It’s almost Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea time and Cancer Council is encouraging all Queenslanders to save the date, raise their cups and tip the balance in the fight against cancer!
The official date is Thursday, May 22 and planning is already well underway for one of the Cancer Council’s most popular annual and long-standing fundraising events.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said there wasn’t an easier way to help make a difference in the fight against cancer.
“Save the date and start planning! Simply gather your friends, family and colleagues, put the kettle on and tuck into some delicious and healthy morning tea treats,” Ms. Clift said.
“More than 6,700 morning tea hosts from around Queensland will gather in living rooms, community Centre’s, schools and workplaces to celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and raise more than $2.5 million for cancer research, education programs and patient support services.
“Together we can beat cancer – so switch that kettle on and enjoy a cupper for a great cause!”
Nationally, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is enjoyed by more than a million people each year and collectively, over two decades of tea partying, the event has raised around $110 million for the fight against cancer.
With the generous support of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraisers, Cancer Council has contributed over half a billion dollars to cancer research and continues to beat cancer every day through prevention, support, research, advocacy and information services.
Ms Clift is challenging 2014 morning tea hosts to create some healthy morning tea treats and share their creations.
“Providing a healthy morning tea doesn’t have to be a challenge, and we’ve come up with a small guide to help get you on track,” she said.
“One third of all cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes – and simple changes to your ingredients can make a big difference!”
“Try these easy swaps which pack a punch for health but won’t compromise on taste.”
| Swap this… | For this… |
| Butter or ghee (unhealthy type of fat) | Margarine or vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower, olive, canola and corn oil (healthy types of fat). As a topping try avocado, hummus or low fat ricotta. |
| Added salt | Use herbs and spices for flavor instead – garlic, onion, lemon, vinegar, turmeric or coriander. |
| Salty sauces | Choose low salt versions – low salt soy sauce. |
| White flour | Substitute with whole meal flour or swap at least half the quantity with whole meal flour. You can also try swapping some flour with rolled oats or oat bran. |
| Deep frying | Use healthy cooking methods like steaming, microwaving and baking. |
| Sugar | Reduce sugar by ¼ to ½ without affecting the quality or taste or try substituting with naturally sweet ingredients like fruit, flavoured yogurt or fruit puree. Remember sugar can also be called brown sugar, honey, golden syrup and icing sugar. |
| Cream | Low fat milk (with a little corn flour to thicken), buttermilk, light sour cream, low fat yoghurt or custard, or chilled, whipped evaporated milk. |
| Full cream milk, cheese, yoghurt | Low fat varieties. |
| Mayonnaise and dressings | Fat free version, soy/sweet chili/lime dressing, low fat spreads such as chutney, mustard, or tomato salsa. |
Share your healthy recipe ideas on the CCQ Facebook page facebook.com/cancercouncilqueensland.
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.
Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity, the achievements of which are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.
For more information about Cancer Council Queensland visit www.cancerqld.org.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Ryan, Senior Media Advisor, Cancer Council Queensland (07) 3634 5239
For radio interviews, please contact:
Katie Clift, Executive Manager, Media & Spokesperson, Cancer Council Queensland (07) 3634 5372 or 0409 001 171