two-bite lemon scones + 5 tips for relieving stress
Help relieve stress with an afternoon tea break and delightfully flavorful two-bite lemon scones.
It is a common misconception that those who work out of the home sit around watching soaps and eating bon bons all day. Maybe not quite that extreme, but as a professional who is fortunate enough to work in the comfort of my own home I find that people think I’m living the life of luxury without a care in the world. Just like misunderstood stay at home parents, full-time bloggers, and even full-time students I put in a lot of hours. Likely more than I would in a traditional office because it’s much more difficult to walk away at the end of the day.
Life is full of stress and I’m always looking for new ways to take time out of my day and take care of myself. Afternoon tea is the epitome of relaxation in my world with the idea being to take a moment, sip a cup of tea, and enjoy a few sweet treats. I’ve had my share of extravagant tea services across the country and just love recreating the experience at home. During busier weeks it may be a pot of tea and a handful of almond M&Ms, but my preference is always a homemade pastry or sweet.
These Two-Bite Lemon Scones make it easy to recreate a traditional tea pastry in the comfort of your own home and are the perfect size for afternoon tea. They’re great to keep on hand when you need a quick nibble, a moment to step away, or a tasty morning pastry. You know I’m also all about sharing and bite-sized treats were meant to be shared. These would be adorable packaged up for a friend in need of a quick pick-me-up or a sweet surprise for the office. In addition to the recipe for these scrumptious scones, we’ve shared our 5 favorite tips for relieving stress below.
5 Tips for Relieving Stress
1. Do something you love
My escape from daily stress is baking. Time in the kitchen gets me away from the computer screen and actively doing something that I love. Most of my baking is done in the evenings as a way to unwind and put the stress of the day behind me. As an added bonus, I enjoy the creative outlet of photography and blogging so I get to share my delicious creations with you!
2. Treat yourself
I don’t know about you, but the majority of my stress lies in my commitments to others. Whether it be overextending myself at work, in my social commitments, or in keeping the house in order, I rarely sit down to do something just for me. One of my favorite ways to relieve stress is a quick break to enjoy a small bite of comfort. Take these lemon scones for example, nothing beats sneaking away to enjoy a delicious afternoon treat.
3. Take time for tea
I’ve always been a tea drinker, both out of my love for tea and a love for the act of slowing down and savoring the moment. Naturally calming herbal teas are a wonderful way to take a quick afternoon break or relax after a long day. Just brew a pot, sit back and enjoy a few sips of peace and quiet. Nothing soothes the soul like a warm cup of tea.
4. Focus on your breathing
There are several techniques for counting to ten, breathing in a specific pattern, and holding your breath between inhaling and exhaling. Whatever you are most comfortable with is best; the idea is to simply focus on anything but what is stressing you. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on the one thing you can control – your breathing pattern.
5. Stress less with RESCUE Products
Trusted for generations, the natural homeopathic RESCUE products gently relieve stress and help you stay calm. Developed by a doctor, they are non-habit forming with no side effects. For your convenience, RESCUE products are available in Pastilles, Pearls, Sleep Liquid Melts, and more. I personally love the RESCUE Pastilles and trust the brand so much that we even use the RESCUE Pet products to alleviate our cat’s separation anxiety. RESCUE stress relief products are available now in the US at CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Sprouts and wherever you find natural products. Visit their site for more information and valuable coupons.
Tell us, what are your favorite ways to relieve stress?
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- zest of one lemon
- 3½ cups confectioners' sugar
- 5 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Cut butter into flour mixture until a crumbly meal is formed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Stir into dry mixture until the dough just starts to come together.
- Add lemon juice and zest and kneed gently until just combined.
- Scrape dough onto a well floured work surface, flour both sides of dough, and roll into a 8x8 inch square. Cut the dough into two-inch squares and then cut squares in half diagonally. For larger center triangles, cut in half a second time if desired.
- Transfer triangles to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat and freeze on baking sheet for 30 minutes.
- While freezing, preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 14-16 minutes until bottoms are golden brown and tops have set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, water, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Dip each scone bite into glaze making sure to cover all sides. Transfer to a sheet of parchment paper to set completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
