The driving force behind any nation is its ability to feed and care for its people. The Canadian population was no exception from the food struggles many nations saw throughout the Second World War, and into the years following. With the newfound strict rationing of sugar in 1942, women would have to become resourceful and figure out way to substitute sugar from many of their daily recipes. This cookbook came in very handy for this exact purpose. It taught women how to be resourceful in the kitchen, as well as treating and caring for their husband in the proper “womanly” way. When conceptualizing the importance this cookbook played in the context of Canadian history we must consider the social, economic, as well as the political/societal effects it had on Canadian communities. 

Socially, this cookbook had a major influence on women at home and everyone on the homefront. This cookbook changed the way in which they would conduct themselves inside the kitchen and out. Advertising patriotism as a positive quality trait, and promoting women to support their troops by supporting the rationing effort and conserving sugar. Many women were eager to help which was evident by the overwhelming response and enrollment in “relief clubs” which were formed to improve the morale of soldiers overseas by sending packages of items such as chocolate, tea, and razor blades.Looking closer at the economic impacts and effects this cookbook had on Canadian society at the time, we quickly see connections between this cookbook and its influence from the state of the Canadian economy. Rules around rationing were strict and prices and quantities were fixed in order to keep a balance in the supplies. The outbreak of the war threatened Canada with economic crisis, pressures mounting from the strain of supporting their allies while simultaneously supporting and funding Canadian troops. This cookbook played an important role in women’s lives when they were looking to conserve and get the most out of a dollar when using the ingredients, they purchased. Politically, there was a large influence and importance put on patriotism throught the cookbook.