Morning tea is often synonymous with sweet treats – but a little bit of creative tweaking can make a dish that little bit healthier and just as delicious!
This month in celebration of popular annual fundraising event, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Cancer Council Queensland is sharing tips on how to shape the perfect healthy morning tea spread.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said as a community, Queenslanders needed to support each other to eat a healthy diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy weight.
“It’s important that we find ways of encouraging one another to work towards a healthy weight, limiting sedentary behaviour and boosting health and happiness through physical activity and a healthy diet,” Ms Clift said.
“Showing people just how easy simple meal tweaks for health can be is a great way of initiating healthy change.
“Indulging in the occasional treat on special occasions is fine, but we want Queenslanders to know that there are healthy alternatives out there that are just as delicious.
“This Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, we’re putting out the challenge to all hosts to give the average morning tea a healthy spin and to share their ideas to inspire others!
“Making healthy choices doesn’t have to mean missing out on the fun – it’s about incorporating beneficial habits into your everyday lifestyle. Let’s encourage each other to try something new, and share our ideas with the aim of achieving better health.”
The official Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea date is Thursday, May 28 and more than 5,600 morning tea hosts from around Queensland will gather in living rooms, community centres, schools and workplaces to celebrate and raise more than $2.5 million for cancer research, education programs and patient support services in 2015.
“We are encouraging all participants to commit to the fight against cancer, not only by raising vital funds, but by educating their guests about the importance of healthy eating,” Ms Clift said.
“By making a few small changes you can look after the health of yourself, your friends and family, while making the most of supporting a worthwhile cause.
“We’re sharing some healthy morning tea tips in the weeks leading up to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, including some of our favourite scrolls and slices, and we’re encouraging all Queenslanders to join the discussion and share their delicious recipes.”
Up to one third of cancers are preventable through simple lifestyle adjustments including eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting smoking and staying SunSmart.
To register an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event, visit biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85 to receive your free Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea host kit today.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland and making healthier choices is available at www.cancerqld.org.au or via Cancer Council’s 13 11 20.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Ryan, Senior Media Specialist, Cancer Council Queensland
(07) 3634 5239 M. 0488 015 702
For radio interviews, please contact:
Katie Clift, Executive Manager, Media and Spokesperson
(07) 3634 5372 M. 0409 001 171
CCQ’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea recipes
Pear and Date Scrolls
Ingredients
- 4 cups wholemeal Self Raising flour
- 4 cups white Self Raising flour
- 90 g firm margarine
- 2 cups low fat milk
- 4 large pears, peeled, cored and chopped small
- 300 g dates, chopped small
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons castor sugar mixed with a pinch of cinnamon
Method
- Preheat oven to 190°C. Sift flours into a large bowl. Rub in margarine and mix well. Add milk and mix to make a soft dough.
- Cut dough into two halves. Roll out each dough on a floured surface to a long rectangle (12×30 cm).
- In a separate bowl, mix pears, dates and cinnamon together. Sprinkle fruit evenly onto the dough.
- Roll up lengthways sealing the edges with a little milk.
- Brush milk over the rolls. Cut each roll into 12 slices.
- Arrange cut side down and close together on a large greased oven tray. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool, then separate the scrolls. Makes 24 scrolls.
Muesli Slice
Ingredients
- 50g butter
- 110g (1/2 cup) raw sugar
- 60ml (1/4 cup) honey
- 200g pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 Sanitarium Weet-bix, crushed
- 90g (1/2 cup) sultanas
- 50g (1/2 cup) rolled oats
- 75g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour
Method
- Preheat oven to 170°C. Line a 20cm (base measurement) square cake pan with non-stick baking paper.
- Place the butter, sugar and honey in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
- Combine the pepitas, Weet-bix, sultanas, oats and flour in a large bowl.
- Add the butter mixture and stir until combined. Spoon the mixture into the lined pan and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface.
- Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until golden.
- Set aside in the pan for 30 minutes to cool completely.
- Cut into slices to serve.