Danielle Ricks

THE TIG ARCHIVES│BEAUTY│A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

“Run a marathon. Stop biting my nails. Stop swearing. Re-learn French. These make my New Year’s resolution list nearly (AKA actually every) single year. The marathon hasn’t happened. The swearing comes in lulls triggered by being overworked or feeling mighty cheeky after a couple drinks. Then there’s the French – a language I studied through high school and then lost as I immersed myself in speaking Spanish with the Argentinians during my stint in Buenos Aires. I have put my little Rosetta Stone headset in my eager ears every year, resolving to do interviews en français, but much to my chagrin, it hasn’t stuck. And when it comes to the biting of the nails – well, it still happens with a turbulent flight or a stressful day. It’s unladylike. But then again, so is the swearing. Dammit.

So here’s my question: what is the goal of a New Years resolution? I often find myself wallowing in disappointment when I set a goal I can’t achieve. Of measuring each day’s triumph or failure as a benchmark of how the year is going. And at 34 years old, I’m over that.

This year I resolve to not have a resolution. If I can’t run a marathon, that’s okay. (I’m getting older – my knees are bothering me.) If it takes me a couple more years to lock down that French tutor and nail the language j’adore oh so much, that’s cool too.

My nails will be fine, and if I toss out a four letter word once in a blue moon, well frankly I think it adds character.

For this new year, the only thing I aim to do is to approach life playfully. To laugh and enjoy, to keep my standards high but my level of self-acceptance higher.

My cast mate and friend, Gina, listened to me rattle on about my plans for the hiatus, bullet pointing the multitudinous events of my schedule and planned jaunts from one place to the next. She stopped me. ‘Meg, I will just say one thing. Make sure you leave room for magic.’

And that is my point. My New Year’s resolution is to leave room for magic. To make my plans, and be okay if they sometimes break. To set my goals, but to be open to change. To let the magic know that there is an open door policy with me in 2016 and that it is always welcome to join the party.

I invite you to do the same.

Have a beautiful, blissful, and incredibly magical 2016. So grateful to be with you on the ride.”

THE TIG ARCHIVES│FOOD│CRISPY CHICKEN STEW

“When looking at the endless fads and diet trends, and of-the-moment dining delights meant to dazzle, it’s sometimes nice to get back to basics – to the bare bones, shall we say. Kate and Ryan Harvey do just that in The Bare Bones Broth Cookbook, a certifiable food bible of dishes that please every palate and stem from good old fashioned broth. Beyond the rich flavor that comes from real bone broth, “the collagen, bone, skin, marrow, and fat that is extracted when animal bones simmer in water for hours (or days) are the building blocks of life, containing proteins that help to combat inflammation; boost immunity; strengthen bones; improve hair, skin, and nails; and help a host of digestive issues by promoting optimum gut health.” In that case, sign us up! And when you’re talking about crave-worthy dishes such as this crispy chicken stew – whoa Nelly, you may bring us back to basics (and keep us there) for a long time coming.”

- Meghan Markle, March 2016

From Katherine & Ryan

“We love lemon, artichokes, and olives, so this dish just makes sense to us. We almost always leave the skin on our chicken thighs so we can render out some of the fat and crisp the skin to perfection. If you and your family enjoy Greek flavors as much as we do, then this stew will quickly become a favorite in your household.”

Ingredients (pictured above):

1 tbsp granulated garlic

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp dried oregano

2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

2 tbsp ghee or olive oil

½ red onion, peeled and chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup capers with brine

½ lemon, thinly sliced

¼ cup white wine

3 cups chicken bone broth

2 cups canned artichoke hearts

1 cup kalamata olives

1 ½ tsp chopped oregano

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the granulated garlic, ½ teaspoon of the sea salt, and the dried oregano. Add the chicken thighs and rub the seasoning into the chicken until evenly coated; set aside. You can also cover and refrigerate the chicken thighs and marinate for 2 to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to cook the chicken, heat the ghee or oil in a cast-iron skillet or sauté pan over medium-heat.

Remove the marinated chicken thighs from the bowl and, using paper towels, pat the chicken thighs dry. Place the chicken thighs, skin side down, in the hot ghee or oil, spacing them evenly, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the skin begins to brown. Turn the chicken thighs and brown on the opposite side for 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet over medium heat, add the onion, garlic, capers, and the remaining ½ teaspoon sea salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the lemon slices.

Add the white wine and deglaze the skillet, stirring to loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, return the thighs to the skillet, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the artichoke hearts and olives and continue simmering for 10 minutes.

Happy Black History Month, Tumblr! 

Black excellence should be celebrated 365 days a year—not just during February. That’s why #BlackExcellence365 was born exactly one year ago today. Since then, it’s been a year-round Tumblr celebration of Black artists, politicians, social justice advocates, musicians, and more. 

There is no #BlackExcellence365 if there is no intersectionality. Last year Kawther Inuwa from Muslim Girl Army’s (@muslimgirlarmy) sat down to tell the community about her experiences in being a Nigerian Muslim woman who works as a social activist. 18 Million Rising (@18mr), an Asian American activist group, informed the world how the Asian American community can show solidarity with Black communities. Southerners On New Ground revealed how their pro-Black, pro-queer, pro-immigrant, and pro-worker organization were intent on helping LGBTQ+ visibility and safety in the Southern states in America. 

Why stop now? Let’s kick off #BlackExcellence365 2020!

Black history is every day.

This isn’t just about honoring the past and celebrating the present, it’s about bettering the future, too. That’s why #BlackExcellence365 2020 will feature a number of Q&A Issue Times throughout the year. We’re partnering with a few leading organizations like Black Girls Vote (@blackgirlsvote), Planned Parenthood Action Fund (@ppaction), and 18 Million Rising (@18MR). Stay tuned here for the opportunity to ask these folks a question.

You can also look forward to Artist Spotlights that highlight Black artists on Tumblr who are doing incredible things. Aundre Larrow (@aundrelarrow) will reveal his experience as a photographer whose work focuses on Black bodies. Visual artist Gianni Lee (@giannilee) will give us an inside look at his experience in the art world. 

If you’re a Black creative who wants to get featured in a reblog on one of our official Tumblrs like @art, @music, @fashion, @entertainment, @books, @gaming, @kpop, and @staff, let us know! Just tag your post #BlackExcellence365 so we can find it. This celebration means so much more if it includes you and your work.

Make sure to stay tuned on @action to see all of the upcoming highlights we couldn’t mention here yet. There are 52 weeks of #BlackExcellence365 2020 left, after all. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽