Watching Rachael Ray

Doing some traveling this summer? Looking for the hottest hot spots, and ready to take a Bite Outta America? Well check out the Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine website for her new Mapped Out feature!

There, you can pick a destination, or see them all at a glance, and discover some of Rachael Ray and her crew’s favorite spots to stay, eat, shop and play! They’ve a demo to show you how it all works though it’s all pretty self-explanatory. Not only that, but you can submit your favorite destinations and spots as well and get yourself on the map!

Take Chicago, for instance! Are you headed there in a couple weeks with all of the BlogHers for their 2008 conference? Check out some of the hotspots and must sees - as well as find great places to eat!

What a fun and interactive tool to help plan your vacation! Oh yeah - while there, don’t forget to enter to win the Wild Week at Pikes Peak prize package, too!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Mapped Out, Travel, Chicago, BlogHer

Obsess much, darling? Yes, Perez Hilton has posted not once - but TWICE this week already (and it’s only Monday!) about Rachael Ray and the rumors (that he gleefully helped start and spread!) of her impending divorce. The Queen of Mean has even pointed to the New York Post who is also spitting out ‘details’ and ‘confirmations’ that things are rocky, without a Ray of Hope to be seen! Says the NYP:

A source close to the couple told Page Six, “Her mother is in town from Lake George to help Rachael find an apartment.” Rumors of their split have been circulating ever since the National Enquirer reported last November that Cusimano paid Jeaninne Walz up to $500 a session to spit on him and rub her feet on his face in 2000, before he met Ray. Rumors are also circulating that Rachael “has been flirting” with Colby Donaldson, the ex-”Survivor” cast member who joined the “Rachael Ray” show in February, on and off the set.

First off - who WOULDN’T flirt with Colby Donaldson? Raaaaaaawr! (And I say that as a Survivor Addict, too!) The NYP does continue to quote the reply by Rachael’s rep as well, who of course denies the accusations and rumors. Now, as Perez says, reps are paid to lie - so he continues to believe that things are still going south.

Secondly - Really, who believes the National Enquirer? Do people SERIOUSLY really and truly believe that stuff? Tsk, tsk, tsk.

But it looks like Rachael Ray has come forward to Entertainment Tonight to finally refute the rumors herself:

“It’s ridiculous,” RACHAEL RAY tells ET of the reports she and husband JOHN CUSIMANO are splitting.

She explains that she first heard about the rumors when a friend text messaged her there were reports on the Internet that said she and John were ending their 2 1/2 year marriage.

“We were planning our anniversary when we got that text message,” she reveals. “We are extremely happy — couldn’t be happier.”

Rachael, who just returned from a trip in the Hamptons with John, says it boggles her mind where gossip like that begins. “I don’t know where something that outlandish comes from,” she says.

And it’s certainly not something that is bogging her and John down. “[It’s] not hurtful at all,” she admits of the reports. “It’s hysterical!”

Well, WE know where such outlandish reports come from!

But there you have it! Of course, one could point out that ET is essentially a television tabloid, but what’re ya gonna do? The same thing the rest of us are - wait and see!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, Rumors, Perez Hilton, John Cusimano, divorce, Everyday

All new episodes this week, kids! Check it out!

Do-It-Yourself “Spa-rty” - NEW
Do you like going to a spa, but hate paying big bucks for the treatment? Gretta shows you how to throw a spa party right in your own home for a fraction of the cost! Then, meet some “little Rachs” who give the real Rachael a run for her money in the cooking department! And what’s for dinner? How about breakfast!

Rach’s Road Trip - NEW
Hop in the car with Rachael, John and Isaboo as they head to one of the best vacation spots that nobody knows about! Then, meet a husband who left his wife at a rest stop for five hours! Plus, kids get a chance to “Ask Rach” and it’s a fancy French chicken dinner without the fuss.

The “Last-Minute Ideas” Show - NEW
Running out of places to hide your clutter when last-minute guests arrive? Rachael’s got some easy solutions. Then, need to pick up some last-minute gifts? We have some fun and unique ideas to fit every budget. And get Rach’s list of things she just can’t live without - including one of her favorite recipes.

Kids in the Kitchen - NEW
Smile and say cheese because we’re bringing in the experts to show you the top tips for taking the perfect picture. Then, learn the art of pizza dough tossing from the best in the business. And when Rachael meets a kid cook named Rachel Ray, she shares some of her favorite cooking tips for kids.

Next Food Network Star Showdown - NEW
Who will be the Next Food Network Star? The heat is on when the final three hit the kitchen for a challenge. Then, how making over your teeth can have you looking 10 years younger, and some viewers’ inventions you’ll wish you thought of creating!

The man everyone loves to hate has once again revealed that his insider ’source’ has told Perez Hilton the ever popular tidbit that Rachael Ray is this close to filing for a divorce from her husband John Cusimano. Rachael and Jon aren’t strangers to controversy, having been the subject of reports of sex and drug scandals (all on his side, of course) for some time. Leave it to Perez Hilton to jump on the bandwagon and point fingers!

But don’t worry fans! It seems that this report was near instantly rebutted by US Magazine, where reportedly Ray’s rep told them:

“”There is no truth to it and it’s a non-item….Rachael and John are happily enjoying the holiday week up at their cabin.”

So, as with all Perez Hilton’s “news” - take it with a grain of salt. With some extra thrown over the shoulder for luck, of course.

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, Everyday, John Cusimano, divorce, Perez Hilton, US Magazine

So, did anyone else’s TV network show Thursday (today’s) Rachael Ray Show yesterday on the 4th? Mine did! I can only hope they play yesterdays today so that I can see it! Harumph.

Today’s show has some great tips for making small kitchens work better. I thought I had a small kitchen until they showed the second clip of the girl who doesn’t even have a stove, and still cooks amazing full course meals!

Some of the tips are things I already use - get a big cutting board that covers your stovetop (I use an upside down cookie sheet to cover both burners on one side, then place a cutting board on top of that), and that will increase counter space for preparing meals - especially if you only need one or two burners. (Or, in my case, only two burners work well! It’s a 30 year old stove!) You can also get a butchers block that fits over your sink, which gives you that additional space while preparing meals as well.

When buying pans and dishes and such - stay away from sets! Buy only what you need, and can store effectively. For instance, the only pans you really need are: a deep skillet for sauces, soups, and the like; Medium size pot for rice, etc; a pasta pot; and a skillet for eggs, etc. You don’t need that full knife set - you actually only need three - a chopping knife, a serrated knife for bread and a paring knife. Other sets can be broken down the same way.

Also on the show - more of Rachael Ray’s addiction to the hotdog in all forms! There was her Chicago Dog ’saint’ meal which included more veggies then bratwurst, and her panchetta wrapped Dog ’sinner’ meal. Yes. A hot dog wrapped in bacon. I gotta say that sinner meal had my son agreeing with Joey Hot Dog who has run a Hot Dog Cart in Queens for 48 years - it looked fantastic! And oh so un-figure friendly. But hey, sometimes ya gotta do, what ya gotta do. We’ll likely try them both out at some point for the Cook-off and see if it tastes as good as it looked!

How about you? Do you share Rachael Ray’s love for the hot dog?

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

Happy Independence Day to all my American friends - Happy Random Summer Day to everyone else! (Unless you’re in Australia, then Happy Random Winter Day!)

Don’t forget - today there’s a brand new episode of the Rachael Ray Show, so set your DVR/TIVO before you head out for your local festivities! My kids and I will be getting our annual “it didn’t LOOK that hot” sunburn through however many layers of sunscreen we put on, in between the random rain showers. Happens every year, you’d think we’d learn. Heh.

Seems the Rachael impersonator that I mentioned last week got herself an agent too - which means they redid the video and allowed embedding. So here ya go, some laughter to start off your holiday right!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Impersonator, holiday

While the pages for the Rachael Ray Show, Yum-O, and the Everyday With Rachael Ray Magazine are still the same, the front portal at RachaelRay.Com has been updated! It loads much faster, is cleaner, and still has the fun and funky vibe we expect from everything RR!

I really dig the new design - it speaks to my designer soul. I sure hope the rest of the sites follow suit!

Of course, while you’re there, don’t miss the current special in the shopping section! Half off on all shipping for a limited time! That plus the Satisfaction Guarantee, how could you possibly go wrong? T-shirts, Cookbooks, Knives, Cookware, Kitchenware, music and even EVOO - there’s bound to be something there for you, or someone special! Check it out!

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

Everybody Loves Patricia Heaton (repeat)
Patricia Heaton talks about life after Raymond, wild nights out in New York City and her off-Broadway role. Then, a complete guide to breakups for both the “dumper” and the “dumpee,” and Rachael’s take on the Sloppy Joe!

Antiques Throwdown (repeat)
Decades ago, Rach was kicked out of the Girl Scouts … now she’s ready to call a truce by teaching a troop to cook a badge-worthy meal! Then, it’s our first-ever antique-hunting challenge with the twins from Antiques Roadshow and The Insider’s Lara Spencer!

Fourth of July with Kyra Sedgwick - NEW!
It’s Rach’s 4th of July spectactular! The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick shares her secrets for keeping the fireworks in her 19-year marriage to Kevin Bacon. Plus, fashion buddy Gretta shows you how to liberate your legs with shorts that work and a mom of seven has kid-friendly tips for the summer.

Space-Saving Ideas - NEW!
Have a small kitchen? Rach shows you how to increase your counter space and which pots and pans are the bare essentials. Plus, a legend on the streets of New York rolls his cart into our studio as Rach makes two hot dog dinners.

Valerie Bertinelli (repeat)
Valerie Bertinelli shares why she’s trying to lose 30 pounds with the whole world watching, and how a drawing by her son years ago made her decide to take a break from acting. Plus, how to control the amount of sex and violence your child sees on the tube, and a new look for a woman who’s had the same hair style for 20 years!

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