Newsletters Archive - just keep livin Foundation

September 2023 Newsletter

Support For Maui with Baby2Baby

Following the horrific devastation on Maui, The McConaughey family decided to amplify the efforts of JKL partners and friends, Baby2Baby by sending a cargo plane filled with hundreds of thousands of emergency aid supplies that will have an immediate impact on children and families.

Baby2Baby will give supplies to on-the-ground organizations such as: Aloha Diaper Bank, Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Diaper Bank Pacific Birth Collective, and Maui Rapid Response. Matthew and Levi posted this video that has received hundreds of thousands of views, and over $1million has been raised for Baby2Baby to send immediate supplies to the devastated families and children on Maui.

2023-2024 JKL Program Launch

As our programs prepare to launch after Labor Day, we wanted to highlight our JKL instructors who make it all possible!

They are the talent on the ground and without each of them and their unwavering commitment to just keep livin, none of this would be possible! The JKL instructors continue to show up for their students with a full sense of purpose and give their all to help students find their own path and purpose so that they can always be open to growing and becoming the best versions of themselves.

Thank you for the many ways you help your students find their voice, guiding them to set and reach their goals, and helping to shape their futures. YOU are teaching them the power of community and supporting one another! You do it with passion and great resilience and for that we all are grateful! We are excited to share with all of you the amazing experiences, opportunities, first time experiences and gratitude that this upcoming school year will bring to all of our just keep livin students!

Camila’s Tips: Southwest Roasted Cauliflower

This vibrant and savory dish is sure to steal the spotlight at your dinner table! Meet our flavorful and spicy recipe for Southwest Roasted Cauliflower! The beautiful blend of garlic, chiles, and vegetable stock infuses with the cauliflower to create a burst of mouthwatering flavors.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tbsp crushed caribe chile or red pepper flakes
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 heads of cauliflower cleaned and cut into florets

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a small food processor, emersion blender, or regular blender, add the caribe chile pepper, garlic, cumin, Mexican oregano, salt, and ¼ cup of the stock. Pulse a few times until the caribe chile peppers are well combined. Add the balance of the stock and the olive oil, and blend until smooth.
Place the cauliflower florets in a prominent roasting dish in a single layer and pour the marinade over the cauliflower. Toss to coat all the cauliflower and let it rest for 15 minutes
Bake the cauliflower uncovered for 1 hour, tossing every 20 minutes for even cooking and browning.
Cauliflower is done when well browned and fork tender.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

The New “Breaking Waves” Cali Throw/Towel

Made of 100% cotton, this throw is versatile and the more you wash it, the softer and more absorbent it becomes. Can be used as a beach towel or blanket, wrap for those chilly nights at the game or dining on an outdoor patio.

Get Yours Now

August 2023 Newsletter

Greenlights Grant Initiative- Safer Schools Across America

Our Founders Matthew and Camila McConaughey have launched the Greenlights Grant Initiative to help schools access federal dollars set aside by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to support programs for safer schools across America.

The Initiative is the greenlight that connects your community, your students, and teachers to funding to establish mental health programs and a safe learning environment in schools.

Check out greenlightsgrantinitiative.org. Share it with your administrators, school districts, and anyone who can use the help to bring real change for our children.

jkl National Teacher Training

Our jkl national teacher training this year was one for the books! We had over 90 teachers in attendance from across the country

We welcomed six new jkl programs; Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama, Crockett High School in Austin, Texas, South East High School and West Adams High School in Los Angeles, California, High School for Innovation Advertising and Media in Brooklyn, New York and McMain High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. The program training sessions provided space for programming ideas, practical tools, school collaborations, recruitment methods, program highlights, success testimonies, and our gratitude circle.

Our special guest, Kat from the Kevin Love Fund, introduced six new SEL lessons that will be incorporated this fall; a great session led by the Sandy Hook Foundation on the importance of school safety and a relaxing yoga session! We can’t wait to see our jkl programs in full action this fall.

Your Voice Matters; Vote: JKL partners with Legacy Youth Leadership

This year, JKL has partnered with Legacy Youth leadership to bring dynamic leadership programming to our students in Southern California!

Students completed the Vote Track as part of an in-person event, and attended the 5th annual Legacy Summit event to grow their leadership skills and build community with world-changing young people from around the world!

In addition to these in-person experiences, Legacy offers FREE online Leadership and Mentorship Programs to students all around the country to build a more socially conscious generation of young people. This is a great opportunity for parents looking to get their students involved in FREE Leadership Programming during the summer. In as little as 2 hours per track, students will build hard and soft skills including: self- and social-awareness, goal setting, strategic planning, and more. After completing each track, they’ll be challenged to apply those skills through meaningful service activities!

Click here to sign up for free and help your student gain the skills they need to change the world!

Camila’s Tips: Olive and Artichoke Pasta Salad

Although August is back-to-school month, it is still pretty toasty outside so let’s make a dish that is refreshing, flavorful and easy for those first days of school! This dish is bursting with flavor from olives, tender artichoke hearts, and topped with a zesty lemon dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 box of Eat Banza chickpea pasta
• 1 can artichokes
• ⅓ cup whole kalamata olives, chopped in halves
• ¼ cup whole sun-dried tomatoes, finely diced
• 2 handfuls arugula, finely chopped
• 1 white kidney beans, washed well and drained

Dressing Ingredients

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• ½ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the box of pasta and cook until tender/al dente.
Drain and rinse well under cold water.
As the pasta is cooking, prep the ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
Prep the dressing.
Let’s put it all together: add the shells to the serving bowl and pour on the dressing. Mix well.
Taste test for salt and add if necessary.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Workin for a livin

One of our most popular shirts now in a new color!

Get Yours Now

July 2023 Newsletter

Amalfi Jets Scholarship Recipients

Amalfi Jets, our Spring 2023 sponsor of the Venice High School jkl program, is one of our most involved and engaged sponsors we’ve had in years. We have loved every touchpoint with Amalfi, but in June we got to watch three of our standout students receive $1,000 college scholarships and acceptance into the Amalfi Jets Accelerator Program.

The Student Leadership Accelerator Program is a philanthropic, youth leadership program for high school students interested in developing their professional skills while making a tangible impact on their community. This exclusive “Pre-MBA” program is for student leaders ready to put their skills to the test. It is the perfect entry point for those looking to maximize their potential and open doors to secure some of the most competitive internships and jobs on the market for young leaders. We are so thrilled to have a few of our outstanding jkl students involved in this outstanding program!

Future Leadership Scholarship Award Recipients: Justin Sotelo, Gerardo Gomez, and Jose Hernandez

End-of-Year Skate Party

As we said goodbye to the 2022-2023 school year, our jkl students commemorated the occasion in style with a fun-filled roller-skating extravaganza hosted by Moonlight Rollerway Inc. in Glendale, CA.

Students and instructors from Animo Inglewood High School, Animo City of Champions High School, Animo South Los Angeles High School, Fairfax High School, Huntington Park High School, and Manual Arts High School came together for a joyful gathering, with many trying on skates for the very first time!

The celebration was sweetened by delightful, homestyle cupcakes, a generous contribution from Susie Sarich of SusieCakes Bakery, another much-loved Los Angeles establishment. The event served as a wonderful wrap-up to the school year!

jkl Hittin’ the Waves

Our 7th annual Beach Day event with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation was a hit! On Saturday, June 3rd, we brought our Los Angeles just keep livin students to enjoy a day of fun in the sun at the world-famous El Porto surfer beach in Manhattan Beach, CA. Students had a chance to receive surf lessons to conquer the waves, boogie board with big smiles, and relax with some beach yoga.

We want to give a huge shout-out to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation for being a great partner and for always getting volunteers for our event. Many of our students did not even know how to swim and still went in the water and learned how to surf for the first time! They showed so much courage and excitement and we could not be more proud. Another shout-out to Rachel Miriam for always creating cool merch, with an awesome beach hat for this year and to Baby-2-Baby for generously donating sunscreen.

We topped the day off with California Pizza Kitchen lunches, a yummy ice-cream sandwich treat from Coolhaus and our unforgettable gratitude circle from our hearts! Beach day is truly a magical experience, from seeing some students taking to the ocean for the first time and others with the biggest smiles and appreciation for the outdoors!

Camila’s Tips: Summer Sheet Pan Frittata

This yummy breakfast recipe is packed with roasted zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus, peas, bacon and lots of herbs! It’s a great one-pan breakfast or brunch that you can make and then enjoy for quick meals on the go throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 4 large portobello mushrooms, cleaned

• 2/3 cup cherry tomatoes
• 8 asparagus spears
• 1 medium sized zucchini
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup peas

Directions

Preheat the oven 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moon pieces.
Cut the asparagus spears into 1-2-inch-long pieces.
Place the cherry tomatoes, bacon, asparagus and slices of zucchini on a 13×9 inch sheet pan.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the zucchini and asparagus are tender.
In a bowl whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, chives and parsley.
Chop the bacon into small pieces and arrange them evenly only the sheet pan with the veggies so that everything is evenly dispersed around the tray.
Scatter the peas around the veggies on the tray and then pour the egg mixture over top.
Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the egg has fully set.
Once cooked cut the frittata into large squares and garnish with additional chopped chives before serving.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

New Retro Alright Alright Alright T-Shirt

Check out the new heather brown “alright” shirt that pays homage to the original brown classic that started it all.

Get Yours Now

June 2023 Newsletter

Matthew McConaughey Movie Montage

On Saturday May 6, under the beautiful Texas sky, a group of generous donors and jkl supporters watched as our founder, Matthew, discussed some of his most iconic films.

The Matthew McConaughey movie montage is one of our most popular and sought after auction items every year and winners get to enjoy a behind the scenes look at what it was like on the set of these films, how Matthew delves into a character and what he thinks of the legacy of his iconic characters.

From Dazed and Confused to How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, Matthew’s impact as an actor on pop culture is endless. Whether he’s winning an Oscar for his role in Dallas Buyers Club or providing a unique experience for supporters of the just keep livin Foundation, we are always in awe of his commitment to excellence. It was a fabulous event, and we look forward to more Movie Montage’s in the future.

WOW Mental Health Summit

jkl students from Animo Inglewood and Manual Arts attended the WOW2023 Mental Health Summit at UCLA’s Royce Hall on May 4th. Co-hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Kudrow, the event provided a wealth of knowledge on mental health and self-understanding.

Our students had the unique opportunity to learn from distinguished speakers like U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, and artist Jon Batiste. The sessions focused on universal questions of self-worth and addressed the common pressures that young people face today, especially in high-achievement settings like high school and college.

The summit discussed the importance of open conversations about mental health, debunking the associated stigma, and emphasized the significance of quality, accessible, and representative mental health services. Students were encouraged to understand their triggers, regulate them, and embrace the idea that seeking help is a powerful act of self-care. The students learned about the value of genuine connections, being present, and spending quality time with others to combat loneliness. They were reminded that strength should be redefined as love and vulnerability. This enlightening experience provided our students with invaluable insights into mental health and self-awareness, equipping them to navigate their journey with increased resilience and empowerment.

Field Day Galore!

What electric Field Days! We had our Nashville and Los Angeles programs host their events as we expand our jkl tradition and bring field day to all our cities.

In Los Angeles, we brought together our jkl programs for some fun sweat equity. This year we hosted 160+ jkl students at Huntington Park High School with incredible activations from the World Calisthenics Organization, D.B. Labs, and Los Angeles Galaxy. Our guest speaker, Wale Forester Co-Founder of Hussle Wipes, got the kids fired up to be great by implementing integrity. Can’t wait for next year!

In Nashville, we had our first annual Field Day! We had all our jkl sites come together to build community, get some physical activity and have friendly competition. Our students got a chance to get active and build roadmaps for communication and team building! This could not have been possible without the support of Nashville SC and the Nashville Predators who both hosted stations at the event.

Camila’s Tips: Vegetarian Stuffed Portobellos

Never underestimate the power of side dishes! These hearty stuffed mushrooms are bursting with flavor with a hint of spice.

This dish along with the paired serving ideas will tally in at about $20 for four servings. These Potatoes Boxty are perfect for breakfast or brunch and can even be served at dinner along with your favorite grilled fish. This is a crispy and savory way to prepare potatoes that we know you will love as much as we do!

Ingredients

• 4 large portobello mushrooms, cleaned
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno or habanero, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• 5 oz baby spinach and kale mix, washed
• ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a small baking pan with parchment paper.
Remove stems from mushrooms and place mushrooms upside down.
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. The mushrooms will release a lot of water.
Remove mushrooms from pan, draining the water onto the baking sheet.
Set mushrooms aside and the pour off all the water in the baking sheet.
While mushrooms are baking, in a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add garlic, sliced onions and jalapeno pepper.
Cook for 5 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
Add the diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine.
Add the baby spinach and kale mixture, stir tocombine, cover, and let simmer for 2-4 minutes or until just wilted.
Season with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees.
Fill the portobello mushrooms with the stuffing mixture.
Top with grated cheddar cheese and bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with your favorite sides or salad. with your favorite sandwich accompaniments.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Neon Pink & Summer Vibes T-Shirt

Ready, Set, Summer! 2 cool new tee shirts to get your summer rolling.

Get Yours Now

May 2023 Newsletter

Mack, Jack & McConaughey 2023: Over $11 Million Raised!

The Austin Marathon 2023 weekend was one for the books! Over fifty just keep livin students and staff participated during the Austin Marathon weekend—from a few seasoned runners to many first-timers and ecstatic water station volunteers.

What better way to kick off an epic few days than with a special performance by the legendary Garth Brooks! The LIVE auction was record-setting, raising over $7M! Then onto a fun day of golf, and a stunning fashion show from the fabulous Jonathan Simkhai presented by Neiman Marcus and hosted by supermodel Molly Sims. Simkhai’s designs were breathtaking, as was the setting, with lovely views of downtown Austin from the Long Center for the Performing Arts. We wrapped things up with an array of talented performances at our Jack & Friends Singer/Songwriter night! Artists like Butch Walker, Lee Ann Womack, Jessi Alexander & Jon Randall, William Beckmann, Blu Sanders, Rhett Akins, Hayes Carll and incredible newcomer Kameron Marlowe donated their time and talent to end this year’s event on a high note – so to speak!

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the event. It’s an honor to be a charitable beneficiary of the event, along with the incredible organizations Cure Duchenne, Dell Children’s, HeartGift Foundation, and The Rise School. Until next year, MJ&M

Surprise Visit by our jkl Founders!

Surprise! Our Founders Camila and Matthew McConaughey leading up to our annual fundraiser MJ&M (Mack, Jack, and McConaughey), made a surprise visit to our Juan Navarro just keep livin program!

They both had a chance to sit down with our fantastic jkl instructor Ms. Woods and passionate student, Edison. They engaged in a conversation about what jkl meant for the campus, the community they are building, first-time experiences, and the student’s commitment to showing up day-in and day-out. The surprise visit continued with Camila and Matthew gracefully joining an impromptu merengue dance session and workout led by our Program Strategy and Community Impact Director, Leon Clayborne.

The students went crazy! The energy in the gym was vibrant as we concluded with a gratitude circle and a brief history of the just keep livin Foundation. It’s always great to have our founders engage with the students and see the program in action.

Akins High School Cheered at the UT Softball Game

Thanks to our amazing partners at American Airlines, our Akins jkl program were able to attend the American’s title softball game on Friday, April 21 between UT and Oklahoma State University.

Camila’s Tips: WOT Sammy

Sandwiches are a classic and this one is layered with flavor and fresh ingredients! Perfect to enjoy any time of day!

Ingredients

• 2 slices sprouted or whole grain bread
• 1 fried egg
• 1 small and ripe avocado
• 2 slices of cooked bacon
• 2 slices of tomato
• Pat of butter
• Salt to taste

Directions

Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread.
Smash the avocado and add a pinch of salt. Mix to combine and set aside.
Place one slice of bread buttered side down in a frying pan over medium.
Top with fried egg, cooked bacon, and sliced tomato.
On the remaining slice of buttered bread, spoon a generous amount of smashed avocado on the unbuttered side and place the avocado side down on top of the tomato.
Cook in the frying pan for a minute or two and gently flip the sandwich to brown the other side.
Remove from pan, slice in half, and serve with your favorite sandwich accompaniments.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

just keep livin Classic Tee

Our classic tee shirts never go out of style and are perfect whether you are working out, going to a ball game, or just hangin’ in your back yard. There are several colors to choose from!

Get Yours Now

March 2023 Newsletter

JKL Runs with the Austin Marathon

The Austin Marathon 2023 weekend was one for the books! Over fifty just keep livin students and staff participated during the Austin Marathon weekend—from a few seasoned runners to many first-timers and ecstatic water station volunteers.

The dedication level of our students was unmatched. Early morning risings, a challenging course, and soaked jkl shirts were all worth it. Thank you to the Austin Marathon team for giving our jkl students a great experience to give back and put their fitness to the test. See you next year!

Chocolate + Gardening = Win Win

We were lucky enough to have not one, but two, incredible visits from our friends at Finabar recently!

Their wonderful founders visited JKL programs at Animo South Los Angeles and Venice High School for a guest speaking session about the mission behind their company, discussion on how to make chocolate in a way that is healthy to eat while also helping the planet!

Not only did our students agree that the chocolate is excellent (with flavors like “dark chocolate with puffed quinoa and cherry” and “milk chocolate with strawberry and pretzel”) but its packaging is made from seed paper that can actually be PLANTED to grow wildflowers! Additionally, the chocolate is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, rainforest alliance accredited, organic and zero-waste. Thank you, Greg and Yolanda from Finabar, for sharing your story with our students and for all you are doing for the planet – and our tastebuds!

Teaching JKL Students to Find Their Creative Spark

We want to give a huge thank you to our friend Melissa Reidhead for taking the time to visit with our Austin just keep livin students about how to find their passion so that they will be excited to go to work each day!

Melissa spoke about her background – how she went from being a vegetable picker at a farm to ultimately becoming Head of Communications for Clarins, where she plans events and manages red carpet productions and fashion week campaigns! Thank you Melissa for teaching these young girls how to find their creative SPARK and how to follow their dreams! They also love all of the incredible Clarins products you brought for them! We appreciate you!

Camila’s Tips: Kevin Dundon’s Irish Potatoes Boxty

As St. Patrick’s Day inspiration, we have an Irish recipe you will not want to miss!

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover mash potatoes or you can prepare fresh
• 1 cup red potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1-2 tbsp plain flour or corn starch
• 2 tbsp fresh sage
• 4 tbsp Irish butter
• pinch or two of flake salt or sea salt, optional
• salt and pepper

For Serving

• Smoked salmon slices
• Poached or fried eggs
• Wilted spinach

Directions

Grate the potatoes into a bowl. Squeeze to remove excess water if needed.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled mash potato and add the grated raw potato and half of the sage.
Season well with salt and pepper and stir to create a soft dough. Add some flour to help stiffen the mixture if needed.
Heat some oil in a pan over a medium to low heat, form and shape thick discs of the potatoes mixture and lightly press on the pan to make sure it is sticking together.
Cook for 3 -4 minutes until the base of the boxty is golden brown.
Flip over and add the butter and the rest of the sage.
Continue cooking for a further 3-4 minutes depending on the thickness until the boxty are piping hot in the middle, basting with the foaming butter.
Remove from the heat and serve immediately with slices of smoked salmon, poached or fried eggs, wilted spinach and sprinkle of sea salt and extra fresh sage if desired.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Alrighty Then Pullover Hoodie

Pigment dyed brite blue hoodie with distressed red and white screenprinting of the iconic phrase . . . alright alright alright!

Get Yours Now

February 2023 Newsletter

Amalfi Jets Helps JKL Take Flight

Our just keep livin program at Venice High School in Los Angeles, CA welcomed a group of special visitors earlier this month – the team from Amalfi Jets and Amalfi Jets Charitable Foundation, their new program sponsor!

Company Founders Kolin Jones and Calvin Yoon, along with their VP of Marketing, Samantha Cirelli, joined JKL Venice students for a fitness-focused session of jump rope and boxing, followed by our signature “Gratitude Circle.” We’re thrilled to be partnering with Amalfi Jets, a global private jet charter company, to help us in our mission to give these students the tools to live healthier lives.

In addition to funding the program, they will also be providing several of our students with college scholarships and internships, as well as partnering with us on community service events and offering tours of their aviation facilities. Thank you, Amalfi Jets and Amalfi Jets Charitable Foundation, for your incredible support!

JKL Students Run the Rose Bowl 5K Race

Our just keep livin students tied their laces and zipped up their sweaters as they raced the picturesque course of the Rose Bowl 5K on Sunday, January 15.

We were joined by kids from Russell Westbrook and Animo South Los Angeles High School. With a one-of-a kind finish line at the world famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, our students motivated each other through sweat and cheers.

Feeling inspired? Sign up here to run the Austin Marathon (or Half Marathon here) on February 19 in Austin, Texas with us!

If you can’t make it but still want to support the just keep livin Foundation, feel free to donate here.

JKL Legacy Youth Leadership Voting Workshop

On January 25, 100 of our LA just keep livin students attended a voting workshop in partnership with Legacy Youth Leadership at Animo Inglewood High School.

The session included training our students on how to understand the power of their vote to make change in the world. During the two-hour session, students experienced interactive presentations, breakout groups, online activities as well as fun large group games. Their organization used these four different activities to create a dynamic space for students to stretch themselves and grow and understanding their right to vote.

Camila’s Tips: Valentine’s Day Refined Sugar Free Chocolate Coconut Bites

Sugar and Valentine’s Day tend to go together, and we firmly believe that everyone deserves something sweet!

That is why we have a healthier dessert option like these Valentine’s Day Coconut Bites from pinch of yum!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups flaked coconut, unsweetened
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• a pinch of sea salt
• 5 oz dark chocolate morsels/chips

Directions

1. Pulse your coconut in a food processor or blender until the flakes become very fine and crumbly.
2. Stir together coconut oil, honey, vanilla, and sea salt and then fold in the crumbly coconut.
3. Squeeze mixture into small balls. The mix is a bit crumbly at first so we threw ours into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes so it was a bit more firm to work with!
4. Place rolled out balls into the refrigerator for about 1 hour or so.
5. Melt the chocolate for a minute or so in the microwave or over low heat in a saucepan. Using a spoon and fork, dip each frozen ball into the melted chocolate covering the coconut.
6. Top with coconut flakes and enjoy!

PS. These can be kept in your refrigerator all week long!

or until bites are heated through.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

CHORD-O-ROY Trucker Cap

You won’t be singin’ the blues when you wear this new corduroy trucker. It’s the newest edition in our line-up of caps!

Get Yours Now

January 2023 Newslettter

You’re Invited to Run the Austin Marathon

COME RUN!

The just keep livin programs are going to be enjoying miles of Austin’s unique neighborhoods, famous landmarks, and be cheered on by crowds as we cross the finish line in front of the Texas State Capitol on historic Congress Ave on Sunday, February 19! There will be live music on the course and a downtown concert.

If you reach the Fundraising Milestones below, you will also be eligible to win more unique incentives:

Raise $500 and receive a limited-edition Matthew McConaughey bobblehead and an official j.k. livin T-shirt
Raise $1500 and receive a signed item from Matthew McConaughey

You can sign up here to start your own fundraising team or send a donation!

Round up Holiday JKL Celebrations

Just keep livin students celebrated the holidays across the nation!

Some of our programs celebrated by sharing a meal. Our students at Akins High School in Austin, Texas and Venice High School, in Los Angeles, California hosted a gratitude dinner to break bread and share what they were thankful for.

The devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Matthew’s hometown of Uvalde, Texas, pained us deeply and spurred us to action. We While some of our other programs decided to get on their feet with a holiday dance party. Our students at Animo Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California and East Laurens High School in Dublin, Georgia got their groove on and left everything on the dance floor, ready to start the new year! Our wonderful jkl staff created these lovely spaces for our students to give thanks and share their appreciation. What a way to transition into the New Year! set up a Uvalde Relief Fund to help with grief counseling and other immediate and long-term needs of the community. We opened a JKL program at Uvalde High School in order to provide students with a safe haven and a healthy way to come together. With our partners at Converse, we set up a college scholarship for Uvalde students to Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, the dream school of Maite Rodriguez, one of the victims of the shooting.

Young Life Weekend Adventure Camp

Our JKL program at Pinkston High School attended a two-night sleep away camp with Young Life Adventure Camp where they enjoyed a breathtaking thirty-acre lake as the backdrop to their camping experience.

From team sports and team-building activities to individual sports and games, Lakeview allowed the students to make fun memories that will last a lifetime!

Camila’s Tips: Easy Apple, Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Bites

This is the perfect recipe if you need to pull together an easy appetizer in a pinch for your next gathering!

These tasty bites are the perfect finger food, and the taste is perfection! You can’t go wrong with the combination of salty prosciutto, sweet apple, buttery rolls, and creamy goat cheese. It can be prepared the same day you’re serving or stay frozen until you’re ready to heat and eat!

This recipe checks all the boxes; easy to make, incredibly delicious, and beautifully presented on a holiday table.

Ingredients

• 8 oz tube of crescent rolls
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced into very think slices
• 5 oz package of prosciutto
• Honey, for drizzling before serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Using a large piece of parchment paper, roll out the tube of crescent rolls and push the dough together to make one large rectangle, approximately 14″ wide and 10″ long. Use a rolling pin to smooth the dough.
Slice 6 strips on the long side and four strips on the short, slicing the rectangle into 24 equal size squares or as close to equal as possible.
Loosely place one square into each of the 24 muffin cup tins. The dough can cover only part of the muffin cup, just the bottom and up the side a bit.
In each muffin tin, add a small amount of goat cheese on top of the dough until all the goat cheese is used. If you cut the 4 oz goat cheese log in half lengthwise, you will have 2 half logs. Slice each half log into 12 equal pieces, and you will have 24 pieces of goat cheese for the muffin cups.
Take the thinly sliced apples and arrange 2 or 3 pieces into each muffin tin, apples can be higher than the muffin tin. Cutting the apple slices as needed to fit.
Divide out the prosciutto package into 24 pieces. Depending on the package’s number of slices, you may have to cut each slice into 4 or 5 pieces. Roll the prosciutto pieces any way you like, and fill each muffin tin with a piece of prosciutto.
If baking immediately: Place the muffin tin into the preheated 350-degree oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.
If prepping in the morning to bake later in the day: The muffin tin can be loosely covered and refrigerated at this point until you’re ready to bake.
If making ahead to freeze: At this point the bites and be cooled completely, removed from the muffin tin and placed gently into a freezable container. When reheating these at a later date, preheat oven to 350 degrees and place each bite on a baking sheet. Heat for 10 minutes or until bites are heated through.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Don’t Sweat It Hoodie

Try our new medium-weight pullover hoodie. So soft and comfy you will want to purchase 2 – one to wear and one as a spare (or to share). Available in dark orange with an off white screen-print.

Get Yours Now

December 2022 Newsletter

Las Posadas Raffle

A $25 donation to our Uvalde Relief Fund gets you a chance to win a CUSTOM pair of Lucchese boots!

Thank you to the incredible musician William Beckmann who is making this possible through his Las Posadas Hope for Uvalde tour. Check out williambeckmann.com for tour dates or click here to donate and enter the raffle! Winner will be announced on December 28. Multiple entries are allowed!

Matthew and Camila McConaughey Sending Warm Wishes

Happy Holidays! As the end of the year approaches, we want to thank you for your support of our mission to empower high school students to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future. Thanks to generous partners like you, our after school program now operates at 44 sites in 15 cities and this past year alone, we have served more than 3000 high school students.

As we all know, the past few years have brought with them much isolation and anxiety, especially for young people. We are proud of the ways in which the JKL team has equipped our students with coping techniques to help overcome these challenges. One of our members, Geraldine, noted, “Whether it’s through learning about mindfulness and meditation in our “Mental Health Monday” sessions, coming together for a beach cleanup, kayak excursion, or just listening to each other share during one of our Gratitude Circles, JKL has remained a constant source of support in our otherwise tumultuous lives”.

The devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Matthew’s hometown of Uvalde, Texas, pained us deeply and spurred us to action. We immediately set up a Uvalde Relief Fund to help with grief counseling and other immediate and long-term needs of the community. We opened a JKL program at Uvalde High School in order to provide students with a safe haven and a healthy way to come together. With our partners at Converse, we set up a college scholarship for Uvalde students to Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, the dream school of Maite Rodriguez, one of the victims of the shooting.

Thank you again for making a difference in so many lives of so many students. Along with our Foundation team – Shannon, Erica, Jenny, Leon, Jasmine and Andrew – we wish you and your loved ones a healthy and peaceful new year, and again, THANK YOU for your continued support.

just keep livin,

Camila and Matthew McConaughey

First Ever jkl Alumni Camping Trip

Some of our jkl alumni enjoyed a weekend camping trip at Lake Perris Campground in Moreno Valley, CA.

Students learned how to pop their own tent, build a fire and the weekend was full of reconnecting, forging new friendships, hiking, gratitude and lots of laughter.

Camila’s Tips: Roasted Potatoes with Arugula

We have never met a potato side dish that we didn’t love!

Looking for an easy roasted potato recipe with a splash of color and a burst of flavor? Well then look no further because you are going to have to give these Roasted Potatoes with Arugula a try!

This recipe checks all the boxes; easy to make, incredibly delicious, and beautifully presented on a holiday table.

Ingredients

• 6-8 golden yellow potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into ¼” wedges
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 cups baby arugula

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Add potatoes to a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet, season with salt and pepper.
Toss with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Spread potatoes evenly on the pan.
Roast about 35 min. Remove pan from oven.
Add arugula to potatoes on pan; mix to combine.
Return pan to oven for 2 min to slightly wilt the arugula.
Transfer to a serving platter.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Just in time for your holiday gift giving…

our new magnetic flip flop bottle openers or natural leather coasters.

Flip Flop Bottle Opener!

Natural Leather Coaster!

November 2022 Newsletter

jkl is Roaming Wild

Our new partnership with Roam Wild Adventures kicked off this month with our jkl program at Eastern Hills High School.

On Saturday, October 22nd, the group headed out for an all-day adventure that included an introduction to climbing- understanding the elements of rock climbing (fundamentals of climbing, safety, belaying, & knot-tying), followed by practice on routes. In the afternoon, team-building activities mixed with reflection activities throughout the day in a challenge-by-choice environment was definitely a highlight.

The day trip ended with our Gratitude Circle and a family style dinner around a campfire. The jkl students did an amazing job and both staff and students learned so much about their journeys and life experiences throughout the day! It was a powerful experience for all!

VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Jkl is creating young voters!

We are encouraging all our eligible students to practice their right to vote. We have set up an event with Legacy Youth Leadership in January to do an entire two-hour session on voting and the important to pledge to vote. We are inviting all schools in Los Angeles to participate!

Camila’s Tips: Bacon Woven Turkey for Thanksgiving

If you have never made a turkey this way, we highly recommend it! The woven bacon makes a very impressive presentation on any Thanksgiving table.

If you haven’t made a turkey before and are still feeling nervous, just know that this was also the first turkey that Camila ever made and it turned out great!

Ingredients

• 1 Turkey
• 1 lb of regular sliced bacon
• Parchment paper

FOR ROASTING AT BOTTOM OF ROASTING PAN WITH TURKEY:
• 6 Carrots peeled and cut in half
• 2 Small Onions cut in quarters
• 1 bulb of garlic peeled cloves only

Directions

Watch video for demo on how to make the basket weave for the turkey, here.
Place the chilled bacon on top of turkey and the carrots, onions and cloves garlic in the bottom of the baking pan.
Bake turkey 350 degrees (20 minutes per pound)
Skim the fat off the drippings and blend the carrots, onions and garlic to make gravy.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Don’t Sweat It – Crewneck

This is just 1 of 2 new sweatshirts you can purchase on the just keep livin store. Both are marshmallowy soft and the perfect addition to your fall and winter wardrobe.

Get Yours Today!

October 2022 Newsletter

UT Football and JKL

On Saturday, September 3rd and Saturday, September 17th, our jkl programs from East Austin College Prep and Akins High School in Austin got to enjoy the UT game live at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium thanks to our amazing founders, Matthew and Camila McConaughey who gave their suite so the jkl students and staff could enjoy the games!

It was a first-time experience for some of our students and one to remember! Hook ‘EM!

Soccer at the Rose Bowl and JKL

On Saturday, September 24th, our jkl students from Huntington Park High School in Los Angeles were gifted twenty tickets to the Mexico vs. Colombia soccer game at the Rose Bowl from the wonderful folks at Expedia!

The kids had a blast cheering on their favorite teams and creating new memories with their peers.

Camila’s Tips: Chinese Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup

Fall is here and it’s time for cozy soups!

If you’re craving a tasty and hearty soup that comes together in about 30 minutes? Look no further…

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp peeled, chopped fresh ginger
• 1 bone-in chicken breast or fillet
• 1-inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced
• 1-quart chicken broth
• 1 can creamed corn
• 1 splash sesame oil
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 eggs
• 2 green onions chopped *optional

Directions

In a small bowl, com1. In a small pot place chicken breast and cover with water.
Add fresh ginger to the water.
Cover the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 30 minutes.
Once chicken is fully cooked, save the stock in the pot and the ginger.
Transfer this to a larger soup pot.
Shred the chicken and discard the bone in using bone-in chicken breast.
Over medium heat and in the large soup pot, combine the reserved chicken and ginger stock and 1 quart of chicken broth.
Add the can of creamed corn and splash of sesame oil.
Bring to a boil.
Add shredded chicken and bring back to boil.
In a small heat proof bowl and the cornstarch with small amount of chicken water to form thin paste.
Drizzle into the soup, mixing thoroughly. This will slightly thicken the soup.
In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs with a dash of chicken water, then drizzle it into the pot very slowly from about 6 inches above the pot. Slowly stirring.
Garnish with chopped spring onions to serve.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Shacket!

You will be the coolest person at the pumpkin’ patch when you sport this plaid flannel-lined shacket. It’s the perfect fall addition to your wardrobe.

Get Yours Today!

September 2022 Newslettter

Matthew McConaughey Surprised With $50,000 Donation to JKL

We want to give a huge thank you to Andy Slavitt and Lemonada Media listeners for making a generous $50,000 donation to support our work empowering students at inner-city high schools.

As Matthew said on the “In the Bubble” podcast on which the donation was revealed, this donation will help fund teachers’ stipends, buses for community service and field trips, equipment and more. To listen to the rest of this inspiring interview that touches on fatherhood, values, new directions and catching those Greenlights, check out the podcast here.

JKL Students Run for a Cause

Even during their summer break, JKL students are still motivated to push themselves and try new things, all for a great cause!

On Saturday, August 13th, students from our Huntington Park and Animo South Los Angeles High School JKL programs had a blast participating in the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Sunset Run!

The annual event supports the LADF’s mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Our students eagerly tackled their goals – some running the 5K and some trying their hand at a 10K – while enjoying breathtaking views of downtown LA at sunset and supporting our longtime partners at LADF.

This awesome community event was a big hit with both students and staff and a great way to close out the summer!

Camila’s Tips: Ginger Garlic Shrimp

This is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for any day of the week! It comes together in about 20 minutes and is very budget-friendly too, tallying in at around $20!

Additional sides you could include are baby spinach or steamed snow peas.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp peeled, chopped fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 14 oz can of low sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup light coconut milk
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 lb frozen shelled medium shrimp – deveined and tails off
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
For serving:
• 2 cup cooked Basmati or brown rice
Garnish:
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• additional red pepper flakes

Directions

In a small bowl, combine first 6 ingredients. Add ¼ tsp black pepper, stir until well blended. Set the seasoning mixture aside.
Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, cook 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the seasoning mixture that was set aside, cook 1 minute stirring frequently.
Add broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
Add coconut milk and lemon juice, simmer 2 minutes.
Sprinkle shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and salt.
Add shrimp to the pan cooking 4-5 minutes stirring a few times, until no longer translucent, do not overcook.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Shacket!

You will be the coolest person at the pumpkin’ patch when you sport this plaid flannel-lined shacket. It’s the perfect fall addition to your wardrobe.

Get Yours Today!