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The acronym ANZAC was first coined at the time of the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.  It represents the joined brotherhood of Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.  Anzac Day was inaugurated a year later in 1916 to commemorate this first anniversary of the landing. 1

Today, we hold this day high on our radar, acknowledging, reflecting, and commemorating those soldiers that have served our country in conflict, war, and peacekeeping missions.  It is a day that brings families together, raising early in the morning and taking a seat alongside people of every nationality, ethnicity, and race to pay our respects, at dawn services throughout the country.

“Biscuits! Army Biscuits! Consider the hardness of them.  Remember the cracking of your dental plate, the breaking of this tooth, the splintering of that.”2

In a time when all war supplies were shipped to our soldiers on large vessels, often taking many months, with no refrigeration available and when nutritional intake was poor, the humble ‘Anzac’ biscuit emerged.   Created by the loving wives, mothers, and sisters of our soldiers - the basic ingredients of the original biscuit consisted of rolled oats, butter, sugar flour and golden syrup as the binder.  Often referred to as ‘soldier’s’ biscuits, they were also known to be rather arduous to consume – sometimes at the expense of a tooth or two!

Fast forward to the 21st century and we have perfected many variations of the humble ‘Anzac’ biscuits to continue the tradition for generations to come.

We share with you our favourite gluten-free Anzac biscuits - from Pure Food Kitchen– with the bonus of a drizzle of chocolate to sweeten the deal.

Enjoy baking these delicious morsels with your family, in honour of all our soldiers, past, present and future.

  1. Retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://anzacday.org.au/ww1-ANZAC-biscuits
  2. Retrieved18 March 2024 from https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/the-anzac-biscuit/

ANZAC BISCUITS (Serves 14 cookies)

Ingredients

1.5 cups almond meal

1 cup sliced almond

1 cup desiccated coconut

1/3 cup raw honey 80g butter (sub 1/4 cup coconut oil for dairy free)

1/4 tsp baking soda pinch salt

2 Tbls milk Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160C

2. Heat honey and butter in a saucepan.

3. Add baking soda and mix.

4. Combine all dry ingredients.

5. Pour wet mixture into dry and mix well.

6. Roll into balls, place on baking tray and press slightly.

7. Add extra milk if balls are too crumbly.

8. Bake 10-15mins.

9. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle on top of the cookies.

10. Leave to cool on the tray as they will harden up as they cool.

Recipe credit: Pure Foods Kitchen

I am writing to welcome you back to Coeliac New Zealand for 2024 and hope that the year has started well for you. I hope that you too have been enjoying some of this glorious summer we have been experiencing, making the most of the long days and balmy nights to enjoy good food with good friends and whanau. You may have seen a lot of red and gold around recently, Saturday the 10th of February was the Chinese New Year festival celebrations, and this year is the year of the dragon. Every 12 years we will each have a zodiac sign that matches our own. Dragon this year, Snake next year, Horse in 2026, Goat in 2027, then Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, and finally the Rabbit which was last year.  Do you know your sign? Some of our volunteers coordinated cooking demonstrations to coincide with the new year using some of our CGL partners, Lee Kum Kee’s sauces too, check the newsletter for details.

Those of you who were newly diagnosed had the opportunity to attend the online workshop put on by our Dietary Education Manager, registered dietitian Suzanne Aitken.  Let us know what other types of workshops you would like Suzanne to present online, and we can see where the interest lies. Email dem@coeliac.org.nz

We have a full year ahead and are busy planning our Coeliac Awareness Week activities.  Keep an eye on our newsletters and our Coeliac Link magazine which will be sent out in mid-May for more details about this. You may also be interested in attending one of the baking demonstrations being hosted by one of our members and the owner of the Alternative Bread company that produces a range of Crossed Grain Logo-accredited bread mixes and more.

Once again, thank you for being a member of Coeliac New Zealand, if you know anyone else recently diagnosed with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance encourage them to join too. Once diagnosed with coeliac disease it is important you have up-to-date information and resources to help you on your journey. By becoming a member of Coeliac New Zealand, you receive a welcome pack containing a useful wellbeing journal that includes tips, step-by-step plans, healthy eating habits, recipes, mental and physical health information, and space for you to write and reflect on your thoughts, wellness, day-to-day achievements and challenges! You also get access to the members’ only section on the website, regular e-newsletters, and our twice-yearly Coeliac Link magazine. You get tips on making your gluten-free journey more manageable and information on gluten-free shopping. There are also support groups in many regions and you become part of a supportive community to help you on your journey towards thriving and living your best coeliac life.

All the best for the year ahead,
Wendy Bremner

March 8 is International Women’s Day.  This global celebration is over a century old, having first been held in 1911.  The theme for 2024 is Inspire Inclusion – when we inspire others and value women’s inclusion, we build a better world.

Through inspiring inclusivity for women, we can help grow a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and empowerment.    Everyone everywhere can inspire inclusion for the women in their lives, or for the women they have never met.   Embracing our diversity – including age, race, ability, body image are all aspects that we can inspire inclusivity.  For more information on how you and your workplace can support International Women’s Day – visit the website.

With a spotlight on women, we can take the opportunity to highlight our health needs and prioritise time to ensure we are keeping on top of our screenings, checks and requirements.   Throughout our lifespan, women have different needs and requirements than our male counterparts.  Puberty, childbearing, and menopause are just a few of the major events that require specific needs to sustain us through these periods.  Find out more about these requirements here or see your health professional for individual advice and support.

So when March 8 rolls around this year, remember to take the time to turn to the women in your life – whether it be at work or home, acknowledge the contribution that they make to your world.

Thanks to all the women who inspire me.  #InspireInclusion

 

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