I don't know if ground flax seed meal smells bad or not when it goes bad, because I've never had it around long enough to find out! I buy the Bob's Red Mill already ground. I don't have a lot of time in the morning when I am making breakfast so the easier the better. And I just keep it in the frig. I've not had a problem so far!

I like the additions of nuts and stuff to the cereal. Mine is a very basic one I found here somewhere:

3 tbs flax seed meal
1 scoop designer whey protein (I love the vanilla praline!)
1 tbs of cocoa
1packet of splenda or other sweetener
Pour boiling water and stir until the right consistency. I do add butter and a little heavy cream to make it more hot cereal like. Thanks for the tip about the nuts and blueberries! I will certainly try it.