Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins

Today was monumental day in the "Life of Brynne Deppas."  I baked.  Yes, I actually used the kitchen all by myself for the first time.  I know I am so pathetic, but at least I am putting myself out there and trying.

My first item I chose was a baked good.  I figure baking is a little easier than making a full fledge meal. I wanted something simple and seasonal.  When I was searching the blogosphere for some inspiration I came across the perfect recipe: Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins.  I read through the ingredients and directions and knew that this was the perfect thing to try.  Well I made a bit of mess during the actual baking process and probably seemed crazy since I really needed to talk myself through it-out loud-but overall baking wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Now am I in love with it?  No, but I did enjoy myself...plus having a marathon of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" to watch helped too. :)

Anyway, I had my parents try it after sampling the finished product for myself and I thought that these muffins turned out pretty good (my parents agreed).  So below is a picture of the Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins baked to perfection by moi!  Also I am including the recipe too so if anyone is interested they can bake these healthy fall treats!  The recipe called for dark chocolate chips and walnuts, but I opted for just the dark chocolate chips since I am not a fan of walnuts!  Comment below if you try the recipe or make some modifications to make it even better!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour                           1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats                           3 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 cup brown sugar                                        1/4 cup fat free milk
1 teaspoon baking powder                               1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda                                 1 large egg white
1 teaspoon cinnamon                                       1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger                             1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and line muffin tin with cupcake wrappers (recipe makes 14 muffins)
2.  Whisk dry ingredients and spices together in large bowl
3.  Add pumpkin, oil, mild, egg, and egg white to a medium sized bowl and mix.  Add wet ingredients to dry and mis well.  Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
4.  Fill muffin tins evenly and bake 15 to 18 minutes (I baked mine for 17 minutes)

See Ya Social Media

Oh let me tweet that…I should put that on Instagram…Let me check Facebook…Did you see what she just tweeted…Oh my god they changed their relationship status…

This is what my life has become: social media obsessed.  Literally I don’t think I can remember a day when I wasn’t on my phone checking Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Instagram, and the latest and greatest social apps. Recently, I realized how much time I really am wasting on my phone scrolling through all of these updates and photos.  Whenever I am at a lost for something to do or have a spare moment I immediately look down at my phone.  So I have decided that I am going to change that by going social media sober.

Yes, starting today I am going offline.  No more Facebook creeping, Instagram “liking,” or Twitter “retweeting.”  I am going to focus on myself and what I really enjoy doing in this newfound spare time.  Like going to the gym, applying for full time jobs, writing, reading, and attempting to cook/bake.  Plus sometimes I think that all social media does is ruin my day.  So no more social media for this girl.  I am still going to read and write in my blog, but that’s it.  Then after a week of going cold turkey I’ll see how bad or good this detox is going.  I am hopeful that it will actually be a positive and allow myself to discover new ways to spend my time rather than pine over statuses or photos.  I feel like today social media is just a glorified form of bragging: look at my new clothes, look at my awesome life, look at my handsome boyfriend, look at my beautiful selfie. That’s not what it should be about and I am ready to get far, far away from it- especially all of the selfies.  So to all my friends out there who are looking to contact me, your best bet is to text me.  And for those of you who don't have my cell phone number, email me at brynne.deppas@gmail.com if you need to get a hold of me.

When I think about social media and the obsession, I always go back to this quote I read in a TIME Magazine article: “Climb the mountain to see the world, not for the world to see you.”  I’m ready to start climbing and am excited to see the amazing view for myself-not social media.  

Help From My Friends (And Family)

Transition.  When you think about it, life is always a constant period of transition.  Transition between years of age…grades in school…moving to a new city…or transition to life after college.  Self reflection is a huge thing for me when I am going through a change in my life.  I immediately reflect on where I am, what I have done, and what I want to do.  I just need to be by myself to figure out what truly makes me happy.  Well I am currently going through one of the roughest transitions to date.  One thing is very true about life, when things get tough you find out who really cares about you.

This past week I have felt more love and support from my friends and family no matter where they are.  Random texts from my sister who is at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio always help me forget about my life’s current state.  Conversations with my longtime best friend who is in Rochester finishing up her senior year helps me feel sane and justify my feelings.  And even a childhood friend who happened to be only a 5 minute drive from my house helped me channel my stress and emotions into hour long sessions at the gym.  My friends who are still back in Cleveland attending school still have time to make me feel special and loved too.  But the best surprise came from my real life Sex and the City soul mate (as my mom referred to her).  My best friend Catie who is a senior at John Carroll (and a fellow blogger: My life between state lines), had the most beautiful bouquet of flowers sent to me Monday morning.  I had no idea and I was completely shocked...in a good way.  It was exactly what I needed! Even though she couldn’t be with me this weekend, she still wanted me to know that she is always there for me no matter what. 

I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life who are there with unconditional love and support. These past few days have made me realize that no matter what transition I am going through, no matter where I am in life, and no matter what decisions I make, I have amazing people behind me to help me along the way. To all of you who are reading this…I hope you have people like this in your life, and if not a group of people than just one person.  All it takes is one positive word, one piece of encouragement, or one hug at the end of the day. If you have that then you have the world.  No transition is too hard when you have friends and family there behind you.

My sisters and I before we met the great comedian Martin Short!

My beautiful bouquet from Catie :)

Domesticated

Domestic.  When I think of someone as being domestic I immediately think of a '50s housewife who cooks, cleans, and runs an entire household.  The definition of domestic is having to do with the home, household, household affairs, or the family.  Now it is the 2013 and I am one who believes women have the choice to put their career first rather than settling for a life in the home.  But I still think that having the knowledge to take care of a home is important for anyone.

I give people a lot of credit who are able to run an entire household and are actually good at it.  Unfortunately, I wasn't given the domestic gene or the desire to learn how to get it.  So I have decided to start a personal challenge.  I want to learn how to cook, be crafty, and just a little bit more "domestic."  I mean lets be serious...I am NOT going to be living at home forever and once I am on my own I don't want to fall into the rut of pre-heated meals and take out.  So I'm choosing to try and learn how to cook or bake something new every week and then post it here, which will hopefully help me stick to it.  Also I am planning on re-doing my room soon and what better time to get crafty?  I am ready to start some DIY projects to decorate my new sanctuary and maybe even craft some gifts for the holidays!

I'm ready to become domesticated, but on my own terms.

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