Welcome to this week's newsletter.

This weekend in the US and Canada, we are celebrating the national holiday of Labor Day. It’s about barbeques, parades, long naps and, most importantly, it's about taking time to remember the work force and their contribution to society.

Sandy making her yearly batch of
homemade grape juice at her home in
San Diego this Labor Day weekend.

Our society is ever changing and we see the average family feeling like they are working more hours than their parents did. The data on family work hours shows that American families are indeed working more hours than in recent decades, with the average number of hours worked by all family members up since the 1970s. The deterioration of the family vacation and lack of time taken by families to recreate themselves has taken a toll, both personally and physiologically on many.

According to Researcher Elaine Eaker at the State University of New York in Orsweg, “Social and psychological aspects of people's lives are directly related to their physical health.” It was discovered that people who vacation at least twice a year have 50% less chance of developing heart disease or other serious heart problems.

Economies are stretched and family members tend to set out to conquer and divide in other regions away from home at earlier ages. We are different society then when we started celebrating Labor Day in the 1850's, but one thing still rings true; a vacation can help both men and women live longer healthier lives. Vacations bring with them unforgettable memories and health, personal, and financial benefits that will last a lifetime.

The positive impact that vacations have on health affects everyone. A study that was conducted by the Families and Work Institute in New York, found that 55% of workers who didn’t take all their vacation time experienced high levels of feeling overworked.

The really sad fact is that our workaholic culture looks down on people taking their well-earned vacation time, when, in fact, scientific studies shows that job performance increases after a vacation because you come back recharged and rejuvenated.

It’s time we take back our vacation time, even if only in small doses as long weekend getaways. Its time our business culture in the US rethinks its attitude toward  travel and vacation time and work proactively to create an environment that promotes harmony, health and well-being by encouraging more frequent travel experiences.

I hope you can join me in a few hours. Our program this week is a knock out and I think you will enjoy it as well as learn from it!

Safe travels,
Sandy Dhuyvetter

John DiScala and his Mom,
Jeanne DiScala.

RECIPES FROM AROUND THE WORLD!
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This week Johnny Jet makes his debut on TravelTalkRADIO.  We are also honoring the memory of his mother, Jeanne DiScala, by publishing one of the family's favorite recipes. Let us know how yours turns out!

Johnny Jet's  Mom's Famous Mississippi Mud Cake

Start with approximately a 5 quart cooking pot Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Melt 4 squares of baking chocolate in water
Boil this mixture for 1 minute (stir often)
Add 1 stick of butter (butter is best)
2 cups of sugar (less if desired)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Stir until dissolved
Cool thoroughly (could be put over a pan of ice cubes (if in a hurry)
Sift 2 cups of flour 1 tsp. baking soda and salt
1/2 tsp. of baking powder

Blend flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder into chocolate mixture
Stir in 2 slightly beaten eggs
Beat with an egg beater or electric mixer (until batter is smooth)
Grease 3 qt ring mold pan, or use sponge cake tube type pan

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes
Make toothpick test.
If still too moist bake until sides draw away from edge of pan.
Do not over cook!
From the kitchen of Jeanne H. DiScala