Watching Rachael Ray

It’s happening all over the nation. Everywhere, there’s the flurry of last minute shopping, gathering supplies, trying on shoes, adjusting backpack straps. There’s a sound that has the distinct air of ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth’ that mingles with the sighs of relief and excitement. The first is from the kids who are getting ready to return to school - the second? From mothers EVERYWHERE.

That’s right - it’s back to school time. Any mom - working or staying at home - who says they’re not looking forward to it? Must homeschool, be lying, or crazy. Us Veteran school mommies know that there three words that are the BEST words in the English language. Not “I love you.” Not even “You’re not fat!” but instead… these three glorious words…

BACK TO SCHOOL.

In celebration, in case you haven’t stocked your freezer with bonbons and champagne and are looking for something to ‘ease your sorrows’ with after those kids rush off to school, I thought I’d share some of the fun drink recipes in the latest newsletter. So grab some of your friends, have a Back To School brunch/lunch, and enjoy!

This one has my name written all over it!

Sparkling Margarita Floats.
One 12-oz can frozen limeade concentrate
1 1/2 cups tequila
1/2 cup triple sec
2 quarts tonic, chilled
1 pint tangerine, lemon or lime sherbet

1. Chill 8 glasses. In a pitcher, stir together the limeade, tequila and triple sec. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Stir the tonic into the limeade mixture. Place 1 scoop of sherbet into each of the glasses, and stir in the margarita mix.

If tequila isn’t you thing, how about a nice refreshing Pineapple Mojito?

1 bunch fresh mint, stems discarded
2 limes, each cut into 8 wedges
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup canned crushed pineapple
1 cup light rum
4 cups ice cubes
1 cup club soda

In each of 8 highball glasses, crush together one-eighth of the mint leaves, 2 lime wedges and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir in 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple and 2 tablespoons rum until the sugar is dissolved. Add 1/2 cup ice cubes and a splash of club soda to each glass. Serve immediately.

Want a little more high scale with fewer ingredients? Try the Prosecco Royale.

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
One 750-ml bottle prosecco, chilled

1. Chill 6 champagne flutes. In a small saucepan, stir the sugar and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Add the cranberries and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Strain, then refrigerate the syrup and cranberries separately.
2. Place a few cranberries in each flute and top with 1 tablespoon cranberry syrup; fill each glass with prosecco.

However you decide to celebrate - do it in style, and responsibly.

No, not on Bravo, but when it comes to the Forms Top Ten Earning Chefs! Forbes released the list today of the top earners, and unsurprisingly our Chef that is not a Chef but a Cook, Rachael Ray, topped a list populated with a bunch of Food Network groupies.

Here’s the list:
1. Rachale Ray - $18 million
2. Wolfgang Puck - $16 million
3. Gordon Ramsay- $7.5 million
4. Nobuyuki Matsuhisa - $5 million
5. Alain Ducasse - $5 million
6. Paula Deen - $4.5 million
7. Mario Batali - $3 million
8. Tom Colicchio - $2 million
9. Bobby Flay - $1.5 million
10. Anthony Bourdain - $1.5 million

Say what you want, the girl can work a brand like nobodies business, and it’s quite clear why Anthony Bourdain has nothing good to say about her - as he’s on the bottom of that list. Recently, though, he was reported as saying at least she didn’t punch him in the nose, so that was good. It’s important to own your snark, after all!

From EVOO, four Food Network programs, the Rachael Ray show that’s backed by Oprah - she averages 2.6 million viewers, and the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray has 1.5 million readers. Throw in Duncan Donuts, and there’s no wonder she’s pulling in that amount of cash.

In other news - I’ve said it before here, and it bears repeating, because I’ve gotten contacted a couple of times recently. Watching Rachael Ray is a site run by a fan for 451Press.com. As such, I’m not in any way affiliated with Rachael Ray, her brands, her company, her shows, any and all of the above. I can’t get you tickets, I can’t put you in touch with her publicist, I can’t get you an autograph or a one on one meeting. For those things you need to check her official site, RachaelRay.com.

Hello? Is this thing on? Hi there, and welcome back! It’s been a rough couple months around these parts and I’m just glad it all happened while Rachael Ray Show was on haitus! Sure, there’s been some new shows (previously recorded) but all in all, it’s been a quiet summer, until the new season starts in September.

In the meantime, I thought I’d better get my behind in here and check in and post something worth reading! I’m sure most of you know or have heard that Rachael Ray is now invading appearing in the pet food aisles of many stores! That’s right, it’s a new venture called Nutrish, from Rachael and Isaboo to you and your four legged friend.

Nutrish dog food comes in two flavors, Beef and Brown Rice, and Chicken and Veggies. With Omega Fatty Acides, EVOO to keep the coat shiney and healthy, to a blend of fiber with oatmeal to make it easy to digest, calcium and antioxidants like Vitamin E and Selenium to high quality proteins for healthy organs and lean muscle mass - Nutrish has everything your dog needs, plus a good taste too. Or so they say - I personally haven’t tasted it. Heh.

Not just dogfood - there’s dog treats too, booscotti and grill bites. Best of all - a portion of the proceeds goes to Rachael’s Rescue, where the pets take center stage as they work with shelters to help animals in need. Love her, or hate her, Rachael has hit the mark with this one - I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a soft spot for animals in need!

It says on the site that you can find the new food most anywhere, though I haven’t seen it in Alaska just yet. If you check it out, let me know, and we’ll let you post a review of it here!

I hope to be back on a regularly scheduled update kick again soon! Thanks for hanging out with me here at WRR!