just keep livin Foundation Founders Matthew and Camila McConaughey have been on the ground in Matthew’s hometown of Uvalde since the devastating mass shooting took place.
The loss is tragic. While the spirit of the community is in pain, the unanimous support of families to families and strangers to locals is beautiful. After the initial shock, the town has now begun the funerals and the grieving process, which will continue for the surviving children, families, and the entire community.
The community will need ongoing grief counseling and support on the long road ahead of them. Please just us to help the people of Uvalde, TX. 100% of your donations to the just keep livin Foundation’s Uvalde Relief Fund will support grief counseling, costs associated with burial services and other immediate and long-term needs of the community.
Spring Break Event hosted by City Year
Students from our Animo Inglewood JKL program were able to attend the 15th Annual Spring Break event hosted by City Year thanks to the wonderful donation of tickets by Palmer Murray. City Year celebrated 15 years of service to the students of Los Angeles at this annual fundraiser at the Sony Studios.
Seeds+Soil=Roots
A huge thank you to our partners at Roots Food Foundation and the Kevin Love Fund for donating garden kits to all of our jkl programs on Earth Day! We are grateful to be embarking on this garden journey collectively and watch our students enjoy their success with their harvests!
Camila’s Tips: Vegetable Frittata
If you haven’t made a frittata before then this is your chance to make a great one….
If you’re looking for something different, and haven’t tried a frittata before, then take a look at this beauty. If you are familiar with this dish and have made one before then you will absolutely love this Vegetable Frittata.
Ingredients
• 1 lb new potatoes, thinly sliced approximately 4 cups • 8 oz fresh broccoli spears, 4” in length, approx. 2-1/2 cups • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas, thawed • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 8 eggs • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1/2 tsp dried thyme • 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Place avocado pieces in a large mixing bowl and gently mash
Combine all the remaining ingredients in the bowl and gently stir to combine.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
Our team is still on a high from the BEST Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) yet!
It was so much fun coming together with old and new friends to celebrate 10 years and to benefit our 5 wonderful MJM charities that empower kids: jklivin, Dell Children’s, Cure Duchenne, Heart Gift, and the Rise School of Austin. We kicked things off with the incredible Kenny Chesney headlining our Gala night (+ a WILD Live Auction!), then had a great Friday with a golf tournament and a beautiful Stella McCartney fashion show and luncheon presented by Neiman Marcus at the Q2 soccer stadium!
Friday night we wrapped things up with our special “Jack & Friends” Singer-Songwriter Concert featuring the amazing talents of Jack Ingram, Morgan Wade, Rodney Crowell, Lori McKenna, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and the Warren Brothers! What a way to close out MJ&M 2022! Until next year, Austin!
JKL Camping Trip!
In partnership with the Harold Robinson Foundation, we took 90 of our Los Angeles JKL students on a 3 day camping!
The just keep livin Foundation understands the importance of providing a diverse set of recreational programs, including arts, enrichment and athletics, character-building, leadership development, and healthy living. There is no better place than out in nature to help build stronger relationships between students, parents and the community.
For many of our students, this is their first time out of the city and there could not be a more gorgeous and scenic place for them to enjoy than on the grounds of Camp Ubuntu. The vast acres of trees and the backdrop of the mountains is the perfect setting for our students to escape the daily stresses in their lives and find a peaceful retreat!
For many of our students, this is their first time out of the city and there could not be a more gorgeous and scenic place for them to enjoy than on the grounds of Camp Ubuntu. The vast acres of trees and the backdrop of the mountains is the perfect setting for our students to escape the daily stresses in their lives and find a peaceful retreat!
Volunteer Day with Baby2Baby
Our Fairfax JKL program had a rewarding experience volunteering at Baby2Baby in Culver City!
We are grateful that we had the opportunity to continue year after year to work with them. Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization which provides diapers, clothes and other necessities for children in poverty in the Los Angeles area and in disaster areas across the country.
Camila’s Tips: Mango Avocado Guacamole
We’ve never met a guacamole recipe we didn’t love, and this one is no exception!
It also doesn’t get any easier than this recipe… Just combine all the prepped ingredients below and give it a good stir! This guacamole recipe is both sweet and savory, making it beyond flavorful.
Ingredients
• 1 avocado, peeled and diced • 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (optional) • 1 lime, juiced • 1/4 cup red bell pepper finely diced If you like extra heat, you could use 1 red fresno pepper • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced sea salt to taste
Directions
Place avocado pieces in a large mixing bowl and gently mash
Combine all the remaining ingredients in the bowl and gently stir to combine.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
JKL Co-Founder Camila Alves McConaughey’s Children’s Book is Available Now!
The healthy eating advocate and founder of Women of Today just released her first book, Just Try One Bite, with co-author Adam Mansbach.
The book – already a New York Times Best Seller! – features a funny role reversal in which picky-eater parents are confronted by their children. Camila writes from experience, as a mom herself to Levi (13), Vida (12), and Livingston (9). “When you get older, it gets harder to kick bad habits,” adds Alves McConaughey. “Just Try One Bite is a fun way to teach those healthy habits early on.” Check out Just Try One Bite, on sale now!
JKL Partners with Roku On An Inspiring Career Panel
We had an amazing career panel for our just keep livin students from ROKU!
The panelists were diverse in their backgrounds as well as their job titles. In attendance for the panel we had Joel Teklu (Sr. Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs), Sonia Ben Hedia Twomey (Sr. Computational Linguist), Gretel Perera (Director, communication LATAM) and Kevin Kelly (Sr. Hardware Program Manager). Each Panelist shared great content on how they fell in love with the tech world and the appreciation they have for the environment ROKU is fostering.
We also had a little fun and talked about everyone’s favorite shows to stream and even took a step deeper by discussing what mental health looks like for people who work in the tech industry. Students asked great questions ranging from “Are tech boot camps worth it?” to “Why do you like to work for ROKU?” to “What does a normal day look like in the various roles?” It also displayed to our students that if you have a passion for something, you can make a career out of it and thrive even if your path isn’t linear or as obvious as the world might make it seem. There are many avenues and none of them are wrong, just different! We look forward to our continued partnership with ROKU.
Cleveland JKL Students Enjoy an Array of Guest Speakers
Congresswoman and John Adams alum Shontell Brown was a returning guest speaker for our JKL program at John Adams High School in Cleveland.
She graduated from John Adams with our former instructor Ms. Rembert. While at John Adams, she received the Mayors support in her congressional re-election bid. JKL student Linell Mills read her bio for the event! They both talked about rebuilding the community and making it better for those after them. It is never too late to learn and we can help build a great community regardless of your age.
Kat Frey, Founder and President of Oxygen Coaching Group was another wonderful guest speaker for our JKL program at John Adams High School! Kat spoke about “making the table bigger,” which she explained is about networking and bringing people into your life that can help you on many levels. She also encouraged the students to find three things to be grateful for everyday and not to let anyone take away from those things.
Kat also shared eight things to focus on every day; family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, physical health, and mental health. At the conclusion, the students discussed from those eight themes, what meant the most to them and what makes each of them the happiest.
just keep livin Students Give Back in Los Angeles
Students from our Huntington Park just keep livin program partnered with National League of Young Men to host a community service day benefitting Uplift Family Services at Hollygrove.
Uplift Family Services is one of the largest, most comprehensive behavioral health treatment providers in California. Each year, they do whatever it takes to help more than 35,000 children and family members manage and recover from challenges stemming from prior trauma—such as severe neglect and abuse—and learn the essential life skills they need to be successful at home, at school, and in their community.
Students helped clean out sheds, organize donations, clean the dining hall, pool area and much more so they can welcome their students and families back for summer camp.
Camila’s Tips: Better For You French Onion Soup
This Better For You French Onion Soup is savory, slightly sweet, and extremely satisfying.
Most of these ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen or maybe you’ll just need to go pick up one or two things to pull it together.
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp butter • 2 red onions, sliced thin • 2 yellow onions, sliced thin • 1 tsp sea salt • 1/2 cup sherry or white wine • 1.5 quarts beef or chicken stock • 2 bay leaves • French bread slices • Clove of garlic, peeled • Gruyere or Munster cheese, shredded.
GARNISH SUGGESTIONS • Sliced green onions • Chopped parsley
Directions
Over medium heat, combine olive oil and butter and heat until butter is melted.
Add all the sliced onion and stir well. Season with sea salt, cover, and cook until onions are reduced, soft and translucent. This is an important step because you do not want firm onions when you serve your soup.
Add the sherry or wine to the cooked onions and simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the stock and the bay leaves and simmer for 25 minutes.
Toast the sliced French bread, then rub the raw clove of garlic a few times across the French bread.
Place each slice of French bread on a baking sheet, add the desired amount of shredded cheese on top of French bread and broil until the cheese is melted. About 1-2 minutes.
Ladle the soup into serving bowls and top each bowl with a slice or two of toasted melted cheese bread.
This year, for Black History Month, we hosted two guest speakers who are trailblazers in the field of poetry and academics!
Our first guest speaker was David “Judah 1” Oliver, who is the first poet laureate of the city of Pomona in Los Angeles. Judah took us on a journey of passionate poetry reading to break down the makings of his poetry career and community contribution.
Next we had Dr. D.D. Clayborne, who opened our eyes to a few notable black historical sports figures that came before Jackie Robinson. Our students learned about the life of Fritz Pollard, the first African American coach and player in the NFL, Major Taylor, a record-setting professional cyclist, and the first African American heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson. It is always great to bring new resources and information to our just keep livin students!
Austin Marathon 2022
We wanted to give a shout out to all of our Austin JKL programs for participating in the Austin Marathon on Sunday, February 20th!
Whether you helped pass out water at the Aid Station or completed the 5k or half marathon, we are so proud of our staff and students for representing!
Thank you also to Kyle Buckley and Cynthia Bernard who fundraised for us and ran (Kyle, the full Marathon, and Cynthia, the 5K) in honor of JKL!
Thank You Gilly Hicks
We’re so grateful to Gilly Hicks, an Abercrombie & Fitch brand, for generously donating over 200 sports bras for us to distribute to our just keep livin afterschool programs!
It’s so important for our students to have proper attire when working out and these sports bras are such high quality! These smiling faces tell you everything you need to know about how much we appreciate them!
Camila’s Tips: Easy Grilled Potatoes
It’s super simple to make, and you probably have all the ingredients in your refrigerator!
You can boil the potatoes in advance, so they are ready to go when you’re ready to grill — Making them a wonderful addition to your weeknight meals. This side dish is also very budget-friendly!
Ingredients
• 6 small Russet or baking potatos, scrubbed well • 1/2 cup sea salt • 3 tbsp butter, melted • 3 green onions, finely sliced sour cream for serving (optional
Directions
In a 6-quart pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, chopped jalapeno peppers, diced red onion, cumin, chili In a large pot that will comfortably fit the potatoes, add enough water to cover the potatoes and add ½ cup of sea salt.
Boil the potatoes until just fork tender.
Remove potatoes from water and set aside. (They can be cooled and refrigerated for later grilling at this point). Some of the salt will dry onto the skin of the potato and you might notice it has a white cast. This will add extra flavor to the skin.
Let potatoes cool enough to handle and then slice in half, lengthwise.
Just before grilling, brush the flesh side of the potato with melted butter and place on the grill flesh side down. Depending on the heat of your grill, grill long enough to get grill marks and then flip over to grill the skin side. Approximately 2-3 minutes on each side.
Remove from grill, plate, and sprinkle the sliced green onions over all the potatoes.
Keep your beverages cool and your life cooler with this 4 pack of 100% neoprene can coolers. Light blue with red imprint and red stitching on the sides.
Thank You Acteev by Ascend Materials for Our New Favorite Masks
We were thrilled when Acteev by Ascend Materials reached out wanting to provide our students with effective, comfortable, anti-microbial masks to help them stay safe while staying fit!
Acteev, a Houston-based materials technology company, is donating over 1,000 quality, workout-friendly masks to our programs all across the country to help us stay active despite the ongoing mask mandates.
They recently visited our JKL program at Cesar Chavez High School in Houston to personally hand out masks to our students there, which also gave us the chance to properly thank them for their generosity. Acteev wants to help students like ours reach their health and fitness goals this year and having access to masks like these is crucial in keeping programs like ours going.
The Ving Project
The Ving Project in conjunction with the just keep livin foundation gives high school teens the opportunity to be a blessing to a community member in need.
Hanna Collins, a 10th grade student at Pinkston High School was selected and she surprised her nominee, Mrs. Esparaza Garcia with a check for $1000.00. Through VING, teens have an opportunity to give an individual in need an encouraging boost by surprising them with $1,000.
Backpacks, Hoodies and Sneakers Event in Dallas
We are so grateful to Dak Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation for including our JKL Dallas students in the “Backpack, Hoodies and Sneakers” event!
Faith Fight Finish Foundation and NEX Metropolitan, alongside Blackout Training Group hosted an event bringing youth, community leaders and law enforcement together. Discussions were had to empower and educate young men about the influences of backpacks, hoodies and sneakers in our community from a mentoring and law enforcement perspective. Huge thanks to the Jordan Brand for generously donating some awesome shoes, backpacks and hoodies to all youth at the event!
On a Quest
Thank you so much to our friends at Quest Nutrition for donating over 400 of their delicious snack bars to our JKL students at Sunset HS in Dallas!
Quest’s mission is to make the foods you crave work for you, not against you – we love that! They have been a generous supporter of ours for several years now, and these bars help give our students energy to get through their workouts. We’re so grateful!
Camila’s Tips: Easy Turkey Chili
Looking for a super easy, healthy, and tasty side dish for your dinner table?
We tried this in the WOT Test Kitchen a couple of months ago and have been making this dish on our regular rotation ever since. Give it a try and we promise this one will become a regular in your kitchen too.
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped • 1 small red onion, diced • 1 tsp cumin • 2 tbsp chili powder • 1 tbsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean, 7% fat) • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes with juice • 1/2 tsp sea salt
In a 6-quart pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, chopped jalapeno peppers, diced red onion, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika and cayenne (optional). Simmer for approximately 10 minutes until the onions and peppers soften.
Add the ground turkey and cook through and broken apart into small pieces.
Add the drained black beans, diced tomatoes, and salt. Stir and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and ass more salt or pepper if needed.
Ladle into bowls and top with any of your favorite garnishes and serve.
You will look more than “ALRIGHT” in this 100% acrylic made in the USA knit beanie. On the front you have the iconic phrase embroidered on the cuff in red, white and blue along with knit-in white stars and red stipes. The back is plain navy.
JKL students are LOVING Sing 2! Los Angeles members scored an invite to the film’s premiere, where they got to watch it under the stars outside at the famed Greek Theater.
The kids enjoyed a plethora of fun treats like corn dogs and churros, as well as glimpses of stars, including our Founder Matthew McConaughey, reprising his role as the eternally optimistic koala, Buster Moon. 50 JKL students and staff in Nashville were also treated to a special screening thanks to another one of the film’s stars, Reese Witherspoon and her husband, JKL Board Member Jim Toth. They got to safely gather in their very own theater and view the film before it was released. Thank you Reese and Jim! Check out Sing 2 in a theater near you!
TikTok Hosts Career Panel with JKL Students
We are beyond grateful to the amazing team at TikTok for hosting a career panel for our just keep livin student and teachers.
This opportunity allowed for our students to interact with professionals in different areas from TikTok to learn about what it takes to prepare for the fundamentals of working at their organization as well as what it takes to be successful in the world of work in general. Some of the skills touched upon were “Good Partnership Tips,” resume building and an overview of the beyond the scenes at their organization! Our students thoroughly enjoyed this interactive and informative session!
Carver JKL Program Partners with the Houston Texans
Even on the weekends, the JKL program at Carver High School is working!
On Sunday, December 5th, the program volunteered to pass out game day gate giveaways to all the Texan fans attending the Houston Texans/Indianapolis Colts game. The students were thrilled to be at NRG Stadium and be a part of all the excitement!
Carter Students Speak Up
Students at Carter High School in Dallas had the opportunity to attend a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Dak Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation.
The town hall consisted of local law enforcement, high school students and parents, mental health professionals and community leaders. Participants engaged in a great dialogue and shared ideas to help bring unity between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Camila’s Tips: Easiest Roasted Zucchini Ever
Looking for a super easy, healthy, and tasty side dish for your dinner table?
We tried this in the WOT Test Kitchen a couple of months ago and have been making this dish on our regular rotation ever since. Give it a try and we promise this one will become a regular in your kitchen too.
Ingredients • 2 lbs frozen brussels sprouts • 4 zucchini • 1 tsp Italian or Herbs de Provence seasonings • Extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper • 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Trim ends of zucchini and slice in half. Slice each half in half and the remaining strips in half one more time. One zucchini will give you 8 strips or a total of 32 strips using all the zucchini for this recipe. 3. Place all the zucchini strips in a roasting pan. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian or Herbs de Provence seasonings. 4. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the zucchini strips and with clean hands, gently toss and rotate the zucchini to get an even distribution of seasonings. 5. Place roasting pan in oven and cook for 20 minutes. 6. Remove pan from oven and using a spatula gently, move the zucchini strips in the pan to expose zucchini that hasn’t browned. Return roasting pan to the oven and cook for another 20 minutes until nicely browned. 7. Using two spatulas or large spoons, remove the zucchini strips from the pan and plate on a serving dish. 8. Sprinkle the finely shredded Parmesan cheese on top, the heat from the zucchini will melt the cheese. 9. Serve immediately.
Is it a shirt? Is it a jacket? However you decide to wear it, it’s a great layering piece to add to your JKL gear. Navy canvas with tan and gray plaid flannel lining embroidered with just keep livin and Pops.
Matthew McConaughey Named Philanthropist of the Year
We’d like to congratulate our just keep livin Foundation Founder Matthew McConaughey for being named Philanthropist of the Year by The Hollywood Reporter!
It’s a privilege to help bring Matthew’s passion and vision to life through our afterschool fitness and wellness programs. Whether Matthew is hopping on a plane to come comfort our students as they grieve the loss of their beloved teacher, or jumping into action after a natural disaster to help your fellow Texans in their time of need, he’s an inspiration to us all.
Thank you to The Hollywood Reporter for your support of our foundation.
We’re proud of our #jklivin students from East Austin College Prep for getting into the holiday spirit early this year. Just in time for Thanksgiving, they passed out free turkeys to their fellow students and their families!
Thank you Meta (formerly Facebook) for donating 300 turkeys to help make our Austin community’s “turkey day” a little happier. To make things even more special (and delicious), we added recipe cards to the turkeys that featured our very own Camila McConaughey’s recipe for Sweet Potatoes with Brussel Sprouts and Craisins. Check out the recipe below to try it for yourself!
MJ&M 2021 Fashion Committee with Featured Designer Andrea Lieberman/A.L.C.
Friday, November 12th was an incredible day in Austin, TX filled with fun, fashion, and giving back.
The Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) 2021 Fashion Show and Luncheon was presented in partnership with Neiman Marcus featuring designer Andrea Lieberman of A.L.C. It was a stellar runway show with A.L.C.’s stunning Fall and Holiday Collection looks coming down the runway followed by an outdoor luncheon and silent auction.
There was even a Neiman Marcus-presented A.L.C. pop up shop set up so guests could shop for a cause, with 10% of sales being donated to MJ&M. Kendra Scott, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Tito’s Handmade Vodka offered special touches at the event, and Clarins shared the glam with our guests. MJ&M is the joint fundraising effort of Matthew McConaughey, recording artist Jack Ingram, and coaching legend Mack Brown.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event for helping MJ&M #EmpowerKids!
BSSJ GETS CREATIVE WITH PAINTS
Our JKL students at The Brooklyn School for Social Justice in New York created beautiful masterpieces during JKL programming during November.
They tied in our November quote of the month of just finish- the students finished and created a painting that showed no matter where your road may take you, always continue on your path.
JKL Co-Founder Camila Alves McConaughey Wants Kids to “Just Try One Bite”
The healthy eating advocate and founder of Women of Today will release her first book, Just Try One Bite, with co-author Adam Mansbach.
The book features a funny role reversal in which picky-eater parents are confronted by their children. Camila writes from experience, as a mom herself to Levi (13), Vida (11), and Livingston (8). “When you get older, it gets harder to kick bad habits,” adds Alves McConaughey.
“Just Try One Bite is a fun way to teach those healthy habits early on.” Just Try One Bite will hit shelves on March 22, and is available for pre-order now.
Camila’s Tips: Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Craisins
Looking for a yummy holiday side dish that will impress guests and isn’t too hard to make?
Then you must try our recipe for these Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Craisins … It combines two of our all-time favorite holiday veggie sides: sweet potatoes + Brussels sprouts. It’s a really easy dish to make and takes only about 10 minutes to prep the entire thing (giving you more time to cook everything else!).
Ingredients • 2 lbs frozen Brussels sprouts • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp sea salt • 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper • 2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed) • 1.5 tbsp real maple syrup • 1/8 tsp cinnamon • 1/3 cup craisins
Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
FOR THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS: In one dark cookie sheet or baking pan combine the Brussel sprouts, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and place on one side of the oven, turning every 10 minutes or as needed. Roast for 45-60 minutes until browned and tender.
FOR THE SWEET POTATOES: In a ceramic baking combine the cubed sweet potatoes, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Toss to coat and place on the other side of the oven, turning every 10 minutes or as needed. Roast until tender and golden brown, 45-50 minutes.
Assemble In a serving dish, combine the cooked Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and add the craisins. This can be served immediately or made a head and reheated.
We’d like to wish our just keep livin Foundation founder, Matthew McConaughey, a very happy birthday today.
Like a nice bottle of Wild Turkey Longbranch bourbon, you are only getting better with age! As you embark on another year around the sun, may you continue to find joy in your family, your career, and your philanthropy. We are so lucky that your vision and values lead our foundation. Wishing you nothing but GREENLIGHTS!
JKL Students in Austin Enjoy a Fun Night Out
We are so grateful to two of our generous donors for hosting such a beautiful evening to honor and celebrate all of the Mack, Jack & McConaughey beneficiaries!
We’re so happy that some of our JKL students and teachers we able to attend and see a very special performance by Jack Ingram! It has been an honor to be partnered with CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift Foundation and the Rise School of Austin throughout the years through MJ&M. We are so blessed to get to impact so many lives together.
Hiking at Malibu State Park
On Thursday, October 28th, our JKL program at Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy took their students to enjoy a day of adventure, hiking, and exploration at Malibu State Park!
The students enjoyed hiking, swimming in the creek, a picnic, and being in the great outdoors!
Camila’s Tips: Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
What happens when you cross this seasons’ most in-demand coffee, a pumpkin spice latte, with pumpkin pie?
You get a creamy and delicious breakfast treat that’s packed with rich pumpkin spice flavors and will keep satisfied all morning long.
Our friend Carmen over at Every Last Bite has created this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats that we know you will love …. All you need is 5 minutes and 6 simple ingredients to make these overnight oats which are great as an on the go breakfast you can enjoy anywhere. These oats will last up to 4 days in the fridge, so make a double batch and you have breakfast for the week sorted, so easy!
Ingredients • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree • 2/3 cup almond milk • 3/4 cup oats • 2 tbsp chopped pecans • 1 1/2 tbsp organic honey 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Directions 1. In a bowl combine all of the ingredients and stir until well combined. 2. Divide the mixture between two jars or cups that are each at least 250ml in size. Cover and place in the fridge for minimum of 4 hours but ideally overnight. These oats can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
JKL Swag of the Month: New Pigment Dyed Long Sleeve Tee!
This pigment dyed long sleeve T-shirt will be your new go-to for the cooler weather! Pair it with jeans or under a vest. Don’t forget to email the store with you sportin’ any of your JKL gear.
We have an opportunity to win $25,000 for JKL while simultaneously strengthening our programs – AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
RAW Running, a local running group in Austin, TX and The Austin Marathon are a part of a challenge that Under Armour is putting on called the All Out Mile.
The gist of the challenge is simple: between October 1st and October 11th we need you to run an all-out mile and push yourself to your limit! The ‘team’ with the most runners to complete the challenge will win $15,000 from Under Armour and the Austin Marathon’s Austin Gives Miles program is generously adding $10,000 to the mix for a total of $25,000 prize money!
Just last year RAW and the Austin Marathon won us $20,000 – and they are currently in the lead. This year we want to get our volunteers, parents, and students involved with just one simple ask – run ONE mile. It doesn’t matter if you break 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or if this is your first ever mile! If you’re able, please get outside and enjoy the perfect fall weather wherever you are and help us, help JKL!
To sign up, follow the following steps (it only takes 5 minutes!):
1. Head to www.uaalloutmile.com 2. Join the ‘RAW + Austin Marathon’ team 3. When you sign up on FitRankings, you need to connect your ‘MapMyRun’ app. If you don’t have one, download or sign up at www.mapmyrun.com 4. Run 1 mile, to the best of your ability, between October 1st – October 11th.
That’s it! Thank you so much for your help and support!
We enjoyed getting together (virtually) with our just keep livin Foundation Board of Directors and Advisory Board to recap our 2021 programming and brainstorm for how to impact even more students in 2022.
Our theme for this year’s meeting was “Recalibration,” as we are excited to finally get back to in-person programming after 18 months of remote sessions. We have expanded our reach more than ever – 40 programs in 14 cities – and this kind of growth wouldn’t be possible without the support of our Board.
It takes a village to have the kind of impact our programs are having and we are so grateful for the support of Matthew and Camila and all of these generous and passionate individuals who have the biggest hearts and love to give back. We also want to thank Mrs. Christy Saldivar (pictured above), who runs the JKL program at Cesar Chavez High School in Houston, for the heartfelt speech she gave at the meeting.
She is adored by her students and we love how, under her leadership, the Chavez program has kept finding new ways to innovative during the pandemic. It was a productive annual meeting, and our staff left reinvigorated to help our students learn vital life skills and live healthier lives!
JKL Co-Founders Camila and Matthew McConaughey Give Back on 9/11
It was an honor for our Co-Founders, Camila and Matthew McConaughey, to participate in the Cantor Fitzgerald/BGC Partners 9/11 Charity Day for the fourth consecutive year.
Every year, Cantor Fitzgerald and their affiliates, BGC Partners and GFI Group, commemorate their 658 friends and colleagues and 61 Eurobrokers employees who perished on September 11, 2001 by distributing 100% of their global revenues on Charity Day to nonprofit organizations through their Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
Matthew and Camila love supporting this worth cause and they enjoyed the opportunity to visit virtually with CF clients and staff. We’re grateful to Cantor Fitzgerald for their ongoing support not only of family members of the victims of 9/11, but to dozens of charities all around the world including ours. Their generosity will allow us to serve even more young people throughout the country through our afterschool fitness and wellness programs.
Volunteer Day at Nissan Stadium:
On Sunday, September 26th, our Maplewood JKL program volunteered for the Tennessee Titans organization by passing out the Game Day Giveaway flags to the first 30,000 attendees!
Our students were met with lots of smiles and felt electrified by the enthusiasm of the fans! The Titans came away with a win that Sunday and thanks to our JKL volunteers, fans now are waving their Titans flags proudly. Our students love the opportunity to give back to their surrounding communities.
Program Spotlight: Animo South Los Angeles
Fall semester has officially started and we’re so excited that our just keep livin programs are back in action.
There’s nothing like seeing the smiles and sweat on our student’s faces in person. Our South Los Angeles JKL Program is kicking off their sixth year and are already off to a great start! Our instructors, Justine and Joanne, put together a safe and creative program plan each week that keeps the students coming back. “This year we can’t wait to start getting our field trips and community service going, especially since that was a component of JKL that was hard to execute online.
The students have already been so excited to work out, cook and talk about what they are grateful for” –ASLA JKL Instructors. The excitement and dedication we are already witnessing with our programs across the country is a sign that this will be a great year!
Camila’s Tips: Camila’s Quick Asian Coleslaw
We’ve all been there: You need to make a quick and healthy lunch but have no time.
Today, Camila is showing us her go-to easy Quick Asian Coleslaw — All using easy ingredients and pre-made items you can pick up at your local H-E-B store.
Ingredients • 1 package of H-E-B Power Slaw • 1 package H-E-B Organic Basil • H-E-B Rotisserie Chicken Salad (prepared foods) • H-E-B Meal Simple Kale Cranberry Salad (prepared foods)
DRESSING INGREDIENTS • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar • 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce • 1 lime, juiced • small pinch of salt (optional) • fresh ground pepper to taste
Directions FOR THE DRESSING: 1. Combine all ingredients and whisk or put in a jar and shake.
FOR THE COLESLAW: 1. Combine all salad ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add the H-E-B Power Slaw to the bowl and combine well. Let mixture sit in dressing for 10-15 minutes to help break down the slaw. 2. Begin making your individual bowls by adding a layer of the slaw, then add Meal Simple Kale Cranberry Salad on top of the slaw and top with a dollop of the H-E-B Rotisserie Chicken Salad.
In June, we hosted our Annual National Teacher Training! Although we were sad that we couldn’t see everyone in person again this year, it was so great to see all of the familiar faces virtually and welcome our new JKL instructors to the program!
The training was held via zoom with all of 41 programs present! Our theme this year was Recalibration, and after a year and a half of virtual JKL programming, all of our instructors agreed that they are thrilled to run in person programming again. We welcomed some new JKL programs at KIPP Nashville, Phoenix STEM Academy and IDEA charter school.
The event kicked off with a great stretching, breathing and meditation session led by Breathe, Rise + Thrive. We had dialogue about program struggles, celebrations and upcoming school year goals. We participated in a powerful writing workshop with our partners at the Kevin Love Fund. Our regional break out groups allowed staff to collaborate, share best practices, plan community service events, regional events, and spotlight students from this past year. We ended our training with a very special gratitude circle where many expressed appreciations for the JKL program, family, students and the overall sense of community that JKL provides. We are looking forward to all of our programs getting back to action this Fall and enhancing their JKL presence on campus!
Huge Thank You to Dell Technologies!
We are beyond grateful to Dell Technologies for their generosity and continued support of the just keep livin program by donating devices for our JKL students in Texas!
Our organizations would not be possible without the support of incredible partnerships like this as we continue to empower students, put an end to the digital divide, and make a positive impact on the students that we serve.
JKL Instructor Spotlight
As the 2021 school year comes to an end, we are saying “goodbye for now” to our Morse H.S. instructor, Winnona Dancy.
After 18 years of teaching home economics, food nutrition and 3 years with JKL she has retired from the classroom. Ms. Dancy brought great energy, empathy and skill building to the program. “I truly believe I was put on this earth to help kids become creative and independent.” – Ms Dancy. There were so many first time experiences she was able to witness within the JKL program.
Students had the chance to cook healthy dishes from scratch, run live races, attend fitness expos and hear from great guest speakers. We can only imagine how hard it is to retire from a career that was so fulfilling. Ms. Dancy is determined to stay involved with children during her retirement. She is looking forward to launching her etiquette business that will continue to help many students develop leadership skills and get prepared for life after high school. Ms. Dancy’s infectious smile and awesome cooking demos will be missed, we wish her nothing but the best in the next chapter of her life.
What Are You Grateful For?
“I’m grateful for my friends and family because they help me get through my lowest times in life.”
– Jariah, JKL Student
“I’m thankful for my JKL family and coaches for all of the life lessons they teach me that help me to grow”
– Rufus, JKL Student
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be back in person with my students.”
– Coach Nasara, JKL Instructor
Camila’s Tips: Savory Watermelon Salad
Here’s a different twist on a watermelon salad that is both savory and sweet!
When it comes to the flavors in this recipe, it’s the touch of the red onion and all the fresh herbs that take this watermelon salad to a whole new level. Make sure you don’t substitute with dried herbs so you can really get the incredible flavor! This salad is also gluten free, nut free and vegan optional (just leave out the cheese or substitute with a vegan feta alternative).
Ingredients 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves, chopped 2 limes, juiced 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar pinch of Salt to taste 1/2 seedless watermelon, cut into bite-size cubes 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
Directions In a large mixing bowl, combine the onion, cilantro, basil, mint, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt. Using a large spoon mix the ingredients together and let sit on the counter while you cut up your watermelon. Add the cut watermelon to the large mixing bowl with the dressing at the bottom. Top with the feta cheese. Using a large spoon, gently toss the watermelon and feta with the dressing at the bottom of the mixing bowl. After combined, transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh mint and a thin slice of watermelon. Serve immediately.
Garnish: Sprigs of fresh mint and a slice of watermelon
New “Sit and Chill”… Is it a cooler? Is it a seat? It’s Both!
This cooler will hold 18 cans of your favorite beverage and you (up to 200 Lbs.) It folds flat for easy storage. Has a pocket on the lid to hold your can coolers and a mesh pocket on each side.
Student Spotlight: Janaya & Jada, Venice H.S., Los Angeles
Twin sisters, Janaya and Jada have been faithful JKL students at Venice H.S. since freshman year.
Both have been very active in pursuing their unique goals through the JKL online programming this year. Janaya was able to develop her cooking skills, incorporate new ingredients and create recipes from scratch. Jada found support for her weight loss journey by joining our world calisthenics and strong nation workouts.
Despite the positive experiences they both had with online JKL programming, attending school via zoom had its challenges. Luckily, the JKL monthly Mental Health Monday sessions helped these sisters navigate the semester.
As they approach their last year of high school, they are focused on their academics as they are both hoping to attend a Historical Black College University. “Jada and Janaya are superb and exemplary JKL students who work hard in their academic growth and endeavors. Their leadership and dedication is a pleasure to watch” – Joy (JKL instructor).
JKL End of Year Celebrations!
The JKL New Visions program in New York hosted an awesome End of Year Celebration!
Mrs. Beyers, JKL instructor created a heart-warming presentation highlighting all of the amazing things the program has been able to accomplish throughout the school year, despite the extra challenges. Students received some fun awards like “Top Chef” for going above and beyond during nutrition demonstrations.
The group even created a collective board where each student could write things that they admire or like about the other JKL students. This was a much deserved celebration for our incredible students!
UCLA Psychology Connects: Perspectives on Happiness
Our founder, Matthew McConaughey joined the UCLA department of Psychology alongside Kevin Love for a very special salon on the perspectives of happiness, the importance of setting meaningful goals and the ways in which mindfulness and gratitude can be used as a resource.
We are so grateful to Michelle Craske, co-director of the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge, for leading the conversation. As Kevin Love said, “action is what defines us” and we are so grateful to Kevin for taking an active role in fighting the stigma around mental health! We are proud to work with the Kevin Love Fund with our JKL students and his Mental Health initiatives and honored to have been a part of this discussion.
K’s for a Cause to benefit just keep livin
Through Ks for a Cause, Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers provides financial support and highlights various local nonprofit organizations focused on STEM and/or youth programming in the greater Los Angeles area.
For every strikeout (K) during the regular season, Bauer will donate $1,000. Each month, a different nonprofit organization is designated. We are thrilled that just keep livin was chosen as the May beneficiary, receiving a total of $45,000 in donations! We are truly so grateful to Trevor and the entire Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for choosing JKL!
Rachel Miriam X Camila McConaughey: Just Keep Breathin’ Collection
Rachel Miriam partnered with Camila McConaughey to create a special Just Keep Breathin’ Collection.
Through this adorable collection of personalized essentials for meditation, mindfulness and gratitude, Rachel is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to just keep livin!
Adia Larzeia attending Prairie View A & M University
Brittany Valenzuela attending UCLA
Erin Crittenden attending Texas Christian University on full ride scholarship
Camila’s Tips: Mini Pepper Dippers
Ingredients 1.5-2 lbs. ground turkey (not lean ground turkey) 3 tbsp olive oil divided 4 jalapeño or serrano chili peppers, chopped remove seed and ribs if you want less heat 1 large onion diced 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp chili powder 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 lb. baby sweet peppers They are usually sold in 1lb bags – washed and split in half lengthwise, removing seeds and stem.
Directions STEP 1 In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and chopped jalapeño or serrano peppers. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let cool for 10 minutes.
STEP 2 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
STEP 3 In a mixing bowl. Add turkey, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and option cayenne.
Top the turkey and spices with the cooled onion and pepper mixtures.Combine the turkey, spices and cooked pepper and onion mixture together.
STEP 4 In a large low edge casserole dish, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to bottom.
Using a small spoon, fill each mini pepper half with the turkey seasoned mixture and placed into the greased casserole dish.
Move the pepper around the dish to evenly spread the olive oil. This will prevent the peppers from sticking to the casserole dish when baking.
Once your peppers are stuffed, place into the over for 30-45 minutes or until browned on top.
Remove from oven and serve with your favorite salsa or salad, or both.
Enjoy! Beijos – Camila
Swag of the Month
JKL Plastic Stadium Cups: Made in the USA, BPA free and recyclable. Great for the beach, camping or just hanging out in your backyard.
Freshman JKL student, Hanna, like many other students across the country, started her high school experience entirely virtual. When she realized the COVID-19 pandemic was staying longer than anticipated and online learning would be her new norm, Hanna decided to join the New Visions JKL afterschool program.
She had the benefit of hearing many positive reviews from her cousin, a JKL alumni. It was the JKL program that helped launch Hanna into a fun weight loss journey! Since joining the program Hanna has lost 21 pounds through fun, high-energy dance classes and sweaty HIIT workouts.
Mental Health Mondays have been a highlight for Hanna getting through stressful school days and coping with being an only child at home. Hanna expressed, “Mental Health Mondays have encouraged me to keep my head up during the times I felt alone and provided me with calming breathing techniques for when I start overthinking.” After Hanna completes high school, she would like to obtain an engineering degree focused on coding while also pursuing an acting career.”
Hanna is a student who is full of wisdom and energy… No matter what is going on, she sees the positive and brings light to everything she is involved in. Hanna has been such a great asset to our JKL program,” says Ms. Byers. We look forward to seeing Hanna and the New Visions JKL program continue to thrive!
Mack, Jack & McConaughey Fundraiser
Although the event may have looked slightly different this year, the Mack, Jack & McConaughey fundraiser was a huge success!
The first evening kicked off with an incredible performance by Parker McCollum. The next day included a golf tournament and fashion brunch with a beautiful performance by Jessi Alexander where she sang a few of her #1 hits!
We are beyond grateful to Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall and Jack Ingram for their raw performance of The Marfa Tapes! Huge thanks to our sponsors and donors who continuously show up to support the amazing organizations who benefit from this event; CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, The Rise School and just keep livin Foundation. Our hearts are full of gratitude with the fantastic turnout!
American Airlines Career Panel
A huge thank you to our amazing partners at American Airlines for hosting a career panel for our JKL students and staff in April!
We are so grateful to each of our guest speakers for taking the time to allow our students to interact with members of the AA team from a variety of positions to learn about the different career opportunities within the airlines industry and what it takes to be successful in the world of work in general.
The Ultimate Self-Care Workshop
Our JKL program in West Charlotte partnered with McCrorey YMCA to deliver gift boxes to their JKL students filled with fitness equipment and self-care items!
The group met together via zoom to discuss how to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally! It was a day full of smiles, helpful tips, and happy students!
What Are You Grateful For?
Hear from our just keep livin students…
“I am grateful for JKL, this workout, the roof over my head, my family, everything I have in my life because it’s there for a reason.” – Chrystal, JKL Student
“I am thankful for my Mom because she has put me through high school and because it has been tough but I am graduating this year!” – Jennifer, JKL Student
“I am grateful to be back in person with my kiddos.” – Coach Nasarra, JKL Instructor
Camila’s Tips: Camila’s Yuca Fries
Ingredients 1-2 whole yucas Oil for frying (avocado or another high heat oil) Sea Salt
Directions 1. Place a large pot on stove, fill with water up to 3 inches from the top and begin to bring water to a boil. 2. Remove ends of yucca. Cut yuca into 4” long pieces and remove the skin. (See video for tip on removing skin) 3. Place whole 4” peeled pieces into boiling water and cook until tender, approximately 25–30 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the cooked yucca from water, let cool slightly and slice lengthwise to give you your “fries”. Sometimes you will find thicker stringy root that runs in the middle of the yuca, remove it when slicing, discard. 4. Bring your oil to frying temperate and gently place each fry into the oil.
*Beginners tip: to know if you oil is hot enough place a small piece of yucca into oil to see if it starts bubbling in oil. Or another way is using the base of the handle of a wooden spoon and placing that in the oil and bubbles will start to form around the wood.
5. After about a minute, gently turn the yuca fries in the oil to get golden brown. 6. Remove the fries and drain on a paper towel. While still hot, sprinkle fries with sea salt to taste. 7. Fries can be served with ketchup or as I like it, hot sauce!
*Alternately, the Yuca can also be boiled, drained, and then topped with a little butter or your favorite topping that you would use for a baked potato.
Me personally, I make a batch of the boiled yuca and keep in fridge for the week. It makes a great satisfying snack.
Matthew, Camila, and the just keep livin team are working hard to support relief efforts in Matthew's home town. Click here to donate and help support our relief efforts.
