Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1 apple
1/2 can of pumpkin
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips (optional)

Core the apple and dump it along with the pumpkin, vanilla, and lemon juice into the Vitamix. Select Variable 1 and increase speed to 8. Blend for 20 seconds, pushing down ingredients with the tamper until the mixture is one color. Next, add the remaining ingredients and select Variable 4. Stir the with the tamper until fully mixed. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Taste score: 9/10

Likes: Finally a whole wheat, low fat muffin recipe that doesn't taste like baby food! This recipe wasn't just good- these muffins were delicious. My apartment smelled like pumpkin pie all afternoon. I ate one the moment they came out of the oven and a day later warmed up in the microwave and I had to restrain myself from polishing off the whole batch!

Dislikes: I sprinkled the muffins with chocolate chips, which burned in the oven. Next time I'll mix them in the batter.

Nutrition score: 8/10
This recipe gets points off for added sugar. But the applesauce is a great substitute for eggs, and the whole what also adds a few grams of fiber. To compare, check this out: http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/starbucks/pumpkin-loaf