About Signs2Peace Cookies
Sweet! You're interested in learning more about an easy way to get the world on the road to peace. Here's the main idea: Signs2Peace Cookies are meant to be shared and given to others. In doing this, you help spread the language of peace! Think about it. People love cookies. It is a simple, but powerful way to show kindness and understanding. It's also a natural way to practice using gentle hands as you make the cookies. And the challenge is having the self-control to eat Signs2Peace Cookies in moderation, because they are so delicious! Just follow these steps:
1. Bake a batch of cookies with your family. You can use our Signs2Peace Cookie recipe, your own favorite recipe, or a slice and bake cookie log (for families like mine that are constantly on the go).
2. Give away all or some of your cookies to someone in need of peace. That basically includes anybody and everybody on the planet. Here are some examples: a new neighbor, an old friend, a teacher, a veteran, someone who is ill, your mail carrier, a military family with a loved one deployed, or a cranky co-worker at the office. The list goes on and on!
3. Give away your Signs2Peace Cookies with a smile, a thank you, and a Signs2Peace cookie card. Any donations that people offer to you must be given away to a not-for-profit charity that supports educational, humanitarian, or spiritual outreach programs.
History of Signs2Peace Cookies
Peace cookies are based on the traditional ANZAC biscuit. The word ANZAC is an acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day, held every year in both countries on April 25th , commemorates all who've died in war fighting for the two countries.
The generally accepted story is that ANZAC biscuits were first made by Australian and New Zealand women to send to soldiers fighting in World War One. Folklore says that ingredients, especially rolled oats and golden syrup, were relatively easy to source during war time, and that the resulting nutritious biscuits kept fresh for a long time. In fact, the origin of the ANZAC biscuit is the Scottish "rolled oats biscuit" which didn't have coconut at all. With or without coconut, these cookies are delicious!
The first Signs2Peace Cookie and lemonade stand took place on June 16, 2007 at a Saturday morning garage sale in Chapel Hill, NC. Almost 2 dozen cookies were given away that day along with countless more smiles. People were excited and positive about the Signs2Peace.org endeavor. Everyone, that is, except for one highly skeptical 7-year-old boy who greatly doubted that anyone would ever offer a donation to our cause. Through his tears and clinched fists, he fervently demanded that money be charged for the Signs2Peace Cookies.
"Two cookies for a dollar!" he exclaimed. "That's a great deal!"
"No, this is about what we are giving to others. If they want to donate something, they will from their own hearts," someone calmly explained. "If they don't donate, that's O.K. too."
The young boy just rolled his Carolina blue eyes to the sky and shook his head in utter frustration and disbelief. But, as people encouraged him with hopeful words, and as the clank of change and the mysterious amounts of folded up money began to fill the old pretzel container, the young boy began to relax and actually became quite peaceful. Through his tears he witnessed the generosity of others, and their strong desire to live in a world of peace. He's never doubted again.
Signs2Peace Cookie Recipe and Directions
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup dried coconut (optional)
- 2 tbsp boiling water
- 4 oz butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine oats, coconut, flour, and sugar in a medium-sized bowl. In a saucepan, add the butter and honey and stir over low heat until the butter melts. Mix the baking soda with the boiling water and add to the saucepan. Pour the contents of the saucepan into the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until it is solid dough. Drop small balls of the dough onto a lightly greased pan (or line pan with parchment paper) and flatten with your hand, but allow the cookies room to spread. Bake the cookies for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown. Before they cool too much, press or mark the traditional peace sign into your cookies using a butter knife. Enjoy!
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all."
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, comapassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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