I’m a real sucker for anything coupon/sale related. If I’m making an online purchase, I always search for online coupons from Retail Me Not first, or if I’m about to buy something from Hobby Lobby, I know they’ll always have an in-store coupon to print off.
But it’s the rewards that really get me. Those marketing gurus must’ve had people like me in mind when creating their genius master plan. Whether it’s Starbucks or Kroger gas points, these rewards influence where I shop and the frequency in order to collect whatever the “reward” is.
Get a free beverage after purchasing 5 gyros? Buy 12 bags of dog food and get $2 off? Buy 3 tubs of peanut butter and receive one high five and a “You go, girl!” at checkout?
There was a three-month stretch when Panera Bread really had me. They actually do have a great reward system where they’ll give away things like a free bagel everyday for a month, but a lot of times their rewards are given after a certain number of visits. So for months I lived off of tomato basil soup and their breakfast menu.
One of their breakfast items became a fast favorite: a Power Almond Quinoa Oatmeal bowl with cinnamon and almonds was delicious and so, so filling. And it got me thinking – why haven’t I added quinoa to my oatmeal before? It’s packed with nutrition, protein, and fiber, and wouldn’t take any time at all to incorporate. And that’s how this recipe came to be.
- 3/4 cup steel oats
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of your choice)
- 1 tsp olive oil or butter
- pinch of cinnamon
- coarse sea salt
- granola
- fresh blueberries
- drizzle of honey
- In a medium size pot, heat oil or butter over medium-low heat. When hot, add the steel oats and quinoa, and stir for a few minutes until light brown and toasted. Pour in water, milk, salt, and cinnamon, and bring to a boil. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pan, then lower heat to a gentle simmer. Allow to simmer 10-15 minutes (or until oatmeal and quinoa are tender and have reached the desired consistency), stirring often to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat, pour into bowls, top with granola, fresh blueberries, and a drizzle of honey.
- To reheat, simply add a splash of milk to oatmeal, microwave, and stir, before adding desired toppings.
This looks so yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe… I’ve been in need of new breakfast ideas!
Thank you!! I hope you like it!
Can’t wait to make some of this for when I get home after work!!! Thank you, diolch yn fawr!!
Awesome!! 😀
A ‘like’ from you on my page has brought me this…OATMEAL!!! Oh my boyfriend would love this. So glad I came across it. See, all has worked out. We love our oatmeal, fresh fruit and yes almond milk of which I got him hooked on. I shall share this with him 🙂 We thank you.
This looks so good!
Thank you, Lynn!!