Brownies and Squash

PART ONE: BROWNIES
Dr. Oz introduced me to a tricky little way to put a healthy twist on a decadent treat......BLACK BEANS. Ha - are you scared? I was quite sceptical at first, but I'm willing to try anything that will help me feel less guilty about eating dessert.

Dr. Oz neglected to share the recipe for said treat, so I searched "Black Bean Brownies." The recipe said to drain the can of black beans and refill with water, then puree in a blender. Using a boxed brownie mix, add the pureed beans in lieu of the eggs, water, and oil. Finally, bake as directed.

Result: They certainly taste like "healthy brownies," but I'll take it! The best part - Addison LOVES them and knows nothing of my undercover work!!!! :)

PART TWO: SQUASH
Another thing I vowed that I'd do this time that I couldn't do when Addy was a baby ---make my own baby food. My first attempt was butternut squash. It was a wild success! I steamed the squash, then pureed until very thin. I poured the pureed squash into ice cube trays and let freeze. Once it was frozen, I transferred the cubes to zip-lock freezer bags. Here is the best part...drum roll please......

I made 24 SERVINGS OF SQUASH FOR ONE DOLLAR!!!!!!!

I don't remember the cost of Stage 1 baby food, but I'm quite sure it is not a nickel!

On a downward note, I decided to make a batch of carrots today. Unfortunately, I neglected to put water in the pot below the steamer basket while I was "steaming" the carrots. So much for saving money on homemade baby food. Today it cost me $80 or an 8 qt Calphalon pot (not sure what's more valuable to us: the money or the pot)..... and I didn't even get the carrots!! UGH.