ANZAC Day

April 25th tomorrow and another ANZAC day to commemorate. Years ago, while herself was completing an ANZAC day project, we discovered that themselves had a closer to connection to this day than we realized; making the day just a light more meaningful to us as a family. Through himself Snr’s side of the family they actually have an ancestor who served in Gallipoli. George Thorpe joined the Australian 2nd Light Horse Brigade, becoming solider #662, on 19th November 1914 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, New South Wales.

George was an Irishman who had served the empire already in the Boer War. Somehow though he found himself in Australia just as the war broke out. I’m sure the pressure would have been felt, if not externally then internally, to sign up especially as an experienced solider. That decision may have been made all the easier as he didn’t have any dependents with him at the time; having left his wife and four children in Ireland. One of which was his youngest daughter and himself Snr’s maternal grandmother. We may never know the reason for George leaving Ireland and his family behind despite all our questions and theories. Was it to forge a better life? Were the family to follow? Was it to earn money to send home? Or had the relationship with his wife broken down beyond repair?

Whatever the reason it seems that George arrived in the state of Victoria, as many Irish did, and possibly worked as a cook in Bundalaguah area before heading to Sydney to enlist in 1914. George was sent straight to the action of Gallipoli in 1915. He was then was admitted into Rochester Row Hospital in the early part of 1916 for injury and/or illness before going back into action in France later that year. As the war progressed, and he had another stint in hospital in 1917, George was transferred to the 4th Battalion (Infantry) before being killed on 18th May 1918 in France. He has a plaque on the Roll of Honour commemorative area (panel 42) of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and is forever remembered within his family.

This year, for the first time, themselves will be wearing replicas of the medals George was awarded when they attended the local ANZAC parade. a special moment for the three of them. Of course here in New Zealand and Australia when ANZAC day rolls around with poppies worn and parades attending there is usually a morning tea after the parade where you’ll often see ANZAC biscuits making an appearance. While it is actually just a popular myth that these wee treasures were sent to soldiers in the field due to their ability to travel well (the ingredients not spoiling too fast) it is true that they now are linked in everyone’s minds with that Gallipoli campaign, the first world war and ANZAC day.

So with that in mind I thought I would create a batch and share it here. There are many recipes I know but this one from the good old Edmonds Cookbook which is another mainstay of kiwi life is usually my go-to. To ensure that everyone in the house can enjoy some biscuits I did substitute the butter for Nuttelex (vegan butter) this year. It is a super quick and easy recipe for any time of the year and and if you’re like me and go to make them then realise that you don’t have any golden syrup …. fear not as they still work out a treat 🙂

ANZAC biscuits

• 100 gm butter (or a vegan butter of your choice)
• 1 Tablespoon golden syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon hot water

-Melt the butter and golden syrup in a pot.

-Mix in sugar then add in the coconut, oats and flour.  Stir well to combine.

-Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add into the main mixture.

-Place evenly sized balls onto a lined tray and then press down with a fork. The mixture may seem crumbly however once you start rolling it into a ball it comes together fine …. you may need to just hold each biscuit/ball as you press with the fork though.

-Bake at 180C for 10-15 minutes or until golden

-Cool on a rack and enjoy.

Hope this finds you safe, free from the worries of war and remembering those who have gone before us.

Arohanui

Y

www.becominghealthy.co.nz

ANZAC Day

Well done Kaikoura … that is the best service I have been to!  Yes, today we remember all those who have gone before us and fought in our names.  It is ANZAC day.  For those of you overseas it is the day that Australians and New Zealanders remember our soldiers and all those lost fighting in wars. The date however is special to those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who landed on and fought in Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Anzac Day in Kaikoura

I have been teaching Infant Massage this morning (just managed to sneak it in before the service began) and since I provide the morning tea sustenance what better than ANZAC biscuits on Anzac day? Again this is hardly a recipe for becoming healthy, although I will post a healthier alternative one of these days, however it is a big part of our lives and something that I only make at this time of year so it seems fitting to pass it on here.

Anzac Biscuits

There are many recipes I know … this one is from the good old Edmonds Cookbook which is another mainstay of kiwi life. 🙂

ANZAC biscuits

• 100 gm butter
• 1 Tablespoon golden syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon hot water

-Melt the butter and golden syrup in a pot.

-Mix in sugar then add in the coconut, oats and flour.  Stir one

-Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add into the main mixture.

-Place  teaspoonful onto a lined tray. The mixture may seem crumbly however if you press it together a little and flatten the teaspoonful it will bake together nicely.

-Bake at 180C for 10-15 minutes or until golden

-Cool on a rack and enjoy.

Hope this finds you safe, free from the worries of war and remembering those who have gone before us.

Arohanui

Y

www.becominghealthy.co.nz

GF, DF, RSF Anzac Biscuits

So the Hungry Cub blog has done it again!  Yet another yummy recipe without a hint of dairy, gluten or refined sugar in sight 🙂  Her blog is great, with loads of simple, good, healthy food so if you are into getting more recipes then I’d recommend following Hungry Cub so you can get them coming straight to your inbox 🙂

Ready to pop in the oven!

Anyway even though we are in the midst of the last of the apple harvest and busy stewing up apples along with starting Apple Cider vinegar (details and results in a few weeks) her Anzac Biscuit recipe looked so simple, yummy and healthy that I couldn’t resist making it and sharing!  You can find Hungry Cub’s  original Anzac recipe here and keep reading for my version which, only through laziness to actually check the recipe, is slightly less blended and chunkier 🙂

GF, DF, Refined Sugar Free (RSF) Anzac Biscuits

Makes 20 small biscuits

• 1/2 Cup of dates soaked for at least 3 hrs
• 3 Tbs cashew Butter (Pics is Awesome without other oil added)
• 1/2 Cup Slivered Almonds (I used a 70gm packet which was just over 1/2 cup)
• 1 Cup of desiccated coconut

-Drain dates (liquid not needed) and blend with cashew butter until smooth.

-Add other ingredients and mix until blended well

-Roll into small balls and place on a baking tray. Then flatten slightly with a fork

-Bake at 180 C for 10 mins or until golden.

-Enjoy 🙂

Hope this finds you happy, healthy and giving a thought for those who have gone before us.

Arohanui

Y

www.becominghealthy.co.nz

 

Food for thought

Here is New Zealand ANZAC day (25 April) is fast approaching.  It is an important day of remembrance in New Zealand and Australia every year however this year is even more important as it marks 100 years since ANZAC troops (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) landed in Gallipoli.

Thanks to whoever took this picture!

This day has been part of our country’s tradition since it began in 1916, remembering thousands of young soldiers who lost their lives. Since the first commemoration it now incorporates all wars and all of the New Zealand men and women who gave their lives.

This year the kids and I took part in a local project to make 2721 poppies.  One hand made poppy – knitted, crocheted, sewn or loom banded – for each New Zealander who fell at Gallipoli.

Poppies knitted by local kids for the display.

Today we popped into the local library to view the display and were delighted by how great they all looked together, representing community spirit as well as remembering those who lost their lives. The kids and I added our words to the ‘100 word collection’ wall and we stood in silence looking, reading and thinking.

There were also a few posters around from the war.  Many trying to encourage young men to enlist however one was focused at those left behind.  It gave words of advice on food, giving a few tips on how to survive, I guess, the scarcity of certain items which war time brings and I was interested to see the words are is still just as relevant today.

Wise words even now 100 years later.

It brought back thoughts of what my Mum had told me about war time rationing and the recipes they used.  It also reminded me of one of the great ways the kids and I have been keeping ANZAC day special by only baking ANZAC biscuits at this time of the year.  It is a special time of remembrance, which people mark in their own ways, and so very important so that our children don’t forget the horrors of war and repeat our ancestors actions.

I hope this finds you remembering family, friends and loved ones and revelling in good memories.

Arohanui

Y