Watching Rachael Ray

What better way to close out May then to have cutie Colby Donaldson answer relationship questions for Rachael Ray fans? Who didn’t love the way he splurged on the 3 dates in 3 cities clips, and if you didn’t melt with his Mother’s Day gifts to his mom and grandma - well.

On the RR website, they’ve posted some reader questions and answers, as well as a link to send in your own! From going out on your own for a drink, to bringing the romance back into a busy household, to garnering respect in the work place - Colby has comments on them all. Check it out, and send in your own, as well!

(On a side note: I’m finally getting to watch Survivor: Amazon, where Colby was a contestant. Can I just say… YUM-O!!!)

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Colby Donaldson, Survivor, relationships, q&a

First - a disclaimer. I’m not much of a wine drinker. In fact, when drinking at all, on the rare occasion, I prefer tequila - usually in the form of margaritas the size of my head.

That said, I’ve always been fascinated by the paring of wine with certain foods. When people speak of this being a perfect match for that, and use white for this and red for that - I find it kinda sexy that they know such things. Then they ask what I think, and I develop a tick behind my eye, and start to drool a little, and develop a blank stare that is impossible to break through. Because I haven’t a clue…

So - being the type of gal who rarely drinks, and who knows nothing about paring food and wine without whining myself, I found Rachael Ray’s guide to be especially helpful and easy to understand. Not only that, but all of their wine choices are under $20. I’m pretty sure that if you ask your local liquor store clerk to help when you can’t find a specific wine, they’d be happy to find one that is similar.

Now, I just have to decide to not be a hermit, invite someone over to cook and get drunk with. Who’s with me? Summer’s a time of adventure, right? Besides - it’d be all in the name of research….

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, wine, food, guide to wines

Oh. My.
Is it bad that this made me spit my drink all over my screen while giggling helplessly? Nah, I didn’t think so. Put ya drink down. It’s technically safe for work, though you’ll hear Rachael Ray in a whole new light after reading the introductory screen…

Enjoy!
(She sure does…)

No, no, no - I haven’t decided to stalk the Foodie Tycoon, at least not yet. I have found, however, a young family that’s almost halfway through a one-year project; One meal a day, every day, from Rachael Ray’s 365: No Repeats A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners. They’ve started at the beginning of the book, and have not missed a day. (If something comes up and they cannot cook that night, they have a special guest cook who fills in.) Despite food preferences, an allergy, a toddler who may decide not to eat at all, and a new pregnancy with all the morning sickness and cravings that entails - they’ve made, photographed and reviewed every single meal for 147 days now.

The nice thing about H, L and Baby A, is that they are honest about their opinions. If it was hard to make, if it was bland, if it was another in a line of catastrophes - they admit it with humor and honesty. If it looked awful but tasted fantastic, they admit that too. If it looked just as good as it tasted - it’s 5 stars all the way.

Of course, the big question is… why?

Why this Blog, “One Year Project”? Well, we are extremely fascinated by the cult of the Food Network and the notion of the celebrity chef. Rachael Ray is particularly fascinating as she seems to inspire incredible feelings of love or loathing. The idea that people can watch elaborate meals being prepared on TV all day, then stick a frozen pizza in the oven is somehow peculiar.

Sounds like a plan to me! Be sure to check out H, L and Baby A’s adventures in culinary experimentation at the One Year Project!

And I’ve just ordered a couple RR cookbooks myself. Stay tuned for more of my family’s adventures in RR Cuisine as well!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, 365, cookbook

A Salute to Summer - NEW
Break out the barbecue! Rachael’s got the top tips for great grilling. Then, get ready to entertain outdoors — Kristan Cunningham shows you how to do a big backyard makeover on a small budget. And Rachael’s “goin’ fishin’” in the kitchen for a new type of burger.

Montel Williams - Repeat
In an inspiring kitchen table chat, Montel Williams shares the story of his battle with multiple sclerosis, and how you can live so you’re getting the most out of every day. Then, see what happens when a viewer tries to connect with her deceased mother who never got to meet her new son-in-law.

One Meal, Many Ways - Repeat
Rachael and Gretta show you the rules for what to keep vs. toss, and how to update any wardrobe! Plus, one woman confronts her darkest fears, and a mom who serves one meal all week long learns how to add variety while still keeping it simple!

Food for Thought - Repeat
Ever wonder what you should be eating? The doc is answering your questions and revealing the one food that can help you lose weight. Plus, tips on how to get the perfect haircut, and The Office star Jenna Fischer is making a 15-minute chili!

Curvy Girl Fashion - Repeat
Find out how curvy girls can wear all the skinny girl trends and look great! Plus, crafts that even the un-crafty (like Rachael!) can tackle, a bottom-of-the-jar recipe, and Joan Cusack stops by for some chat and chow.

This amuses me to no end! Rachael Ray comes on at 1:02.

[Why yes, I’m easily amused, why do you ask? (grin!)]

I’m headed out of town tomorrow - ya’ll have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, YouTube, You Tube, Sandra Lee, Peanut Butter, Jelly

Today’s post is a little later then usual - or it was really yesterday’s post that was today’s, posted really early! Either way, I’m here now! The show today was a rerun, and so I’d like to go back to one of the earlier shows this week.

Everyone who’s been online and read blogs for a while, will recognize the term that I used for the title - the Mommy Wars. It’s especially prevalent in the blogasphere with the term “Mommyblogger” having such a negative connotation. I’m a mom, I’m a blogger, and so I’ve heard it all too.

On Monday’s show, a woman guest told how she feels like a failure as a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) and how she feels guilty for not being a natural at being at home with the kids and getting everything done that needs to be done, it’s hectic and she feels like she’s barking orders rather then spending quality time with her kids.

Honey, we all can relate. That’s the important thing to remember - we’re not alone! So many mom’s feel alone and like we should be doing everything with ease, and put on a good face outside, “I’m fine, everything’s great, I love my kids, my husband, we couldn’t be happier.” The problem is that sometimes, a lot of the times, inside it’s more of the “I haven’t showered for five days, and is it ok to feed the kids ketchup for dinner? It’s all they’ll eat anyway, and don’t even ask me how the potty training is going!”

In the end, we feel damned if we do, and damned if we don’t! Working mom’s want to be home, SAHMs want the ability to PEE by themselves! JUST ONCE! And both feel guilty for not being able to do it all. Then, we’re all somehow pitted against each other in a my way is the best way battle that accomplishes exactly nothing!

So what do we do? The authors, Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile, of I was a really good mom before I had kids. shared some real time suggestions of how to adjust and prioritize expectations.

Rachael asks, “What are real expectations that moms should be setting for themselves?” Trisha and Amy both agree that expectations are different for every mom, but all moms should do the following:

Reprioritize. “Recognize that your current expectations are completely out of whack,” says Trisha. “Learn to let some things go. Maybe P.T.A. isn’t going to work for your schedule this year, maybe you might have to miss a school play or two. What is important to you and what can you cut out for a few months, a year.”

Ignore. The mess, the laundry, the toys strewn about in the kid’s bedrooms or basement and use the time you would spend picking up after your kids to do something for yourself or to spend quality time with your kids. Amy and Trisha made a pact with each other to ignore the messes in each other’s house. “Other moms are going through the same thing,” says Trisha, “so they can be more forgiving of each other than you think.”

Ask. Amy believes one of the biggest challenges for moms today is that they don’t ask for help. “We see that as a weakness,” she says. “Even with our own husbands we don’t ask for help and that’s an important thing to do.”

Turn off. Both Trisha and Amy advise shutting off your phone for an hour or two a day (or just screening the calls). “The amount of time you spend fielding phone calls from moms looking for volunteers, telemarketers and others that drain you of valuable time,” warns Amy.

All moms feel they are the center of everything for their families and in turn, their kids come to them for everything. But Trisha and Amy want to remind moms that they need to start making peace and letting go of things they may not have time to do. Says Amy, “You’re not going to be able to do it all and you have to come to terms with that.”

The best part was the Pact that they mentioned some moms have, it’s the same thing I’ve always told my friends. My house is a mess! It’s going to be a mess! Don’t judge me and I won’t judge you. If you want to see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house, give me 3 days notice.

As mom’s, as women, as dad’s, as men - we need to realize that under our smiles, we all have the same troubles. So talk about it, ask for help, and don’t feel guilty when you let go of some things and reprioritize your life.

And most of all - don’t judge other mommies for the things they need to do as well.

PS. how cute was Ty and Rachael together? They’re like two kids in a candy store, all bickering and giggling. Awesome.

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, SAHM, Stay at home moms, mommy wars, mommyblogger

Are you an AT&T Cellular Subscriber, as well as a Rachael Ray Fan? Ever gotten to the store only to realize you forgot your shopping list to make that new recipe you wanted desperately to try? Well have I got an announcement for you!

Introducing Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run!

Recipes on the Run is a new wireless application that can be used by subscribers to download “Yum-O” recipes direct to their mobile phones! It’s the ideal cooking aid and shopping list for busy families looking for the balanced and easy to make meals.

Ray says that “with Recipes on the Run, I hope to inspire more home-cooked and healthy meals in today’s hectic lifestyle and bring fun back into the kitchen.”

Features of Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run:

Delicious Recipes - with 40 new ones added every month!

For the first time, both fans and foodies alike can have Rachael Ray’s easy-to-prepare meal recipes, cooking tips and customized shopping lists at their fingertips. For a low monthly fee, subscribers nationwide enjoy 40 new recipes every month, with the functionality to browse recipes by main ingredient or category and receive personal preparation tips directly from Rachael.

My Shopping List - automatically adds recipe ingredients to your wireless shopping list!

Once recipe selections are made, shopping is easier than ever. The “My Shopping List” feature allows subscribers to add recipe ingredients directly to a shopping list on their wireless device. When more than one recipe is added, the service will automatically combine quantities of identical ingredients, and advanced interactivity allows subscribers to add custom ingredients and mark off items as they shop.

Rachael’s Quick Picks - Spin the EVOO Bottle to get Yum-O inspirations!

Subscribers also can choose their favorite recipes or try “Rachael’s Quick Picks!,” a fun, random-recipe generator that allows them to spin Rachael’s “EVOO” (extra-virgin olive oil) bottle to get “delish!” meal inspirations.

My Keepers - Favorite Recipes at your fingertips for easy reference!
Recipe Sharing - Email directly from your phone to family and friends!
Rach’s Handy Tips and Tidbits!

Favorite recipes can be easily saved using the “My Keepers” feature, storing them to subscribers’ wireless phones for easy future reference. Or, recipes can be e-mailed to friends and family using the “Recipe Sharing” function.

During the initial 60-day launch period, AT&T Wireless will be the exclusive provider of Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run. Contact AT&T for more details, or your own provider to see when this feature will be made available for you!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, AT&T, Wireless, Yum-O, on the go, tips, Cellular, Phone, Shopping, List, EVOO

Tonight we decided to talked another 30 minute meal. Seen on the May 10th Rachael Ray Show with Craig Ferguson, the girls and I felt like burgers, and chose the ‘manly’ Meat & Potato Burger. We’re meat and potato kinda people, and so this clearly looked like the one! The boy was at a friend’s house, the girl at Softball practice, so that meant the Pup and I would throw together this meal on a bun.

Here are the listed ingredients - and what we added/changed.

2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup of heavy cream or half and half
Salt and pepper
2 pounds lean ground sirloin
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 small onion, grated
4 poppy seed Kaiser rolls
A couple of tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 bunches watercress, cleaned and trimmed of thick stems

Our changes - We added garlic. Because you cannot have too much garlic. And we grated the onion, a little, then gave up and chopped it. Dried parsley, as we have few fresh choices up here, and there were no poppy seed rolls, so we used cheese/onion Kaiser rolls instead.

It took 45 minutes to make, as again - I had an 8 year old helper. Who clearly LOVED helping…

Everything was easy to do, and it came together pretty quickly. However, apparently, I have spoiled my kids, as the burgers just “Weren’t as good as your meatloaf burgers, mom. These are ok? But done with YOUR recipe for burgers would have been better.”

[Remind me to double their allowances. Heh.]

So, our general review is that the recipe is alright, but could have been better. Definitely add something to the potatoes to give it more flavor - cheese, perhaps, a little more salt/pepper, something. Rating 1-5, it received a solid 3 across the board and a request not to bother with watercress again, and to use my own burger stuff.

It was, however, very filling. Hours later I’m still full.

Dunkin Donuts isn’t the only thing that Rachael Ray is promoting this summer. Ray has joined with the Food Network, to promote the Great American Bake Sale, a national campaign to hold back sales this summer to help feed hungry children. Created by Share our Strength charity in partnership with PARADE Magazine, the event will run from May 19 to August 31.

‘I mean, it’s a very simple concept,’ Ray said. ‘When you go to greatamericanbakesale.org, you can read all about it and invite individuals of any age to throw a bake sale, starting this weekend and throughout the summer, to raise money to help feed hungry kids in their community.’

Say what you will - at least she’s putting her face on something to help the kids of the US, unlike some other celebrities!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Great American Bake Sale, hungry, kids, community, promote, celebrities, pie, bake sale

Rachael’s Rollover Suppers

Rachael answers an SOS from a cooking club, and shows them how to turn a day in the kitchen into meals that easily rollover into several meals! If you like Rach’s “heat ‘n eat” recipes, you’ll love her “rollover suppers!” Then, meet a woman who says she feels like the only one who’s failing at being a stay-at-home mom. We’ve got tips no mom should miss. Plus, Ty Pennington is back for our first-ever celebrity stump-off!

Law & Order: SVU’s Chris Meloni

Rachael is putting Law & Order: SVU’s Chris Meloni under arrest for crimes in the kitchen as they make spicy Bloody Mary burgers! Plus, meet a 22-year-old who’s living at home, is $50,000 in debt, and her folks continue to bail her out! Is she a shopaholic? Then, Evette’s got three quick ways to make over a room … advice one guest desperately needs because she’s moving back into her childhood bedroom years later!

Animals vs. Audience

Our animal guy Jarod is back for a very Wild Wednesday when it’s a game of Animals vs. the Audience! Then, what would you do if a loved one went missing? How long would you wait? Who would you call? Find out the right steps to take. And for dinner, it’s Rach’s latest ground meat masterpiece!

A Girl’s Guide to Guys - Repeat

What do men say when women aren’t around? Get an eye-opening look at what goes on in the male mind from Colby Donaldson. Then, answers to embarrassing beauty questions, and Dr. Manny busts some of the biggest food myths.

Supernanny to the Rescue - Repeat

Are your kids driving you crazy? Supernanny Jo Frost has simple solutions for dealing with unruly kids and for avoiding the most common mistakes parents make! Then, three Web sites that could change your life, and Rachael’s got two new recipes for kids and grown-ups!

That’s right! Love the Rachael Ray Show? Have to get your RNR every day? Well let the folks at the Daytime Emmy Awards know!

They are your shows.
Who knows them better than you?

So get out your video cameras, and start taping! Upload a video clip telling us what you think was the best daytime drama, Emmy nominated talk show, actor or actress in 2006 and why. Videos will be accepted from May 7th through May 20th, 2007.

Then on Friday, June 15th tune in to the Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS to see if your video made the cut!

How cool is that? So grab your cameras, take a gander at the guidelines, and send in your thoughts on the Rachael Ray Show! And if you do - and load it on You Tube as well - be sure to let us know and we’ll feature you here, too!

Ready? Set? ACTION!

Jimmy Kimmel Spoofs on the E! THS featuring Rachael Ray:

Hrm - apparently those bits got left on the cutting room floor! No wonder the folks at RRSUX community were in such an uproar! Well, you know what they say - the Truth (Or funny spoofs thereof) is Out There!

–
On yesterday’s show, Tim Gunn was a big hit! I do love listening to him tell designers to “Make it work!” and those little designers were too cute for words!

My mom is the crafty sort, but that gene totally skipped me, and went straight to my daughter. She was inspired by the young girls, and their ideas, and the feeling of “Hey, I can do that!” - as a mom I can’t ask for better inspiration!

I thoroughly enjoyed the show, as I did Tuesday with Ty Pennington. I swear he and Rachael could be separated at birth twins - both full of energy, loud and boisterous! It’s a shame what Ty’s gone and gotten himself into lately. Hopefully he’ll learn his lesson - unlike oh so many other celebrities.

Oh the internets, they are on fire again! This past weekend, the New York Post released their list of the top 50 most powerful women in New York. The big question seems to be if Fame and Power are one and the same? The list has a couple of obvious women listed, like Hillary Clinton at #1, and Diane Sawyer at #2 - but from there on down, it seems to be a conglomeration of surprises. What has garnered a lot of attention?

Rachael Ray comes in at #5.
Right after Beyoncé. Wait, what?! And also - should we be upset she’s #4 above Rachael, or that she’s on the list at all?

I love Rachael Ray - but what exactly were they looking at? The little write up, and the only thing we have by way of explanation is the following:

5. Rachael Ray, 38, author/TV host. She’s the girl in the kitchen next door. And with friends like Oprah Winfrey (”Oprah” appearances put her on the map) and Bill Clinton (they’re fighting childhood obesity together), she has launched the highest-rated new syndicated talk show since “Dr. Phil.”

While I applaud her work with Bill Clinton and the Yum-o! organization, and I watch her show every day, how does the rest of that place her into the top 5? Apparently, being friends with Oprah certainly helps - as Gayle King, who is best known for being Oprah’s best friend, comes in at #25! Also, the president of Hearst Magazines, which publishes her O magazine comes in at number 10. Well then - is that power?

On the list, there are actresses, (one who’s only lived in New York for a year!) and managers and business women; a rather eclectic mixture which on the one hand is nice to see, but on the other - what does it say about how we, as a society, label women? What, and who, are we seeing as the most influential and why? Is the way to America’s hearts (and hatred in some cases) through the belly, through the TV, through money alone? Or is it what we do with that money - or worse, is Power based on who we know?

What do you think? Should Rachael be in the top 5? Should she be on the list at all? What makes her a candidate for this list, or any of the others for that matter? Wouldn’t it make more sense to say the most influential women in New York, rather then powerful, or is that just a different slant on the same thing?

Who would you place on a list like this and why - or would you make one at all?

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, New York, New York Post, Powerful, Women

How cute is he, really? He is so positive and focuses on all of that instead of the negative things that people are saying about him. For a teenager, he’s really very well put together and handled himself with class. He may not be the best, but he was certainly entertaining!

On a side note - how good did Rachael look in that black and white number? She’s had some things that just didn’t suit her well, but THAT dress was perfect!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Sanjaya, American Idol