Watching Rachael Ray

OK - so that shirt is the kind of shirt that starts “belly bump” talks, if it wasn’t Rachael and the fact that she insists she won’t have kids. Valerie joins Rachael at the kitchen table right at the top of the show today, to dish about her new book. She’s also bearing gifts from her trip to Canada - a purse, tomato growers, some wine from a favorite restaurant, and even some things for Isaboo, and who join them on stage, with hubby John Cusimano too.

They talk about the book signing that Valerie’s been on with her new tell all book, Losing it. She shares a bit of her video diary that they did during the tour, including the moment when she found out her book went number one. She loves the people who come up and say they’ve been inspired and can see themselves - it’s all she could hope for in writing the book. It’s what she has always wanted to do - inspire and help people.

The book covers everything - drugs, infidelity, weight loss, divorce - Valerie says it was a way of creating a clean slate. She’s purging all the shame that she’s felt now that she’s purged the weight. She is who she is because of all the choices she’s made and proud to be who she is. It’s even lead to apologies with her ex, Eddie Van Halen and a new connection that’s very good.

The big news - there’s the possibility of a talk show, something inspirational. She doesn’t know just yet, but does plan to write a follow-up book because there are so many stories inside of her. Valerie wants to write more about the divorce and how to treat the kids right - don’t forget they come first.

They talk about how the parents feel about Valerie’s book, and how proud they are of them. Valerie can’t quite bring herself to ask them if they’ve read it. Of course, Rachael has to go a step farther and get dad on the line to ask if they liked the book. Dad says there’s a little too much information, but they’re extremely proud of her, she’s a beautiful person. Valerie is a bit teary and says dad looks at the positive ending, he’s the happy guy.

Wolfie, Valerie’s son, hasn’t read it yet. Val jokes “He can’t even get through the books he’s supposed to read for school! He’s not going to read his mom’s book.” Rachael asks how it is to raise a rock and roll son, talking about not doing drugs and such when mom and dad did. She says it’s just do as I say, not as I do. It’s working so good so far, but she did all of her stuff in her 20s, so she’s trying to hold on for him to be good through those upcoming decade too.

After some audience questions, Rachael headed to the kitchen in order to make dinner - Fish Tacos with Quick Slaw, Avocado Sauce and Green Rice.