Now that the Crock Pot Challenge is in full swing, I find myself feeling more and more motivated in the kitchen. Trying out new recipes is a lot of fun, especially when the recipes involve the crock pot and aren’t overly complicated.
Yesterday I made Lindsay’s slow cooker carnitas.
I followed the recipe on Lindsay’s blog exactly and after eight hours, our house smelled fantastic and we had a delicious no-fuss dinner on our hands.
While I thought the pork was good, Ryan was a huge fan. He said that this pork was “restaurant quality.” It was extremely flavorful (placing the pork back into the sauce is a must) and I think it would be a great dish to make on Super Bowl Sunday to feed a whole gang of hungry people.
We paired the carnitas with steamed veggies and a sweet potato topped with a bit of Earth Balance.
When I went to put the leftovers away, Sadie broke out her best pitiful “please gimme some carnitas” face.
She gets me every time. I’m such a sucker.
Workout
This morning I hopped on the treadmill at the gym for a 40 minute workout. I ran four miles, followed by a .25 mile cool down walk and some stretching.
I’ve been extra mindful of my hips lately and try to take a solid five minutes to go through some of my favorite hip stretches after a run. I’m hoping this will help keep my running injury free since my hips seem to be my “problem area” when it comes to injuries and pain. So far so good! Knock on wood.
Breakfast
Pancakes for breakfast!
I planned to make whole wheat pancakes, but ended up making the pancakes with half white flour/half whole wheat flour because we ran out of wheat flour at the last minute.
I have a feeling I’m going to be digging into my morning snack a bit early since I doubt these pancakes will keep me full for long. I should’ve added some almond butter to the batter for some staying power. Next time!
Question of the Morning
- Do you stretch before and/or after a workout… or not at all?
- Do you take special care to target your stretching based on past injuries?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Oh girl, take care of those hips. I had to do PT after my half mary last year due to my hips, and it was no picnic!
Like you my pain “problem” area is my hip, so I pay extra attention to it, I also find foam rolling to be extra helpful as well as regular sports massages, my person is AMAZING and can get my hip loosened up like no one else!
Although it’s only for a few minutes, I make it a point to always stretch after a workouts…otherwise my muscles feel so tight the next day!
You being mindful of your stretchy has inspired me to be better–that is one thing I neglect or rush through. Thanks for the nudge! 🙂
I have been so bad with stretching lately, I always tell myself I will stretch but I much prefer to hop in the shower. At home I feel gross being all sweaty and sitting on the rug and at the gym I get anxious about getting back to work in a decent amount of time! I hope your hip stays well! I have lucked out and have only had knee problems and blister issues, both of which are at bay right now.
The carnitas sound delicious!
I’m not usually one to stretch before my workouts, but I try to stretch and cooldown afterward. If I’m being honest though, I usually only end up stretching if I feel extra sore. That’s something I need to work on!
Carnitas have to be my favorite sandwich/burrito/ on its own! meat ever. Anytime their an option, I choose ’em 🙂
I always stretch before and after my workouts and if I have a sore spot in between I make sure I give it extra attention!
I have started stretching after exercising. I know there’s several schools of thought on this. My massage therapist told me that if you stretch “cold” you’re more likely to cause an injury. She said if you tend to prefer to stretch before a workout then you should do some kind of light warm up – walking, etc… and then stretch after your muscles have loosened a bit. I know the exercise classes I take run through stretches at the end but I’m always surprised by how many people are in a hurry to get out first and leave just as stretching begins. It’s important!
Thank you for the hip stretches!
I’m also training for a half right now, and during my 7 mile run on Sunday, my hips started aching towards the end. Since Sunday they’ve felt better…and during my run this morning they felt fine, but it’s probably something I should be aware of as well 🙂
Love the looks of this crockpot recipe! I made crockpot lasagna last night for the challenge and it was mighty tasty http://www.hungryhealthygirl.com/2013/01/15/crockpot-lasagna/
I’m a horrible stretcher….it’s jut too darn time consuming!
i saw this on twitter! it looks fantastic!!!
I do my best to stretch out after a workout, but it doesn’t always happen. I have ridiculously tight hips, so it really is needed for me to avoid soreness and pain afterwards! I have a foam roller, but I need to work on breaking that out more often.
i loooove the foam roller.
After for sure. And yes I always make sure to stretch past problem areas extra good!
hips are my problem area too, especially bc that’s how my IT band issues originated… i’m usually pretty mindful to stretch my hips and hamstrings well beforehand, and then foam roll afterwards 🙂
I always stretch afterwards, and use the foam roller after running into some lovely IT band issues last year.
Did you watch the Bachelor? Some of those girls are seriously kooky.
I’m an after stretcher. I always start with a warmup, but according to my coaches, stretching before hand is bad news. A light jog is good to get your muscles moving, but deep yoga-style stretching is harmful.
Yep, my Achilles and my hips both react badly if I don’t take time to stretch before and after. Also make sure to keep your Omega 3’s boosted to reduce inflammation and promote recovery particularly with the race coming up – lots of oily fish and pumpkin seeds!
I don’t think I could say no to Sadie either, that face! The carnitas look delicious…I’ve never made pulled pork before but with the Crockpot, suddenly I’m not scared to try it! It makes life so much easier, I’m newly obsessed with mine!
I’m gonna have to try those. They sound awesome!
I always PLAN to stretch after working out (especially running), but it NEVER happens. I also make plans to do yoga on active rest days, but that doesn’t happen, either. 🙁
I am awful and hardly ever stretch unless I am feeling tight. I have started going to yoga once a week to get a good stretch in and to center myself, I feel like a mad women lately! I am making your garam masal crockpot chicken tonight, I substituted the cauliflower for broccoli though, I can’t wait!
I don’t stretch but I really want to start! Usually after I work out I’m ready to tackle all the things on the to do list but it’s so important to stretch. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
seriously, love carnitas! It has been forever since I made pork in the crockpot, I usually always fall back on chicken.
Great run baby cake!
Just a tip from a chronic crockpot user. You can buy crockpot liners at the store near the ziplock bags/tin foil, etc. They are the best inventions ever! Just put the bag into the crockpot and cook all day. When you are done eating you just pull the bag out and throw it away and you don’t have to spend time scrubbing the cooked gunk off the sides of the crockpot.
I used to never stretch after a work out, but after being in a bad car accident and aggrivating my back, I won’t miss it. I stretch everyday, even if it’s not a workout day, just to keep my back in line!
I definitely make an effort to stretch after a workout. I’ve never stretched before although I know it’s good to do. Also those pancakes look delicious! I know what you mean about not having much staying power. Oatmeal seems to be the best breakfast to hold me through lunch!
Question on the carnitas….I’ve tried a couple different recipes using pork in my crock pot, and I the meat always seems to be tough and fatty in the end…..did you trim all the fat off your meat before putting it in the crock? Or just throw it in as-is? A lot of recipes say to use “lean” pork, but it seems like all the pork in my grocery store has a healthy amount of fat on it.
this definitely wasn’t “lean” pork and had a decent amount of fat on it. i think it all depends on the cut of pork you use. here’s a recipe on gina’s blog for a leaner BBQ pulled pork that might interest you: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/04/slow-cooker-pulled-pork.html
I’ve never made pork in my crock-pot before; I think I’ll add these carnitas to my list of new meals for 2013!
I’m terrible about stretching. I never stretch before working out and only ever stretch after if something is actually bothering me. That being said, my hips almost always tighten up if I run more than 3 miles so I try and remember to give them a good stretch after every run.
I love it when a recipe I make tastes like it came from a restaurant. Feels like such a victory!
I’m terrible at stretchy until something bothers me. Usually my IT band will bother me so I do stretches for that sometimes! Have you used “the stick”? We had to drive 8 hours home after a marathon once and that was the only thing that kept my hamstring from bothering me!
Hey Julie! I am super interested in all these crock pot recipes, but don’t have a crock pot! (Fail!) I’m debating buying one, since I’ve wanted one for a long time-what size is yours? I’ve seen many for either 2qt or 4.5. Does it matter which I get?
Thanks!!
Julia
Sadie’s face is just too adorable! I have weak hips as well and have been battling that for awhile. Stretching and strengthening is a must after any workout for me!
That picture of Sadie is super cute BTW!!! I always stretch after I workout, but I should start doing it a little before as well. I had a lot of injuries in the later half of last year so I want to avoid them this year!
I always forget to stretch after a run – it never fails!! The foam roller is usually my best friend the next day
Yea for the slow cooker! I did a pulled pork tenderloin the other day & am loving the leftovers! I’m TERRIBLE about stretching & am making it a point to get better, even if it’s at night after work & long after my workout, it helps. Sometimes I set a timer for 15-20 mins. & stretch it out!
I stretch before and after my workouts. I only stretch a couple minutes before I workout and usually take about 10 minutes stretching afterwards. It really helps keep joint pain at bay.
Canitas sound good! I’ll have to add them to the list. I’m starting my crock pot challenge tonight with chicken taco chili!
I stretch a little before and try to stretch a lot after. I find that after is more beneficial for me.
I am ALL about stretching post-workout. When I began running, I never stretched at all, but soon after I started training for my first 10K I found that I had some BRUTAL shin splints. I realized that I couldn’t run consistently high-ish mileage (compared to what I had been doing, at least) and not stretch, so I started getting into a post-run stretching routine. I expanded that during my half marathon training and managed to stay un-injured through all of it, and then when I did Round 3 of Best Body Bootcamp at the end of last year I started stretching after every workout. I still definitely get sore, but so far I’ve avoided any major injuries. I’m a huge believer in stretching because of that!
THANK YOU for doing this crockpot challenge. I’m totally putting this recipe on my “to make” list.
woop! glad to have you aboard!
I used to never stretch, but now I make sure to lol it def helps keep the soreness away
This post reminded me how long it’s been since I’ve had a sweet potato! That meal looks absolutely delicious and I don’t blame Sadie for pouting until she got some. 🙂
I am always really carefully about stretching my hips and IT band because they have been problem areas in I high jumped in high school, although to be honest, sometime the stretching at the end of my workout is my absolute favorite part!
I always stretch after running, escpecially my legs because I pulled a muscle once and don’t care to ever re-experience that pain again! Although I am in ballet, so stretching is always really fun for me and probably my favorite part of my workout! :p
please send me some of your flexibility. thank you.
Haha I would love to!
My husband is going to go crazy for that crockpot pork!
I am not the best at stretching and I know I need to do more because the older I get the tighter I find my lower back muscles are the morning after a good workout. One thing I do try to be vigilant about is foam rolling my IT bands after a run or spin workout because if I don’t I really suffer.
I wish my husband liked pulled pork or chicken because it’s so easy! He thinks it all tastes like tuna. Silly guy.
this comment made me laugh out loud! ha!
I printed off this recipe so that I can try it, my family LOVES meat in the crock pot!
I stretch after my runs and workouts, but apparently haven’t been giving enough attention to my hips. Honestly I didn’t realize what the problem was but as my mileage has gotten higher, my tendons/ligaments under my glutes are achey..not really sore, just tight and I am more aware of them. Is that the problem you are having? Is it hip flexor stretching I need?
that’s the light pain i have now after long runs – that dull, achy feeling – not really pain, but before i had hip bursitis which was serious pain and i couldn’t run (or walk!) without pain for months. i saw a doctor, etc. and now i’m just extra cautious. stretching REALLY helps me a lot.
Very good to know. I’ll be more careful with my hips, I don’t want anything to slow down my forward progress.
Love your early morning workouts!
I just found a great magazine at the grocery store last night called “Skinny Slow Cooker” by Better Homes and Gardens. It has a ton of different healthy slow cooker recipes for all meals, even dessert! I can’t wait to try them and share some of my favorite recipes!
I am SO GLAD that you linked to your hip stretch post today. I have never experienced hip pain or discomfort before until last night and I was trying to stretch them all morning. I was going to search the web for some stretches and you happened to have them on here (and I am regular reader so I didn’t search for this!) It was just meant to be.
Thank you!!
I’m currently injured so I highly recommend stretching! And according to my physical therapist, it’s best to do it after your workout, when your muscles are still warm.