Some Simple Changes in Your Daily Routine That Can Help Make You Healthier!

It's easier to be happy when you're healthier.

Regardless of all our good intentions, we always don’t act in our body’s best interests.  We can eat wrong and make bad food choices, miss sleep, shrug off exercise and let stress often consume us.  After all, we are only human and can only try our best.  Sometimes it feels impossible to make healthy changes in our lives, but often it seems more doable when you start with small goals.

For instance, drinking that six to eight glasses of water a day that is recommended as what your body needs is hard for a lot of people.  For a devout coffee, tea or soda drinker, this can be difficult. Therefore, you might find it easier to substitute one glass of water when you have the urge for a soda, tea or coffee break a day. In time, you could always try replacing two cups of coffee, tea or a soda for two glasses of water and so forth. If not, one glass of water is still an improvement over your normal beverage.

Recipe: My Awesome Blueberry Scones--An Easy Way to Enjoy a Coffeeshop Favorite

My Awesome Bl;ueberry Scones 

I was in a coffee shop checking out their selection of baked goodies in the display case.  In the center of the delectable assortment were these huge blueberry scones, which happen to also be one of the easiest treats you can make.  Since I had never thought to try those berries in a scone with the assumption they would squish when worked, I was intrigued and set my mind to re-creating those king-size scones at home.

Therefore, I made it a point to pick up a pint of blueberries and began experimenting.  I am happy to report that what came out of my oven was even more delectable than a $2.25 scone, only you get six big scones per batch with three batches from one pint of blueberries.  Now who loves you, baby?

I like to use canola oil instead of butter and margarine when I can since it is a healthier way to bake.  Also, baking with oil gets you out of the kitchen faster since it speeds up the process when no creaming is involved.  

Another lazy girl baking tip I use is once I pour my oil into my mixing bowl, I turn the measuring cup upside down in my cookie sheet and allow it to drain.  There is enough oil to grease your pan.  When I finish, I simply fill it with the water I need for the recipe before it goes to be washed.

In further keeping it simple, I shape and cut them in the same large mixing bowl without a problem while also saving on an extra cleanup.

One last tip, please remember to level your baking powder for the best results when baking.  Don't be overzealous and think a bit more will help it grow better because it does the opposite. 

In fact, I think making these are a much better choice for really tasting the flavor of blueberries than throwing them in pancake batter where they are covered over with maple syrup.  

Now I hope I wet your appetite enough so that you may want to try these fabulous blueberry scones of mine because they are scrumptious.  However, tasting is believing so do try!  


My Awesome Blueberry Scones

2 cups of flour
1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, leveled
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of sugar + 1 tablespoon of sugar
1/3 cup of canola oil
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3/4 cup of blueberries
1 large egg
1/2 cup of water

In a large mixing bowl sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. 

Add the rest of the ingredients except the blueberries and mix with a large spoon until well combined.

Stir in the blueberries last as carefully as possible until they are well in the dough.

If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little flour on your hand and form your dough into a thick round circle.  

Your goal is six. Cut the circle in half and then into three triangles.

Place them on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a 400-degree oven for about 15 minutes.  You may need a few minutes more or less, depending on how your oven temperature is regulated.  

Test with a toothpick or slender knife to see if anything sticks.

ENJOY!

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With My Coconut Scones!

Today, I made something fantastic.  Dear readers, if only we didn't live so far apart, I would invite all of you over to enjoy them with me because I know once you had tasted them you would also love them just as much.  

I had some Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate and decided to play with one of my scone recipes.  The result was a tasty masterpiece bursting with coconut flavor and more like a cookie than a small sweet bread only minus all the extra sugar and grease.

Unlike their Virgin Coconut Oil, the Coconut Cream Concentrate is a food and not an oil.  However, I substituted this in my recipe for the margarine requirement and only used two tablespoons of the margarine in my recipe.  I was delighted when I took these out of my oven and then more so when I tasted one!

Do remember when using a margarine in your baking to check  whether it is a spread or margarine.  Spreads never work because of their high water content.  Only a margarine will turn out for baking.

Earlier, I shared another delicious scone recipe and another version with oatmeal.  Honestly, if you are hungry for something good but are trying to watch your calories, then scones are ideal.  All three of these recipes are fantastic and great for keeping you satisfied as far as goodies are concerned!



My Coconut Scones


1/3 cup of Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate
2 tablespoons of margarine (not spread)
2-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 -1/4 cup of raisins
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
6 tablespoons of milk
1 and 3/4 cup of sifted flour


Work your margarine, coconut cream concentrate, baking powder, salt, sugar, and flour like you do for a pie, rubbing together to combine into small balls.  Stir in your beaten egg, milk, and finally raisins.  Try not to handle the dough too long.  Pat or roll out on floured surface and cut into small squares and triangles.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until done.

Need a Quick Lower-Calorie Baked Treat? Try My Favorite Scones Recipe!

These delicious scones only take about 12 minutes to bake.

If you crave something sweet but hate to punish yourself with all those terrible calories, then I have the perfect solution to your troubles--the marvelous scone, which can be ready in approximately 12 minutes!

To those unfamiliar with this remarkable little treat, scones (pronounced scons) come to us from the Scottish people who invented them as a cheap form of bread.  However, their popularity quickly spread across the entire British Isles where they are usually served with tea.

Although scones are closely related to biscuit dough, my favorites are the sweeter varieties.  Since there is only a small amount of sugar in the recipe I'm sharing, raisins are nice  compliments as they naturally sweeten the tiny quick breads while giving you some extra iron.  If you want fewer calories, you just skip the raisins.  These scones even taste good with less sugar (a tablespoon or two) if you prefer an even skinner bread version to serve with dinner.

I found the secret to prepare a first rate batch of scones is not to overwork the dough.  Do not use a rolling pin, instead just pat the dough and cut into squares.  Too much fussing will produce a tough scone, but your baking efforts will be rewarded with tender flaky scones if you handle the dough only slightly!

 My Favorite Scones!

2 cups flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine

1/2 cup raisins

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup water

Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.  Cut in the margarine until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in the raisins just to mix.  Make a well in the center and add all at once the beaten egg and water.  Stir with a fork until the dough follows it. 

Then turn the dough out on a floured surface and cut into squares.  I like to make 15 larger scones out of this recipe.  If you want to eat less, then just make smaller ones by dividing your dough into more pieces.  (Remember, smaller ones will bake faster.)

Grease a baking pan.  I use a 11-1/2" x 8-1/2" size for the 15 scones.  Bake at 450 degrees for approximately 12-15 minutes until very lightly browned on the bottom  for the larger size like I made with this recipe.  Smaller ones bake in approximately 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned.