I grew up with Quaker Oatmeal, my grandmother would always make me a bowl when I was visiting, my mother never seemed to do it quite the same, though. I guess it was a grandmother thing. Now, we always have some in the house, and we use it for lots of different things.
I'm not naturally a big breakfast eater, so I've been making an effort to eat better and have been on an oatmeal kick for several months now, I even went to visit the good folks from Quaker Talk at BlogHer last summer since we had been chatting on Twitter about my oatmeal issue for several months.
Now, Quaker Oats is sponsoring CrEATe Your Day, a fun site where you can plan a great day and create a virtual bowl of oatmeal to help make the most of your day. You can send your "Oatmail" to yourself or to a friend.
For every Oatmail and bowl of oatmeal created on this site Quaker will donate $1.00 to Share Our Strength, dedicated to ending childhood hunger, up to $25,000.
When I heard about Quaker Oats CrEATe Your Day, I thought my oatmeal wasn't exciting enough to enter since I usually eat it plain, with a little brown sugar (I had been putting butter in it as well until I realized I was essentially eating oatmeal cookie dough every morning).
So, in honor of CrEATe Your Day, I have been branching out and trying some new things on my oatmeal, one of my favorites has become Quaker Oatmeal topped with plain yogurt, trail mix and fruit:
It's really good, and bonus (!) if your trail mix happens to have some chocolate covered pieces in it.
Anyway.
The Giveaway
I'm giving away two (2) Quaker Oats starter kits with boxes of Quaker Instant Oatmeal and a lovely place setting to help you CrEATe Your Day.
1. Go over to CrEATe Your Day and help Share Our Strength by making your own oatmeal creation for yourself, or send it as a greeting to someone.
2. Leave a comment here letting me know how you topped your virtual oatmeal. Don't forget to leave a valid e-mail address.
3. For an extra entry, Tweet about this contest and leave a separate comment linking to your tweet.
4. 2 winners will be picked randomly from the comments.
5. Winners have 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.
6. Hurry! Contest ends Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10pm CST.
Be sure to visit the Quaker Facebook Fan Page and chat with my friend Quaker Talk on Twitter!
Disclosure: I was compensated for writing this post to participate in the Quaker Oatmeal Create Your Day program. I was also provided a Create Your Day starter kit as described above and two other kits to give away.
Quaker did not tell me what to create or tell me to use any specific ingredients. I really do eat the oatmeal and I really did top it with stuff I found in the pantry. But, more importantly, this promotion is for a great cause.
Comments (103)
Blueberries.
Posted by kk | February 15, 2010 6:50 PM
Posted on February 15, 2010 18:50
Berries, yum!
Posted by Shyla E. | February 15, 2010 10:17 PM
Posted on February 15, 2010 22:17
Have a great day.
Posted by Frank Winter | February 16, 2010 8:15 AM
Posted on February 16, 2010 08:15
My Newbie Oatmeal was topped with Apricots & Walnuts Whipped Cream!
Posted by CMC | February 16, 2010 11:39 AM
Posted on February 16, 2010 11:39
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/spitfyr323/statuses/9194382727
Posted by CMC | February 16, 2010 11:48 AM
Posted on February 16, 2010 11:48
Blueberries and cinnamon Jaguevara3@gmail.com
and I retweeted! http://twitter.com/MissJewels212
Posted by Julie | February 16, 2010 2:16 PM
Posted on February 16, 2010 14:16
I made The Big Game Oatmeal for my husband: raisin date & walnut with peanut butter & blackberries. He actually would LOVE this bowl!
Posted by Alicia | February 17, 2010 9:39 AM
Posted on February 17, 2010 09:39
...and just tweeted about the giveaway! I do love my oatmeal!
Posted by Alicia | February 17, 2010 9:40 AM
Posted on February 17, 2010 09:40
Yum...love Quaker oatmeal! I like making old fashioned oats with half water, half orange juice and throwing in raisins or dried cranberries with a pinch of cinnamon. I made the Rainmaker Oatmeal for hubby...looked delish!
Posted by Laura | February 17, 2010 6:02 PM
Posted on February 17, 2010 18:02
Great post! You should also check out these awesome supporting oatmeal recipe videos on Goodbite.com/createyourday. They actually show you how to create all the recipes! Very cool!
Posted by Karl | February 17, 2010 6:29 PM
Posted on February 17, 2010 18:29
My topping would be homemade blueberry syrup.
Posted by Milton H | February 19, 2010 12:40 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 12:40
Brown sugar, milk, butter and raisins are the best.
Posted by Jill L | February 19, 2010 1:49 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 13:49
I'm a purist, just went with Strawberries.
Posted by Carol | February 19, 2010 2:07 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 14:07
tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/9350530010
Posted by Anonymous | February 19, 2010 2:09 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 14:09
I topped my oatmeal with peanut butter and walnuts!
Posted by Amber G | February 19, 2010 3:18 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 15:18
Neat, I love Share Our Strength, we do the Great American Bakesale every year! I topped mine with peaches and granola!
Posted by Jenna Z | February 19, 2010 5:10 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 17:10
I topped mine with brown sugar and granola
Posted by Pat B | February 19, 2010 7:09 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 19:09
brown sugar and granola
Posted by SANDY | February 19, 2010 8:14 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 20:14
My Raisin & Spice oatmeal was topped with Apricots & Walnuts Whipped Cream.
Posted by Ellen Ring | February 19, 2010 10:49 PM
Posted on February 19, 2010 22:49
I topped mine with cream, butter, and brown sugar.
Posted by Denise B. | February 20, 2010 9:45 AM
Posted on February 20, 2010 09:45
I topped my virtual oatmeal with butter and blueberries.
Posted by Brandon Ralston | February 20, 2010 9:53 AM
Posted on February 20, 2010 09:53
Mine was topped w/raisins,dates,and walnuts!
Posted by Mary S | February 20, 2010 11:38 AM
Posted on February 20, 2010 11:38
I Tweeted (maxfate) Thanks!
http://twitter.com/maxfate/status/9392476559
Posted by Mary S | February 20, 2010 11:55 AM
Posted on February 20, 2010 11:55
Blueberries and walnuts
Posted by Mellissa c | February 20, 2010 4:18 PM
Posted on February 20, 2010 16:18
I did coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg!
Posted by Jennifer Short | February 20, 2010 5:32 PM
Posted on February 20, 2010 17:32
I topped mine with strawberries and chocolate chips.
Posted by Emily | February 20, 2010 7:24 PM
Posted on February 20, 2010 19:24
I like dates, slivered almonds and cinnamon with my oatmeal. Thanks for the contest.
Posted by Pat | February 20, 2010 9:03 PM
Posted on February 20, 2010 21:03
strawberries and bananas
Posted by scottsgal | February 20, 2010 9:26 PM
Posted on February 20, 2010 21:26
Strawberries
Posted by Beverly | February 21, 2010 1:36 AM
Posted on February 21, 2010 01:36
Apples & cinnamon oatmeal topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and graham crackers! Thanks!
Posted by Deborah Wellenstein | February 21, 2010 8:31 AM
Posted on February 21, 2010 08:31
Apricots and Whipped cream, sounds delish!
Posted by Kathy K | February 21, 2010 2:16 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 14:16
I topped my with raisins!
Posted by Suzanne K | February 21, 2010 3:15 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 15:15
I went to quaker and tried to do the oatmeal creation but it kept freezing up my computer. I hope you will still consider my entry.
Posted by Karen Pochodowicz | February 21, 2010 4:08 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 16:08
I love it with raspberries!! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Posted by Monique Rizzo | February 21, 2010 11:10 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 23:10
I topped my oatmeal with blueberries. YUMMY!
melaniecalcut@gmail.com
Posted by Melanie | February 21, 2010 11:15 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 23:15
I topped my delicious oatmeal with a banana.
Posted by delores talley | February 21, 2010 11:51 PM
Posted on February 21, 2010 23:51
I shared Lucky In Love Oatmeal with a friend.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by Janet F | February 22, 2010 12:24 PM
Posted on February 22, 2010 12:24
I topped my Oatmeal with Cranberries.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by Janet F | February 22, 2010 12:25 PM
Posted on February 22, 2010 12:25
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/9487153737
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted by Janet F | February 22, 2010 12:27 PM
Posted on February 22, 2010 12:27
They came up with Peaches and Cream, which is NOT the one I would actually pick! I would top it with pecans.
Posted by Carol G | February 23, 2010 7:33 AM
Posted on February 23, 2010 07:33
My oatmeal was Strawberries & Cream, topped with coffee, cinnamon, and nutmeg... interesting!
Posted by Melissa | February 23, 2010 4:12 PM
Posted on February 23, 2010 16:12
Maple and brown sugar toped with coffee, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Yum!
Posted by Karen | February 23, 2010 4:48 PM
Posted on February 23, 2010 16:48
i made strawberries and cream topped with coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg
Posted by Carrie | February 24, 2010 8:04 AM
Posted on February 24, 2010 08:04
I would top my Oatmeal with blueberrys and walnuts
Posted by Tammy | February 24, 2010 9:41 AM
Posted on February 24, 2010 09:41
I topped it with walnuts, blueberries and brown sugar!
Posted by Kris | February 24, 2010 7:33 PM
Posted on February 24, 2010 19:33
My oatmeal was the Peaches & Cream topped with Apples, Blackberries and Bananas. Sounds good!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
Posted by Lisa G. | February 25, 2010 8:01 AM
Posted on February 25, 2010 08:01
I Tweeted this giveaway. http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/9626646576
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
Posted by Lisa G. | February 25, 2010 8:04 AM
Posted on February 25, 2010 08:04
Bananas and brown sugar.
Posted by Pat | February 25, 2010 10:05 AM
Posted on February 25, 2010 10:05
I put sugar, vanilla, butter, bannana, and strawberries.
Posted by Becky | February 25, 2010 12:06 PM
Posted on February 25, 2010 12:06
i topped mine with blueberries and brown sugar
Posted by Ashley | February 25, 2010 3:02 PM
Posted on February 25, 2010 15:02
butter, cream, brown sugar and cinnamon for me
Posted by Vicki Wurgler | February 25, 2010 3:20 PM
Posted on February 25, 2010 15:20
I would put blueberries and brown sugar
Posted by Tammy | February 25, 2010 4:57 PM
Posted on February 25, 2010 16:57
I created the "Lucky in Love" oatmeal.....cinnamon pecan topped with strawberries and choco chips, sounds yummy!!!
Posted by Margaret | February 26, 2010 9:16 AM
Posted on February 26, 2010 09:16
tweeted
http://twitter.com/sweetheart4171
Posted by Margaret | February 26, 2010 9:19 AM
Posted on February 26, 2010 09:19
Yogurt, Peaches , and Granola.
Posted by Jenn S. | February 26, 2010 9:22 AM
Posted on February 26, 2010 09:22
I went to Create a day
Posted by Laura C | February 26, 2010 9:36 PM
Posted on February 26, 2010 21:36
There is no more
virtual oatmeal but they are donating more money
by you doing a story.The end you get a coupon.
Posted by Laura C | February 26, 2010 9:38 PM
Posted on February 26, 2010 21:38
tweet
http://twitter.com/sweepcoupon
Posted by Laura C | February 27, 2010 1:03 AM
Posted on February 27, 2010 01:03
I would top mine with brown sugar and granola.
thanks!
Posted by elaine | February 27, 2010 11:00 PM
Posted on February 27, 2010 23:00
Blueberries and cinnamon.
Posted by Kathy | February 28, 2010 8:10 AM
Posted on February 28, 2010 08:10
I topped mine with peanut butter & granola.
Posted by Melodic Mom | February 28, 2010 8:55 AM
Posted on February 28, 2010 08:55
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/MelodicMom/statuses/9778933092
Posted by Melodic Mom | February 28, 2010 8:56 AM
Posted on February 28, 2010 08:56
I just put strawberries on my oatmeal :)
Posted by Erica C. | February 28, 2010 1:56 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 13:56
brown sugar and walnuts
Posted by Daniel M | February 28, 2010 4:47 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 16:47
Yogurt, peaches, and granola on mine.
Posted by Ani | February 28, 2010 5:48 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 17:48
Strawberries and Chocolate Chips...
Posted by Jennifer R | February 28, 2010 10:31 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 22:31
Raisins & Spice
Posted by Onolee R | February 28, 2010 10:35 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 22:35
Mine was topped with peaches, yogurt and granola!
Posted by Storm | February 28, 2010 11:10 PM
Posted on February 28, 2010 23:10
My oatmeal was topped with pineapple, mango and coconut, yummy!
PaintedPony17@yahoo.com
Posted by Jessica Anderson | March 1, 2010 12:41 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 00:41
I had cranberries, walnuts, and dates. YUM! thanks.
Posted by Pamela S | March 1, 2010 1:30 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 01:30
Strawberries & Cream with Yogurt, Peaches & Granola
Posted by Vanessa R | March 1, 2010 4:34 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 04:34
Maple and brown sugar topped with apricots, walnuts and whipped cream. Thanks.
Posted by karen | March 1, 2010 8:14 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 08:14
Apples, blackberries and bananas. Yum!
Posted by Sharon Ram | March 1, 2010 9:31 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 09:31
I topped mine with raisins
Posted by Susan Smith | March 1, 2010 10:01 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 10:01
Mine was peaches and cream oatmeal topped with pineapples, mango, and coconut!
Posted by Janette | March 1, 2010 10:53 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 10:53
Brown sugar, milk and butter! Yum!
Posted by carol lewis | March 1, 2010 11:51 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 11:51
I follow you and tweet!~http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/9834623183
Posted by carol lewis | March 1, 2010 11:53 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 11:53
Re3doing because I don;t think it went through?
Tweet!~http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/9834623183
Posted by carol lewis | March 1, 2010 11:53 AM
Posted on March 1, 2010 11:53
topped with mango
Posted by Lori C. | March 1, 2010 12:07 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 12:07
apple and cinnamon topped with coffee cinnamon and nutmeg..eye opener oatmeal
Posted by kathy pease | March 1, 2010 12:30 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 12:30
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/9836063759
Posted by kathy pease | March 1, 2010 12:32 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 12:32
I got the Caretaker Oatmeal, which is Strawberries and Cream topped with apples, blackberries and bananas.
Posted by Amanda S. | March 1, 2010 12:56 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 12:56
That was fun :) Mine was maple brown sugar with peaches and yogurt
Posted by Julie L | March 1, 2010 1:18 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 13:18
brown sugar and butter
Posted by taylor | March 1, 2010 2:25 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 14:25
brown sugar&milk make great oatmeal!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by Amy Delong | March 1, 2010 2:32 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 14:32
Mine had Raisins & Spice topped with yogurt, peaches and granola.
Posted by Sand | March 1, 2010 5:51 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 17:51
Office Rockstar Oatmeal!
Posted by Heather | March 1, 2010 6:47 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 18:47
I topped mine with Brown Sugar and Butter - YUM
Posted by susitravl | March 1, 2010 7:13 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 19:13
Cinnamon, Raisins & Brown Sugar....Yum. Love Quaker Oats!!
Posted by Anonymous | March 1, 2010 7:22 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 19:22
strawberries :)
Posted by taryn | March 1, 2010 7:23 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 19:23
I went with strawberries and whipped cream thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com
Posted by tina reynolds | March 1, 2010 7:41 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 19:41
Topped with brown sugar!!!!
Posted by Diane Baum | March 1, 2010 7:57 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 19:57
I topped mine with Yogurt and peaches!
deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by Deb K | March 1, 2010 8:18 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 20:18
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/Deb55106/status/9854367397
deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by Deb K | March 1, 2010 8:21 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 20:21
I topped mine with blueberries and walnuts.
Posted by Veronica Garrett | March 1, 2010 8:52 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 20:52
My oatmeal is called Calm After the Storm Oatmeal
and it is Raisins and Spice topped with Pineapple,Mango and Coconut,Yummy!
Posted by Charlene Kuser | March 1, 2010 9:07 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:07
Tweeted:Swtlilchick
http://twitter.com/Swtlilchick/status/9856428310
Posted by Charlene Kuser | March 1, 2010 9:10 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:10
Fresh strawberries were my topping of choice.
Posted by Pat | March 1, 2010 9:21 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:21
I used cranberries!
Posted by Chrysa | March 1, 2010 9:24 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:24
tweet http://twitter.com/ThriftyJinxy/status/9857082902
Posted by Chrysa | March 1, 2010 9:25 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:25
Cinnamon Pecan topped with Coffee, Cinnamon & Nutmeg :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Posted by Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} | March 1, 2010 9:38 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:38
I topped my virtual oatmeal with pineapple, mango, and coconut.
Posted by Lily Kwan | March 1, 2010 9:53 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:53
berries!
Posted by Donna K | March 1, 2010 9:57 PM
Posted on March 1, 2010 21:57