The prep work is done, now it's all about your flavor choices. Below are some of the more popular food flavors, with suggestions on how to prepare. Your oven, microwave, food processor, blender and potato masher are the tools you'll need to mix up your own brand food for your baby.

SQUASH:
Buy several acorn squash. Cut in half, remove the seeds, and place the squash flesh side down in a shallow baking pan in one inch of water. Bake at 400 degrees for one hour. Place the cooked squash in a blender or food processor, puree, adding a little of the water from the baking pan. Spoon into containers, allow to completely cool and freeze.

SWEET POTATOES:
Poke holes in three sweet potatoes. Place in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove from oven and peel the skin. Use a hot pad and fork, being careful not to get burned. Chop into chunks and puree adding a little water. Cool, spoon into containers and freeze.

CARROTS:
To save time and sanity buy two 16-ounce bags of pre-cut carrots. Place the contents of one bag in a covered dish and add a 1/2 inch of water. Microwave for ten minutes. Stir and cook for ten minutes more. Continue to stir and cook until soft. Repeat process with the second bag. Put in blender and puree. Use the water in the microwave dish to soften the mixture. Continue to puree until you have reached the desired consistency. Cool, spoon into containers and freeze.

PEAS/GREENBEANS:
Buy two bags of 16-ounce frozen peas/green beans. Cook in microwave or boil, puree adding water as needed.

POTATOES:
Make regular mashed potatoes omitting salt and butter, use the water from the pot to soften.

ZUCCHINI/BROCCOLI:
Cook until tender, puree. Add water as needed.

PEARS/APPLES:
Use Red Delicious apples. Peel off skin and cut up. Boil and puree.

BANANAS:
Allow to fully ripen, puree. Add water as needed.

PEACHES/PLUMS:
Boil with skins on, peel and puree.

You should see significant savings in what you spend on baby food when you buy the fresh ingredients and whip them up yourself in lieu of store brands. Finally, homemade baby food will last in your freezer for three months. And--as with any thawed foods--never attempt to re-freeze any unused portions. Keep unused portions refrigerated, but discard anything that's not eaten within two days.