A “Seedy” subject.

I have always loved to eat nuts and seeds; they not only taste good, but are also nutritious. We used to have walnut trees on our family farm and a hazelnut tree in our garden. Then we had sunflowers in our garden and we enjoyed eating the seeds and shared them with the birds. We also grew poppies, and I remember vividly the flowering poppy field – it was a sight to behold.  They have a nutty and pleasant taste, and the seeds are nutritious oilseeds also used as condiment in cooking. 

From our walnut and poppy seeds we produced our own oils for cooking and salad dressing. They were unrefined and the taste was just wonderful, something the refined oils from today don’t have any more. During the war the government collected the dry empty poppy seed pods and they were still able to extract opium from them. Today you find a myriad of nuts and seeds readily available at health food stores and supermarkets. A couple of them that come to mind are chia and flax seeds. I came across an interesting article that explains the difference between the two, so I decided to share it with you. - Werner
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Which Seed is better: Chia or Flax?

We hear a lot about the benefits of eating seeds. But when it comes to the goodness of chia seeds vs. flax seeds, do you know the differences? I’m learning, and here’s what I’ve discovered. What the Heck are Chia and Flax Seeds?

Chia Seeds
More than just a festive way to grow hair on a terracotta animal, chia is an annual herb cultivated for its seeds, which are very small, dark, and highly nutritious. Native to Mexico and South America, evidence shows that chia was grown as far back as Pre-Columbian times by the Aztecs. The chia plant can grow to almost 6 feet tall and presents purple or white flowers in clusters. And apparently, you can grow your own here in the U.S. (Farming challenge accepted!) If you dry the flowers, you can harvest the seeds inside. You can also use the leaves to steep a warm, relaxing tea.

Flax Seeds
Larger than chia seeds, flax seeds come from a crop cultivated not only for food, but also for fibre. In fact, spun, dyed, knotted flax fibres have been dated as far back as 30,000 years ago! Flax was cultivated in ancient Egypt where its fibres entombed mummies and dressed Egyptian priests. And we use it today to make linen for our crispy sheets, tablecloths, and fashionable outfits. As it is with chia plants, you can apparently grow your own flax and harvest the seeds from its dried flowers. There are two basic varieties of flax seeds - brown and yellow or golden. You can eat both, but you’ll find the golden flax seeds to be the most common in markets. We also cultivate flax for its oil - known as both “flaxseed oil” and “linseed oil” - which is considered to be healthy, edible oil.

Chia Seeds vs. Flax Seeds: Why You Should Eat Them Both

Chia and flax seeds are often considered “superfoods,” because they are both very high in omega-3 fatty acids, the “good” fats that come with a wealth of health benefits. They improve heart health, regulate triglycerides, and may provide relief to those with conditions including inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Nutritionally, both are rock stars — and they’re neck and neck when it comes to comparing health benefits. A one-ounce serving (about 2 tablespoons) of each contains a healthy dose of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and the antioxidant selenium.Bottom line, both are wholesome choices. They’re also easy to integrate into your diet. Keep reading to learn more
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Chia Seeds vs. Flax Seeds: How They Differ.
I found a helpful info graphic from Prevention Magazine which compares chia seeds vs. flax seeds across a number of nutritional categories. They’re really close! Here’s what I’ve learned (based on a 2-tablespoon serving): Flax seeds have a few more calories and a bit less fat than chia seeds. Protein content is close, but flax seeds have fewer carbs than chia seeds. Chia seeds have 25% more fibre and phosphorus and more than double the calcium of flax seeds. Flax seeds have 15% of the RDA of brain-boosting vitamin B1 versus 6% in chia seeds.

A few additional distinctions:
 While chia seeds can be eaten whole with all the nutritional benefits intact, you must grind flax seeds to get all the good stuff held within. Chia seeds are virtually tasteless, while flax seeds boast a nutty flavour. When you mix chia seeds with liquids, they become gelatinous - which sounds unpleasant, but I promise you it’s not! Flax seeds don’t work the same way. In certain uses, that textural difference matters.

Oh, and on the Topic of Egg Substitutes…
Chia and flax seeds can both be used as egg substitutes for those on a vegan diet. Disclaimer: I’m not vegan and haven’t tried this technique yet, but many online resources and my vegan friends have used chia and flax seeds to replace eggs in a variety of recipes. I found an article from Better Nutrition which provides the following egg-substitute techniques: Chia seeds: Soak 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water for 5 minutes until the mixture has the texture of a raw egg.

 Flax seeds: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons of hot water and let stand for 5 minutes until it has an egg-like consistency. Alternatively, blend whole flax seeds to a fine meal, add warm water, and blend again.

5 Simple Ways to Work Them into Your Diet.

Here are just a few everyday techniques you can use to up your intake of chia and flax seeds. Don’t forget to grind the flax seeds for maximum health benefits!

1. Toss a spoonful of whole chia or ground flax seeds into your morning smoothie or bowl of oatmeal.

2. Add them to your homemade granola or granola bars. (Here’s the super simple, delicious, recipe I use.)

3. Add whole chia or ground flax seeds to breads and muffins for texture and nutrition.

4. Make a chia seed pudding. This can be as simple as soaking seeds in milk or nut milk for a couple of hours or overnight. Add a drizzle of honey, and it makes a great breakfast. Or chocolate it up for a tasty dessert.

5. Toast either seed over medium-high heat until dark and toss on top of soups and salads for a nice crunch and a boost of nutrition.

Bottom line: When it comes to chia seeds vs. flax seeds, why limit yourself to just one? Both are nutritious, delicious, easy-to-find, and waiting for you to give them a try.  Source of this article.
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My thought for today. Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout. Morihei Ueshiba

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Here is more interesting reading about this subject.

Link 1.

Link 2.

Link 3.

Link 4.

Link 5.

OZ ain’t what it used to be!

Here is another excellent poem by retired Brigadier George Mansford from Cairns. It portrays exactly how drastically our country has changed and, unfortunately, it will never be the same again. George is a True Blue Australian who loves this country, but is pained to see, like most of us, where we are heading. Most of us also love this country and would go through fire for it.

Unfortunately, there are many who like Australia for a different reason and, regrettably, we have some in our midst who outright hate our country. It is a real worry when you see what those people have done in European countries.  There is no doubt it will happen here when their numbers are bigger. Unfortunately, our blinkered politicians are too blind or myopic to see. Those of you who are new to this blog and don’t know who George Mansford is; just click here, and go to a previous post where I introduced George.  - Werner

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Amnesia or Apathy in the Land of Oz?
Oh how pathetic we can be
Living in a fool’s paradise we believe to be free
Yet sightless and mute, thanks to political correctness and more 
Not learning from the mistakes of those who came before 

Failed politicians with generous pensions bask in the shining sun 
While homeless beg in the streets seeking crumbs
Many lost citizens with no compass ask “which way forth?”
Politicians issue false maps and lie that south is really north

Canberra boasts we will feed the world with our rich soil 
Yet in farming regions, rich loam is destroyed for gas and oil
Yesterday’s dreams for dams and hydro failed the green test 
It seems droughts, noisy windmills and foreign interests are best

We claim free speech but speak your mind if you do dare
A Fair Go can be won if you’ve gold and friends you know where
Fanatics who can destroy us are pampered and nothing more said
War veterans sleep wet and cold with old newspapers for beds 

Film Stars with no morals or brains worshipped day and night
Ancient churches offer love and kindness but few clients in sight
Never assault home invaders, you must pretend to be a mouse
Cos if you fight, the Judge will give the ba---ards your house

Is it amnesia, ignorance or selfishness shown by you and me?
Ignoring precious lessons on how our yesterdays’ came to be?
Taking for granted the values of a way of life we call democracy?
Could it all be lost and we tumble back to dark days of misery?

The clock is ticking with each passing hour  
Surely it’s time for us to wake up to what truly can be ours
Get off that creaking circular bed* and recapture a precious past
It’s possible we could regain our true freedom at long, long last
George Mansford © May 2015
*Creaking circular bed -----My new politically correct term for “Let’s stop fu---ing around”
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My thought for today. Freedom is when the people can speak. Democracy is when the government listens - Alastair Farrugia
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Pauline Hanson, like always, makes a lot of sense.

What Pauline wrote below is spot on and is exactly my sentiment. If there was ever a woman in Australian history that was very unfairly treated, wrongfully prosecuted and jailed - it was Pauline Hanson. The treatment she got from our politicians with vested interests was totally and absolutely un-Australian.

Pauline always had the courage to say what most Australians only dared to think. The following article was sent to me and I would like to share it with other like-minded Australians. Pauline is a True Blue Aussie, if there ever was one. - Werner
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The federal government is now in secret negotiations with the lawyers of three Australians who went to Syria to fight for ISIS, who now want to return to Australia after 2 years away in the killing fields. Negotiations have stalled because these men want to know what penalties they may face upon their return. Our Prime Minister Tony Abbott has stated quite clearly that they will be prosecuted, tried and sentenced to prison. Under our laws they could receive a jail term of up to 10 years. Why should taxpayers keep them in 4 star luxury prisons, the cost in excess of $100.000 a year for each of these traitors?

In my opinion, any Australian that has left the country to fight for ISIS, should never be allowed to come back. They made their decision to fight for a terrorist organisation that wants to destroy our culture, way of life and kill non-believers of Islam, if they do not convert. If these terrorists were allowed back into Australia how could we ever trust them again, would you like one of them as a neighbor?

We will never be rid of terrorism, it is now a way of life that we have to live with, because the west will never fight on the same terms and conditions that the terrorists fight under. In Australia we have tens of thousands of Australians who believe in what these terrorists are fighting for. They are followers of the Koran and Islam. Their denial cannot be trusted as it is called Taquiya (sacred deceit). Their belief is, if you are not a believer of Islam, then you should be beheaded.
 
These men regardless of age, status or family ties, made their bed, and now must lie in it. If we allow these men to return to Australia they will be seen as martyrs by other followers. We will be up for enormous legal costs challenging and paying for their defence. Their imprisonment will cost the taxpayer in excess of $100,000 a year, and they will have the opportunity to corrupt other inmates to their way of thinking. When they are released from prison, who will give them a job? They will end up on our welfare system for the rest of their lives along with their families. Australians are paying and will continue to pay as long as we allow it.

The Prime Minister should allow these home grown terrorists to leave Australia to follow their dream to kill, behead and be a party to mass murder, and then shut the gate on them and the others, and then refuse them re-entry to Australia, we don’t need them or want them here. They can seek political asylum in any Arab country. Call the Prime Minister’s office and tell him you don’t want them back in the country. Make your voice heard or we will pay the price with our freedom, safety and lives. Never believe their fight has ended it has only just begun.

The simplest way to put this is, Australia never had any threat of terrorism until Muslims arrived in this country and I'm sure most Australian's would agree. Since the early 1950's migrants from the UK and many European countries migrated to this country and they proved to be an absolute asset. They didn't come here to bludge on welfare like today’s refugees do, they found employment and assimilated with the Australian people, and there was never any threat of terrorism from any of those wonderful migrants. - Pauline Hanson.
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My thought for today.
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. - Abraham Lincoln
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