Ditch the Bitch
Throughout time, the female presence has been underrepresented in His-tory. However, as we’ve endeavored to evolve and challenge societal norms, we have lost the underlying reason behind this movement: sisterhood. At some point, the paradigm shifted and we have somehow become our own worst enemies. As women, it’s a hard pill to swallow when we realize how easy it is to support everyone else; men, children, and of course, ourselves, but not each other. However, the reality is that the road to gender equality starts within our own community.
March is Women’s History Month, and as we make strides to close the gender gap, ladies, it’s time to ditch the bitch.
As the middle daughter of three girls, I felt the soul-defining influence of sisterhood and the stability this connection brings from a very young age. Is there anything more powerful than an outstretched hand of another woman in your direction? For me, it was and continues to be a lifeline. And yet when it comes to work, many women have experienced the opposite of this and have even been bullied by other women. It seems counterintuitive that we'd value these female friendships in our lives and turn on them at work.
Let’s officially end the mean girls’ approach for support and sisterhood, not shame, both at work and in life. Celebrating another woman's triumphs or success will never take away from your shine or glory. If anything, it will add to it and create more light.
With the push for gender equality, now is the time for sisters to join together. Sometimes I feel that society likes to trick us into thinking that we as women cannot, or have no interest in, getting along, working together, and standing in support of one another. I have seen with my own eyes the opposite. Now more than ever it feels like we are joining hands and celebrating not only our differences but similarities.
But how can we learn to bask in "her" glory and understand that seeing her shine makes us shine too? By silencing the noise of negative self-talk and self-doubt. When we find ourselves questioning our personal glory, it creates more room for envy. Once we discover a way to celebrate our light, life, and purpose, we will be able to rejoice those of our neighbor genuinely.
For every successful woman you know, there is at least one other strong woman behind her giving her words of encouragement as well as sound, objective advice. It’s important to have a tribe, or in this case, a sisterhood that will be there to offer external affirmations in good times and bad. Just be sure to surround yourself with other women who will equally support each other’s successes as well as failures.
Friends are chosen family I need them to stay on track. It's important to have these types of soulful connections; they keep me grounded and feeling supported. I only want to see the best things happen for the women around me.
Admittedly, sometimes it feels so much easier to criticize and tear each other down, but if we uplift, encourage, and make the effort to cultivate more supportive relationships with each other, you’ll find that no matter where you are or what environment you’re in, the atmosphere will feel more harmonious as well as inspiring. There’s strength in numbers and empowering other women is self-empowerment in itself.
Perhaps up to now, you have been the mean girl. Well, there is no time like the present to make the change. Reach out to a friend or coworker, listen to her story, and bask in her success because it will only benefit yours. Supporting and honoring someone else matters. It not only affirms them but creates a relationship that is rooted in trust, love, and comradery. A woman alone has power; collectively we have impact. We are better together.
We should all be tapping into the tribe mentality because it takes a village to thrive and be great. We cannot do life alone; it wasn't meant to be lived that way. I wanted to remind people that we can still glow and be great in the light of someone else's success and triumphs. I know that your light makes my light shine bright, too.
Chimichurri Chicken Soup
INGREDIENTS
For the Chimichurri
- 6 large cloves garlic chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 1/2 cups packed fresh Italian parsley
- 3/4 cup packed fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- 1 medium shallot chopped
- 1 medium chopped, seeded red chili pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup high-quality olive oil
- 4 tablespoons. freshly squeezed lemon juice (from approximately 2 lemons)
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 cup celery diced
- 3 large cloves garlic sliced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons EACH: black pepper, dried oregano, and Badia's Complete Seasoning
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- 2 bay leaves
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15.5 ounces) white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup chimichurri sauce (above)
INSTRUCTIONS
- For the chimichurri: In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine all chimichurri ingredients and pulse until well combined, but still slightly chunky. With a spatula, transfer chimichurri to a bowl and let stand at room temperature while preparing the soup, to let flavors blend. If you don’t have a food processor, mince the garlic, parsley, and cilantro with a sharp knife, then add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- For the soup: In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add onion and celery and sauté until it starts to soften, about 4 minutes. Add jalapeno, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, oregano, and Badia complete seasoning. Continue to sauté until all vegetables are softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Partially cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Carefully remove bay leaves and transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let cool slightly and shred into bite-size pieces.
- Add shredded chicken back to the pot with white beans and 1/4 cup chimichurri sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.
- Serve soup hot with chimichurri on the side, for individuals to swirl in as much as they please. I also like to serve with warm homemade tortillas for dipping. Enjoy!
