Author: Sarah Clinton

On January 17, all branches of the South Sound YMCA (Briggs, Plum Street, and Shelton) will be honoring the National Day of Racial Healing by hosting special programs featuring special guest instructors and presenters centered around the healing arts. These programs will be in addition to our regularly scheduled classes and will be open to the public.

Briggs Community YMCA:

• Tai Chi Intermediate – 9 – 10:15am
• Tai Chi Beginner – 10:15 – 11am
• Vocal Yoga – 11:00am
• Community Drum Circle – 11 – 11:50am and 12:05 – 12:55pm
• Yoga Flow – 5:45pm

Plum Street YMCA:

• Tai Chi Intermediate – 6:45 – 7:45am
• Chair Yoga – 9 – 9:45am
• Les Mills BODYFLOW – 5:30pm

Shelton Family YMCA

• YMCA360 demo + raffle with our “Prime Timers’ facilitator, Martha Sweeney – 4 – 5pm
• Drum and chant gathering with Yogi Karen Lee – 5 – 6pm
• Guided singing bowl meditation with volunteer Pam LaFayette – 6 – 7pm

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This annual observance is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and was created with and builds on the work and learnings of the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) community partners. Fundamental to this day is a clear understanding that racial healing is at the core of racial equity. This day is observed every year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The National Day of Racial Healing is a time to contemplate our shared values and create the blueprint together for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. Launched on Jan. 17, 2017, it is an opportunity to bring ALL people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

By Lesli Baker and Bryan Irion

Happy Healthy New Year! Have you ever heard of the “Meatless Monday” Movement? Meatless Monday is a global movement that encourages people to reduce meat in their diet for their health and the health of the planet. The campaign was started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, the Founder of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.  

Eating less meat and more healthy plant-based foods can help reduce the incidence of chronic preventable diseases, preserve precious land and water resources, and combat climate change. 

Meatless Monday’s simple message to “skip meat once a week” works because it provides a regular cue to take action on Monday, which research shows is the day people are most open to making positive changes. Starting each week practicing Meatless Monday can lead people to eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based meals throughout the rest of the week. 

Our Membership Director Bryan Irion gave Meatless Mondays a try in 2022 and has plans for the New Year to do it again! We thought we should share his experience, and perhaps you would like to join Bryan in this healthy Meatless Monday endeavor! 

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From Bryan:  

I had a close friend who told me in February 2022 that they participated in “Meatless Monday’s” and was raving about the results. I decided to join in and began a 12-week journey of Meatless Mondays! I am probably like you and love meat (I still do). But I wanted to do something meaningful and open myself up to something that has many benefits. My goal is start “Meatless Monday’s” again in January 2023. Join me!

What is Meatless Monday?

Meatless Monday is a very basic concept that can not only help your own health benefits but also the health of our planet! The concept is simple – no eating meat on Mondays!

Why Mondays?

For me – Monday is an opportunity for a fresh start to a new week. During my 12-week Meatless Mondays I felt energized and prepared knowing that I was accomplishing something! It kickstarted my week. To me, having a productive Monday = a great chance to have a productive week! By week 3 I enjoyed and embraced my Sunday night routine of preparing for my meatless Mondays!

Why Meatless?

Meatless Monday can make a big difference for your health and the health of our planet. Replacing meat with plant-based choices each Monday can offer many health benefits and help you act against climate change by reducing your carbon footprint and conserving precious environmental resources.

My favorites Monday eats:

Breakfast –

• Oatmeal with Mixed Nuts, Berries, & Brown Sugar
• Scrambled eggs with fried diced white sweet potatoes, spinach, and feta cheese

Lunch –

• Mixed greens salad with radishes, hard boiled eggs, crunchy onions, spicy ranch
• Tuna Sandwich with pickles and siracha on flatbread

Dinner –

• Black Bean Burger with Roasted Veggies
• Riced Cauliflower bowl with veggies & avocado
• Quinoa & Brown Rice Tacos
• Cauliflower patty (delicious – found at safeway) with waffled sweet potato fries

Top Benefits for me:

• Weight Loss – 8 pounds in 12 weeks!
• Energy Levels were way up! Improved workout routine.
• Saved Money! Meat is expensive!
• Gave me overall confidence to step out of my comfort zone and try something new

By Lesli Baker

Happy Holidays! There are many holidays this time of year!

I thought that I might share a few with you, as each of our valuable YMCA members may observe a holiday different from each other! A wonderful way to celebrate our diverse community to know and appreciate the Traditions of our neighbors.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to burn for eight straight nights.

Hanukkah celebrations revolve around lighting the menorah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Typically, blessings are recited and traditional Hanukkah foods such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are fried in oil. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with dreidels and exchanging gifts.

Kwanzaa

The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, families gather and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara, then one of the seven principles, values of African culture, is discussed. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.

Christmas

In the Christian faith, Christmas is the historical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether celebrated for this religious reason or solely as a cultural celebration, Christmas traditions vary around the world. Americans celebrate with Christmas trees, visits from Santa Claus, and dreams of snowy landscapes.

Other Days of Interest

Other days of interest that are observed in December are:

Dec 1 – World AIDS Day

Dec 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Dec 5 – International Volunteer Day

Dec 7 – Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance

Dec 10 – International Animal Rights Day

Dec 13 – St. Lucia Day

Dec 18 – International Migrants Day

Dec 21 – Winter Solstice

Dec 21 – National Homeless Persons Remembrance Day

Dec 31 – World Peace Meditation Day