Month: December 2021

MY WAY DAY

MIND

John Jay 1745

Jay lived and died quietly, not on a battlefield or in a duel with Aaron Burr, but in his library, at age 83. He was not a humorist like Franklin, or intemperate like Hamilton, but dependable and unusually honorable.

*Live and die the way you want to. Regardless of your peers, be dependable and live honorably.

What makes you different from your peers?

BODY

Jennifer Connelly 1970

“My nickname on the cross-country team at Stanford was ‘Death Grip’ because I was so slow. Basically, I was the team mascot.” 

“Now I run 6 to 10 miles on trails through the woods at our place up in the country.”

*Run for 6-10 miles on trails today. It’s OK if you run ‘Death Grip’ slow. Watch Connelly win an Oscar in A Beautiful Mind for motivation.

SOUL

Dionne Warwick 1940

Dionne Warwick got her start in gospel music and says she has never abandoned her faith or her church.

*Do not abandon your faith or the church. Listen to Dionne Warwick for inspiration.

How is your faith these days?

MONEY

Tony Hsieh 1973

“Have fun. The game is a lot more enjoyable when you’re trying to do more than just make money.”

*The year is almost over. If you haven’t started your dream business yet, don’t stress. Have fun. It is your passion project. Buy yourself a new pair of shoes from Zappos.

ENTERTAINMENT

Frank Sinatra 1915 – watch From Here to Eternity

*Watch Sinatra win an Oscar in From Here to Eternity. Listen to his music too.

FOOD

Bob Barker 1923 – pasta primavera with roasted vegetables

Barker has been an active “vegetarian for about 35 years”. His favorite foods are pasta primavera and vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and asparagus.

“Eating meat means you have much greater chance of losing your mind!”

*Come on down and make pasta primavera with roasted vegetables. Remember that Barker is closing in on 100 – so he’s doing something right. Only buy ingredients if the price is right.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-primavera-recipe-1942131

CROSSOVER: BODY – He took karate lessons from Chuck Norris – turning his garage into a dojo of sorts. He did it until he was 70+ years old. This is how he beat the shit out of Happy Gilmore.

SNUB – William Lloyd Garrison 1805

TOAD IN THE HOLE DAY

MIND

Mos Def 1973

“It’s one thing to be the greatest; it’s another thing to be necessary. The best are the most necessary: those who take less than they give and love more than they hate.”

*How can you be the best?

BODY

Hailee Steinfeld 1996

“I shadowbox all the time with my dad, so if I don’t have my dad with his hitting gloves on, I’ll just hit the air in my very small hotel room on the road.”

*Shadowbox in your room. Watch Hailee almost win an Oscar in True Grit for motivation.

BONUS: Running songs by Mos Def

*Download songs by Mos Def and listen to them while shadowboxing.

https://jog.fm/workout-songs/by/mos-def.mos-def

SOUL

John Kerry 1943

“I don’t wear my own faith on my sleeve. But faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday. I don’t want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God’s side. And whatever our faith, one belief should bind us all: the measure of our character is our willingness to give ourselves for others and for our country.”

*Don’t long for God to be on your side, be on his side.

MONEY

Nikki Sixx 1958

“Artists do things that are not becoming to them because they run out of money,”

“So take 20 percent of everything you make – if you have a dollar, take 20 cents and that is gone forever. Until you are at least 50, you don’t ever touch it! You have your overheads, your rent, mortgage, kids or car for the 80 cents. Then 20 cents cannot be touched and if you do that and you make $1,000, then its $200 – you make $1 million and it’s $200,000. Live on the street and be homeless before you touch that money – it will give you attrition that you are able to make the right decision for yourself. It isn’t just for artists – I suggest it will allow you to not have to do things that you are ashamed of, and that in the end is really what money is about, the freedom to be honorable – and if you can figure that out, you will never do anything you are embarrassed by.”

*Solid MONEY advice from an 80s rocker? Save 20% of everything you make for the rest of this year and take that momentum in to the new year. Listen to Motley Crue for motivation.

Start your Motley Crue savings account

ENTERTAINMENT

Rita Moreno 1931 – watch West Side Story (1961)

*Watch Rita Moreno win an Oscar in West Side Story.

FOOD

Marco White 1961 – toad in the hole

The ‘toad’ is English slang for sausage. It’s like Welsh Rabbit (which isn’t a rabbit), or Scotch Woodcock (which isn’t a woodcock, either).

*Enjoy Marco White’s Toad in the Hole recipe.

https://cakejunki.blogspot.com/2015/11/toad-in-hole.html

SNUB – Samantha Ponder 1985

BEAT BOBBY FLAY DAY

MIND

Emily Dickinson 1830

“We turn not older with years, but newer every day.”

*Read some Emily Dickinson poetry and reflect on becoming newer every day.

How did you become newer today?

BODY

Kenneth Branagh 1960

“I’m a man of certain age who’s come to enjoy yoga,” “I came to it later in life, but lately, it’s a necessary thing.”

*Hopefully throughout this year, you have come to enjoy yoga. Maybe it’s even a necessary thing that you will continue to do on a regular basis.

SOUL

Joe Burrow 1996

“Coming from southeast Ohio, it’s a very impoverished area and the poverty rate is almost two times the national average,” he said. “There’s so many people there that don’t have a lot and I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here too.”

A campaign was started to the Athens County Food Pantry and the food bank raked in more than $350,000 in donations and provided more than 100,000 meals.

*How can you help people from your hometown that need it most?

MONEY

Raven Symone 1985

She is not content with her $55 million net worth and wants Zuck to help make her richer.

*You can either be content with your money or always looking to make more. There’s nothing to be learned here, it comes down to your personality. Both ways of thinking have been suggested throughout the year.

Which way suits you best?

ENTERTAINMENT

Michael Clarke Duncan 1957 – watch The Green Mile

*Watch Michael Clarke Duncan almost win an Oscar in The Green Mile.

FOOD

Bobby Flay 1964 – beer brats

National Lager Day – December 10

*On National Lager Day, use your favorite lager in Bobby Flay’s recipe for beer brats. Enjoy eating them while watching The Green Mile.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/beer-brats-recipe-2012167

BONUS – Tacko Fall 1995 – feel free to add some tacos to your National Lager Day party. 

SNUB – Emmanuelle Chriqui 1975

DICK BUTKUS DAY

MIND

John Malkovich 1953

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? “If one could shut off the modern world and all the information that flows, not necessarily into your brain but at your face, and doesn’t benefit anything or make one better informed.”

*Be John Malkovich and look to improve the quality of your life today. For as long as you can, shut off the modern world of social media. See if you can go all day.

BODY

Dick Butkus 1942

Butkus did not workout during his playing days, can you imagine how unfair it would have been if he did?

*We are almost to the end of the year. Look in the mirror with your shirt off.

What are your thoughts?

BONUS: McKayla Maroney 1995

“I ran on a treadmill to get back the flow of my runs; my rhythm was way off. I also rode the bike because doing so put less pressure on my joints. I also did gymnastic-centric moves like jumping on a mat to work on my balance and focused on my flexibility.”

*If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, get back on track like Maroney did. Don’t act like you’re not impressed.

SOUL

Donny Osmond 1957

“My faith also really helped me, though for a time, I wondered why my prayers were not being answered.  I have come to know that God gives each of us challenges to overcome, maybe to keep us humble and learn to rely on the love and forgiveness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It has also become clear to me that a part of the divine plan is to help us grow, to become stronger, which, of course is facilitated by the challenges we face.”

*How did you use the challenges of today to grow and become stronger?

God is giving you challenges to keep you humble- rely on the love and forgiveness of your Savior.

MONEY

Lori Greiner 1969

“In business, there are no “nos.” There is just, “How can I?”

*Don’t take “no” for an answer. Spin it around and ask, “How can I make things work?”

ENTERTAINMENT

Judi Dench 1934 – watch Shakespeare in Love

*Watch Judi Dench win an Oscar (nominated 7 times) in Shakespeare in Love.

FOOD

Redd Foxx 1922 – Sanford and Son Mofongo

Fred and Lamont’s new Puerto Rican neighbor, Julio Fuentes invites Lamont over for dinner. Lamont explains to Fred that Julio made “a dish of some stuff that was terrific” about mofongo.

*Make mofongo and wash it down with Fred G. Sanford’s favorite – Ripple.

https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/puerto-rican-mofongo/4bbe2916-080c-4205-8edc-6962f646c7bd

SNUB – Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo) 1962 and Jesse Metcalfe (John Rowland) 1978

LIGHT MY FIRE DAY

MIND

David Carradine 1936

“If you trust yourself, any choice you make will be correct. If you do not trust yourself, anything you do will be wrong.” 

*Trust yourself – see what happens.

BODY

Dwight Howard 1985

“If you want a great body, the first thing you have to start doing is running. Getting up early, running, drinking a lot of water, and doing something that’s really going to push your body to the limit, like boxing. Or some type of crazy cardio, like spinning.”

“Then, your diet. People think it’s all about what you do in the gym, but it starts with your diet. Once you get your diet right, you can start doing more running and different types of cardio.”

“And push-ups! Lots of push-ups.”

*Get up early and run []

water [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

boxing workout []

lots of push-ups []

SOUL

Sammy Davis Jr. 1925

He overcame addictions to drugs, gambling, and alcohol. He was the victim of racist threats when he married Swedish actress May Britt; that interracial relationship cost him billing at President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961. Davis received hate mail. One person wrote, “Dear Nigger Bastard, I see that Frank Sinatra is going to be the best man at your abortion.”

*Listen to Sammy Davis Jr. songs today and use his story as an example of perseverance.

MONEY

Jim Morrison 1943

Dead at 27, his will left his entire estate to his girlfriend, provided she survived him by 3 months.  If Courson, his “primary beneficiary,” didn’t survive him, then Morrison’s property would instead pass to his brother and sister, his “secondary beneficiaries.” When she died less than 3 years after Morrison, his property all passed to the girlfriend’s parents – not to his parents or brother and sister.

*The key part of this planning is not just asking the question of where the property goes if my primary beneficiary does not survive me, but also where it goes if he or she does. 

Who is your primary beneficiary?

What happens after their passing?

Who is your secondary beneficiary?

ENTERTAINMENT

Kim Basinger 1953 – watch L.A. Confidential

*Watch Basinger win an Oscar in L.A. Confidential.

CROSSOVER: FOOD – Cherry Jalapeno Honey Mexican Pork

Mickey Rourke woos Kim Basinger by teasing her with maraschino cherries and jalapeños. But the honey he puts on her tongue turns their sexy game into a real deal romp on the kitchen floor.

*Make this cherry jalapeno honey Mexican pork so you have cherries, jalapenos, and honey left in the fridge to use after watching Basinger in 9 ½ Weeks.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/201990/cherry-jalapeno-mexican-pork/

FOOD

Phillip Rivers 1981

His food of choice is his mom’s “Pork chops, sauerkraut, onions, maybe a few home fries,”

*Gather all your kids around the dinner table and eat Phillip’s favorite.

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pork-chops-with-sauerkraut/094336fb-d41b-4c12-a402-4e9080cc6847

SNUB – AnnaSophia Robb 1993

NOAM CHOMSKY DAY

MIND

Noam Chomsky 1928

Excerpted from Chronicles of Dissent, 1992

Question: About the Pearl Harbor attack: you have a non-traditional view of the events leading up to that.

Chomsky: About an hour before Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked Malaya. That was a real invasion. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the colony, the military base on a colony of the U.S. An act of aggression, but on the scale of atrocities, attacking the military base on the colony is not the highest rank. 

*Start reading Chronicles of Dissent by Noam Chomsky today. Chomsky feels the abuses, cruelty, and hypocrisies of power more intensely than anyone.

BODY

Larry Bird 1956

In the loneliness of Boston Garden, Bird shot more than 300 practice shots. “I really don’t count my shots,” Bird said. “I just shoot until I feel good.”

*Get a friend to rebound for you as you take more than 300 shots. Shoot until you feel good.

CROSSOVER: FOOD – “In 2 ½ weeks I was off I ate ten gallons of ice cream and seven weddin’ cakes,” 

“I ate weddin’ cakes ’cause you knew they was gonna be good. Who would fuck up a weddin’ cake?”

SOUL

Emily Browning 1988

Did you grow up with religion? “I didn’t, actually. My dad is an atheist. When I was six, I asked, “What happens when you die?” He gave the same answer my character Laura gives in American Gods: “You go in the ground and worms eat you.”

*What do you think happens when you die?

MONEY

Yasiel Puig 1990

Puig did not seem too disturbed by the home burglary.

“I have too much f–king money in my life,” “I ain’t worried about that s–t. I have a f–king lot of money.”

*Money is not the key to happiness and that’s why some people feel like they have too much of it. Maybe Yasiel should invest in home security and donate what he saves to charity.

Investigate installing home security

ENTERTAINMENT

Ellen Burstyn 1932 – watch Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

*Watch Ellen Burstyn win an Oscar in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

FOOD

Sara Bareilles 1979 -pizza and hamburger

Do you still struggle with weight? “I’m comfortable, but I’m careful with what I eat. I’m still the pizza and hamburger girl, but I don’t do it a lot. It’s tough on the road when you pull off at the 97th truck stop of the day and have to choose between Wendy’s and McDonald’s again. It’s challenging.”

*Be a hamburger and pizza person today. Choose between Wendy’s and McDonald’s.

BONUS: Terrell Owens 1973 – “Get your popcorn ready” 

*Make perfect popcorn to celebrate Hall of Famer Terrell Owens’ birthday.

https://food52.com/recipes/24215-perfect-popcorn

SNUB – Johnny Bench 1947

GREEK FREAK DAY

MIND

Steven Wright 1955

“A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.” “A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.”

*Have a bad memory today. Clear your conscience and make all your other parts feel so good.

BODY

Giannis Antetokounmpo 1994

“The best fitness tip I’ve received is to take care of your body before and after hard workouts. It’s important to stretch and address any injuries as soon as they happen.”

*Your reminder to take care of your body by stretching and address any injuries.

SOUL

Ryan White 1971

God chose Ryan to sow compassion in the heart of the nation.

*God will choose you to do his work. Are you listening?

MONEY

Sabrina Ionescu 1997

“Ducks Nation — I’ll see you next year. Let’s see some packed houses. Kobe — I’ll see you next year, too. Hope you keep watching. And WNBA — I’ll see you soon. Real soon, I promise. Just have some business to take care of first.”

*Make sure you take care of personal business before you dedicate your life to actual business.

ENTERTAINMENT

Judd Apatow 1967

Pineapple Express(2008, producer)                                Superbad(2007, producer)

Knocked Up(2007, writer, director, producer)

The 40-Year-Old Virgin(2005, writer, director, producer) Bridesmaids(2011, producer)

*On Judd Apatow’s birthday watch at least one of his top 5 movies again.

FOOD

Andrew Cuomo 1957

Q: Favorite food and restaurant?         A: “Anything on the menu at the Mount Kisco Diner.”

The “Instagram Favorites” on the Mount Kisco website can provide a whole day of gluttony.

Breakfast: COOKIE MONSTER PANCAKES – Blue Infused Pancakes, Signature Chocolate Chip Cookie Center and side of Whipped Cream []

Lunch: BRONX TALE WRAP – Breaded Chicken Cutlet, Mozz. Cheese, Pesto and Bacon with Fries []

Dinner: CHICKEN VODKA TACOS – Breaded Chicken Cutlet, filled with Penne Vodka and Mozzarella []

BONUS: Irv Robbins 1917 – Honey Almond Greek Frozen Yogurt for dessert

“We don’t just sell ice cream; we sell fun.”

CROSSOVER: MONEY – The job at a Baskin-Robbins in Honolulu “wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it taught me some valuable lessons,” Obama wrote. “Responsibility. Hard work. Balancing a job with friends, family and school.”

*Go to your local Baskin Robbins and get some Greek yogurt for dessert, combining the birthdays of Irv Robbins and the Greek Freak – Giannis Antetokounmpo.

SNUB – Sarah Rafferty 1972

BARF BOULDER DAY

MIND

Martin Van Buren 1782

“OK” came from the 1840 reelection campaign of Van Buren. Born in Kinderhook, N.Y., he had the nickname “Old Kinderhook.” Supporters used the shortened “OK” in rallies, and it took off from there.

*Any time you hear someone say “ok” today, tell them that it’s Martin Van Buren’s birthday and explain how “ok” came to be.

BODY

Christian Yelich 1991

“We’ve got a rock out there we call Barf Boulder,” Carpetta said. “Yelich is out there puking just like all the rest of the guys.”

*Find your own “Barf Boulder” and work out until you’re puking like MLB MVP Christian Yelich.

SOUL

Paula Patton 1975

“I enjoy all religions. I’m a Christian who has always enjoyed Christmas and who believes in Jesus, but I don’t belong to any particular denomination.”

*Here is your reminder that there are only 20 days until Christmas!

Which religions do you enjoy and why?

MONEY

Little Richard 1932

His first hit single, “Tutti Fruity,” was purchased for $50, and Little Richard’s contract gave him only half a cent for each record sold.

“I was a dumb black kid and my mama had 12 kids and my daddy was dead,” “I wanted to help them, so I took whatever was offered.”

By the time “Tutti Frutti” had sold 500,000 copies, Little Richard only earned $25,000 from it. 

*Always read the contract and fight for what you deserve.

ENTERTAINMENT

Walt Disney 1901 – watch Snow White and Seven Dwarfs (1937)

He won 22 Oscars. Watch the one that got him an Honorary Oscar for significant screen innovation.

*What memories did this bring back?

FOOD

Margaret Cho 1968 – beer can chicken

“I think the most beautiful, simple, poetic thing to make is a roasted whole chicken. Just rub the thing with cut lemons and good oil AND butter, stuff the cavity with the same lemons, stick in a hot oven – make sure to cover the top of chicken loosely with foil for the first 30 min so it doesn’t burn. It’s easy and really delicious and satisfying. Put a half empty beer can inside the chicken too! That’s a fantastic trick! It flavors and moistens the meat as well as cooking it faster from the inside!”

*Enjoy making this beer can chicken while listening to Little Richard. Enjoy eating it while watching a Disney movie of your choice.

https://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/04/01/talking-with-margaret-cho/

Get some Tutti Fruiti ice cream for dessert.

SNUB – George Armstrong Custer 1839 – don’t underestimate your enemies today

EMBRACE THRIFTINESS DAY

MIND

Jay Z 1969

“I’m hungry for knowledge. The whole thing is to learn every day, to get brighter and brighter. That’s what this world is about. You look at someone like Gandhi, and he glowed. Martin Luther King glowed. Muhammad Ali glows. I think that’s from being bright all the time and trying to be brighter.”

*This quote, from the best rapper alive, sums up 365DOLF.

BODY

Niykee Heaton 1994

A DIGITAL PDF GUIDE THAT LEADS YOU THROUGH 7 DAYS OF INTENSE, DETOXIFYING TRANSFORMATION. THIS GUIDE WAS CREATED BY NIYKEE, AS A TOOL TO HELP IMPROVE HER OVERALL HEALTH WHILE LOWERING TOXICITY LEVELS. A 7 DAY MEAL GUIDE, RELYING ON SOUPS, SHAKES AND JUICES.

*Download her PDF guide and start your 7-day detox.

SOUL

Nick Vujicic 1982

“No matter what you’ve done, no matter how bad you’ve blown it, God stands ready to accept and forgive you. He is waiting for you and His door is wide open.”

*It’s been a long year. It’s nice to know that God is willing to forgive your sins for an entire year. Check out his website for more inspiration.

https://lifewithoutlimbs.org/

God forgives you.

MONEY

Tyra Banks 1973

Embrace Thriftiness

Banks enjoys leading a thrifty life. She admits to taking hotel shampoo and soap from her room.

*Embrace thriftiness today. See how cheap you can be. Check out the Zen habits for 50 tips for frugal living.

The Cheapskate Guide: 50 Tips for Frugal Living

ENTERTAINMENT

Jeff Bridges – watch Crazy Heart

*Watch Bridges win an Oscar in Crazy Heart.

BONUS: Marisa Tomei 1964 – watch her win an Oscar in My Cousin Vinny

FOOD

Dennis Wilson 1944 – crock pot Beach Boys roast hoagies

*Listen to Jay-Z and the Beach Boys while making their crock pot roast hoagies, then enjoy said hoagies while watching The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart, and My Cousin Vinny,

Crock-Pot Beach Boy’s Roast Hoagies

Wash it down with a Big Lebowski White Russian.

https://www.thekitchn.com/the-celluloid-p-16-8755

SNUB – Francisco Franco 1892

MY GIRL DAY

MIND

Anna Chlumsky 1980

Only Hang Out with Those Who Are Intellectually Stimulating.

*Try doing this today. It’s easier said than done. See if doing this makes your day better and then try to make it a habit if it does. Watch My Girl for motivation.

BODY

Amanda Seyfried 1985 – 5 Phase Workout

You’ll Need: A jump rope, a set of dumbbells, a floor mat, bench with an incline feature.

How it Works: 25 minutes long and broken into five 5-minute phases.

PHASE 1: 5 Minutes of Cardio Warm-Up []

PHASE 2: 5 Minutes of Upper-Body Strength Training: Bent-Over Dumbbell Rows []

PHASE 3: 5 Minutes of Lower-Body Strength Training: Reverse Lunges []

PHASE 4: 5 Minutes of Core Training: Double Crunches []

PHASE 5: 5 Minutes (or longer) of Fat-Burning Cardio Work []

*Train like Amanda Seyfried. Check off each phase. Watch her almost win an Oscar in Mank

SOUL

Benny Hinn 1952

“To experience a deeper dimension of God’s presence, your soul must hunger and thirst for God in the same way a deer pants for the safety and sustenance of water.”

*With just a month left, hopefully you have formed a deeper relationship with God or a deeper understanding of spirituality and your soul.

MONEY

Ozzy Osbourne 1948

“The guys at Metal Casino told me that their brand was all about being true, relevant and dedicated to the customer and that really resonated with me,”

“To me, that translated as keeping it real, keeping it original, and doing it all for your fans, and that’s all I’ve been trying to do my whole life.”

*With a month to go, hopefully your business plan is set – following Ozzy’s lead would be wise.

How will you keep it real?

Keep it original?

Do it for your fans?

ENTERTAINMENT

Julianne Moore 1960 – watch Still Alice

The present is a time that will not come again, so we should make the most of it while we can.

*Watch Julianne Moore win an Oscar in Still Alice.

BONUS – watch Chloe

Two of our birthday girls share more than a birthday. Amanda Seyfried and Julianne Moore star in the movie Chloe and share a few up close scenes together. NSFW

FOOD

Tiffany Haddish 1979

Breakfast – leftover chicken and fresh juice made with fruits and vegetables from her garden. Kale, chard, celery and strawberries, which she eats “right from the dirt.” []

Snack – dried apricots with almonds [] Lunch – a trip to Mel’s Fish Shack for some fried red snapper []

Snack – dill pickles dipped in Kool-Aid powder [] Dinner – “expensive food” like steak and lobster []

*Eat like Tiffany Haddish throughout today.

SNUB – Brendan Fraser 1968