Strawberries and Cream Instant Oatmeal

I am not naturally a morning person, therefore getting up and having to fix my kids a cooked breakfast before 8:00am sounds like a nightmare. So I have been searching for healthy, protein-rich quick breakfasts that require almost no effort on my part and that the kids can even do themselves. This one fit the bill so I gave it a try. The kids LOVED it! They were already oatmeal fans but this is a way of mixing it up a bit...and adding fruit too!

• 6 Cups Quick Cook Oats
• 1 1/2 Cups Oat Powder
• 2 Cups Powdered Milk
• 1 - 1 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup Freeze Dried Strawberries (I probably added about 2 cups)

Directions for mix:

• To make Oat Powder, place 1 1/2 cups Quick Cook Oats in blender or food processor and pulse to a fine powder.  This helps thicken your oatmeal, do not skip this step.
• In a large bowl combine Oats, Oat Powder, Powdered Milk and Sugar.  Stir until combined thoroughly.
• Carefully stir in Freeze Dried Strawberries.
• Place in container of choice {jars, zip-top bags, etc}
• Keep in a cool dry place, such as your pantry.

To make oatmeal:

• Heat water on stove to boiling or place water in microwave and heat for two minutes.  I usually fill one of our regular cups half full and microwave.
• Place 1/2 Cup Mix into bowl
• Carefully pour hot water over mix and stir.  I add the water slowly, while stirring, until I reach the desired consistency.  The amount of water I use varies person to person, I would start with 1/3 cup and add more if needed.

(I tried this method but felt it was probably more labor-intensive than just adding the water and microwaving.)

Recipe: http://www.creativeprincessbrandi.com/2012/04/strawberries-and-cream-instant-oatmeal.html