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Finance: Setting a Monthly Budget

Butterflies, I don’t think us women get enough credit for the many hats we wear. Woman, wife, mother, student, nurse, housekeeper, chauffeur, chef, personal shopper, accountant, and so much more. However, that’s a whole different discussion I’ll save for another day (lol). Without uttering the words, as a wife/mom you should already know how important money management and budgeting is to me.  I probably should have focused on this much sooner, but recently I decided we (my family and I) are going on a strict budget for the rest of the year; I’m hoping to see how much we can save by paying more attention to what we are spending.

In the Kitchen: Southern Smothered Steak

So I've decided that I want to cook more! Maybe 2-3 times a week just to start, being that I'm coming from a almost daily F/F and dining out diet. I also want to try new meals and ingredients so for the first time every I decided to cook Smothered Steak my way with minute rice (before the year is over I will try my best to master the art of homemade rice) and frozen corn.

Here's what I did...

1.) Rinse and season steak while sauce pan is heating.

2.) Cover bottom of pan with EVO* "Extra Virgin Olive Oil (:-) I learned this from Rachel Ray a few years ago)

EVO* "Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3.) Place steak in pan, turning every few minutes until browned on both sides.

4.) Cook rice, drain and return to stove.

5.) Dice 1/4 onion and 1/4 green bell pepper, put to the side.

6.) Remove steak from pan and add onion and bell pepper, let simmer until browned.

7.) Add steak and 1 package of brown gravy, let simmer.

Bon Appétit!

Smothered Steak, White Rice, and Corn

In the Kitchen: A Newly Discovered Passion for Cooking

I just recently discovered that I have a passion for cooking! The presence of food in Houston is amazing and I want to share my thoughts on it all with you. As a kid growing up Sunday’s meal was the best meal of the week, it brought the entire family together. It has been my experience that for some wonderful reason unknown food has the tendency to bring individuals together.

I must admit I have a love for food, my favorite being Nachos! I LOVE CHEESE! Next to that would be pickles, pizza and hot wings but as I continue growing and moving forward in life I'm discovering that eating health has become one of my biggest concerns for me and my own family so I've decided to go on a mission to learn "the art of cooking".

In the future I plan to post more blogs about food and cooking. I will be sharing my personal restaurant reviews, different recipes (both published and my personal creations), cooking tips and grocery money saving tips that I will be learning along the way. I must add I in no way shape or form intent to make a career out of cooking, it's a simple for pleasure. Please feel free to comment and share your ideas.

Bon Appétit!

Mika Dione B.

Life Update: Moving Forward To the Next Chapter In Life

Within the last few days things have drastically changed A LOT for me. New doors have been presented to me and some doors have closed. As a human being I understand that life means change and I truly believe everything happens for a reason. My husband spoke to me this most encouraging words "It was just a chapter in your life meant to help you get to your next chapter; it's time to move forward!"

Although I've heard these similar words before, when he spoke them without hesitation I believed him, it was as though I was hearing them for the first time. It was as if someone from the heavens was listening in and whispered these kind words to my husband’s ear and he in turned whispered it to my heart.

So I have decided I will embrace these new found changes and possible opportunities with as much strength, courage, and wisdom as I possibly can all the while knowing that there is a higher being guiding me though my chapters in life at all times whether I choose to accept or not.

- Dione B.