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Creating Mindfully: Philadelphia Artist Julia Fox

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Here at APOP we like to recognize people who take the term "moving meditation" to the next level. Philadelphia artist, Julia Fox, is an inspiring example of how art can not only be used to become more mindful of beauty on a daily basis, but also more aware of the importance of community and connectedness. 11224036_10152910831870706_7929759179449673491_o

My artistic practice started as a way to focus. Creative energy allowed me to be content for hours that would have normally been spent getting into trouble or pestering my siblings. Although my art practice has maintained these qualities into adulthood, art-making for me has also become a way to process and understand the society in which I live. My work is meant to capture a moment in the life of an urban structure that epitomizes the state of the neighborhood or city in which it resides. A finished work describes the moment I took an interest in the architecture and slowed down to process my surroundings. My work serves as a connection between myself and the city in which I work, and is meant to take those moments of observation, and share them with a viewer. I intend for them to serve as a reminder of the beauty in the forgotten and overlooked, for that is on my mind during that first moment of observation. In a way the moments of observation themselves can be seen as a meditation and although the physical act of making is what initially drew me to art, the concept and connection to a community or city has become just as important in my mature work. -Julia Fox

Visit Julia Fox's artist website here.

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Daily Doodle: A Coloring Page for Moving Mindfully

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Check out more coloring pages and products at apopstudios.com/helpmemeditate :) [shopify product=http://apop-studios.myshopify.com/products/free-daily-doodle-02-05-2016]

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Daily Doodle: A Free Downloadable Coloring Page

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Get your creative juices flowing and your brain glowing with one of APOP Studios' free, downloadable adult coloring pages! [shopify product=http://apop-studios.myshopify.com/products/free-daily-doodle-02-04-2016]

 

Daily Doodle: Free Adult Coloring Page

We all find it difficult to find some time everyday for our own mental well-being. Use this FREE downloadable adult coloring page to do your daily moving meditation. It's fun and easy to take care of yourself!

[shopify product=http://apop-studios.myshopify.com/products/free-daily-doodle-02-03-2016]

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Daily Doodle: Free Adult Coloring Page

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Get your moving meditation on with APOP Studios' new Daily Doodle, a free, downloadable and printable adult coloring page finding its way to you daily.

[shopify product=http://apop-studios.myshopify.com/products/daily-doodle-02-02-2016]

Rest Day Recipe: Easy Apple Krisp

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Easy Apple Krisp

Serving: 8-10

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free oats if making this recipe GF)
  • 1/2 cup almond meal*
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup melted butter (or coconut oil, if making this recipe vegan)
  • 4 apples, cored and diced (about 5-6 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Add oats, almond meal, nuts, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt to a mixing bowl, and toss until combined.  Add maple syrup and melted butter (or coconut oil), then toss until combined.  Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and toss until combined.  Spread the apple mixture evenly into a greased 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan, then sprinkle the oat mixture evenly on top of the apples.
  1. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and golden and the apples are soft and cooked through.  Serve immediately.  (I served mine with ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.)
  1. Or let the apple crisp cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

*If you can't find almond meal at the store, you can pulse almonds in a food processor until fine to make almond meal.  OR, you can substitute in white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour) in place of the almond meal.

*Recipe by http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-apple-crisp-recipe/

 

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APOP Studios Feature: Viktor Seredich

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Screenshot_2016-01-17-09-38-23-1Name: Viktor Seredich

Age: 23

Subject: Body Transformation

Original Goal(s): To get in shape

Today's Goal(s):

To become the best version of himself.

To train for success at the NPC Gladiator in Baltimore, MD on March 19th, 2015

To become a personal trainer.

Advice: Focus on the journey itself, not the end goal. Also, take your larger goals one step at a time rather than one large leap.

Story: About four years ago Viktor Seredich found himself in a room with Elliott Hulse, a famous Fitness YouTuber. He was dissatisfied with his job and, simply put, where he was in life. He was just floating along; he was going whereever life was taking him and those places were definitely were not exciting. Viktor's dream has always been to be the best possible version of himself-- to constantly keep growing in every aspect of life, yet sitting in this room he discovered that he just wasn't happy with his life and its trajectory. At the conclusion of Hulse’s motivational speech, Hulse asked everyone to ask themselves a key question, "Are you currently the best version of yourself?" He followed up with, "Are you satisfied? If not, then change." Viktor realized at this moment that over the course of his life he had grown little as a person. Viktor had not had any goals and therefore had not achieved much, but that all changed.

ViktorOn January 2nd, 2012 Viktor decided to make that change. He had make a new year's resolution to hit the gym.  Viktor's goal?--to be the best possible version of himself. When asked what exactly he meant he responded, "Having a healthy body is one of the most important things to me." He saw his first solid results three months into hitting the gym and it was at this point he realized working out was more than just something he did after work; it was his calling. Since Viktor was a teenager working his first job, he has always wanted to be his own boss and, now, has dreams of becoming a certified personal trainer.

As of today, Viktor works a small gig unloading trucks. He admits it doesn't sound all too exciting, but loves the flexibility it gives him to pursue his dreams outside of work. Since his main priority became the health of his body in 2012, the flexibility of his day job has proven to be a huge benefit. Viktor has made serious gains. He built muscle through maintaining a mindset ten times stronger than his body--a mindset that has kept him motivated to hit the gym day after day without fail and to make decisions that ultimately will lead to the success of his overarching goal: to become the best person he can.

Now that he has accomplished his primary goal of creating, maintaining and growing a healthy body, Viktor has also begun to focus on the fitness industry for his career. He will be doing his first Men's Physique competition, the NPC Gladiator in Baltimore, MD on March 19th, and from there he plans to start his own fitness brand. He strongly believes his ‘top secret’ unique approach to fitness is what he owes his results to. Now, he wants to help others find that same success!

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Q&A

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C: Carlee Myers, Founder of APOP
V: Viktor Seredich

C: What is it about Elliott Hulse that really stood out to you? Is he someone that you look up to?

V: Elliott Hulse has a lot of useful knowledge and has a way of speaking that really clicks. I used to look up to him when I first started. I don't look up to him as much anymore as I'm further on my own journey and relate a bit less. Since everyone's body is so different it makes it difficult to find someone to look up to in such a direct way.

C: Who else do you look to for inspiration?

V: Now I am very self-motivated person although I still get inspiration from different YouTubers and random speakers.

C: What does your typical day look like?

V: I usually do a small job unloading trucks in the morning around 7 am. Once I finish the job I have breakfast and get to work on my personal goals. After eating, I usually read and work. This typically includes doing just about anything I think is beneficial towards accomplishing these goals-- researching, brainstorming new ideas, talking with others about their fitness goals and providing advice, etc. After I accomplish my daily goals, I hit the gym around 7 pm, workout, then head back home to finish working on any daily goals I didn't accomplish. After I finish, I head off to bed. Sometimes it's around 12 am, sometimes it's 4 am. Haha.

C: What does your typical gym routine look like?

V: My gym routine is pretty basic when you actually look it:

Monday - Chest and triceps

Tuesday - Back and biceps

Wednesday - Legs

Thursday - Either chest or back or both. It depends how my body feels.

Friday - Arms and shoulders

Weekends - If I end up going to the gym, I always do legs.

C: Do you diet or watch what you eat?

V: I actually don’t have a strict diet. I never have, but I haven't really had to change my diet due to my high metabolism. On the other hand, I am conscious of what I put in my body. I just avoid certain things: I hate sweets. So I don't eat any sweets, I don't drink soda, I don't eat fried foods and I've cut back on salt.

C: How has your mindset changed since you started your journey?

V: My mindset really shifted once I realized exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I started to understand that setting up unrealistic time frames to accomplish goals can lead to disappointment. You have to focus on the journey itself not the end goal--one step at a time.

Rest Day Recipe: One Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

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This week's Rest Day Recipe we found on Pinterest! It's orgins...Followerr.net.

Ingredients
  1. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  2. salt and pepper
  3. 1 cup chicken broth
  4. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  5. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  6. ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
  7. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  8. ⅓ cup finely diced shallots (or red onions)
  9. 2 tablespoons salted butter
  10. ¼ cup heavy cream
  11. 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil

Instructions:

  1. Using a mallet, pound down the chicken breasts/thighs into ½ inch thickness. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken.
  2. In a 2 cup measuring cup or a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to...
See Followerr.net for full recipe. Trust me, it's worth it!

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