many families are dealing with crisis of various types.  This particular video involves a couple, with a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease.  Many families, including my own, are caring for loved one with this disease.  It is very difficult to deal with.  It is very draining and disheartening to see vibrant people slip away before your very eyes.  Alzheimers Disease is just one of many different maladies that can affect families.  Regardless of the cause, the impact the disease has on the family as well as the person with the disease is very similar.

The messaging in this video is not so much about having and living with Alzheimer's Disease.  It is more about the strength and depth of love of this couple has.  It is worth watching to see the best of humanity.  Everyone has their limits in what they are actually able to provide a loved one, but that is not the point here.   The solid, loving foundation of their relationship is the rock they stand on.  Regardless of whether the care is provided by family at home or if the loved one is placed in outside care, it is the commitment, support and love expressed by individuals to each other that is important.

Below are the links to the story of Bill and Glad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH5n9lVZcM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_201504&feature=iv&src_vid=GH5n9lVZcM4&v=LeBH4ELAiKw

I know that my family's lifestyle made it very difficult to have dinner as a family.  My husband and I worked opposite shifts, so family dinners were not possible during the week.  Later, as the children grew older and became involved in outside activities, having dinner together with them during the week was also a challenge to schedule.  One thing I always tried to do was have one family dinner a week, usually on the weekend.  This was a time when all of us gathered at the table to eat (often a homemade meal and sometimes carry out) and most importantly - connect as a family.  No TV or other distractions.  Everyone had a chance to share their week and most importantly, listen to what each person had to say.

A recent article about dinner habits and customs caught my eye recently, so I decided to do a bit more research into to subject.  What I found was rather enlightening (to me at least), so I thought I would share here. 

There is a great deal of variation these days, as to when people eat dinner and how they eat dinner!  It wasn't always that way.

An article from History Magazine, first published in 2001, takes a historical look at the evolution of "mealtime".  Here are a few points from the article.

The names of meals and general times they were eaten were once fairly standard.  Going back to medieval times, "breakfast" was first thing in the morning, "dinner" was midday, and "supper" was not long before going to bed (usually around sundown).  Our modern variations (some say confusion) came about from changing social customs and classes, political and economic developments and the influence of technology.

The main meal of the day in the past was "dinner", eaten midday.  This was tradition of the wealthy and well to do.  Those lower in the social order, considered middle class,  had to eat later in the day, because their lives were driven by work vs. rituals.  They would eat in the early afternoon and return to their shops and businesses to meet afternoon customers. Their meals were less lavish affairs, but still substantial.

Those at the low end of social order, the peasants, took a break from work and had dinner around noon.  They usually had less to eat than the more well to do, and consumed much less variety.

Eating a main meal midday was influenced out of necessity.  Living habits back then were managed by the availability of "light".  Artificial lighting provided by candles and oil lamps was a costly luxury, requiring the less wealthy to retire "early" when darkness arrived.  Supper was a light meal, usually consumed before the sun disappeared for the day.  This pattern continued for centuries. 

Capitalism, colonialism and the industrial revolution changed the world's economy.  Many people had more money to spend. More goods became available to more people, including access to artificial lighting.  Living habits began changing because they were no longer tied to the cycle of sun up and sun down.  People stayed up later and woke up later in the day.  Work habits began changing too, with people working farther from home, taking a "sack lunch" to work and the midday meal became lighter fare.  The main meal was pushed to later in the day, after work hours and people would eat their main meal at home.

English immigrants coming to North America brought their habits with them, gradually changing over time, but at a slower pace than Britain.  In our current century, dinner is eaten any time between noon and midnight.  Mealtimes are now very fluid and changing, reflecting the flexible lifestyles of people. 

A Cornell University article looks at family mealtimes and whether eating meals as a family makes a difference.  Research continues to look at the effects of shared family meals, but evidence to date suggests that family meals do provide benefits for children and youth.  Researchers recommend the following to improve family mealtime:

1. Set a goal to have regular family meals at least three times per week.
2. Remember the benefits of consistent family mealtimes (generates feeling of closeness and comfort)
3. Quality of family meals is just as important as quantity. (guard mealtimes from outside distractions to help communication)

Lastly, and what originally prompted my interest in this subject, is a photo study called Dinner in NY.  Miho Aikawa's idea for this project was to propose what dinner is to people, how different it can be for everyone, and to present the diversity found in this everyday act.  On his website, Aikawa stated "A study in Public Health Nutrition which compiles data relating to Americans food-related time use over the past 30 years reveals some interesting trends: Eating as a primary activity declined in the past 30 years.  On the other hand, eating as a secondary activity rose dramatically in the past 30 years.  When we combine the primary and secondary eating time, we see that we're spending an average of 25 or more minutes in total daily than we did 30 years ago.  We now do almost 50 percent of our eating food consumption while concentrating on something else."  (my comment-makes me wonder about the obesity problems and the fact that we are not totally focused on what or how much we are eating?)  Visit his link below and take a look at his photo study, it's rather revealing.

http://www.history-magazine.com/dinner2.html

http://www.human.cornell.edu/pam/outreach/upload/Family-Mealtimes-2.pdf

http://www.mihophoto.com/projects/dinnerinny/

Typically, when someone says "It's all the rage.", they are referring to an increasing popularity of a product, certain look, or activity.  Often this is demonstrated as passing "fads", where things become popular, then fade away.  This Musing is about a different reference to rage.  I'm referring to "rage" and anger being demonstrated by people in different travel situations

Road Rage

For a long time, we have heard the term "road rage".  Chances are you have been on the receiving end of "road rage", or maybe you are someone that has expressed some type of  "road rage" or aggressive driving.  AAA reports that aggressive driving and road rage are increasing and is one of the top concerns of drivers today.

Aggressive driving is a term for dangerous on-the-road behaviors that emerged around the 1990's.  It refers to behaviors such as:

• Following too closely
• Driving at excessive speeds
• Weaving through traffic
• Running stop lights and signs

Aggressive driving can also escalate into behaviors such as:

• gesturing in anger
  
• yelling at another motorist
  
• confrontation
  
• physical assault and even murder.

"Road Rage" is the label that refers to the angry and violent behaviors at the extreme end of the aggressive driving continuum. An important distinction is that aggressive driving is considered to be a traffic violation, while road rage, not including yelling and gesticulating, is considered  a criminal offense. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

What Do The Experts Think?

What are the underlying reasons of this rise in aggressive and dysfunctional behavior on the road?  Experts have various opinions. (source: The Growing Problem of Road Rage By Charles Montaldo)

Sociologists: suggest it is due to the breakdown in our society's sense of community and a disintegration of shared values.

Psychologists: blame the intoxicating combination of power and anonymity provided by motor vehicles.

Traffic engineers: believe the problem is due to inconsistent driving speeds among travelers.

Suggested Causes:

Traffic Congestion:  This is sited as a frequent cause.  Drivers who have a low tolerances for traffic delays might react by following too closely, changing lanes frequently, or becoming angry at anyone who impedes their progress.

Running Late:  People are stressed because they have too much to do and are running late for work, school, their next meeting, lesson, soccer game, or other appointment.  Drivers often "justify" their speeding because they are running late.

Anonymity:   Drivers can feel detached when insulated within the privacy of a vehicle. Tinted windows facilitate the misconception of being an observer of the surroundings, rather than a participant.  Being anonymous can "release" individuals to behave in antisocial ways, because they don't feel accountable for their actions.  This combined with power of a vehicle can result in extreme rudeness.  It can turn a "nice" person into a dangerous "rager".

Disregard for Others and for the Law:  The erosion of societal values and respect for authority has been the subject of studies and news stories.  Suggested causes for this problem are: the fragmentation of the extended family, increased individual mobility, media influence, and other characteristics of modern society.  This trend is reflected in the expression of narcissistic traits and the common phrase, "I'm just looking out for number one."

Habitual Or Clinical Behavior:  By far, most motorists rarely or never drive aggressively.  For a minority, there are frequent episodes of aggressive driving, and for a small group, aggressive driving style is the norm. Occasional episodes of aggressive driving might occur in response to specific situations, such as speeding and changing lanes abruptly when late for an important appointment, when it is not the driver's normal behavior.  And for some, it can even be an expression of illness or pathology.

Something to remember is that it is not the anger that is experienced by drivers that is of concern, but what they do with that anger. 

Air Rage

Recently, the newscasts have aired stories about a different kind of "rage".  This situation involves "Air Rage" which is a term that refers to airline passengers exhibiting aggressive and disruptive behaviors.  Some say that "Air Rage" is the new Road Rage.  In the last two weeks, three flights have had to be diverted due to fights about reclining seats.  Other recent expressions of "Air Rage"  include a passenger who were arrested for punching a sleeping passenger and another who beat up an airline employee.

Suggested Causes:

What are the reasons behind the increased incidents of air travel belligerence and even violence?  Psychologists have suggestions on causes: (source: Air Rage: Why Does Flying Make People So Crazy? Leah Ginsberg)

1.  Air travel security restricts personal freedoms making people feel vulnerable, so they act out.  People can be very
    sensitive to being controlled and might become afraid or angry. 

2.  People have "personal space" and airlines offer very little of it, so people are willing to fight for it.  American culture has a
     norm expectation of about 3 ft of personal space (or an arm's length).  Maintaining this boundary on a plane is virtually
     impossible.  Coach seats are often less than 1.5 feet wide causing passengers to invade each others space.  Pushing
     boundaries is a good way to upset people and airline practices of putting more seats on planes and flying planes at full
     capacity make air travel more uncomfortable and stressful.  Recent arguments on planes have involve "the reclining
     seat" where the person in front reclines their seat, causing "problems" for the passenger directly behind.  A new device,
     called Knee Defender will prevent the seat in front of a passenger from engaging in recline.  This device was a trigger for
     an inflight argument.  The passenger in front wants to exercise their "right" to recline the seat they paid for, and the
     passenger in back is trying to prevent the reclining seat from invading his "space" that he has paid for. 

3.  Being overloaded and overwhelmed.  Too much to think about stresses us out, which leads to a short fuse.  Having too
     many responsibilities to deal with at once is one of the top causes of stress.  Multitasking is not really that efficient and
     creates an overload on individuals.  Traveling is a stressful experience with worries about getting there on time, coping
     with airport security and invasion of personal space, dealing with luggage, schedule delays, catching connector flights,
     managing carry on luggage etc.

4.  Some people drink or take medication when flying.  Doing so can help people relax and may help manage anxieties, but
     it can also result in more impulsive behavior. 

5.  Many travelers experience anxiety while flying, putting them on edge and less able to cope with stress.  Adding
     medication or alcohol can make matters worse.

6.  Some travelers are belligerent and in a bad mood.  This attitude can be contagious and create conflict in a social
     situation.  An "emotional contagion" can can have a cascading effect, and cause everyone to pile on when someone
     starts something.  One or two incidents and become many.

What To Do About Road Rage?

Edmunds.com has 10 tips to prevent road rage:

1.   Be rested- inadequate sleep can cause irritability
2.   Plan ahead - being disorganized and running late can cause speeding and impatience.
3.   Don't use your car to blow off steam -Your car is not an extension of yourself.
4.   Don't listen to aggressive music - Aggressive music can prompt aggressive behavior.  Listen to music that is calming.
5.   Keep relaxed behind the wheel - Take rest brakes, if you find yourself tense, relax your muscles and breathe.
6.   It's not about you - Do not take behaviors of other drivers personally.
7.   Hostility is not healthy - Falling into habits of anger and stress has negative health consequences as well as exposing
      you to conflict and retaliation with other drivers. Is it really worth it?
8.   Practice good etiquette - Don't let detachment and anonymity of being in a car cause you to act out.
9.   Self Assess - take a look at your driving habits and practices.  Are you behaving aggressively?  Self awareness can
      help you curb negative behaviors. 
10. Develop the habit of practicing kindness. - Don't be an emotional contagion.  Modeling kindness can reap kindness in
      return.

What To Do About Air Rage?

Below is a brief summary of flying etiquette suggestions from Wikihow.com.  Their article has excellent advice for airplane etiquette with great advice to consider.  Please consider going to their link (below) to see more to help you have a better air travel experience.

1.  Carry your bag in front of you and low to the ground as you walk down the aisle in search of your seat. - you don't want
     to be whacking other seated passengers.
2.  Utilize the overhead space above your own seat row. - Don't even think about putting your bags in the overhead storage
     near the front of the plane. 
3.  Keep your chair upright at least until you are told it can be reclined. - When you do recline, do it slowly so you don't
     bump the passenger behind you or knock something over on their tray.  Be courteous and keep your seat upright during
     meals and drink servings and until things are cleaned up.  Remember that reclining hyour seat for your comfort can be at
     the expense of the person behind you.
4.  Avoid grabbing the back of the seat in front of you.
5.  Respect personal space.
6.  Avoid hogging the aisle.
7.  Be considerate of other passengers when you exit the plane.

Happy traveling, and remember to breathe!

http://crime.about.com/od/victims/p/roadrage.htm

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/air-rage-96496033942.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-03/reclining-seat-spats-put-focus-on-air-rage-in-packed-jets.html

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-tips-to-prevent-road-rage.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Airplane-Etiquette

I don't have grandchildren yet, but maybe you do. Parenting is a hard job.  Some say that the reward of parenting is becoming a grandparent where you can "enjoy" children without all the hard work.  You can spoil your grand kids and then give them back to their parents and let them to do the hard job of day to day child rearing.  I know my two children loved spending time with grandparents.  I am sure they were doted on and spoiled while in their care!

I recently saw this item on the news and it caught my eye.  We have a history of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease in our families.  I've been doing a great deal of reading about what you can do now to help prevent dementia.  It is reported that adopting certain behaviors and activities in your life can help delay and even deter development of Alzheimer's Disease.  Common thinking is that if you are destined to get Alzheimer's Disease, there is nothing you can do to stop it.  While that might be true for a percentage of Alzheimer's cases, there is evidence that supports the fact that you can adopt lifestyles and behaviors that will help keep you from developing Alzheimer's or at the very least, delay it.  That will be a topic of a future Musing that everyone should read if you want to be proactive about this disease.

Today's Musing presents a recent study about how caring for grandchildren can lower the likelihood of developing disorders affecting memory or cognitive ability.  Being socially engaged is one preventative strategy that is suggested for avoiding dementia and Alzheimer's. A 2011 study completed by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that seniors who stay most socially engaged show less cognitive decline on testing.

The Women's Healthy Aging Project in Australia published results online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). This study looked at 186 women ages 57 to 68. 120 were grandmothers.  The participants completed 3 mental assessment tests that measured cognitive abilities.  Findings suggested that taking care of grand kids one day a week helped keep grandmothers mentally sharp.  Ironically, the study also found that caring for grandchildren five days a week or more could actually have some negative effects.  Those grandmothers demonstrated poorer performances on mental sharpness tests.  The grandmothers caring for their grandchildren one day a week performed best on two of three tests.  Those spending five days a week or more did noticeably worse on the test that measures working memory and mental processing speed.

This was an unexpected finding.  Researchers also found that with increasing time spent caring for grandchildren, grandmothers reported that they felt their own children were more demanding of them.  It's possible that these feelings of being stressed out from the responsibilities of child rearing as well as being stretched too thin to make time for themselves could lead to some decline in the brain's performance.  Other studies already exist showing that women who experience even mild forms of emotional or situational stress take longer to remember recently acquired information. Naturally, follow up research is being conducted.

What if your grandchildren live very far away?  Technology can help bridge that gap.  A 2014 Pew Research Internet Project reported that 46% of seniors who use the Internet visit social media sites.  Doing this promotes stronger and more consistent connections with their loved ones.  The added benefits of options like Skype and FaceTime, where you are able to see people you are talking to, strengthens the quality of technological social engagement.

Those with no grandchildren to care for have options too!  There is no reason your social involvement has to be centered around relatives or children.  Volunteering, becoming involved in church activities, taking classes, frequenting a local senior center or regularly socializing with friends can have the same beneficial impact on your brain function, and enhance feelings of happiness.

What do I take away from this?  One key to promoting cognitive health seems to be maintaining an active social connection with family, friends and community that is not stressful or demanding.

http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/2014/04/a-grandchild-for-one-day-keeps-dementia.html

http://jonbarron.org/alzheimers-and-dementia/grandkids-boost-brain#.VAKsVmOx3tQ