What? You don’t see them?
There we go! Now they’re peaking out a bit!
I’m a little over a week into my Green Giant Veg Pledge mission and, after a veggie-filled morning snack (red pepper + hummus), I wanted to keep the momentum going this afternoon. I prepared a batch of roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted green beans by tossing the vegetables in olive oil and roasting them at 450 for about 15 minutes (higher heat than normal because I was impatient).
On top of the vegetables, I placed two dippy eggs which I enjoyed along with a whole wheat waffle topped with muenster cheese.
If you love dippy eggs and roasted vegetables, I have a feeling this combination will be right up your alley. The yolks act as a pseudo-sauce over the vegetables and taste fantastic!
I rounded out the meal with a little unsweetened applesauce.
Now let’s discuss pain and stretching.
Doesn’t that sound like fun?
Hip Stretches
Every time I mention that I previously struggled with some intense hip pain in the form of hip bursitis on the blog, I inevitably receive comments and emails asking me about the stretches I now do to try to proactively prevent hip pain.
Apparently the hips give a lot of us issues, huh!?
I first experienced hip pain in college and saw a doctor on campus. I was prescribed steroids and told not to run or walk a lot (if I could help it) or do any kind of exercise that involved my hips for months. After about a month I was so, so unhappy. The pain was still very much there. I couldn’t even go for a walk without pain and made an appointment to see a different doctor – one who specialized in sports medicine and is the doctor for a bunch of the players from the Tampa Bay Bucs football team.
He took me off the steroids and taught me a ton of different hip stretches. Stretching made a huge difference for me. I never really knew how to target my hips and deeply stretch them out, so taking care to do this really improved my pain.
(Side note: If you’re currently struggling with an injury or roadblock in your fitness routine, you may enjoy this previous post: Staying Positive Through an Exercise Setback.)
I still get a dull pain in my hips when I run longer distances (or lay on my side all night in bed), but it’s not every time and it’s not really that bad. I take a lot of care to stretch my hips and give them a lot of attention on days when I run.
I also stretch my hips randomly when I’m hanging out at home watching TV or when I feel a little tight. Hip stretches feel so good to me and I always feel better after taking the time to give my hips a little extra love.
Since some of you seemed interested in my favorite hip stretches, I compiled a bunch of my favorites below. Each stretch is hyperlinked above the picture so you may click on the link for a more detailed description of the stretch.
For those of you who couldn’t care less about hip stretches, I inserted one faux-stretch so you can play a rousing game of “Can You Spot the Imposter?”
- Spread Eagle
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Hahahaha I love that sadie got involved in the stretches! And I love putting an egg on top of veggies, it’s so good to mix the yolk into the veggies!
wait… the spread eagle isnt a legit stretch? goshdarnit, I’ve been doing it all wrong…
I love me some roasted Brussels sprouts and your egg over easy on top.
And the pigeon pose works wonders for the hip. feels so good. now, the spread eagle looks like it fairs well, too. haha.
Thanks for all of the hip stretches! I also feel good after stretching my hips but don’t do it enough on my own. I love when I take a yoga class with a lot of emphasis on hip stretches – it definitely makes a big difference. I keep meaning to do some stretching while watching TV, so now I’ll really have to make an effort with all of these great ones to do.
Pretty sure I like Sadie’s stretch the best. 🙂
Stretch feels so good…at least on the days I make an effort to do so! More than my hips, I love stretching my back!
Haha..how kind of Sadie to model a stretch for you! 🙂 I love roasted veggies so much. I think they are a necessity especially roasted brussels sprouts. Yum.
Yess pigeon is my fave hip opener! The spread eagle photo is hilarious – you totally just made me crack up! (Tell Sadie she’s a fabulous demonstrator!)
My boss taught me the pigeon pose and it has really helped! Thanks for passing along the others!
I have also pledged to eat more veggies and this dish looks divine. (I’ve got my oven warming now.) I’ve never roasted green beans, but now I will.
PS The spread eagle looks fantastic.
I’m in physical therapy right now for knee issues (which apparently are caused by hip issues). The Lying Hip and Glute Stretch is part of my “homework.” Stretching out your hips makes a huge difference.
Thank you! I get a little hip bursitis in my right hip on occasion. I’m always looking for hip stretches.
I’ve had some hip bursitis issues too. I was going to ask for some info after your post yesterday, but you’ve read my mind & already answered. Thanks for the info!
ESP, baby! 🙂
I’ve been trying to get my boyfriend Kyle to try brussel sprouts. I”m going to have to surprise him with them soon! I love them.
I never did a lot of hip stretches until I started doing Insanity workouts, now they are my savior! Looks like Sadie has them down pretty well too haha hilarious
I have been doing triangle pose which feels really good on my hips. I love seeing all these hip stretches, they are my favorite type to do since I always feel like I have tight hips.
Hahah!! I loved seeing Sadie there! Too funny. I’d also like to add that you are REALLY good at making dippy eggs..wow. That first picture definitely showcased your talent!
The lying hip and glute stretch is probably one of my favorites. Although I usually have more issuse with my calves from running.
Spread eagle ahaha! That’s a good one!
My hips and it bands always get super tight! The pigeon pose is the best (with the spread eagle a close seond), and oh-so-painful in a good way. I really need to stretch more…
I’m working on squeezing those vegetables in whenever I can! I just made some asparagus the other day and it was delicious 🙂
You have no idea how much I needed the surprise Sadie picture this afternoon. Made my day. Thank you!
Hahah just burst out laughing at work when I saw Sadie wedged in there!
Thank you. Like everyone else, I totally LOL’ed all over the place on that one. And my hips are tight, so this is a double win for me!
Thanks for this! I’ve been reading up about stretches for the hips when I had some pretty nasty pain after the gasparilla half.
I have started incorporating them and it hasn’t hurt since (although there have been no 13milers since then either!) 🙂
Great post!! I’ve been trying to stretch mine. I haven’t done all of these exercises, so I will add them to my routine. The ones I have done though, I can really tell the difference!!
Love the photo of Sadie; I’m glad she could offer advice!
I’m looking forward to the hamstring hip stretch when I get home. Both my hip and hammers are tight and none of the other hip stretches seem to do both well enough. Thanks!
I love stretching my hips! I was having a lot of hip pain when I first started running, but getting the right shoes helped fix that. I do still have some tightness sometimes after the long ones and the pigeon pose and hip flexor stretch are my faves!
I’ve been working on stretches thank you.
I love sitting in the pigeon pose watching TV! my hips get sooo sore when I walk a lot or run…so I jsut dont run anymore!
These are great stretches! Thanks for the reference blog, and please tell Saddie that pose is how her mom gets ideas for April Fool’s pranks!
My hips are so tight! I actually like to say I have a tight butt! I do a lot of these stretches (when I remember) and they help alot!
foam roll that bad boy!
I’m doing the seating hip stretch right now 🙂 I suffer from runner’s knee, which is actually affected by your hips, so my PT showed me a few of these stretches. Thanks for giving me some new ones though!
Obviously Sadie is the only doing things correctly … she’s so smart and lady-like. 😉
I love love love “dippy eggs” (or as I called them growing up “dip-in eggs”). You’ve shown this lunch a few times and I really can’t wait to try it! What a great way to incorporate breakfast into lunch!
Emilie
http://www.liveeatsmile.blogspot.com
Haha…love that you included Sadie with the streching pics. Made me laugh out loud!
This is definitely a most I needed to read! I’ve been suffering from pain in my right hip since really focusing on increasing my exercise since early last year!
**post (oops!)
I’m a big fan of the “happy baby” – it looks a lot like the spread eagle! Ha! 🙂
Hahaha Sadie sure knows a thing or two about stretching out those hips! I also have crazyyyy tight hips and absolutely love when my yoga classes focus on hip openers, they just hurt so good!
oh man the spread eagle…love it haha.
ive had hip bursitis too as well as knee and IT band problems… yay for runnings!
i love the pigeon pose..feels great. i also love/hate foam rolling my piriformis muscle and it band…hurts so good!
buwahahahahaha that picture of Sadie just made me pee a little! What a goof!
mmm your lunch looks soo yummy! I love runny eggs! I have tight hips too, I think its a common place to be tight for most people.
I LOVE pigeon pose/stretch!! SO amazing.
Love all the great stretches. I had hip bursitis too and all they stretches came in handy!
That picture of Sadie “stretching” had me in stitches!
Hey Julie, is there a reason you always use munster cheese in your meals vs other deli cheeses? Is it healthier then other options or just your fav? I know so random but I noticed you use Munster a lot and I’m always looking for healthy tips, thanks! 🙂
My hips are my favorite part to stretch! After a day of being on your feet (usually in heels), there’s nothing I like better than rolling a tennis ball under my feet and then doing a bunch of stretches while watching TV. The pigeon pose and the lying hip and glute stretch are my favorite!
I love dippy egg topped roasted veggies!!! Yum.
I have trouble with ITBS in my hips (as well as my knees) and also really focus on stretching my hips but I’ve never done the seated one before! Thanks for sharing!
I noticed your pics of stretching from coach nichole from spark, are you a member? Thats actually how I found reference to your blog, just curious 🙂
Awwww! Sadie!!!! I bet she’s also great at downward dog.