We've compiled a list of resources to help you take care of what matters most during this challenging time. We're focused on activities that better ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.

Stay safe & healthy,

Team Optical Underground
(Lloyd, Cynthia, Sam, Allan, Melissa, Priscilla, Chloe, Celine)

TAKING CARE OF YOU 

Take an online class, socialize via virtual or exercise live. Let's commit to connecting responsibly! 

Let's Make Art offers online tutorials, template downloads and more.

Museum of Craft & Design offers 4 home art projects like bath bombs and Shibori dyeing. 
Take that photography workshop with Strohlworks. 
Spark your creativity with the 7 Day Curiosity Quest. 
Brit + Co online classes are free until 3/31. Use code: SELFCARE.

All episodes of the Peabody winning Craft in America are streaming for free. Ken Burns World on Fire premieres on KQED April 5th. And here are the top movies streaming on Netflix right now.

Watch movies with friends by hosting a Netflix Party or host a virtual happy hour with Zoom or Google Hangouts.

Stream a live yoga class at Yoga Loft with Benji Flowers or Yogaworks 

 

TAKING CARE OF DINNER

Simple & delicious recipes in one hour or less. :)

 Red Lentil Soup with Lemon via The New York TimesCozy Cabbage & Farro Soup via Smitten Kitchen
One Pot Kale & Quinoa via Food52
Fried Egg, Kale & Toast via Orangette
Miso Claypot Chicken via Lucky Peach 
Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup via Bon Appetit 

 

 

TAKING CARE OF HOME

Start your spring cleaning early this year with A Smarter Way to Clean Your Home or 5 Tips for Spring Cleaning this Year. Check out these simple tips for a greener home.

 

Choose Glass over Plastic When food shopping, choose glass packaging over plastic.  All Recology-recycled glass in San Francisco is sent to a glass recycling plant in Oakland. It takes just 6 weeks to get your bottles & jars back on shelves or reincarnated into another form! 

For plastic storage alternatives, check out reusable silicon Stasher Bags or Bee's Wrap.

Bee Friendly
Make your outdoor space hospitable to bees. Provide a shallow water source for bees to pick up water or plant SF native bee-loving plants with SF Plant finder.

Recycle those Tees

Set aside any 100% cotton Ts and cut them into small squares (for make-up removal) or bigger squares (for rags and clean up). Wash again (and again) for a sustainable alternative to cotton rounds and paper towels. Here's one way to do it! 

What goes in the compost, recycle or trash bin? Check out what goes where  for recycle do's and don'ts. 

TAKING CARE OF VISION

As we log more time onscreen, avoid eyestrain with these  simple tips. Plus, get those facts behind  blue light glasses.

Book recommendations from our team: 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara,The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, Normal People by Sally Rooney, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Get more recommendations from Booksmith in the Haight – offering free, no contact delivery for SF residents. And, check out the Green Apple Books 

shelter in place book list

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 TAKING CARE OF INDIVIDUALS

Help healthcare workers get protective gear through Direct Relief. Simply the basics distributes hygiene kits to the homeless.
Leveler is a tool for people with job security to help people whose work status has been impacted by COVID-19. Contribute equally to 10 individuals. 

Get support or offer aid through the SF Bay Mutual Aid. Tipping point has created an emergency response fund for vulnerable people in the Bay Area. This is a great way to support local community without having to do a ton of vetting of nonprofits.
KQED compiled this list of mutual aid funds that distribute emergency grants to artists, creative professionals & freelancers.
Donate or volunteer for Meals on Wheels, which offers 2 meals a day to seniors.  

TAKING CARE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES

Buy gift cards from local SF restaurants through Save Our Favs
Order takeout or delivery from these Hayes Valley gems 
Help our friends on Linden Alley! Become a patron of Dark Garden, buy Blue Bottle coffee or shop MMClay's latest collection.
Shop Optical Underground's online eyewear collection, write a review or send us a message.