Logistically, we are in Day 12 of the Corona Shut Down – and of course that all depends on when (and if) you have been sent home to safely social distance yourself. Regardless, life is different for everyone here in Boston, the United States, and across the globe.
The question looming on everyone’s minds is … when will this be over … when will we be free to live our lives as we did before … and when that happens, will it be too soon? Stressful questions to which there do not seem to be many clear and definite answers.
So we turn our attention to the positive. Each day we search for new hope and new ways to occupy our new-found free time and very simply to stay busy and sane.
That brings us to our Corona Shut Down Shout Out Day #2 – our daily update on the latest news, innovative, resources, inspiration and entertainment that will – hopefully – help you get through this absolutely insane time. Let’s get to it.
1. MATT LIGHT & FRIENDS LIFTS YOUR SPIRITS
https://www.facebook.com/liftyourspiritschallenge/videos/584149365535902/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARB-TLSgfthZ-VhBrBJYht6z_tLLCrkZJKLKk5uAhKD2SKGkOruvgozY4W8oW4NR1g465QbTkuUzYBCZ&hc_ref=ARS0kof40vrIWZB_PR1OhWZ9pNlBled703plo4uqYNAnrkEK4M8OyutPdEk0hsrn9Ic&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARA_IBhfWLdacxa_ij12coQYnWomXueXEuBD9N5V5f3er6Dcbr7gM9gmV58MlixkXA3eMmqIsYUTJaacknJRszsruOH_lOI-XLcGYcqflMRg0snIaZlr920AlhB0NQAsOyShYd9sFuCe_KrR4njH8xG8l6190-6DEw0AYbhbfUemks_aPw3YWSqUzHHGEwGYtM0SY_HYplJbgF0Medkl9vVLEYBEbsV8p1LpRETI2XmlCasTToMgwIE_OYoagZHpFV6gmxdN97h1q12-gjWXy5Giz194I1hIx4CnFQ7iWLSCnpAp4UHcdAdhjTu5l59hV845kL_-826CnGTbBKT03bk1wwPGGkkkReiCP7N560tdNbmA0D2asQf_V1GsATfuyZQ1-y3kE8XXhsMhxffWhMF8k5xOH8LavVps8pp0T9gBvuumBYd8OtUvcwF2x-aSgBidWe99IF7PEfpXS48zW3qRhyNzDjzWeaoMGP1ayyTj
Former New England Patriot Matt Light wants to Lift Your Spirits and the spirits of the local hospitality industry that is currently being crushed by the coronavirus shut down. So Light is supporting and promoting the #LiftYourSpirits campaign to support the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) efforts to raise money to support the millions of restaurant workers who are left without income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The #LiftYourSpirits movement challenges individuals to post a video of themselves, with their favorite beverage, raising a toast in support of restaurant workers across the country. While patrons cannot visit their favorite establishments, participants are challenged to instead leave a “tip” at www.liftyourspirits.org to help support workers and their families in need. Jason Varitek and wife Catherine’s video is posted above. Matt’s video is below.
Join Matt Light in the #LiftYourSpirits Campaign by mixing up your favorite drink, challenging your friends to do the same, then turning a would be tip into a donation for the @NRAEF. Matt challenges @SteveDiFillippo – @DaviosFox, @nink, and @jasonaldean. Who will you challenge? pic.twitter.com/ENPZupjqG4
— Light Foundation (@LightFoundation) March 19, 2020
“All of the proceeds will be given directly to those who need it the most. We hope to support our friends and neighbors who are struggling across this great country while we practice safe distancing to beat this pandemic back,” said Bill Dessel, co-founder of Keel Vodka and the #LiftYourSpirits movement. Please donate what you can and post your video on social media with the tag #liftyourspirits !
Their purpose is to recognize and raise funds to support workers in the foodservice industry whose livelihood is being significantly impacted by COVID-19. Take what would have been tonight’s tip or bar tab and turn it into a donation at liftyourspirits.org!
2. TITO’S HAND SANITIZER
Last week, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced they are authorizing production of ethanol-based hand sanitizers by permitted distillers. This good news allowed their team to continue working on this process.
Currently, they are testing their formula, procuring necessary components of supplies and packaging, and preparing for production as they wait for the additional required ingredients to be delivered to the distillery. They have the ingredients and equipment on order to make an initial 24 tons of hand sanitizer over the next several weeks, and plan to make more from there as needed.
While they don’t have all of the details quite yet, they do know they will be giving it away for free to their community and those most in need. They will update us as they know more.
3. THE ENERGY BARRE ONLINE
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Cm0aPhnHw/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-BXzsyHxXd/
It’s silly and stupid, but who gives a shit? Tyler C and Hannah B are hanging out together again and that fact is somehow making this whole Corona virus crisis somehow more manageable. Whether or not you are a Bachelor or Bachelorette or Bachelor in Paradise fan … this should matter to you. Why, you ask? Because it’s sweet, silly, carefree, and hopeful. Tyler’s mom recently died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm and the next day Hannah B’s brother reportedly nearly died from a drug overdose. So they are both experiencing tough times and we love that they have turned to each other – either in friendship or romance, it does not really matter. Here’s what we love about them: they produce daily backyard workouts together on Instagram LIVE and have created a TikTok account with their inner circle called “The Quarantine Crew”. Their message is “don’t worry, be happy, and stay home”. We dig it and think you will too.
5. GO WITH THE FLOW WITH DAISY FACE FLOW ONLINE
Morgan came up with “daisyface flow” in March of 2017 while she was still in her first yoga teacher training. It’s a spin off from her original Instagram handle “miss_daisyface”. “Your ‘daisyface’”, Morgan says, “is after you sit up from savasana (the final resting pose in yoga), having completed a challenging yet revitalizing practice, and your simply glowing. Your face, adorned with beads of sweat, resembles that of the face of a friendly daisy blanketed in the morning dew. And now, after having spent that well deserved time on your mat, there is nothing you can’t do for the rest of the day, or days, to follow.”
Just celebrating their 3rd year in business as a full-time yoga, meditation + wellness brand, daisyface flow LLC can do it all. Offering public classes Tuesday – Saturday at their recently acquired studio space, The daisyface Space, located on the Dorchester/Milton line in Lower Mills.
With the current standing of global events, Morgan has successfully taken to the interwebs to combine her experience in Broadcast Journalism with her love for the practice of yoga offering pre-recorded yoga flows & guided meditation on her daisyface flow Yoga & Meditation YouTube channel. You can access the links by visiting her online shop, selecting which style class / meditation you’d enjoy, & then a private access code arrives from YouTube after the payment has been processed.
Yoga & meditation have saved Morgan’s life. After 10 years of struggling with alcohol and drug use, the practice reentered her life once Morgan committed to a path of recovery. This November Morgan looks forward to celebrating 5 years clean & sober. Yay Morgan, you go girl!
Flow through what you go through.
In addition to her online classes, Morgan has also produced women’s tank tops and men’s t-shirts that say “flow through what you go through” that she will be selling online right now. A portion of the proceeds from those t-shirt sales will be donated to Chef José Andrés‘ charity “America Eats Now”. Andrés is a James Beard “Outstanding Chef” who has provided meals for other disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, the CA Wildfires, & natural disasters in the Caribbean and Mozambique.
Her passion is bringing these practices to the communities that need them most. In addition to volunteering her time at a children’s bereavement camp (Camp Erin Boston) and raising funds for Boston Children’s Hospital at Yoga Reaches Out annually, Morgan looks to prove that this practice is for EVERYBODY. The mat doesn’t discriminate. Her hope is it will take you on a journey to your truth as it has for her so far.”
6. GOOD CHEER WITH DRINKBOS AT HOME
Meet DrinkBOS, Greater Boston’s foremost authority for the trade on cocktails, events & fun! They want to know … what’s in your liquor cabinet? While we’re all doing our part to slow the curve, DrinkBOS wanted to share some drink ideas that you can make at home. Tonight, they were sticking with tequila and featuring one of their favorites – The Coco Marg from @locosouthbos 🔥🔥🔥
Coco Marg
2oz Blanco Tequila – they used @altostequila
1.5oz coco mix (half Coco Lopez, half milk)
1oz triple sec
1oz fresh lime juice
Combine ingredients with ice in shaker. Shake, strain over ice and rim with coconut flakes. 📸: @jennifah_ann
Tune in daily for your Corona Shut Down Cocktail Creation inspiration and be sure to follow DrinkBOS on Instagram!
7. GET INSPIRED WITH DUNE JEWELRY
Dune Jewelry, “The Original Beach Sand Jewelry Company” that captures memories from where you’ve been, where you love, and where you’re going is looking to inspire you – even more than they usually do – during this Corona crisis. So owner Holly Daniels Christensen and colleague Lauren Behning will be hosting a FACEBOOK LIVE from Holly’s kitchen table on Wednesday, March 25th at 12 noon. They’ll be crafting jewelry, shipping orders and talking all things small business while trying to succeed through COVID-19. Dune Jewelry creator and owner Holly Daniels Christensen will share tips and tricks and let you know EXACTLY what she has done to make sure she has a business to come back to when this crisis is over. SO, be ready to be inspired and engaged when you tune in on Facebook or Instagram LIVE.
Dune Jewelry’s exclusive bracelet comes in black and tie dye, and hold sand & natural elements from all 7 continents.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in one way or another and Dune Jewelry is committed to helping those in need in any way they can during these uncertain times. Their Touch The World 7 Continent Global Bracelet is available now and $10 from each sale will be donated to the Direct Relief COVID-19 Response Fund. Direct Relief is delivering protective masks, exam gloves, and isolation gowns to areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases. This bracelet holds sand & natural elements from North America, South America, Australia, Asia, Africa, Antarctica & Europe.
Being sent home from college due to the coronavirus pandemic did not stop a group of Berklee music students from virtually collaborating to put both their musical skills and passion for togetherness together in unity, Students from both the Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee in Boston formed a virtual orchestra to perform a touching remake of Burt Bacharach’s 1960s classic song “What the World Needs Now is Love.” In a her post on youtube, Berklee student Shelbie Rassler wrote “just a little something to brighten your day. What started as an idea on my flight home from college ended in a collaboration with some of the most incredible people. I couldn’t be more grateful. Please share to help us promote positivity and optimism while we need it most.”
9. RAP WITH RITA WILSON
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-BqChYnY6F/
Of course our nation’s most notable celebrities are finding creative ways to stay busy and engaged while quarantined or practicing social distancing. The latest example – and in our opinion – most impressive? Rita Wilson, who recently battled and beat coronavirus, has just released her own rap video. Yes, you read that right … she release a rap video on Instagram.
In a new video, Rita Wilson is reading the book “Ender’s Game” as Naughty by Nature’s song “Hip Hop Hooray” plays in the background. Rita slowly turns to the camera with a look of wonder …”hey, I think I recognize that song” … and immediately starts singing along a “hey ho, hey ho”. What comes next is magic. The 63-year-old actress puts down the book and breaks out into a flawlessly executed rap-a-long without missing a beat. You cannot look away, and you may actually watch it more than once. We did.
Wilson captioned the video “Quarantine Stir Crazy” and trust us, we know you would want to watch the four minute + long clip for yourself. Ahhh, the things we do to stay entertained in a lock down.