Super Healthy Black Bean Brownies

When the lovely folks over in Dunnes Stores asked me to work with them on some tasty Mothers Day recipe I instantly thought:

1. It has to be something with Chocolate,
2. Be super healthy (we are trying to keep the Mums healthy too of course) and finally
3. that I would have to make it my lovely little dude Oscar (aged 3 and 3/4’s).

For me, Mothers Day means doing things I love with my kids and getting those amazing home-made food gifts (It’s always about the food with me). Oscar isn’t quite at the age to make his own chocolate cake so naturally I have to make recipe with him. It comes with the intention that he’s making them for his Momma as a present and he just LOVES it. It really is such a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

These brownies are really different! Firstly, they use no flour and in replacement use black beans (you can also use aduki beans too). This makes them high in protein and also iron (which little ones need lot’s of). They are slow release and are also really low in sugar. In 30 portions there is less than 1/2 a teaspoon of a non-refined sugar.

The frosting is super delicious and I have been making it lot’s over the past few months and spreading over cupcakes and it works great too over slices of banana! The secret ingredient is avocado and it makes it so creamy and delicious. I’ve used avocado in chocolate mousse for years and it really adds so much goodness into your little ones diet.

Mothers Day in Ireland this year is March 11th and I wanted to write a post which would sum up what being a mother is to me.

Motherhood Laid Bare…

I’m a mother, aged 41 and I now have to dye my greying hair. I think my kids like me, but sometimes I’m not so sure. I know they love me always though.

I’m strict but fair. Fun and very kind. I’m slightly obsessed with vegetables and I try to make sure my kids eat them every day. Somedays its a struggle and some days, we laugh as Oscar robs my broccoli because he’s devoured his own.

Seldom do buy my kids sweet things, but my husband does at the weekend and that’s o.k with me.

When buying clothes for myself I always end up coming home with clothes for my kids and rarely anything for myself.  I think I’m cool enough to buy clothes for my 15-year-old daughter. But I’m not. She say’s I’m her best friend though so I’ll take that over anything.

I feel guilty that I work so I really try to make it up to them on the weekends by forgetting the cleaning and spending an entire day in the park. I don’t feel guilty about that though.

My favourite thing in the world is my morning cuddles. It makes me sad that Jade doesn’t come in for those anymore so I cherish the ones I have with my boys.

All of my children have made me cry with their fiercest tantrums but have also made me cry with their fiercest hugs and loves. I get very emotional when I think how much I love them all.

I feel pressure to be the best Mum, to join more clubs, get out more, do more, be more. But I try not to listen to it because I am really confident that my kids are happy just as they are.

I feel sad that my babies are growing up but it’s bittersweet because I want them to grow up into the amazing people I know they will be. Confident, kind, patient, loving and not afraid to be loved.

I feel truly blessed that these three wonderful humans are mine to own forever. They have all been warned that no matter how old they are, they will always be my babies. And they are o.k with that.

Happy Mothers Day to all you amazing Mums (a.k.a: the live-in chefs, chauffeurs, cleaners, counsellers & nurses). You have the biggest shoulders in the world and you deserve a bazillion hugs + a very large slice of these Black Bean Chocolate Brownies.

Lot’s of Love,

Aileen xoxxoxo