When label certain things as “off limits” you inevitably want them more. I know this is common knowledge, but I’ve learned it the hard way. When I gave up gluten, for example, I ended up “tweaking out” (my sister’s words) while watching others enjoy fresh, right-outta-the-oven pizza. For my own sanity, and the well-being of those around me, I ended up inhaling the chewy, gluten-filled dough that day, which was only 3 1/2 weeks after starting my gluten-free lifestyle. Whups.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been an on-and-off caffeine addict since college. I’ve given it up a few times for a month here and there because I liked the idea of being naturally awake without the need for caffeine. Caffeine-free Katie never stuck around for long, until a little over a year ago. I’ve had headache problems most of my life, but last year I was having upwards of 3 migraines every week. A coworker with similar migraine issues recommended I give up caffeine. At first I laughed and dismissed the idea; “Have you SEEN the thermos I bring with me everyday?” I thought of that caffeine-filled thermos as my friend…My morning friend that kick-started my day, and made me feel like I could deal with the ridiculousness that sometimes comes with my job.
Eventually I realized that friend could be a big pain in the head…literally. After reading up on the caffeine-migraine connection, I decided getting off “the sauce” might help my situation. Over the following months I celebrated my decrease in headaches, but another side of me mourned the loss of my morning friend. To ease the pain of my loss, I found decaf tea I enjoyed, drank more water, and optimistically waited for my “natural awakeness” to kick in.
Fast forward to about a month ago, and my caffeine-free enthusiasm reached an all-time low. I’d walk into the kitchen at work and just sniiiiiiiff the coffee-scent from the pot that sits next to the water-heater I use for my stupid tea. My relapse started innocently enough; I’d grab a cup of black tea every few days, and maybe a really small cup of coffee, only when I absolutely “needed” it. Then, my mom and dad gave me a Caribou gift card for Easter, so I decided that meant I should probably pick up some coffee on my way to work. After all, it would be a waste to use such a kind gift on something like decaf tea.
You get where this is going. I’ve had caffeine every day for the past week and a half, and for the majority of those days my caffeine has been in coffee form. I’m so bad! I’m so screwed!…but the punishment migraine hasn’t come yet. I’ve told myself that as soon as I have to suffer the repurcussions I’ll need to stop, but until then? Stop and smell the roasted beans Alexander Hera.
So anyway, these scones aren’t helping my problem. I always associate scones with comfortable mornings, acoustic music, and coffee, because whenever I wait in line at a coffee shop the pastry case just STARES ME IN THE FACE. Most of it I can talk myself out of buying, since I make a mean muffin, and I bet those ridiculously-large cookies are dry anyway, but oh-my-gaaaaawd the scones. Especially the Starbucks Maple Oat Pecan Scone. It’s just so buttery and delicious and covered in drizzle! Unfortunately, if I force myself out of my scone trance, I remember that it’s also full of gross things that I would never put into anything I bake at home valentino sale.
Although there is nothing wrong with buying a scone at a coffee shop occasionally, I decided last week that I needed to learn how to make my own. After all, if I’m going to keep drinking coffee, and therefore continue to crave calorie-laden scones, I might as well make sure they’re not full of a bunch of chemicals. See? I can be logical sometimes.
These scones are just as buttery and satisfying as the Starbucks variety, but they’re 100% whole wheat, nearly free of refined sugar (except the tiny bit of glaze on top), and completely void of scary, long, unpronounceable ingredients. In other words, they are a GOOD decision, which I can only assume completely negates the delicious, warm, caffeinated BAD decision that they always must accompany alexander hera wedding.