2/9/11 – Adventures in Baby Food – Green Beans

Today was a pretty low key day. I’ve been feeling myself getting a little stuffy, and I think it’s starting to take a turn for the worse. Hopefully it passes quickly. Work is still pretty crazy, so my days still fly by. After work, I ran home right away, whipped up my latest batch of baby food, made some dinner for us, and we all just hung out, playing and watching some TV all night. It was a good day to just take a break. It’s still bitterly cold outside, but the weather is finally supposed to start looking better this weekend…FINGERS CROSSED! I can’t wait for no snow, warmer weather, more sunlight and the ability to get out of the house! I think once you have kids, you have to get over your hatred for summer, and realize that summer weather really is better for everyone. I will always be a winter gal at heart though!

Today’s baby food was green beans! Need a calcium boost? Eat a cup of green beans for 66 mg of calcium. Low on vitamin K or vitamin C; turn to that cup of green beans and get a infusion of these vitamins. Vitamin A and manganese are also found in abundance in just one cup of green beans. The many nutrients in green beans can help you prevent a number of different conditions, including Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, colon cancer, asthma, arthritis, acne, ear infections, and maybe even colds and flu’s. Green Beans are typically recommended for introduction into a baby's diet anytime between 6-8 months of age. The green bean ranks very low on the list of foods that prompt allergic reactions. This fact mainly accounts for why the vegetable may be introduced so early.

Green beans are best when steamed or boiled gently in a scant amount of water; no more than 1 inch of water. Let the water come to a boil and then add the green beans. Cook the green beans uncovered for a few minutes then cover for the remainder of the cooking time. One pound of fresh green beans should be cooked for no longer than 15 minutes to retain the color and avoid a mushy green bean. Overcooking green beans for your baby's food is fine; just keep in mind the color will change.

I used a bag of frozen green beans for my batch, and followed this simple 2-step process.

1. If using frozen green beans, cook according to the package (I boiled them on the stovetop).
2. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing, adding water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.

Easiest batch to make so far! And very yummy.

Cost Savings:
- 1 Bag of Frozen Green Beans = $.89 – Makes Roughly 12 Jars
- 12 Jars of Gerber Stage 2 Green Beans = $7.14
- Cost Savings of $6.25

Here are some before and after pictures of the green beans. And, a picture I just love of the girlies holding hands