ReDefine Fitness

Boxing. A long forgotten pastime. Did you know that boxing started sometime during Roman Era? It's true. It looked much different back then and usually ended with the death of one opponent...I think I will stick to modern day boxing! Boxing we know today exploded during the great depression at a time when America needed it most. Known as the spectators sport, boxing became a social event for businessmen, politicians and executives. The upper class. While the rich watched it live, the lower class tuned into radios to listen. It became a sensation across the world and people looked forward to matches. Due to the depression, fighters new and old were forced to compete for whatever purse the bout offered, which at times was nothing. Many great boxers came to light in this era: Joe Lewis, James Braddock, Gene Tunney, Henry Armstrong and many more. Since then, boxing has produced some of the greatest athletes ever known. For me, boxing was a barbaric, gritty sport. I never gave i

Let's be honest for a minute and talk about salads. Salads can be boring sometimes. At my house, we used to have one with dinner every...single...night. I just got burned out on them. Salads and I took a break for quite a while. When I started incorporating salads back into my meal planning, I discovered there was so much out there to give them a little kick. Before they were missing flavor and pizzazz. I played around with different types of greens and paired them with a variety of toppings. Making the perfect salad is a bit like putting together a puzzle. I did some Pinterest-ing and started experimenting. A typical rule to follow when perfecting your salad game is start with greens, add some cheese, some crunch, some flavor, meat/protein and top with dressing. Here is a  neat guide I created to get you started: There is so much more you can add, this is just a good graphic to get you started. Salads are a great way to get those pesky nutrients you may be missing th

So, I am going to let you guys in on a little secret about me. I am a spice fanatic. I have a whole spice cabinet full of glorious spices. You name it, its probably there. The smell when I open the spice cabinet sends me into a culinary euphoria.... Sorry, I was daydreaming there. Anyways, I hate using those packaged seasonings due to the high content of MSG and other fake crap so I want to share a few of my go to seasoning recipes! These are pretty basic and easy to make. I typically double or triple the recipe to last us a while. I absolutely love these mini mason jars as they are perfect for seasonings and sauces. They are fairly cheap and you can get them at most grocery stores or Wal-Mart. Nicole's Taco Seasoning We eat a LOT of Taco style meals in our house so I typically triple this recipe. 1 Tbsp chili powder 1/4 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano 1/2 tsp paprika 1  1/2 tsp cumin 1 tsp sea salt and pepper Cajun Seasoning

Carbs. Most love them and equally hate them. But I am here to tell you that carbs are not your enemy. Yep, I said it. Carbs ARE NOT your enemy! Did you know that the only energy source that can cross the blood-brain barrier is glucose? What does that mean? Carbs are the only energy source used by the brain. So when you get that sluggish, low energy feeling at work or when cramming for a test and you feel like sleeping, just eat some carbs! Ok, now I am not talking about having a donut or something like that. I am talking about good ole healthy or "good" carbs. What are those? Glad you asked! I have provided a great visual informational picture for you-------------------------> TIP : You will notice on some packages and product labels the terms "low carb" or "net carbs". The FDA does NOT regulate these terms so do not fall for for this nonsense. One of the most important tools for managing your carb intake is the glycemic index. If y

Let's be honest. Green smoothies are great nutrition wise but some can be downright gross. Am I right? I jumped on the green smoothie bus a few years back and I have to admit it was a rough ride. Many of smoothies met their demise into the garbage disposal...but, I finally found a great, healthy option that tastes amazing! This smoothie is packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, protein, Vitamins B & K, and several other goodies! These are a must with this nasty cold and flu crud going around. As we speak, I have my 11 month old on my lap with a fever. Blah...its going to be a long one. Come on summer! Let me know what you think and feel free to post what you secret to the perfect green smoothie is? Thanks guys! Nicole.

Meal Prep. It's all the rage these days and for good reason. If you are a busy mom like myself, it can save you time for other things such as family time or a well needed nap...yea right.There are no such things... Anyways. When I first started meal prepping, I would literally spend 4 hours in the kitchen and have maybe 2 meals prepared for the week. It seemed so pointless. All that hard work and nothing to really show for it. But I kept going and did tons of research on how to make the process more efficient. So I want to share my weekly routines with you! If you are on a tight budget like myself, you will appreciate the so called "themes" I have created weekly. This incorporates some of the same foods and makes it so those pesky leftovers are reusable. This plan is for a family of 3-4 people but I will include tips on how to adjust for more or less people. So, lets get started, shall we? Week 1: Wild, Wild Southwest: First thing, make sure your kitchen is