Breakfast Idea #1: Cinnamon Oatmeal & Fruit

I've always been a big breakfast eater.  In fact, food has always been my first thought every morning!  But for a newly converted 'hashi,' it can be tough finding gluten and dairy-free breakfast options.  I'm thankful that oatmeal is on my 'good food' list. My previous breakfast was usually a potato and egg taco... well, two actually.  If you're from Texas, you know what I'm talking about:  a flour tortilla with scrambled eggs and delicious buttery potatoes. That was one of the most difficult meals for me to give up! When I first changed my diet though, sometimes oatmeal would upset my stomach. So I did a little investigating and here's what I learned:  

1. Pure oatmeal is gluten-free; however, processed oatmeal may be contaminated with wheat during storage, harvesting or processing.  Your best bet is to read the label. There are brands that specify a gluten-free product on the packaging.  Otherwise, check all the ingredients to see if there's anything other than oats.  Advertisers are tricky little devils... "all natural" or "organic" doesn't always mean pure.

2. Most restaurants are not serving pure oatmeal.  For instance, the ingredients in a notorious fast-food restaurant's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal  include sodium phosphate, datem, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium citrate, carrageenan and sulfur dioxide - 21 ingredients in all.  Does anyone even know what that stuff is?  Scary, right?!  I've just learned to eat at home or sneak in my own food.

Directions:  prepare the oatmeal with the instructions on the container. 

Flavor Ideas:  walnut pieces, raisins, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, dates or shredded coconut.



"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."
Romans 12:10