Who Wants a Treat?!

Guess what?! My mom told me that the “somethings” I have planned for the upcoming blog anniversary arrived safely in glorious Arizona this afternoon 🙂 I am so pumped!

In the meantime, there’s another goodie waiting at the bottom of this post! So go ahead and scroll down to the bottom read the rest of my post thoroughly.

Well ladies and gents, I am officially beat! I had my final marketing presentation on Ben & Jerry’s at class tonight. I think it went well, but one can never be too sure about these things! We ended up having pizza in class, so I will share what I ate up until that point with you!

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Breakfast this morning was a so-good-you’d-think-it-was-bad-for-you bowl of whipped banana oatmeal. I think it was the extra ripe banana that made this bowl so sweet. I combined the usual 1/2 cup oats with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 sliced banana and 1 tbsp. ground flax. Then I topped it with a Justin’s Almond Butter packet, which made it extra creamy and nutty.

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[Breakfast Net Sugar: 1g (from almond butter)]

I spent the morning going absolutely insane with my econ paper. The actual content of the paper is done, but the appendices, figures and tables are driving me up the wall. It’s just me being a perfectionist, but I can’t wait for it to be out of my life 🙂 I ended up visiting my professor in her office to make sure I was on the right track, then took the opportunity to head to the gym. I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and then came home and did P90X Core Synergistics.

I felt revitalized afterward, and definitely ready for lunch.

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Another winner in my book! I scrambled up another 1 egg + 2 egg white combo (seriously, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the 1 whole egg makes such a difference!) with 1/4 of that huge cucumber 😉 Glad you all enjoyed the “that’s what she said” joke with that one. At the same time, I toasted a La Tortilla Factory wrap with 2 oz. deli turkey. I put everything together on top of the wrap, but it was so voluminous that it wouldn’t close, so I just threw on some reduced-fat Mexican cheese, pepper and Goya Adobo and ate it with a fork. Yum!

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I also had my first Coffee Cocoa of the day. You knew it was coming at some point, right?

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[Lunch Net Sugar: 8g]

After eating this voluminous lunch, I literally sat on my bed for the rest of the day and cranked this paper out. Yeah, I do homework on my bed. I’ll save the desk chair for after graduation! I did get off my rear mid-afternoon for a snack. It was yet another winner.

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Looking at this picture makes me want to eat it all over again! This was a Fuji apple topped with 3 tbsp. PB2 and cinnamon. Honestly, try it!

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[Snack Net Sugar: 3g]

Then it was off to class. All the anxiety and preparation for my presentation really kicked my appetite into high gear, so I enjoyed my slices of Papa John’s cheese pizza very much 🙂

[Dinner Net Sugar: 6g]

Total Added Sugar: 18g

I just realized that it was a great day for the Subtracting Added Sugar challenge! It’s really becoming second nature to me, and I’m only 4 days in. There is very little planning required, and I think what’s been key for me is that I bought a whole bunch of produce last time I was at the grocery store. Knowing I need to use it up keeps me inspired to come up with ways to integrate more fruits and veggies into my meals, which inevitably ups the “sweetness” factor in a natural way. So add this to my list: buying the right foods at the grocery store is key. I’m sure most of you knew that one already, but I do have a tendency to grab packaged foods off the shelves because they “look interesting.” This new challenge is teaching me that there are better options at the front of the store.

Giveaway Time!!

You might have seen this giveaway on some awesome food blogs already (click on that link to see what the prize actually looks like!). Well, here’s another chance to win! The folks at Quaker have offered to give one lucky reader an “All Natural Gift Bag” that includes a robe and slippers made with organic, earth-friendly materials, plus a few boxes of their newest flavor of Quaker Simple Harvest Chewy Granola Bars – Trail Mix!

Enter to win by doing one or all of the following:

  • Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite Quaker product
  • Ask a question on my call for FAQ post, then come back here and tell me that you did
  • Link back to this contest on your own blog
  • No blog? Send an email to eatingbender@gmail.com with subject, “Quaker Trackback”

The contest will run until Friday, March 13 at 13:00 CST (aka 1:00). I figure I can end somebody’s fear of “Friday the 13th” by picking a lucky winner on an unlucky day 🙂 CLEVER.

GOOD LUCK!!

Around-the-Blogosphere

Countdown to Arizona: 1.5 days!

Wishing you sunshine on a cloudy day,

sig1

244 Comments

  1. I think regular old Quaker oats are my fave product, because I can do so many things with them!

    And congrats on finishing that paper 😀

  2. carpet pics are back, hoo-rah!!! 😀 😀 Sounds like a gooood day minus the workin part! Hm..i would LOVE to win those goodies- so I’ll say my fave quaker products are their good ol’ classic granola bars- pb chocolate chip! I’ll go ask u a question..and i’ll link tonight…mm or maybe just go to sleep ;D

  3. Thanks for the shout out girlfriend. I can attest that the robe is really soft and warm!

    I think I need to try this PB2 stuff. Also, I am v. proud of your sugar consumption!

  4. your lunch seriously looks amazing! I had a *whole egg* instead of 2 whites this morning and you are so right, it really makes a huge difference! thanks for an amazing giveaway! MY favorite Quaker product are their Old-fashioned oats, but I was obsesses with their chewy granola bars in high school =)

  5. Don’t you love to smear p.b./a.b. on the top of oats like icing? My fave method. I don’t know what it is lately, but whenever I see deli meat I want it! I should think about that…

    I’ve written a paper or two on my bed as well! I think living in a dorm fresh and soph years taught me how to do h.w. on my bed. I’m so happy for you that you only have 1.5 days! You sooo deserve the break!

    Mmmm Quaker! My favorite thing lately has been the True Delights in the banana macadamia coconut. So amazing I think it’s dessert!

  6. I can’t help it – old fashioned!! I live in Korea and it’s so hard to get it so I actually have my mom SHIP IT OVER to me on a regular basis. If that’s not love and commitment to a product, I don’t know what is.
    PS – I hope she get to ship over that yummy robe and slippers soon!

  7. Isn’t Justin’s the best? I really need to re-order some soon–I used up a few packets on my recent trip to DC.

    La Tortilla Factory should hire you–you are the queen of LTF creations. They always look fantastic!

    As for the giveaway:
    -My favorite Quaker product=Simple Harvest oatmeal packets
    -I left a question on your FAQ page!

  8. Favorite product – the regular old oats! I have a new flavor of one of their many kinds of granola bars that I will be trying out soon, too.

    I can’t wait for my order of PB2 to come tomorrow! I have an apple sitting on the conunter in anticipation!

  9. Hey Jenn, just started reading your blog, I love it! I’ve taken some of your shopping suggestions and such. I write my own blog for my University..just started up a couple of months ago, it’s been fun! Also…you’re from Arizona?? Where at? I live in Flagstaff.

    http://healthyadelphi.blogspot.com just in case you want to check out my stuff. Keep up the great work <3

  10. My favorite, by far, are the chocolate drizzle mini delights! As for their “regular” oatmeal, though, my favorite is the Maple and Brown Sugar Weight Control instant oats. I haven’t really experimented much with the oats that take longer to cook, though I plan to start experimenting soon!

  11. Have you tried blended oats yet? I swear if you put almond butter on top, it tastes like a big ole bowl of almond butter. Can you imagine anything better than that?

  12. Jenn,
    What a fun giveaway – I want that robe! I’ll totally send you some link love on my next post!

    Wow, so glad the no added sugar challenge is going well,and way to stock up on the fresh veggies and produce! I bet the apple with PB2 was an amazing salty/sweet combo. I should try it, but I’m hoarding the last of my PB2…for what, I don’t know, but I’m so sad it’s almost gone. In sticking with my goal of no online nut butter orders, this may be my last jar for a while. 🙁

    I ate your salmon salad for dinner last night, but used canned wild Alaskan salmon from Costco. Why is Bone Suckin Sauce so amazing?!?

    Glad your presentation went well, and only 1.5 days?!? You’re so close my friend!

  13. im guessing quaker oatmeal! have been eating a variety of breakfast items but will get back into my old oatmeal groove!!!

  14. Hey girl! How exciting that you’re getting closer and closer to being done with school! Your egg mixes always look so good! Seriously, I like crave eggs after reading your posts 🙂

    My current favorite quaker product is their old fashioned oats. They have multiple uses in my life- homemade granola, tina’s bars, regular morning oatmeal, pancakes, etc etc! I can’t live without them 😉

    Hope you have a good day 🙂 Glad your presentation went well! Phew!

  15. Oh, cool giveaway – I need a new robe!!!

    I love Quaker old fashioned rolled oats! Not a huge fan of eating it as oatmeal, but love to use it in baking or homemade granola -mmmmm:)

  16. OOOH I WANT THE GIFT BAG!!!!! I think I already asked a question, but I will double check and link back tonight!!! HOORAY for giveaways!
    You’ve got 1 more sleep til break, so jealous!

  17. I love your simple breakfast. I should try it sometime. And those apples look luscious! I can’t wait until I try PB2!

  18. my fav quaker product, probably old fashioned oats 🙂

    i’m so guilty of the “ooh, that looks interesting” purchase!!

  19. Love the apple + PB2 combo. It looks so good!
    Glad your presentation went well. I always feel like that after a presentation..I think and hope it went well, but I can never be too sure. Yours was probably great, though!

    My favorite Quaker product is oatmeal (of course). 🙂 I also linked back to you on my blog!

    Have a great day, Jenn!

  20. I’m and old fashioned oats girl here. I could and usually do eat them at least once a day!

  21. kaley(dot)hendrickson(at)gmail(dot)com
    I love, love, love the bar with dark chocolate chunks in it. Mmmm so delicious.

  22. done, done, and done – I want that robe! 🙂

    I put a question on your FAQ page that I hope you’ll enjoy and I’ll post a link at lunch.

    I’m glad to see that stuff isn’t so crazy for you right now -and I’m super excited to see all the blog birthday hoopla!

  23. Love the blog! My favorite is old fashioned oats, couldn’t live without them!

  24. Regular Quaker oatmeal is my favorite because you can make so many different things with it and add lots of different stuff and it all tastes good!

  25. I love free meals in class! My favorite Quaker product is just plain ol’ oatmeal…I’m boring like that. Plus they always remind me of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies which are one of my favorite things ever. Have an awesome end of your term, and a safe trip home!!

  26. Way to go on your sugar challenge! It can definitely be tough, because it can be lurking where we least expect it! My favorite Quaker product is by far the Oatmeal Squares Cereal–it can really pump of the volume of any bowl to make it extra yummy.

  27. That wrap looks awesome! I will have to try it, im always trying to think of new ideas for wraps.

    My fave quaker oats product would have to be just their quick cook oats. I eat them almost everyday and my pantry is always stocked!

  28. Fave Quaker Product: Their old-fashioned oats…so nice and chewy…I think I like them better than steel cut oats!

    The Question I asked on the FAQ: How do you motivate yourself to workout when you’re feeling particularly tired, cranky, or otherwise not in the mood to workout?

    I’m off to link to your contest…thanks for hosting! 🙂

  29. the quaker product i buy the most would be good old fashioned oats, but my favorite is definitely the quaker oat squares. my grandma used to always have them at her house when i was a kid and i love them!

    Yay for one step closer to spring break!

  30. I want this prize!! My favorite quaker product is the original oats…they’re just so versitile!

    p.s. I asked a question too!

  31. I love traditional rolled Quaker Oats – my favorite product by far!

    Can’t wait to hear more about these “somethings”!

    When is your blogversary? Can you share? (maybe email me?)

  32. I want a robe!! I don’t have a blog, but my fav quaker product is maple brown sugar oats or the simple harvest dark choc. granola bars!! thanks!
    Mel H

  33. Fav. quaker product….definitly oats, or a granola bar every now and then when I want a sweet, healthy treat! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

  34. Gotta go with the classic rolled oats… and the delicious oatmeal raisin cookies they produce!
    http;//theidleloaf.wordpress.com

  35. I used to live off of quaker quick oats… but on this ast trip to the grocery store I decided to give old fashioned a try. They are now my new fave- old fashion beats out quick in my book.

  36. congrats on being done with your marketing presentation! i’m sure you rocked it!
    you’re going to ARIZONA?!? ahhh i’m so jealous! i’m hoping to make an april trip, but please eat lots of mexican food (and papa bender’s amazing cooking)!!!
    i’m doing the same giveaway today 😀 that quaker fairy is generous, no?
    have a wonderful day! i’m SO EXCITED for your blogiversary

  37. come on, Brandi – I forgot to put my favorite Quaker product! 🙂

    Old fashioned oats, hands down. I can do SO many things with them.

  38. I enjoy the vanilla, honey, almond instant oatmeal! Quick, easy and delicious! What more could you ask for?? And the new granola bar flavor sounds awesome!!

  39. favorite quaker treat = quaker old fashioned oatmeal! i have it nearly every day 😉

    question – is pb2 powdered and do u have to mix it with water?? it sounds good but im confused lol. your egg wrap looks fantastic!!

  40. I think I have to agree with many of the other comments and say the old fashioned oats!!

  41. Hi! My favorite would be the old fashioned oatmeal, but I love their granola bars too!

    Thanks!

  42. Those oats are making me drool right now! 🙂

    Congrats on you Ben & Jerry’s presentaion! I bet you’re glad it’s over with!!

  43. Hey Jenn! Yeah, it’s rainy here too! 😛
    My favorite Quaker product is probably just regular quick oats or oat bran…so versatile and delicious! Hope I win!

    Happy Wednesday!

    Michelle

  44. My favorite Quaker product will always be just their plain old fashioned oats! I have them at least 4x a week for breakfast.

  45. My favourite product is definitely the regular oats. Mixed with a banana and some natural PB, it’s my breakfast almost every day!!

  46. Honestly, I just LOVE their regular rolled oats!! So simple, yet so delicious!!

    *Crosses fingers* Hope I win!

    LOL. Great post, food looks scrumptious!!!!

  47. I always(ALWAYS!) put too much in my wrap and can’t close it up. I also did a business project on B&J but when you’re in VT it’s easy to go to their headquarters and dig up info(it’s super cool they have a slide in their office that goes from the 2nd to first floor) and they give all the visitors free ice cream!

  48. I love their old-fashioned rolled oats! I eat them just about everyday (on other days I eat their oat bran, haha!)

  49. I love the Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal! Yummy! It is so good and crunchy. I have only tried the brown sugar kind, but I can’t wait to try the other flavors.

  50. I do the one whole egg with the egg whites, too. You’re right, it makes such a big difference.

    I’m adding you to my favorites right now, great blog!

    Oh, and good old fashioned quaker oats are my favorite!

  51. Quaker Quick Oats are what my husband and i eat for breakfast most mornings so that would be our favorite and also since we are watching our cholesterol, eating it really helps.

    I would SO love to win this contest.

  52. I have to go with regular oatmeal. It’s just so versatile! Cookies, quick breads/cakes, and of course the breakfast staple.

  53. my fave quaker product is definitely oats. simple enough right?

    btw, i am rarely ablr to close my wraps. my eyes just want me to keep adding things, even though i know it wont fit.

  54. I do homework on my bed, too. I live on my own so I have a whole house and multiple chairs I could work from… yet I still choose my bed?!

    I love Quaker oats and Oatmeal Squares! I eat a Quaker product every day!

  55. Why does your PB2 look so much better than mine? Thanks for inspiring me to dig it out and mix some up.

  56. I think I have to be borning and say Oatmeal! There are just so many things to add to it I can’t get enough of it! I also wanted to let you know that I mentioned you on my blog today!

  57. Call me boring, but I honestly love the good old fashioned oats, so versatile. My second choice would be the instant diet/low cal packs in banana bread. Oats and banana, it doesn’t get much better than that!

  58. My favorite quaker product is easily Oat Bran right now! Closely followed by Quaker Old Fashioned.

  59. OATS! although i really want to try oat bran now, just haven’t been able to find it anywhere yet!

  60. I want this goodie bag! And for an unexpected reason…we just moved into a new home and I’m not used to hardwood floors, so my feet are always cold. I’d love those slippers (and everything else)!

  61. My favorite Quaker product is the Low-Sugar maple & Brown Sugar instant oatmeal! So good and so good for you! Thanks for such a fun contest and a great blog!

  62. Thanks so much for the opportunity. My favorite Quaker product is definitely their rolled oats that come in the huge canister! I can buy them really cheap on sale and I have oats almost every morning.

    I also posted a question for you!

  63. my favorite quaker item is….ah heck i’m old fashioned, who can go wrong with oats?? you can do so much with them and get the most for your buck! if they sold that guys black hat though….

  64. My fave quaker product used to be the regular oats…but, now after watching these blogs for a while, I love Quaker OAT BRAN! Its great and I love Quaker products….they rock!

  65. My fav product is their OATS of course! Just plain regular old oats. I cook with them ALL the time.

    I asked you a Question…(muhauha)

    Angela

  66. My favorite is the simplest. I love Old Fashioned Quaker Oats because the ways to use them are endless. From a yummy bowl or oatmeal, to cookies, to homemade granola!

  67. I want a treat!! 😀

    I asked a ? on your FAQ post:
    How has having a blog affected your life? When do you usually blog?

  68. YAY for giveaway!!! I love love love their oats of course! so versatile!!

    and joy for going home! i bet it’s going to be so much warmer!!!

    hope you have a great time! and congrats on finishing all that work! whoohoo!

  69. Hi Jenn,
    My favorite Quaker product is most definitely oats! I have oatmeal almost every morning (like the rest of the food blogging world) and NEVER get sick of it.

    Love reading your blog!

  70. quaker on the go oatmeal breakfast bars are awesome as a dessert. I heat up half of one with a bit of slow churned vanilla ice cream! Yum-healthy cookie sundae!

  71. It’s sure hard to pick a favorite product…I do REALLY like the True Delights bars, berries and chocolate together, yummmmmmm

  72. My favorite has deffinately got to be granola. Homemade the better, but just plain good old granola is sooo good 🙂

  73. OLD FASHIONED QUAKER OATS are my all time favorite 😀

    Just linked back to your blog!

    Love this giveaway.

    xo

  74. that goodie bag looks wonderful!
    my favourite quaker product is just plain old quaker oats!
    thanks for your awesome blog!
    -tamara

  75. your oatmeal looks absolutely amazing! i can’t have any of those things right now so i’ll just have to imagine how delicious it tasted!

    ps- i left a question on the “call for FAQ”

    have a safe trip to Arizona and enjoy it 🙂

  76. like just about everyone else, my favorite quaker product is good old-fashioned oats! I’m just about to link back to you on my post tonight …

    nice work on the sugar challenge today and on getting so much work done!

  77. I just like the plain ol’ oats because you can add anything you want to them.

    Way to go on your sugar challenge! That’s awesome that it is so easy for you 😀

  78. Good ole fashioned oats. Doesnt take much to make me happy 😛

    BTW, LOVE the idea of tracking added sugar!! Ive done this the past few days and it really helps!!!

  79. Oh cool that your parents live here! Sure if your ever in town with some spare time, a blogger dinner would be great!!

  80. Oh my goodness, I’d like to win! Talk about getting pampered by Quaker. My favorite Quaker product would have to be those new delicious granola bars they sent to everybody in blogland. Their Oats are pretty good too. It’s inexpensive and nutritious.

  81. my fave quaker oat product is the big can of old fashioned oats because I can make my morning oatmeal and cookies from it

  82. My favorite Quaker products (ever since I was a little kid) are the Chewy Granola bars. The Oatmeal Raisin flavor is a new favorite, while the S’more flavor has always been at the top of the list. Yea for granola bars!

  83. I love the plain boring old fashioned oats as the back drop canvas to almost every one of my breakfasts. And linked I back to this on my blog. 🙂

  84. I love plain old Quaker Oats. They are such an awesome palate for so many other yummy things. Oh, and let’s not forget about the role they play in cookies!

    I’m about to post a link on my blog. Thanks for hosting the awesome giveaway!

  85. I used to LOVE the Breakfast Squares, until I realized they had trans fat in them 🙁 I think now I’d say that the Simple Harvest oatmeal packets are my favorite, even though I don’t buy them very often.

    Oh, and I left a question for you on your FAQ post. 🙂

  86. My favorite Quaker product is probably their old fashioned oats. I also used to love Cinnamon Life cereal, but I haven’t had that in ages.

  87. Gotta love those oats ’cause you can use them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!! For example tonight I used them on my dinner when I made “Slammen Salmon Cakes” using oats in place of breadcrumbs. I also adden them to my fresh baked pumkin bread for added nutrients! Yummmm OATS!!

  88. I buy the costco sized box of old-fashioned quaker oats and eat from it at least once, if not twice, a day. It lasts me for months, but there is nothing as good as a steaming bowl of oatmeal.

  89. Mmmm oats! My favorite product, by far, is the classic quick cooking oats. Healthy, delicious, and easy!
    I also just posted a question 🙂

  90. Recently I have fallen in love with the Quaker Weight Control oatmeals. They have much more protein than regular oatmeal, and I love both teh Maple and Brown Sugar and the Banana Bread flavors. I have yet to try teh cinnamon, but that will probably be tomorrow’s bfast… yum!

  91. Hi Jenn!! Yay for a “think” it went well presentation, because that usually means you rocked it! PB2 is definitely awesome and I shall try your combo for sure. I tried your oats with PB2 the DAY I got it (and of course, credited you for it) and it IS really wonderful. 🙂

    I’m entering this contest because…I love quaker original instant oats? hehehe and i lOVE plush slippers and robes to do my “homework” in, in my comfy bed. I did homework in bed most of my senior year when i found a lap desk. hahahah GO Us!!!

    I shall also back-link you on my next post! Finally spring break for a hardworking girl!! yay!

  92. I want to win, too! My fave Quaker product is just good old fashioned stovetop oats. I mix mine with a smashed up banana and cinnamon…delish!!

  93. Yay for contests!Just plain ol’ Quaker oatmeal is my fav product! You can add so many yummy toppings and change it up when you feel like.

  94. My favorite product is also the regular oats (not the quick cooking kind) I can do so much with the oats and add in what I want.

  95. Like so many others, I really like Quaker’s rolled oats. Also, their True Delights bars are pretty tasty. And of course I have throw in a shout-out to their Chewy Bars for nostalgia’s sake. 😀

  96. I’m not entering, just popping in to say I love you Jenn! Your breakfast looks so tasty – I love those ripe naners and their sugary flave!

  97. I guess my favorite Quaker product would have to be their old-fashioned oats, although I also love their rice cakes and breakfast cookies! Haha, I’m no good at making decisions…

    I’ve linked back to your post on my blog (catchingbananas.blogspot.com) by the way!

  98. LOVE your bowl with the birds. It’s so sweet!

    That robe looks luscious and I do love Quaker products! I’d say my favorite Quaker product is the Simple Harvest oatmeal. It’s great for a quick breakfast. Definitely linking back to this post on my blog.

  99. my favorite quaker product is the regular old rolled oats cannister. they are my taking off point for SO many delicious things. not just oatmeal but granola, cookies, bars, etc. mmmm

  100. I love Justin’s – I’ve just discovered it a few weeks ago and absolutely love the maple almond butter! Delicious!

    For the giveaway –
    1. I love the regular oats and granola bars
    2. I posted a questions for your FAQ page

  101. I totally love the Simple Harvest honey nut bars! And, of course, the plain old oats. I would have to say it’s a tie.

  102. […] amazing people I had to say amazing twice because I have truly been overwhelmed by the turnout for the Quaker giveaway so far. It looks like most of you are digging the old-fashioned oats. Definitely my favorite as far […]

  103. I’d have to say the low sugar, maple brown sugar instant oatmeal.
    Great to keep in the desk drawer 🙂
    I keep meaning to try the True Delight bars too….
    Fingers crossed!

  104. My favorite Quaker product is the chewy oatmeal raisin bars. I’ve been eating them for 10 years at least and I love them! (Also, I left a question on the FAQ page for you).

  105. Favorite Quakers product?

    Boring…but I love their old fashioned oats. I put them in smoothies, make breakfast cookies, and they are a fantastic snack food when you cook with bananas and cinnamon. MMMMMM

  106. Great giveaway! My favorite Quaker product is their True Delights bars 🙂 I don’t buy Quaker old-fash oats cause Publix’s are cheaper (lol)

  107. I have oatmeal almost every morning! My current obsession is oats with vanilla soymilk, a banana, a bit of cocoa powder, and some cinnamon! Yummy!

  108. the rolled old fashioned quaker oats, life cereal CINNAMON, and quaker oat squares. (addictive buggers i tell you. i had to NOT buy them to get them away from me!)

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