FEB
08
Tres Leches Oatmeal {giveaway}
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I have always known that breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day. Even without all the research telling me so, it just makes sense. I’ve gone around 8 hours without eating or drinking anything. My body definitely needs some good fuel ASAP upon waking, or I’m not going to have the energy I need to take care of my kids and tackle my to-do list.
That doesn’t mean I have always made breakfast the most important meal of my day. As a busy, work-at-home mom (and even before my work-at-home days) I am often distracted by meeting the needs of the small people in our home, planning my day around their schedules, and eventually eating breakfast when it becomes convenient. And it wasn’t always the kind of breakfast my body needed to get a head start on the day.
For the New Year, one of my goals is to make breakfast a more important meal of the day. I’m happy to say that although I am getting up earlier to accommodate eating breakfast on my own schedule, I feel more energetic. I know that is because I’m finally making the right kind of breakfast a priority.
I like to eat something hearty, but fast, and oatmeal often fits the bill for me. It’s simple enough to prepare when your brain is still half asleep and can be dressed up with a number of different toppings for creative and new flavors every morning. Another plus is that my daughter enjoys oatmeal too. If she is up early with me, we have breakfast to share together; moments like those are some of the kitchen memories I treasure the most.
To aid us in our quest to make breakfast important, I am pleased to introduce you to a new digital application created by Quaker – “CrEATe Your Day.” Just go to Quakeroats.com/createyourday, input your information a day ahead, either for you, a spouse, or friend, and the application will create a custom virtual oatmeal creation along with an inspirational message known as “Oatmail.”
Quaker is also providing two oatmeal starter kits for me to giveaway to two randomly selected readers to help inspire you to make your own creations in the kitchen. The kits include Quaker Oatmeal and a place setting for your breakfast table.
The Rules:
- Comment on THIS post by 11:59 pm PST February 11th
- Anonymous comments: leave your email address and first name in the comments.
- 2 random winners will be announced February 12th.
- Open to US and Canada residents only.
Extra Entries: Additional entries can be earned by doing any of the following, giving you a total of 4 entries. Leave a separate comment for each of your entries.
- Go to quakeroats.com/createyourday and make a custom creation. In the comments tell me what the creation was.
- Tweet about this giveaway. Include @goodLifeEats and a link to the giveaway in your tweet. Leave the link to your Twitter post in a comment.
- Subscribe to goodLife {eats} via email or RSS reader. New Subscribers only.
What is your favorite way to prepare oatmeal? Do you like it plain and simple? Or do you have a special ingredient that you like to jazz it up with? I love lots of texture in my oatmeal. Some of my favorite toppings include flax seeds, nuts, and fruit (fresh or dried).
Tres Leches Oatmeal
a goodLife {eats} creation
- 1 packet Quaker Oatmeal, original flavor
- 1 tablespoon whole flax seed
- 1 teaspoon butter
- boiling water
- 3 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon rum flavoring
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- garnish: 1 kiwi, diced
- honey, optional
Combine the 3 milks (tres leches): evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half and half. Add the vanilla, rum, and cinnamon. Whisk and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the oatmeal, flax, and butter. Add hot water according to package directions. Stir. Pour the milk on top of the oatmeal and garnish with diced kiwi. For a little extra sweetness, you may drizzle the top with a bit of honey or agave. Serve. Strawberries, mango, and pineapple also go nicely.
To participate in the Quaker Oatmeal Create Your Day program, I was compensated for writing this post regarding my experience. I was not told what type of creations I should make nor did Quaker require me to use any specific ingredients.
Related Links:
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Cherry and Tangerine Oatmeal
About the Author:
Katie’s lifelong interest in cooking good food has shown her that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. She is: Writer. Photographer. Recipe Developer. Website Founder. Lover of all things good in life. Wife & Mom. A mix of great recipes, family memories, and yummy photography is what Katie serves up each week at GoodLife Eats™. Katie resides in Colorado with her husband and two children.
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Hello! I'm Katie Goodman, author of GoodLife Eats Etc. where I share what I find in my life. A mix of great recipes, family memories, adventures, good reads, and anything else that I love is what you will discover here.
This looks like the best oatmeal that I've ever seen!
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You had me at tres leches. I'm going to start adding cinnamon sticks to my oats.
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Oatmeal looks great and the bowl is just perfect!deborah150 at hotmail dot com
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I know this sounds gross… but I like my oatmeal with shredded zuchinni cooked in! Then I add mashed over ripe banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweetener and milk!
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Your pictures look awesome! The oatmeal looks yummy too!
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As a Registered Dietitian, I love your New Year's Resolution and the idea for this post! In terms of hot cereal, I fell for steel cut oats several years ago; for granola or muesli, I always stick with rolled oats [for obvious reasons]. Back to hot cereal… I prepare mine simply with water, sometimes throwing in a tablespoon or two of millet or quinoa for texture, and then at the end stir in some dried fruit to plump, as well as chopped nuts, a little almond extract and a dash of cinnamon. A favorite combo is dried dates, pecans, cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Sounds like breakfast to me!Cheers,*Heather*
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I need this giveaway so bad! I just found out my bad LDL cholesterol is 186 and I need to get it down so I started eating oatmeal in the mornings. Your recipe looks amazing, I can't wait to try it!
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I wouldn't be able to eat the oatmeal in the giveaway, but I wanted to say that your version of oatmeal sounds amazing! Good enough for dessert, then it's certainly tasty enough for breakfast!
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This recipe sounds yummy! I'm a bit of an oatmeal purist, brown sugar and a dab of butter for me usually.
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Yum. I love oatmeal but don't make it enough.
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Banana and peanut butter. That is about as crazy as I get with my oatmeal.
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This oatmeal look so yummy. I'm keeping it for later. My son has recently began to eat oatmeal. So I'm trying to cook it different ways.
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I tweeted http://twitter.com/thescorpiowoman/statuses/8813428882
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oatmeal is my favorite way to start the day! this looks awesome. i'm going to definitely give it a try.
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I love added a touch of fresh Maple Syrup to my oatmeal. Sometimes I toss in pecans and dried cranberries when I want a bit more flavor.
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I like craisins and almonds in my oatmeal.
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I love oatmeal, but really prefer steel cut. I like some walnuts, bananas and brown sugar.
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I like to stick with the traditional brown sugar & maple syrup version with a few walnuts thrown in. And I've even been known to throw in a few chocolate chips! Although this version looks amazing!
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Amy amy57689@yahoo.com: This is what I am having for breakfst tomorrow. Sounds delicious!!! I should of served at my Superbowl Party, LOL!
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i love fresh berries on top of my oatmeal!junghwa-chung@hotmail.com
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Wonderful giveaway! I love oatmeal with almonds and blueberries on top. It's my breakfast staple.june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
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A big WOW on the photography Katie!!! Just perfect.Hope to try this combo soon – this sounds like a favorite to me.
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I love oatmeal anyway I can fix it and the tres leche sounds scrumptious.
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Katie, this tres leches oatmeal sounds awesome. Just when I think I have seen it all when it comes to oatmeal. You always continue to impress us with super creative meals. I love breakfast. The morning is my favorite time of the day. A good warm breakfast really does rev up the metabolism and start the day right
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Awesome!! I actually just set up my google reader thing last night – I can't believe I've gone for two years without using it! So now you're on my list!
The oatmeal looks fantastic!
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I just sent an oatmail! It was topped with peaches, yogurt, and granola. Yum!
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I love oatmeal! I eat it for breakfast most morning
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I just made an oatmeal! that was fun
Mine was strawberries and cream topped with peaches and yogurt. Now I wish I had all those toppings on hand!
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Let's just say I like LOTS of brown sugar. BETHbethnaf at hotmail dot com
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I like oatmeal! We have oatmeal daily for breakfast.
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Subscriber.
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http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/8822410082 @tcarolinep follower
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I like mine with strawberries and a bit of sugar but yours looks awesome so I might have to try it out.
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It was fun! My creation was Eye Opener Oatmeal.Cinnamon pecan topping with coffee beans, cinnamon and nutmeg.
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Wow, that's a decadent bowl of oatmeal. I'm assuming from your pictures that you can definitely do it without worrying about the calories or fat (you're healthy, you expend a lot of calories fulfilling your multiple roles all day, and I'm sure you're not eating a bunch of junk food, I totally get it), but I hope "Deanna" up there who's trying to lower her bad cholesterol doesn't try this with the butter, half and half, etc. My question is, why the packet? I just looked up the ingredient list for Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets, and I quote: whole grain rolled oats, sugar, natural and artificial flavor, salt, calcium carbonate, guar gum, oat flour, caramel color, niacinamide, reduced iron, vitamin A palmitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate, folic acidThe ingredient list on my canister of Quaker quick oats: whole grain rolled oatsHuh.I get that the last several items on that first ingredient list are added vitamins, which, fine. But guar gum? Artificial color and flavorings? Extra salt and sugar? I don't get it. All you need for oatmeal is a canister of oats (even quick oats–cook as fast as a packet, but with no weird additives or chemicals. They're just par-cooked to make them cook faster at home) and a 1/2 cup scoop. Then add sugar and other toppings to your heart's content–at least you know what's going in there. Why pay more and eat all that other junk when there's such a pure substitute for less money sitting right next to it at the grocery store?I'm not one to criticize what other people eat, honestly (in spite of appearances, I know) but when you see it as your job to educate others on how to eat better, this post just struck me as interesting.
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Kara – as posted in a foot note on this post, this was sponsored post by Quaker oatmeal "Creat Your Day" campaign, which uses Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets as well as to help spread the word about the "Oatmail" and Share our Strength campaigns. Obviously, this recipe is not diet food, nor was it suggested that it was. It was simply my creation using a packet of plain oatmeal. There is nothing wrong with eating, as you say, "decadent" food once in a while when coupled with daily exercise and healthy eating habits. It is about moderation. I certainly wouldn't tell someone to eat this every day.
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Oatmeal is my workday staple! It's really quick: 1/2 c. oatmeal + 2 T. ground flaxseed + dash of salt, mix with hot water; eat with milk and a spoonful of brown sugar. Haven't gotten sick of it yet! designbylisa {at} gmail {dot} com
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I can't wait to try this for breakfast. A great treat!
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Great post, Katie. I happen to think it looks, and sounds delicious.
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My creation: Raisin & Spice, topped with blueberries and walnuts. Yum!
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Kara,I will agree that a canister of rolled oats is a much better alternative to instant oats. However, you have completely missed the point of this post, which had you not been so judgemental you might have taken the time to read the point of this point. Do not jump on Katie's back, for that is rude.
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Katie- This sounds absolutely scrumptious! I believe in moderation and almost all recipes can be adapted to be a bit healthier and fit into different lifestyles! Great photos!
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I'm definitely an oatmeal fan though I've never known oatmeal to be particularly photogenic…until I saw yours!
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Oh my, I'm a fool for anything 'tres leches'. Your oatmeal looks awesome and I can't wait to try it out for myself.
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I love oatmeal! Most usually with some cinnamon… If I want a treat I add some maple syrup too. SO good
Sues
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your creation sounds so so great!
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while i love to use oatmeal in baking i never just eat a bowl of it. your creation might inspire me to do that.
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During the winter I live off of pumpkin pie oatmeal and oatmeal made with coconut milk. This recipe looks awesome and I may try it in the morning.
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Katie, your photos are looking spectacular! That new camera is treating you well!
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I love oatmeal! Quakeroats.com told me I like the Eye Opener Oatmeal, which is oatmeal topped coffee beans, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I am going to make it tomorrow morning and also add raisins!
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Delish idea of the kiwi! The Quaker quiz gave me Apple-Cinnamon w/ blueberries and walnuts… not something I like AT ALL!! I add cocoa powder and brown sugar to mine
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I would never have thought to put kiwi in my oatmeal! I have just ventured into the fresh fruit realm of oatmeal, so I will add this idea to my list! I also like to add vanilla protein powder for an extra boost in the morning (and it's perfect for veggetarians or picky eaters)demureprincess7(at)gmail.com
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Link to my Tweet: http://twitter.com/jo_jo_ba/status/8837426915
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Yum. A hot bowl of oatmeal in the morning just warms the belly.
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Another entry for me! I signed up as a new subscriber to the RSS feed! Can't wait to see more!
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Caitck9@geneseo.eduI 'discovered' oatmeal last winter and have been eating it for breakfast every day since except for about a week in teh summertime! I love it! today I made my oatmeal with mashed banana and frozen blueberries cooked in, topped with flax seed and a scoop of peanut butter! delicious!!
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Yuummmmm!Adding some pumpkin is also amazing!
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Awesome! I would never think of tres leche oatmeal I can't wait to try this!
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I subscribed!!
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kiwi in oatmeal? definitely going to try that, one can only eat raisins for so long… sounds tasty!
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Looks yummy!
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I actually did one yesterday but I forgot what it was so here is my new one: Honor Roll OatmealStrawberries and cream topped with Dried Cranberries walnuts and blueberries I personally like my oatmeal plain with lots of cinnamon
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I love hot oatmeal in the morning.
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Tres Leches oatmeal! Yummmmmm.
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I adore oatmeal as well. A little butter and brown sugar go a lon gway in our oatmeal at home!
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I eat oatmeal almost every morning. I'm going to have to try this..looks waaaay better then my packet oatmeal ^^
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We have oatmeal several times a week..always with walnuts/rasins/brown sugar/cinn. I occasionally get a little crazy and add dried cranberries or frozen blueberries. Mmmmm…
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Wow! This looks good, and I am not a big cooked oatmeal fan. But my husband loves it. I am so excited about the Create your day recipes! Thanks
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So I went to the website, and tried to find some more creations since yours looked so good. I am not sure it worked as well, my computer was going so slow, but I think we need to try the Strawberries and Cream oatmeal topped with strawberries and chocolate chips! Mmm…looks so good!
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I love oatmeal, but I prefer it on the dry side–not many people agree with me there. Also, I make it in the microwave and usually mix both quick and rolled together to improve the texture. Another unusual thing I do is that I normally toast it before adding the liquid. That happened accidently the first time, but I found it added another dimension to the flavor. I usually add flavorings (cinnamon/ginger/pepper/hot cocoa mix/splenda) any combo of above, toast it, add little less liquid than called for, put in microwave and work it for 6-8 minutes or until it's the right consistancy for me.
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I LOVE oatmeal for breakfast. I usually just use plain and add some vanilla sugar to it. SO tasty! I'm gonna have to try this…Sweetened condensed milk?! Amazing Im sure!!
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I tried to do the oatmeal website too, but it just moved so slow and then it kicked me off. Didn't realize I was such a bad oatmealer. HA! If I'm home and have some, I'll also throw in some fruit. Strawberries with my chocolate oatmeal is great. Apples w/ the cinnamon…hm, hm, hmmm!
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I am trying this recipe tomorrow morning!!!! Just found this blog and so excited to try more of your stuff!-Jayne AllynFurlongj@southwestern.edu
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Very cool! I'm an ultimate oatmeal fan, and this one sounds so yummy!
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My husband and I love oatmeal in the mornings…he's been doing a lot of peanut butter and homemade chocolate sauce in his, but this looks super yummy!
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That oatmeal sounds super good! I usually top mine with almond milk, ginger, cinnamon, agave, and walnuts. I'm also addicted to homemade granola. Needless to say I go through a lot of oats!
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My custom creation was raisin and spice oatmeal topped with blackberries and peanut butter. Sounds like a strange combo to me, the tres leches sounds a lot better!
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I love scottish oatmeal, it's different from Irish oatmeal, more creamy like cream of wheat texture! YUM!!!!
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Oh my gosh, I made a tres leches cake this weekend for Super Bowl, and I used the extra tres leches this morning! I added sliced strawberries and it was so good
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I've been saving a can of sweetened condensed milk in my refrigerator for a while, waiting to make tres leches cake … now I don't have to wait!
Thanks!
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And … I went to Quaker and got "eye opener oatmeal" … it never occurred to me to put coffee in it! I usually make muesli with dried mango and toasted nuts.
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My quaker creation is:Cinnamon and spice, topped with coffee beans, cinnamon and nutmeg.Sounds pretty good, but i'd add a banana probably, or some yogurt.
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This sounds so much better than the boring packet I just mix water into!
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So yummy! Thanks for posting, I saw you on foodgawker and glad I found your site. My kids and I love tres leches cake, so this is nice to have a healthier version! Thanks!alr22516@yahoo.com Michelle
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My custom creation on the Quaker site was cinnamon pecan oatmeal with bananas, nutmeg, and graham crackers with whipped cream!Michelle alr22516@yahoo.com
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I tweeted you! http://twitter.com/watchcookingtv/status/8888526251Michelle alr22516@yahoo.com
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Yum! Love Quaker!
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Tweet!http://twitter.com/heatheranne99/status/8890910979
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My creation was called 'Lucky in Love' oatmeal! Yay!
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I tweeted your giveaway:@goodLifeEats Giveaway and recipe for {Tres Leches Oatmeal} Great way to start the day! http://www.goodlifeeats.com http://bit.ly/9Lm8j4 #10in10
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We love oatmeal, I hope I win!
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I subscribed to your feeds
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My creation was the caregiver oatmeal.
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nice recipe! I usually have oatmeal and cottage cheese and chopped up granny smith apples in the morning to give me the quick sugar and protein to start my day! I totally agree with you on waking up hungry
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I love this tool for creating your own oatmeal. I work with kids at risk for obesity, and so many skip breakfast, which is such and important meal!sydneydav@gmail.com
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We love oatmeal! Thanks for the chance.
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We eat oatmeal almost every day and could use some more!
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I like my oatmeal made with milk (instead of water), and with a little bit of maple syrup and some raisins. Thank you for the giveaway!
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I love adding peanut butter and jelly to my oatmeal!aniasurvey@gmail.com
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I typically make my oatmeal with milk, a little ground flaxseed, and frozen wild blueberries, but his recipe looks yummy! Can I use rum instead of rum flavoring?!
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That bowl of oatmeal looks divine! I love oatmeal – it really is the perfect breakfast!tlm24x@gmail.com
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I love inventing new combinations for oatmeal… I like to think of it as the smoothie I can eat! Strawberry, banana, yes! Pinapple, coconut, why not!bitteeinkuss @ gmail.com
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Sounds great!cheshiresmile at gmail dot com
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I just like brown sugar in my oatmeal, and some fresh fruit if I have any. There are some other great ideas in the comments. Your oatmeal looks fantastic!
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I created the "Caretaker Oatmeal": raisins and spice, topped with apples, blackberries, and bananas. Sounds good!
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I love oatmeal with lots and lots of cinnamon and occasionally dried cherries or raisins in it.
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I created the "honor roll oatmeal" with dried cranberries, blueberries and walnuts.Chriszekks at yahoo dot com
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Oatmeal is such a great warm meal anytime of the day and is so fillinga10small at hotmail dot com
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Yummy!
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Is the prize still unclaimed?
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looks tasty goldengoddiss09(at)gmail(dot)com
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#110 Megan is the new winner!
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