Tres Leches Oatmeal {giveaway}

Contest closed. Winners are #81 jhl of A Half Baked Life and #110 Megan of What Megan's Making. If I don't hear from you within 72 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Thanks!

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.”

From January 25 through March 31, 2010, Quaker will donate $1 to Share Our Strength, up to $25,000 for every creation you create at Quakeroats.com/createyourday.

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