Sweet Potato Biscuits

1 cup Bisquick

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 peeled sweet potato 

1 tsp vanilla

Cook sweet potato in the microwave for 5 minutes on high with about 1/4 cup water. Dump ingredients (including the water) in the Vitamix. Select Variable 1 and increase speed to 5, pushing ingredients down with the tamper. Bake for 10 minutes at 350. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Taste score: 9/10

Likes: Yumm these are better than cheesy biscuits and better for you too. They were moist enough so I didn't even have to spread them with butter. I'm guessing they're probably best right after they come out of the oven. I will definitely make this a regular breakfast recipe.

Dislikes: I probably wouldn't make this in a Vitamix again, since the batter gets stuck around the blades. And I might try to blend in the skin because it has so much fiber. Trying out a wheat flour version instead of Bisquick would add more fiber as well.

Nutrition score: 7/10

Sweet potato has lots of vitamin A and C. Bisquick isn't the most nutritional batter mix, but it's super easy!

Spinach pesto pizza

I bought whole wheat naan and hummus a while ago, and my naan is starting to get a little hard. I didn't want to waste it because it's really good, so I popped it in the oven with baby spinach, onion, Vitamix pesto and some shredded mozzarella. Presto! Spinach Pesto Pizza! Definitely a perfect 10. Let's just say we had some Pizza Hut leftovers in the fridge and I opted for this instead:

Whole wheat banana muffins

Last time I tried to make banana bread it was a major fail. They were super mushy and not very tasty. So this is round two and the turnout was infinitely better than round one:

2 overripe bananas
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tsp each of: vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup water
1 egg

Throw all ingredients in the Vitamix in the order listed. Work up to Variable 8 and blend for 30 seconds, pushing down with the tamper. Pour into muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Taste score: 8/10

Likes: Success! I was wary of any muffin recipe without oil or butter, but this worked well. The muffins turned out fluffy and golden brown. Perfect for a breakfast to go!

Dislikes: Bananas can be boring. I would add more cinnamon and nutmeg next time.

Nutrition score: 10/10
Bananas  are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber for about 100 calories! They also help with "elimination problems" if you get my drift.

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

Banana Bread

1 apple
2 bananas
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. water
1 2/3 c. wheat flour
1 egg white
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder

Place fruit in the Vitamix. Select Variable 1 and increase speed to 5. Blend for 20 seconds, pushing down ingredients with the tamper. Then dump the rest of the ingredients in the Vitamix and blend at speed 4 for 30 seconds. Spread mixture in 11x14 pan and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Top with cinnamon or brown sugar.

Taste score: 4/10

Likes: I like them thin so I can eat them as breakfast bars on the go. I topped them with cinnamon sugar for a little more flavor.

Dislikes: Although they were way better tan those vegan muffins I tried to make, the insides were still mushy. I wouldn't spend time making this recipe again.

Nutrition score: 7/10
This treat would be pretty healthful without the topping. But if you're going to have banana bread, this is a great alternative to anything you'd find at a bakery or coffeeshop.

Spinach Garlic Bread

For the bread:
2 cups wheat flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water

For the filling:
1 drizzle of olive oil
2 handfulls of baby spinach
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup shredded cheese

Place all filling ingredients in a pan on medium heat. Leave for 5-10 minutes until leaves look wilty or soggy (I never claimed to be a professional chef!) While it's cooking, add all bread ingredients to the Vitamix. Select Variable 1 and increase speed to 5. Blend for 10 seconds. Roll the dough on a nonstick cookie sheet into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle cheese evenly on the dough and then spread the spinach mixture. Roll the dough into a cylinder and  bake for 20 minutes.

Taste score: 6/10

Likes: I am a spinach hater. It is green, bitter, and boring. But when you saute it with garlic to mask the bitterness, you forget it's a leafy green vegetable. I was nervous about this dough because it's yeast-free, but it turned out perfect for this recipe. The outside is golden brown and the inside is fluffy. I love garlic bread, but it's usually made with white bread and slathered in butter. This is a healthy alternative that tastes even better!

Dislikes: It needs to be consumed with a glass of water. And I think I could get away with adding more spinach to take full advantage of the fact that it is going into my mouth without a gag reflex.

Nutritional score: 7/10

Spinach is a magic food that contains folate, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and beta carotene. It strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, and even helps to keep your mind sharp. This recipe gets a 7, because the cheese and vegetable oil add a little more fat.