Where do good days come from? Good mornings, naturally. 
And, isn’t oatmeal the perfect way to start the day?
This morning, I started my day with a warm bowl of Quaker Instant Oatmeal to which I added vanilla soy milk, raisins, agave nectar, and ground flaxseed meal. So delish!
To help inspire everyone to discover the perfect oatmeal creation for their day, Quaker has developed a “CrEATe Your Day” digital application on Quakeroats.com and Facebook. Simply input information on the day ahead– whether it’s your day or a friend’s– and the application will create a custom virtual oatmeal creation and inspirational message known as an “Oatmail.” You can send the Oatmail to yourself or a friend or even share it via social networking sites.
To help encourage participation, for each Quaker oatmeal creation, Quaker will donate $1 to Share Our Strength , up to $25,000, until March 31, 2010. Go to QuakerOats.com/CreateYourDay for more info.
To participate in the Quaker Oatmeal Create Your Day program, I was compensated for writing this post regarding my Quaker experience. Quaker did not tell me what type of creations I should make nor did they require me to use any specific ingredients. My statements reflect my honest and truthful opinions and actual experience. And, I love oatmeal, so I was happy to participate!
With my oatmeal, I also ate half of a pink grapefruit and drank a glass of iced coffee with vanilla soy milk.
While I practically bounded out of bed ready to eat breakfast, Murphy took a much more relaxed approach to the morning.
He’s definitely not a morning dog. Mondays are especially tough for him.
Pure Yoga Contest
You have until tonight to enter to win the ticket to the Pure Yoga event in New York City!
The 100 Top Culinary Blogs
I’m not sure how Carrots ‘N’ Cake made it onto this list, but I’m very honored: The 100 Top Culinary Blogs.
Question of the Day
What are your favorite oatmeal toppings? What’s the “strangest” ingredient you’ve added to your oats?
{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
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I love banana, pb, coconut, and chia! Never added anything weird, but I want to try savory oats.
I top mine with granola, dark chocolate chips, vanilla pumpkin seeds, grape nuts…they’re my favourites
and I always add a ton of cinnamon and cook in either a pear or a banana, it’s the best!
Greek yogurt and cottage cheese work well too
I haven’t tried out any freaky toppings yet, I really should, I just don’t want to spoil it in case it goes wrong
Have a good day!
I don’t think I’ve ever added anything strange to my oats…but you’re right, a good morning definitely leads to a good day.
Strangest thing I’ve added to my oats was black beans. Added protein!
Oatmeal, water, raisins, cinnamon, vanilla, and topped with liquid gold a.k.a maple syrup!
Congrats on being nominated for 100 Culinary Blog!
I’m with murphy this morning!
My current favorite way to eat my oats is berries, banana, chia, brown sugar, cinnamon, and peanut butter!
“oatmail” …lol. Sounds like the punchline to a cheesy joke!
That is so funny about Murphy– my dogs are CRAZY in the morning!!!
Congrats on making the list!
I do the exact same every day: banana, PB and flax. Mmmm!
The first time I added salsa to my oats, I thought that was weird! But it’s a great savory addition, especially with eggs. I still prefer my sweet oats though.
Favorite oatmeal topping: granola for the added sweetness and crunch. Yum!
Murphy is adorable…what a sleepy little guy.
yay I just made my own creation! How fun! haha I think I add pretty normal ingredients to my oatmeal. The first time I added egg I thought that was weird…but lots of people do it!
My favorite oatmeal topping is banana and almond butter – so good! I think the strangest thing I’ve ever put on my oatmeal would have to be parmesan cheese -the kind out of the green canister. I was a kid and did NOT like it!
I’m not very adventurous with my oats. I usually just do PB and banana, but lately I’ve been adding chia seeds!
I don’t know that mine is so weird, but it tasted good…My husband loves Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies, so I decided to crumble 1/3 of one over my oats. Probably not the healthiest addition, but it sure tasted yummy! And congrats on the nomination, well deserved!
My favorite is carob chips and peanut butter! I drool just thinking about it. I’m also a fan of savory oats – a veggie burger, some hot sauce, a little cheese, perfect!
oatmeal is def the best way to start a day! I like mine with banana, PB and a drizzle of syrup. P.S. I’m having a Gaiam yoga mat giveaway on my blog today — you should check it out, it’s a GREAT mat
My favorite oatmeal toppings are banana + almond butter + dark chocolate chips. All three must be included!
Another delicious combo that I’ve tried is banana + coconut + macadamia nuts.
Oatmeal… it has all the characteristics I’d love to find in someone. Warm, comforting…
I LOVE Murphy. I wish I could live his life hah
Congrats on being a Top Culinary Blog!!
Love this “Oatmail” concept, I’m definitely checking it out. And you are very right, good days come from getting started in a delicious way
Since I’m relatively new to the oatmeal scene, everything I add is strange. It was only two years ago when I discovered adding PB. Now, I like to add fruit, yogurt, cereal, whatever. I love it.
That’s such a cute idea that Quaker is doing! Love it!
Oatmeal IS the perfect start to a day!
Congrats on the Top 100 list! That is awesome!
I always start my day with oatmeal. I really enjoy adding protein powder to it because it increases the volume so much. I don’t think it’s that weird and I know quite a few people in the blog world that do it, but in my “real” life people think I’m insane. LOL
My standards are flaxseed or wheat germ and fruit of some sort: fresh blueberries if they’re in season or bananas (year round) or dried fruit as my last resort. My most ‘unusual’ additoin to my oatmeal would the addition of one egg or 1/2 cup of egg whites. You have to try it. It’s delicious!
I suppose after reading the other comments, my ingredient is not so strange. I added a slice of pupmkin cheesecake and boy it was delicious!
I just did that oatmeal thing on Quaker website, it’s quite addictive
Maybe I have too much free time!!??
Congrats on making the top 100 food blogs!!!
Thanks for showcasing instant oatmeal! I have it every morning, popping it in the microwave and adding the usual mix-ins: yogurt, half nanner, PB, etc. It’s healthy, delicious, fills me up until lunch and proves that the whole “overnight oats” idea is OVERRATED. I don’t have time to overnight anything when I’m already cooking lunch and dinner for the week.
My favorite topping is peanut butter of course! But the strangest thing I’ve ever added to it was kiwi, it just didn’t taste right to me. I love trying new things though!
i’m so boring. I just like peanut butter of anyyy kind honey, chocolate (mmmm), white chocolate!
I discovered this holiday season that adding cranberry sauce is delicious!
I already made an oatmeal creation after reading about it on Kath’s blog. Such a great cause!!!
My favorite oatmeal topping is very simple.. Barney Butter. Tried and true, can’t beat it!
My favorite oatmeal toppings are dried blueberries, walnuts, maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon. Tastes like blueberry pie!!
i’m not super creative w/ my oatmeal add-ins. i really love cupcake batter protein powder!
I am a pb, raisins (or cranberries), and some choc chip oatmeal kinda gal!
Congrats for making the list of top blogs!
I think the strangest thing I’ve added to my oatmeal was jarred baby food…peas.
When I feel inspired I add orange blossom water to my oatmeal, it isn’t strange, it is sooo good!! It makes it taste like an oriental pastry without adding any calories!
Favorite would be pumpkin and peanut butter. I think the “strangest” would be nutritional yeast for a nice, cheesy mouthfeel
Congrats on making the Top 100 Culinary Blogs list! That is soo cool. I’m not too adventurous with my oatmeal – I stick to the basics: banana, raisins, apples, peanut butter, (any kind of nut butter really), etc. I’m excited to see the other comments and what crazy things people add to get some more ideas!
congrats! that is such a cool honor!!! treat yourself today; maybe a nap with your pug?
I like it simple with maple syrup and flaxseed!
When the oats are almost done stir in a heap of mixed frozen berries (any blend with raspberries). Then once the oats are off the stove a spoonful of PB. The oats turn a nice shade of pink. My personality is not at all ‘pink’, but apparently I like my oats this way.
Congrats on making the list of top 100 culinary blogs – that is quite an accomplishment!
I love to add blueberries and banana to my oatmeal.
I can’t wait to try that Quaker Oatmail – sounds like fun!
I love pumpkin, but I also love raspberries. I usually mix in Cheerios or some other crunchy cereal too, for texture, which I guess some might think is weird!
Blueberries are a classic topping to my oats =)
What a cool oat meal application! My favorite way to eat oatmeal is simple+plain.. pinch of brown sugar, cinnamon and a banana.
I loooove oats! I love to mash banana in while they’re cooking and then top with a sprinkle of granola & shredded coconut and of course a drizzle of almond or peanut butter…just had a bowl this morning!
Congratulations on your entry in the list of top 100 culinary bloggers!
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