FIT TIP FRIDAY 

For today’s Fit Tip Friday I’m talking about food and exercise . . . imagine that!  Specifically, a good, healthy dish I want to share and stretches for tight hips.  Now that’s a combination!

I have had a wonderful meal brought to me recently with Shrimp and Orzo Salad.  It was so fabulous even my picky youngest son devoured his plate!  I was so happy there was plenty as it has been my lunch all week.  I looked around and think I have found the recipe, or at least what seems close.  It is an Ina Garten recipe so you know it will be yummy!  I have the nutritional values also, and while the calorie content may seem a little high, get a look at the protein . . .it’s a perfect high protein meal!
So, here’s the recipe.  Let me know if you try it and what you think!

SHRIMP AND ORZO SALAD
     Kosher salt

• Good olive oil
• 3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds (16 to 18 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
• 1 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
• 1/2 cup small-diced red onion
• 3/4 pound good feta cheese, large diced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.

Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don’t overcook!

Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. 

Nutritional Facts:  
Calories  568
Total Fat 15 grams
Sat. Fat     9 grams
Cholesterol 369 grams
Total Carbs 53.6 grams
Fiber 3.1 grams
Sugars 6.2 grams
Protein 51.1 grams

Now on to the tight hips.  If you have had them, you can relate.  If not, you will at some point, so file this away for later.  Most runners, bikers and even sitters (that means you all who are forced to sit at your desks for work, in cars for travel, or just sit too  much period) experience tightness in their hips at some point.  Lately, I’ve had issues with my left hip and it is a big bummer.  I even had a friend who specializes in sports massages,  i.e torture, work on my left side earlier this week, not because it would be fun, but because it would be miserable if I didn’t!  I wish I had focused on more hip stretching before I got to the point of cringing when I run or stretch.  That being said, I hope you will incoorporate some, or all, of these stretches into your week to prevent your hips from feeling like you can’t twist and turn, both necessary skills these days.  

And no, this is not me in these photos.