makeover magic- trying something new ( + tricking the hubby)

If you read my first blog (or have just met me for more than 5min.), then you know I love sweets. I’m sure you can just imagine my reaction then when I learned what our 6Fit Monday challenge was: Makeover Monday!!! The first day of Week 3, we were allowed a treat, but only if we gave it a makeover into a healthier version.  

Oh, the stress of having to choose which delicious treat I would make! I immediately set up searching the Internet for the perfect recipe. I came across a website called Chocolate Covered Katie, a site by a sweet lover just like me who had become a master at makeover recipes. I was browsing through the cookie and brownie section when it appeared there on the screen: Blondies… made with none other than the food of the week…. BEANS!! I couldn’t believe it. It was meant to be. But wait! What was the next recipe down? Chocolate bean brownies!! Which one would I do?? ¿Por qué no los dos? I’d make a batch of each and bring them to share at our 6Fit meeting. As I was making them, I was getting a little nervous. Could brownies made with an entire can of beans actually taste good?

I’m not so sure about this batter…
 
I couldn’t help myself, so I snuck a taste of the batter (isn’t that a baking requirement anyway?). Not too shabby, this could actually turn out ok! Unfortunately our 6Fit meeting was canceled due to the second coming of the snowpocolypse, so they became desert that night. I took one bite and was blown away. They were so good!! You would never ever guess they were made with beans. They just tasted like soft, yummy blondies.

The final product! Try the recipes for White Bean Blondies or Black Bean Brownies!

Now for the real test: my husband. He hates beans… A LOT. I offered him a chocolate brownie, sat back, and watched as he devoured it.

“Did you like it?” I asked. When he told me it was really good, I couldn’t stop snickering. “It’s made with… BEANS!!” I finally blurted out. I thought he’d be mad, but he just cared that they tasted good! Have I uncovered the secret to taming my sweet tooth?? We’ll just have to try another recipe next Monday!

I continued on with the makeover magic for dinner the next night. I am a steak and potatoes type of girl, followed closely by a big, juicy hamburger (extra points for bacon). I decided to try a recipe that had been sitting on my Pinterest board for years, but had never made because it looked absolutely inedible. Why I ever pinned it in the first place, I’ll never know.

I was worried about what my husband would think of these “burgers”, but I’d had such terrible day full of shoveling (yes, still) that I really didn’t want to hear it. I actually prefaced handing him his plate with “You’re going to eat this, and you’re going to like it.” I looked over halfway through the meal and he was actually eating it! Not only was he eating it, but also he thought it was great! I had made 6 burger patties that night, and needless to say, none of them ever made it to the freezer this week. Try them here!

I continued with the food makeovers throughout the week. After telling my teammate Kayte of my pasta craving, she suggested I try quinoa pasta. I thought it tasted much lighter and better than regular pasta. Again it was husband approved, much better than the “regular brand” that I normally buy.

On Friday at work, my whole dept wanted to order out from Comella’s, an Italian place near the office. I tried the eggplant parmesan at the suggestion of my friend Claire. I would have never chosen eggplant over chicken before, but I thought why not try something a little different? So far it’s been working out for me this week! Again, the new choice was delicious.

Who needs chicken when you have eggplant?

I guess my message to all of you this week is: Step outside of the box. Try something new. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it again. But you might just surprise yourself and be a little healthier along the way.

Before I go, props to our wonderful DanceFit Studio instructor Lindy for hosting such a great Pound fundraiser at Ned Devine’s in Boston on Saturday! Lindy is running the Boston Marathon this year and raising $10,000 for the American Liver Foundation! You can donate to her here!