Connor's New Favorite Breakfast

For years Connor was content with the fact that he couldn't have oatmeal. He had never had it, and therefore didn't miss it. He watched his brother eat it often, since it is his brother's favorite breakfast meal. Connor has an ability to not want things he can't have. I don't know if it is because he knows that these foods hurt him, or if he doesn't treat food as a reward as much as most of us do. He likes food, but he doesn't use food as anything but food. I envy him often for not knowing or caring what amazing foods are out there that he can't have.

Oats have always been an issue for people who can't tolerate gluten. Oats, in fact, do not contain gluten. However, because of farming practices in this country, oats and wheat are usually processed together. Therefore gluten sensitive people could never have oats because of cross contamination with wheat. Recently, there have been a few farms who have changed their usual practice to allow oats to remain uncontaminated. You can now find certified gluten free oats in specialty stores and on the internet.

This week we tried oatmeal for Connor. He was skeptical at first since he knew oatmeal was not safe for him in the past. He asked several times if we were sure that this oatmeal was gluten free. The directions for "quick cooking" are to leave one part oats with two parts water in a bowl overnight and then to either stove-top cook it or microwave it the next morning. After cooking the oats the next morning, we added some fresh blackberries and a drizzle of honey. My husband made a very large serving and Connor ate the whole bowl. We asked him later what his favorite breakfast it, and he said "Oatmeal!".

That day at school he was slightly quiet with no behavioral issues. If anyone is going to try the certified gluten free oats for anything, remember that they are not instant and do need to be soaked. I bet these will be good in a cobbler...

Gluten Free Oats Website
Cream Hill Estates Gluten Free Oats