Warm Purple yam apple porridge

I survived 4 days of Las Vegas on AIP/ Paleo and came back to more moderate temperature back home ( Stay tuned for a post about my 43C/110F journey.) My early morning walks has become a little nippy comparing to hot yoga on the hotel balcony. I went out for my jaunt around the neighbourhood and felt to desire for a tummy warming breakfast when I get home. Here is what I stirred up. It's quick and easy and hit the spot. 

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Serves 2   Prep time 5 mins    Cook time 10 mins


Ingredients

• 1 medium purple ( or other yam, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces)
• 1/2  apple ( peeled, cored and cut into pieces) 
• 1/2 c coconut milk ( affiliate link:  I use this one ) 
• 1/4 c shredded large coconut flakes ( affiliate link: I use this one)
• 1/2 c water

(Optional) garnish with mint leaves

Instructions

1. Put cut yam pieces into a medium size pot with water and cook at medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft
2. Add apples and cook for another 3 mins or until apples are soft, turn off heat
3. Mash yam and apples with a potato masher or fork
4. Add coconut milk and mix well. If the mixture is too runny, you can simmer it for a few minutes to reduce the liquids.
5. Pour into your favorite bowl and top with shredded coconut flakes 
6. Optional garnish with mint leaves. 

Enjoy this hearty warm and colorful bowl as  a meal or snack 

Get into my belly Sunshine!

ps. This is not me 

I have worn one piece bathing suits for my entire adult life until a couple years ago. I was a rounder kid and teenage and never lost that image in my head even when I started to lean out. In the past couple years, the sudden and dramatic weight lost from my UC flare gave me a different body image to think about. There were times when I was afraid to look in the mirror because I was skin and bones. After I returned to a healthy weight for height and body frame, I have also gained self confidence to bare a bit more skin. It wasn't until I learned about the importance of Vitamin D absorption through the skin from this article  that I gather courage to bare my mid section in public.

Maybe with age, I am less self conscious about the idea of showing tummy.  I know this is usually the opposite for most women but I tend to regress in my process.  As a late  "two piece bathing suit" bloomer, I have to learn how to buy and wear a bikini. Shopping for bathing suits, let alone bikini can be nerve wrecking, I searched online for tips and tried on different styles and finally found a few options for my pear shaped body.

Besides learning the basics of how to pick a swim suit for my body type,  I came across couple articles that shows how swimsuit photoshoot in the media are digitally modified. My favorite finds are several links of real people wearing bathing suits and a model reaction to her photo being highly altered. Hope these will remind us all what the human body is suppose to look like.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laraparker/heres-what-victorias-secret-swimsuits-look-like-on-real-wome#.geoZk3j10

http://aplus.com/a/australian-model-maeghan-kausman-photoshop-image-fella-swim

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/target-photoshop-fail_n_4940819.html

Untouched Swimsuit Campaign
http://www.buzzfeed.com/norawhelan/more-like-denise-bad-ot#.hba4d1X0l

Real Beach bodies
http://www.xojane.com/issues/real-beach-bodies-gallery#&gid=ci01bbc52e3003efe2&pid=photo202_4


At the end of the day, I learned a lot about body image and how much confidence has to do with it. When I am out there baring my tummy,  I focus more about absorbing Vitamin D through the skin, especially around my belly. With bellydancing and yoga, I am feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin.

So while the sun is still beaming down at us, get out there and get some Vitamin D for the sake of your digestion. I dare you!