Previously, I shared a pretty amazing Lemon Berry Oatmeal Flax Muffins, however living in the Pacific Northwest, scones are a *thing,* a very delicious wonderful thing! Scones with coffee are one of the most perfect ways to start a day.
When I was first diagnosed and started working with my integrative oncology team, my naturopathic oncologist recommended omitting processed foods, including sugar. The recommended replacements were organic maple syrup and organic honey. This has created many opportunities for experimentation in the kitchen. This recipe is one of my favorite experiments. Lightly sweetened, buttery, and delicious. Even Griff will tell you, you don't miss the processed sugar.
So what is the deal with sugar anyway?
There is much research available on sugar and breast cancer. Like many things when it comes to cancer, you will find studies pointing in all directions. Most studies conclude that diet may promote or inhibit human breast cancer through its effects on hormonal systems. Most studies also show that the possible connecting link between sugar consumption and breast cancer is insulin. Correlation varies based on age, type of cancer, pre vs. post-menopause, etc. etc. Obviously, correlation and causation are two very very different things. With breast cancer, there is very little by way of a definitive and conclusive answer to causation. For me though, that is no reason to dismiss what studies can show us by way of correlation.
So what did I decide and why?
Breast cancer aside, there are still numerous reasons to consider a reduction in processed sugar. So, in the end, with my own research for my health, my thoughts on this are very simple: "If it won't harm me, and could potentially help me, why not try it?"
Fortunately replacing sugar was one of the easier changes for me to make. Partly because I love to bake, and because I don't mind experimenting in the kitchen. I am also pretty excited to share my kitchen experiments with you.
I have to say, that I have had many breasties tell me they have struggled with food anxiety post-diagnosis. Small steps in lifestyle will win out over diets that can't be maintained, and cancer is stressful enough. My advice is to seek the doable, omit the guilt and anxiety, and live your best life now.
If you try the recipe, let me know how you liked the muffins and what adaptations you used. Wishing you much happy healthy cooking!
Maple Sweetened Berry Flax Scone Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups Organic Flour
4 tablespoons Bob's Red Mill Raw Whole Brown Flaxseed, freshly ground
2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt - ALESSI - Fine Mediterranean Sea Salt is my favorite
1/2 cup cold Organic Unsalted Butter, cubed
1 large Organic Egg (or egg replacer like Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Egg Replacer)
1/2 cup Unsweetened Organic Almond Milk (you can also use regular or buttermilk)
2 tablespoons Organic Maple Syrup
1/2 cup’ish Organic Berries (organic frozen or fresh)
Optional:
1-2 tablespoons Coconut Sugar, for topping
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, flaxseed, baking powder, and salt.
Add in the butter and use your fingers to crumble into small pieces in the flour mixture, until it resembles a coarse meal.
Make a well in the middle of the dough and add in the egg, almond milk, and maple syrup.
Stir together until combined. If the dough seems a little dry, add a little more almond milk until easy to work with.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times before rolling into a large circle.
Add berries to center and fold the circle into itself to ensure even berry distribution between dough layers and in the center.
Cut the dough into triangles using a sharp knife and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Space 1-inch apart.
Brush the tops of each scone with a little almond milk and if desired, sprinkle with coconut sugar.
Place into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the scones have risen and browned.
Pro-Tip:
I freshly grind my flax with my Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder (Model IDS77-RB). I love the detachable top and multiple settings.
Notes:
These are also amazing with dried apricots and ginger, or orange and currants.
For more information on why freshly ground flaxseed is fantastic, check out the resources section in the Lemon Berry Oatmeal Flax Muffins recipe.
References:
Consumption of Sweet Foods and Breast Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study of Women on Long Island, New York: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4109805/
Diet and breast cancer: The possible connection with sugar consumption https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0306987783900956?via%3Dihub
Diet and breast cancer: a review https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/31/11/2005/4655856?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Does sugar feed cancer? https://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/healthy-nutrition-now/sugar-and-cancer
By the way, have you given the Your Killer Life Podcast a listen?
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