Host a healthy morning tea for Cancer Council!

Cancer Council is calling on Queenslanders to register and host a healthy morning tea in support of the one in two Queenslanders who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

In the lead up to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this May, Cancer Council is sharing tips on shaping the perfect healthy morning tea spread, to raise funds for those affected.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said a morning tea didn’t have to go overboard on sweet treats, or goodies high in fat or salt.

“Indulging in the occasional treat is fine, but we want Queenslanders to know that there are healthy alternatives out there that are just as delicious and better for you,” Ms Clift said.

“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!

“Showing people just how easy simple meal tweaks for health can be is a great way of initiating healthy change.

“Try swapping salted nuts for unsalted nuts, to make your morning tea nibbles a little bit healthier.

“Swap chips for rice cakes with lower fat cream cheese, and choose wholegrain breads, bagels and muffins instead of white varieties.

“Both black and green teas have antioxidants, which can help promote good health. When served without milk or sugar, tea and coffee contain virtually no kilojoules.

“The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating also recommends milk, particularly low-fat varieties for adults, as part of a healthy diet. Milk has important nutrients, like protein and calcium, and is about 90% water.

“From spicy popcorn to healthy chocolate truffle balls and no-bake brownies, there’s plenty of recipe inspiration on biggestmorningtea.com.au too!

“It’s important that we find ways of encouraging one another to work towards a healthy weight, boosting health and happiness through physical activity and a healthy diet.

“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.”

Up to one third of cancers are preventable through simple lifestyle changes including eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity.

More than 5800 morning tea hosts from around Queensland will celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and raise more than $2.8 million for cancer research, education programs and patient support services in 2016.

May 26 is the official tea party date, but events can be held anytime throughout May or June.

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 is available at cancerqld.org.au or via Cancer Council’s 13 11 20.

ENDS

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CCQ’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea recipe

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.