Watching Rachael Ray

April 27 2009

Joy Behar, from the View, joins Rachael today and finds herself in the middle of her own Hot Topic as she is asked if she’s going to marry her longtime Beau. Says Joy, “Steve and I hve been together for 26 years. I mentioned we might get married this year, but I read a study that said women over 40 either get married or turn lesbian, so I don’t know which way to go!” Rachael offers to do the catering for the wedding, and Joy says that Barbara Walters has already offered to throw a party. Rachael says Barbara can do the rehearsal dinner which lead Joy to joke that they’ve been rehearsing for 26 years already - who needs dinner?

Next up it’s time for a “going too far” segment where Joy tackles the topics of Gay-Friendly Middle schools (Sure, why not? If they wanna go they’ll go, if not they won’t.) The pastor who preaches about sex in his sermons (People say “oh god!” when having sex, so it fits!) And the people witch hunting the executive homes that received AIG bonuses (Threatening people in their home? Way too far!).

Want some tips for helping to get your grocery bill under control? Rebecca Currie has always been upset that junk food costs less than healthy food, and she challenged herself to spend just #1 a day on food for a month. She wanted to show that you could still eat healthy, and ended up saving $60 on her food bill. Planning her meals carefully was the key to being able to stretch the pennies a long way. She said that she ate some “not very good meals, but I actually made some really great stir-fry and stews!”

Here are some of her best tips:
Buy seasonal produce - it’s cheaper when it’s in season, and also look for long-lasting vegetables like cabbage and carrots, so that you have time to cook them before they spoil.

By small amounts in bulk bins - you can save on whole grain and rice by shopping by the pound so that you can purchase exactly what you need.

Frozen vegetables are cheaper and last longer!

Shop around for the best prices - you won’t always get the best deals for everything at just one store. Take advantage of instore specials as well.

A stocked pantry will help prevent impulse purchase. Rebecca keeps powdered milk in her pantry at all times - she doesn’t drink it, but you can cook with it. It saves that last minute shopping trip for a bit of milk that always ends up with $50 of other purchases to go with it.

Got the Filet-o-Fish jingle stuck in your head? (I don’t - that’s the first time I’ve seen it!) The stars of the commercial re-enact the commercial in Rachael’s garage. They did like 45 takes, and he had 12 sandwiches during the filming. The creators of the jingle are on hand too, and they joke it took about three bears each and they had a winner. One of the creators is also the fish voice.

What’s for dinner? Crispy Parm-Crusted Filet of Fish and Buttery Bowties with peas.

March 26, 2009

Mally Roncal is on hand, to tell about her latest task she did for Rachael with a team of her stylists. They ambushed unsuspecting women at the DMV for on the spot makeovers so that they could take a fantastic license picture for a change!

Mally says that a bad photo can lead to 10 years of embarrassment! Many times it’s done as an errand, between the kids and the groceries, and you don’t think about the fact that you’ll look at it for a decade. So take the time before hand - a cute sweater with a pop of color, a little makeup, do you hair - you’ll be happier for it, just as the ambushed makeover winners were!

Rupert Everett joins Rachael at the kitchen table to chat a bit about his Broadway Debut in the comedy Blithe Spirit. He loves the New York audiences, and finds inspiration through being on the stage with 83-year old Angela Lansbury! “She’s in much better shape I think than the rest of us in the cast! She dances, she tears around the stage, she’s absolutely brilliant in the play.” Rachael points out that he’s looking pretty good himself, despite the fact he’s turning 50 in May. When he admits to not being a fan of birthday parties, Rachael says he should take a vacation, and he laughs “to a clinic to have a total face lift!” What’s his must have item on airplanes? Wine! “Wine tastes like 100% more delicious high up in the air.”

Click here to check out the prank Rachael played at Madame Tussaund’s Wax Museum! Then check out the double duty pancake tip to personalize your morning breakfast for your loved ones! It’s easier than you’d think!

What’s for dinner: Baby artichoke crostini, baby artichoke tea sandwiches, Spring baby artichoke and spinache pesto pasta.

Not at the same time, of course.

March 25, 2009

Mario Lopez has been breaking hearts since his days on saved by the Bell, and dishes with Rachael a bit on what it takes to get a date with him now, and what he’s looking for in a girl. Mario says it’s simply - if she makes him laugh and has a good sense of humor when it comes to his own jokes, she’s a win. If she COOKS, it’s a definite bonus! Though, looking at the picture there - Mario himself could be the bonus!

Though he took a few spins around the floor on Dancing with the Stars, he is still waiting for his own dream partner. He tries to get Rach to think of doing DWTS - she, of course, declines, claiming that it would take more then two margaritas, for sure!

Mario has plenty of his own cooking suggestions too, in his new book called Knockout Fitness which contains eating plans and jump-starting tips for your workout routine. Mario says it’s all about having fun and keeping your muscles guessing, don’t get into a rut by always going to the gym. “Be open minded! Take classes, go outside!”

In the latest instant human lab segment, it’s time to take on some hair-fomercials with Gretta.

Julie tests the Instyler rotating iron, which claims to straighten and style without adding volume and body to your hair at the same time. Gilbert tries the Toppic Hair Building Fibers, which claims to quickly and undetectably fill out any balding or thinning areas, and Carolyn tries the Hairagami, a snap action design tool for creating beautiful hair fashions with ease.

But do they work?

Julie’s hair is definitely straighter without adding any more volume, and she says it was quicker then normal - it’s still a little frizzy, but she thinks with more product she could be even happier with it, but it certainly worked for what it was. Gilbert’s Toppic Hair Building Fibers - and it certainly seems to have worked, and made a significant difference in the appearance of his hair. Even G is impressed. Gilbert says that he has to get used to the product, it’ll be easier to use and work it in naturally. The product does what it says it will do, and he didn’t get it all over his hands or sweater or anything. Pleased customer. Carolyn says that the hairgami takes a lot of getting used too, and she felt it was a lot of work for the result. She only tried one of the 30 styles to do, and she did try to do the bun, but it does take a while to get used to it.

Gretta suggests if you want to try any product seen on an infomercial, only buy those with a money-back guarantee. If a company doesn’t believe in their product enough to offer one, you shouldn’t trust it either.

Today’s meal for a steal for four at $8.94 is Caprese Lasagna. What’s for dinner? Beer-Braised Bacon Bacon Cheeseburgers.

David Borenanaz has a huge following from his show Angel, and Bones, though his little boy acts as his own little bodyguard. His 7 year old son, Jayden, is very protective when folks come up and ask for his autograph or a picture. Jayden is all “Hey! That’s my dad! What are you doing to my dad!” - which is awww, sweet! Last time David was on the show, they played a game called Air (your dirty laundry) Hockey, but this time he’s another talent to showcase - he’s a dancer. More specifically, he’s a “Pop-locker” and he answers Rachael’s challenge to dance for a plug of House’s day and time scrolled across the screen. Check it out!

Rach: Your pretty good!
David: Of course I am!
Me: Hahaha!

Next up, a viewer, Denise, shares her weight loss journey. She weighed 335 pounds at her heaviest, and struggled to lose weight her entire life. She says when her kids were young she wouldn’t lay them on the floor because getting down to pick them up was a problem. After going to a golf course where a man behind her told his kids over and over to watch what they ate because they didn’t want to be fat like her, she decided to look into getting gastric bypass.

Since her surgery, she’s lost 155 pounds, completed 2 half marathons but is still wearing clothing that’s too big. She had thought that losing the weight would give her self-confidence, but she still sees 300 pounds in the mirror. She wants to look hot, and Rachael agrees that it’s time for her to look hot. G to the rescue - with help from The Biggest Loser winner Michelle Aguilar, who lost 110 pounds last season and knows well the stress of learning to dress a new body. She encourages her to never settle for less - don’t go back to the old clothes, the old ways, it’s a lifelong change so move forward. If you have a bad day, forgive and move on!

Click here to see some Do It Yourself ideas for furniture with HGTV host Michele Beschen, who helps makes your own designer items!

Then enjoy dinner with Pizza Sticks and Pncetta-Wrapped Shrimp all’ Amatriciana.

Jimmy Fallon understands pressure, as he’s taken over for Conan O’Brian on the Late Night show! He says that he feels a bit more freedom though, because of the time slot, joking that they can do whatever they want because “no one’s watching!” They can stretch and be weird and see what’s funny. One of the most popular segments to date is the “Lick it for Ten” where he has audience members lick ordinary objects for $10 bucks. Rachael jokes that they’ve licked a lot worse than bowling balls or lawnmowers on her show! (Backstage, Jimmy talks about the segment becoming surprisingly popular with one age group! and his goofing off with the audience during a commercial break!)

Of course, it wouldn’t be right to have him on without some impressions - check it out!

Next up, Rachael looks for the most clever savers to share some buck-stretching tips in the new series The Smartest Savers in America. (Share your tips here!) Kathy says that she can smell a deal from a mile away - she’s purchaced 6 cars and a boat with no credit cards and an annual income of $40k. She says she refuses to pay full price for anything, because she knows research will get her a better deal.

She only spends about $200 a year for her family on clothing, by being smart and shopping church yard sales, flea markets and clearance sales. IF she needs something specific, she uses Ebay with a firm spending limit. The key is to be patient, and stick to a Price Per Use rule when choosing an item to decide how much use she’ll get out of that purse or sweater.

Her number one household item trick is to ask the salespeople where the sale items are and where the clearance aisle is. Asking for damaged goods is the biggest deal - especially for her gardening as you can sometimes get a torn bag of peet for 50% off. She saves weekly with food too - ask the salesperson for discounts, and don’t be afraid to bring things close to the expiration date home and freeze them for later use!

Saving isn’t a natural thing, especially here, so you have to learn theb ehavior. Kathy’s learning curve began 3 decades ago when they wanted to buy their fist home and had to stick with a budget to do so. Make it fun and not stressful, and you’ll be successful! Check out some of Kathy’s travel ideas here!

For dinner, its All-American Mac’n'Cheese Burger and Buffalo Chicken Stromboli.

Still working on that “OMG SO FAR BEHIND” quicky catchups! Bear with me!

March 20, 2009
Cynthia Nixon and a Sex and the City Surprise.

I think I’m probably the only woman on earth who’s not hung up on Sex and the City - as I never watched the show, haven’t seen the movie, and really don’t care about the upcoming sequel. Heh. Shame on me.

Cynthia maintains, though, that their off-screen lives have not been as dramatic, and even they were often shocked at the characters exploits. Cynthia joked “We would get the scripts and say ‘Are we really going to say this? Are we really allowed to talk about this?’” Something that didn’t shock them, though, was the popularity of the film as women showed up from all over the world in droves to watch it. After all, women are half the population - “Make a movie we want to see, and we show up!”

The whole cast is on board for the sequal, and Cynthia says that it’s just time for them to do a romp, she wants to do something crazy and solve a mystery, go on an adventure because they’re married and have kids so “i think you’ve got to get us on a caper.”

In the meantime, Cynthia is on the New York Stage in Distracted, her 36th play. Rachael surprises her with some customized accolades - best portrayal of a redhead by a non-redhead, best taxi tipper, and a special award from her SATC hubby, David Eigenberg who honors her for hiving the best breath before a love scene. Awwww!

After Cynthia tackles some sex and the city questions from the audience, there’s a stop in the prep kitchen for some whole wheat fakeouts, and nightclub bouncers answer a question in the “No Dumb Questions” segment.

Then it’s time to talk facial hair in the Human Lab. They tested the Hair Off Facial Buffer, the Clean + easy Deluxe Home Electrolysis, and Epicare. Do they work?

The facial buffer worked easier then she thought it would, especially for the inexpensive price it works, but you can’t do it every day, you have to let the hair grow back. It helped her in between professional waxing visits. The Clean and Easy it worked, but was a bit time consuming, and Dina’s skin was so sensitive that it was quite painful. It will reduce the hair that you have if you keep it up, but try it on a small patch for a while to see if it’s worth it. If you typically scar easy though, this is not for you. Lili said the epicare worked for her - she had a little redness and breakout at first, but it totally worked and she loves it. It does hurt a lot though, as it yanks the hair out, it’s painful, but worth it.

For dinner - Parsley Pesto-Breadcrumb Spaghetti.

Doing a quick catchup, because OMG I cannot seem to get past staring in horror at the half of my DVR that’s filled with back episodes that I haven’t gotten to watch yet! SO! We’re going to do this quick and dirty - ya’ll ready?

Starting with:
March 19, 2009
Jeff Foxworthy, and Going To Far.

Jeff stopped by the show to talk about his books, including his latest one for kids called “Silly Street”, and to stick around for a new favorite segment of mine called “Going to Far.” He talked about reading his new book to kids in schools around the country, and how kids are like old people - there is no thought to mouth filter. After he read in one class, one little boy piped up with the important question “How much cash you make off something like that?” Ha!

When it comes to going too far, though, they chatted a bit about the man who got drunk and stumbled onto the subway tracks, lost his leg yet gained $2.3 million! Jeff’s opinion? It’s too far, and he worries now that it’ll be easy money, and all his relatives are lined up looking for the subway! One of the audience members points out something I agree with though - had the man gotten drunk and behind the wheel of a car, got into an accident and lost his leg - he’d be looking at jail time, not a lifetime of luxury. Well said!

In the speed round - there’s hysterical laughter about the “Human Barbells” where weightlifters are using people of small stature as weights. Um. Ok? Is it going too far? Jeff says “their family’s gotta be proud of that! Hoping to move up to that chicken suit in front of the store, but waiting for folks to lift me over their head… Can you imagine the sweat all day long?!” Homeless Man that asks for donations called “pimpthisbum.com” - going too far? Jeff says he doesn’t like the website name, because bum is a terrible word - they’re not bums, they’re RELATIVES… HahahH! Pimpmycousin would be better and take some of the burden off him! Ha! How about being charged $55 bucks for any 911 calls after the first free one in a week. Jeff says it is too far - he once called 911 thinking he was blind after seeing his grandmother in the shower. Ha! He’d have had that vision burned in his brain AND been out 55 bucks? not ok at all!

Backstage, Jeff gives some advice for Close Talkers too, while some viewers check in with mally Roncal because they hate their chin. Some of her quick fixes include:

For “the Frog”, someone who has big eyes and no chin like Kim, she uses a shaping powder, and plaing with light. Reshape the jawline to create a chin, and add a bit of shimmer. Don’t use heavy bronzer or brown eye shadow. Then draw attention to those big eyes with a shaping secret eyelift wand - gives the cat-eye look.

For Jessica, she thinks she looks like a turtle and her chin just grows, it looks heavy. Mally uses shading and shimmering techniques to contour the jaw line again, then opened up her eyes with some shimmery shadow in the corner of her eyes to make them sparkle and pop. She also suggested a trendy scarf of earrings to pull the focus away from her chin, as well as some exercises - chewing gum and sticking out your tongue tightenes the muscles and help pull a double chin upwards.

Melinda says she feels she has a “Banana face” with the way her chin juts out. Mally to the rescue with more shading and shimmering to help elongate the neck and chisel the face and look thinner. Perfecting powder keeps the chin matte instead of letting it get shiney and “come out and say hello”.

Recipes for this episode:
Chicken Ceasar Pasta, Brat Burger, Marsala Mushroom Burgers, and Alfredo Potato Finger Fries.

We get right too it today with a Stump The Rach segment - with no other then Jay Mohr, from Gary Unmarried, on hand to help! He comes out all twitterpated “It’s Rachael Ray can you believe it? We never miss a show, know all about the Stoups! How’s Isaboo?” and then he adresses the Cusimano’s “If your married to Rachael Freakin Ray just EAT THE GARLIC! I’d eat it in cloves!” Aww, how cute is he?

Time to Stump The Rach - today’s items are: Hair Cutting Umbrella, Chandelier Bulb, Snap Capps if you don’t like drinking out of pop can, and Dripsticks for popsicles.

As they head to the kitchen table to chat, they show a picture of his wife, Nikki Cox and his son - who every night asks if he can watch Rachael Ray. Awww. Nikki is an amazing cook, says Jay and she’s a baker too, she works both sides of the brain and Jay says “her looks are the least of her qualities - she’s the nicest person I know!” AWwww, how sweet!

He then goes right into impressions, doing a scene from Goodfellas for him, he could o the whole movie, if he had time. But he says he has a surprise - and has her close her eyes - and they bring out something out for her to touch and discover hat it is - it’s their teacup Yorkie Mabel. AWwww! Nikki joins them with Mabel in her arms, and even she watches Rachael Ray too - because she loves Burgers.

He says he’s nothing like his Gary Unmarried character - because he’s annoyed or 22 minutes every show, and he’s happy and mellow all the time. Gary is annoyed by many people, but nothing bothers him. Nikki says that “they’re both really good dads.” awwww. Too sweet.

He does other impressions - Christopher Walkin and Tracy Morgan. When asked if it’s like that all the time at her house Nikki says “No! Can you imagine? I’d be a mad woman!” Ha! He’s heading back on the road to do some more standup, and he says he answers his own emails, and you can contact him and find out more at jaymohr.com. Click here to find out Jay’s favorite recipe!

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for a buncha cube steak - Caprese Cube Steak, Italian BBq Steak, Mushroom and Red Wine Cube Steak, and White Wine and Garlic Cube Steak, it’s time for a new Human Lab!

Today, hunky firefighters will help test some Sweat Busters.

John says e sweats more then the average person, sometimes on a 24 hour shift there’s rarely time for a shower and it can get a little funky in the bunkroom. He tries the Sweatblock liquid formula, which is designed to eliminate underarm perspiration for 7 days.

Alan says that you walk around like a wet sponge all day - along with fighting fires, he’s a marathon runner too, and reducing his sweat would be nice so he didn’t walk around in damp clothes all the time - especially below the wasit. He tries Kleinert’s fluid resistant underwear, which claims to absorb excessive sweat and keep the cloth next to your skin dry.

Rocco says that his job is like crawling into a pizza oven with a snow suit on. You’re drenched from helmet to oots, and the guys are always pointing out his sweat rings. He tries the Drionic Underarm Device which claims to help underarms stay dry up to 6 weeks. He says that the directions are a little scary, but he’ll give it a try!

John says the sweatblock actually works and is a good product - you don’t notice it’s on you, and he’s noticed a large decrease under his arms, and he recommends the product to anyone.

Alan tried the underwear, and he says that they are comfortable, and they worked in the beginning, but they wore out quickly. Washing them was more work then wearing them, as they have to be hand washed, so someone who sits on their rear end all day might find them ok for them.

Rocco says the Drionic Underarm Device is time consuming to use, but he as noticed less sweat, though it hasn’t eliminated it completely.

Dr. Keri Peterson is on hand to discuss Sweat and why - we sweat to cool down, though some people have an overactive sweat gland. She explains how the products works, and agrees that the Sweat Block is a very effective product. The aluminum swells the glands so they don’t drip - it’s not medically dangerous because you perspire through other parts of your body.

She agrees with the underwear results, as with Rocco’s product, both useful, but not necessarily for busy firefighters.

What’s for dinner? Hanger Steak with Margarita Marinade, Tex-Mex fried rice and Black Refried Beans.

We start out in the kitchen today for a giant sized St. Patrick’s day dinner - what do you do with your left over Corned Beef and Cabbage? Try Ruben-Stuffed Potatoes! Mm yum…

We go from Irish food to Irish anchormen - Brian Williams joins Rach at the kitchen table, and he instantly gives her a hard time. He asks what the brand is of the oven, because things cook so quickly around there - no sooner had she put the potatoes in then they were done! Rach laughs and says it’s magic - and they only sell them to Cooking TV shows. Hahah!

He then asks what he can do for her - because he can’t cook worth a damn. He can chatter though, and he agrees he can do that till he cows come home - after complimenting the food he had backstage. They’re talking about his latest good news in the news - every night he has to come on and talk about so much bad things, and sometimes he feels like saying apologetically, we have more bad news. So his wife gave him the idea for the Random Act of Kindness segment. When he mentioned it, there were hundreds of emails, thousands within hours, so they will showcase s many as they can. It tells him there’s a place for it, for a ray of hope.

Rach says he’s the complete package, and he jokes “So we’re dropping the P word so early in the broadcast. Ok!”

He says that he’s close with his competition, and they joke that there’s really only 13 people in the industry, since it’s so interconnected, so they have to get along. They bang heads, sure, but he they’ve been friends for ever. “They can’t help it that our broadcast is so much better!”

He likes to show up on the Late Show to razz Conan O’Brian, and he says that if they bounce enough sunlight off the whiteness of Conan’s legs, it might be another source of energy. But he’s getting used to the West coast which is the best revenge. He even did a hosting gig for SNL and says he obsessed over it, wondering if he was going to flush 26 years of experience down the drain to do it. Chevy Chase helped him decide when he mentioned that he’d watched Dan Rather for 25 years and didn’t know who he was - he wanted to know Brian. So he did it.

Brian discusses the resergence of people returning to the Nightly newscasts for their news. He also reaches out via his blog, too and is an iTunes junkie, he loves discovering new music and made Rach a playlist - but won’t tell her who’s on it until he deems her ready for the discovery. Ha!

Five things you might not know about Brian:

Volunteer firefighter for 5 years. He says it was rewarding - especially when he found 2 puppies inside the house, and putting them in his coat, and he had his picture snapped as she went by and there’s 4 eyes peering out from his jacket. Awwwwwwwww…

He has a shelter dog, himself, from North Shore Animal League in NY. Lucy is 15, and dictates their sleeping habits and travel and he loves her to pieces - he won’t trust anyone who doesn’t love a dog.

Springstiene junkie! He chased him all over the jersy shore in his youth, that’s how he spent his paychecks every weekend - it was fantastic. He didn’t care that he was going broke, it was Bruce!

Nascar fanatic too - and loves car racing, he’ll watch anything go around in a circle.

And he’s turning 50 in May! He doesn’t look it - and he says e doesn’t feel it either. He doesn’t read the nutrients on anything, “if you do that you’re gonna walk outside and get hit by a bus anyway!”

Click here for more backstage with Brian Williams - including his iPod Playlist!

After a stop in the prep kitchen, where we make Irish Fondue, G’s back to talk about how to make the Fashion Trends work for the everyday you.

Here are Gretta’s tips!

One-shoulder asymmetrical shirts

“The asymmetrical trend is really about having no sleeve,” Gretta explains, “which gives you no support.” Normally a problem for larger-chested women, Gretta suggests taking the shirt into an angle, so you can still get the look and vibe of the asymmetrical look, but modified to have two sleeves and enough coverage and support.

Jumpsuits

“This is the single biggest spring trend,” Gretta explains. “The jumpsuit is everywhere — they come in shorts, they come in dresses, they come in rompers — it is huge.” But for those on the shorter side who think jumpsuits may make them look like a baby in a onesie, Gretta has a few suggestions: “If you want to look long and lean, just go one color,” she says. “Keep it simple, maybe a statement piece of jewelry up top. And not too much fabric … you don’t want to get lost in it.”

Harem pants

If you’re unsure if harem pants are going to make you look classy and fun or more like MC Hammer, Gretta gives her bottom line. “If you’re born with enough curves — you’ve got the hip and butt — you do not need to add more with the harem pants,” she explains. “If you’re straight up and down and you want to add some volume, and you’re tall and you can handle a lot of fabric, feel free to try it.”

Gretta says that if you’re a bit curvy you can still have fun with this trend by trying cargo pants. “Now they have a little bit of a pooled fullness down at the bottom,” she points out. “Essentially, that is just touching on the trend of a harem pant.” Gretta explains that the cargo pants can make you look lean through the hip yet give you fullness at the bottom.

Tops with “bling”

The biggest mistake people make when it comes to adding sparkles to their look is wearing more than one piece. “You can easily start looking like you should be part of the Ice Capades,” says Gretta. “Stick to one piece, that is always safe.”

What’s for dinner? Salmon in Pastry Sacks and Honey-butter Snap Peas.

As with all Mystery Taster Mondays - we start out in the kitchen to make a snack. it’s a Panini Party! Pizza-Nini, Spanish Ham and Cheese Panini, and Muffaletta Panini.

Time for some questions for the Mystery Taster!
Theme song - Dancing Queen, or Walk like a Man? Dancing queen, but reluctantly.
Panaramic view of the city - from Empire State Building or the Hollywood sign? Terrace in NYC and ALSO LA.
Age - Say in grammer school, how much was a gallon of milk because she as a world almanac.? A dollar. Rach says “oh… I need a calculator! I gotta do some math!” and the taster says “I’m OLD ok!” While Rach is trying to figure it out, the MT finally says “SIXTY-TWO!” as the crowd laughs and applauds.
If you were gonna adopt a puppy and name it for the top award in your field - what would it be? Emmy Oscar.

Time for a break, the MT will be back in a few. In the meantime, we talk about our first time. It’s something that we don’t really talk about, even with our daughters, which we all probably should. 18 year old Rachel Kauder Nalebuff is out with “My Little Red Book”, a collection of stories by women about their first period that she hopes will help spare the lonliness and embarrassment that we all felt about our first time.

Why are people so uncomfortable about it? It’s usually because we don’t talk about it, which is why she started the book. She water skiing, in a yellow bathing suit, and alone with her grandpa! The worst part was she didn’t ell anyone, so she was in the bathroom using paper towels, until Grandpa dropped her off at a pharmacy and was pretty awkward about it. She found herself lost in an aisle of incontinence diapers - it just kept getting worse. She wishes she had this book when she was 13.

Her great aunt pulled her aside to “put it in perspective” - she got hers while fleeing on a train from Nazi occupied Poland, and it saved her from being strip-searched by a Nazi officer. Rachel found it mind-blowing that she’d never heard the story, which is why she started the book. The important thing is to talk - she collected the stories and it’s filled with both serious and playful tales. She hopes that this openess will make a world of difference on that critical day. “Get the conversation Flowing!”

We’re back in the kitchen to plate up the Panini Party, then ask some more questions to try and figure out who the Mystery Taster is.

What professions has she played? Mayor of NYC, Wedding Planner, TV Journalist - pretty much everything except me and that lady in the pink shirt, says Rach - “Pretty much.”
Rach complains she offered food to the crowd to cheat - and no one’s offering nothing!
Who has she worked with? Sean Connery, James Spader
“Is it Candice Bergen?!”

Indeed it IS!

From Murphy Brown to Boston Legal, Rach says Candice is the most impeccably dressed woman on TV. Candice says she helped trademark style by buying many of the outfits herself. She misses Murphy Brown and the people she worked with, as they were all good friends. They were very close, and she still keeps in touch with all of them. She praises David Kelley, who created Boston Legal. “He’s a genius and it doesn’t get any better then what he writes!”

She was also the first female host of SNL! Who makes her laugh? Tina Fey makes her laugh like crazy. Is she gonna be in the sequel of Sex and the City? She doesn’t know - no one knows.

Then we’re joined by Joni Evans, the CEO of Women on the Web, along with Liz Smith, and Candice. They’re here to discuss wowOwow.com - Women on the Web, along ith Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg and many other women. The site is geared toward women over 40, which is considered the fastest growing demographic of internet users, including the “silver tsunami” of females in their 50s. They created wowOwow.com as a smart and lively news community. “it’ a conversation amongst women who are not babies, who have one it all, who have money and brains. Kick ass women!” says Joni. It even has Hair Weather Reports - talk about a one stop site!

Candice says that sometimes she wished she had a village elder to ask questions of - the women on the site each has a different set of experiences and intelligences and knowledge base. “It’s great to enter into these conversations.”

What’s for dinner? Meatball Speidini with Caprese and Salad-a ghetti.

We all hate how we look first thing in the morning - but imagine if you had to be up and on air at 5am? Three news anchors help us test products that claim to combat tired eyes in the latest Human Lab.

Cynthia wants viewers to watch her and not be distracted by anything on her ace, like puffy eyes because the lights on set are not very forgiving.

Rhonda caught a tape of her own show and was like “Whoa! what is going on under my eyes!” She has ark circles under her eyes and feels like she’s a slave to makeup.

Ginger’s alarm goes off at 1:55am in the morning, every day! She says High Definition TV is the worst thing to have happened, especially since she’s discovered tiny crows feet around her eyes.

Cynthia tries the Spa Cells Facial Sponge, which claims o stimulate blood flow to decrease puffiness. SHe was a little surprised at how messy it was, and that it was a little abrasive, but said she’d continue to try for a month and see what happens. She says that it was a little abrasive for under her eyes, but loves it as an exfoliator for the rest of her face.

Rhonda tried the Borba Age Defying Targeted Wrinkle Treatment which claims o diminish dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles under the eye. Rhonda says that after a month, she really hasn’t seen any improvement. It was easy to use, just not very effective.

Ginger tries the Cupron Cosmetic Skin Appearance-Enhancing Satin Pillowcase, which is said to generate healthier-looking skin, reducing appearance of fine lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles. She really wants to say that she looks fantastic since getting the pillowcase, but it’s just not true, so she can’t. It’s not seen any change in the appearance of her eye - but there is some change and improvement in her hair (not tangled!) and overall complectsion. She she keeps trying.

Dr. Deb, a determitologist is on hand to discuss the products and about our eyes. The reason the eyes show aging first is because the skin is thinner there, and drys out faster. Drink water, sleep 8 hours a day, diet - it’s all important. If you don’t feel well, you won’t look good.

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for some Grasshopper Brownies, it’s Ted Danson!

Rach says they love it when folks stop by and say they have fun, but even better when they come back for a repeat visit - and not just for the food. Ted Danson is curently on Damages, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and gives Rach a hard time, saying that this visit is a little classier this time around. Last time he came on, she joined him in an elevator and said nothing to him at all. This time was a little different though - and there’s a clip, of course. Big signs and balloons and a piano player too all in the elevator as he says “Last time no one recognized me at all!” And he even has the piano player play Cheers theme for them. Laughter and applause all the way around. Best Elevator ride ever!

His wife, Mary, and Rach share the same girl crush on Jillian from Biggest Loser. His daughter had Jillian come and work out with them, and he swears he’s still in pain! But they love her none-the-less. He’s also on an up and coming HBO show called Bored to Death.

Along with the shows he’s on - Ted is also on his way to Washington to elp spread the word of Oceana, a world wide ocean advocasy group.

What does he prefer as an actor, Comedy or drama? He says it doesn’t matter- good scripts are the key. Comedy is harder, you get instant feedback - like cooking. Drama is like going out and drinking. He loves to watch cooking shows when he’s at home, he finds them relaxing and learns stuff too!

Who’s Ted’s Celebrity crush? He smiles and says “I already told you that I watch cooking hows….” Smooth, Ted, smooth! And when it’s not cooking shows - he loves reruns of Cheers! It’s like visiting old friends, though that tall guy with dark hair is a stranger. Ha!

He has a grocery store tip for us too - when you buy fish, ask to see the FDA list of what kind is best for you, what has too much murcury, etc. So ask to see it, and educate yourself.

What’s for dinner? Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot Pie.

We start off in the kitchen for a Meal for a Steal. Based on the most downloaded recipe of Buffalo Chicken - under $10, it’s dinner for four - Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizzas.

So what do you tell your kids about money problems? We meet a family who’s having financial problems, and are afraid of losing their home. The husband has been laid off, and they’re struggling. they’ve cut back on social evens and it’s affecting their son - he’s used to getting and doing things, and he’s noticed the change. Darren says that he sleeps maybe 3 or 4 hours a night, and searches for work all the rest of the time. The bills - and stress - is mounting, and affecting their son, if he’ll act out due to feeding off their stress. Toni and Darren want to know how much they should tell their 4 year old about what’s going on with them.

Since it’s outside Rachael’s expertise, Dr. Phil is in he house to answer the questions and give some advice to the couple in the front row. He jokes about having to work today, as he hasn’t been fed yet, before they settle in and get serious.

The number one pressure on marriages is money - fighting over it, and there’s a trickle own effect that even goes into domestic violence, depression, and kids acting out. It trickles down all the way. Children innately sense the stress even if they aren’t told - and have a unique ability to fill in vague worries into their reality, and blame themselves for mommy and daddy fighting. “If I didn’t ask for that toy, that coloring book, mommy and daddy won’t be fighting” so we need to be sensitive to what messages we send them.

2 rules in dealing with children - don’t deal with adult issues with them, and don’t hold them responsible. You can say that Mommy and Daddy need to watch our money, so we’re all going to do things - we’re gonna save food and have left overs, and maybe get one car, but YOU get to be Light Patrol! If we’re not in a room, turn off the light!” It’s all about the tone of voice, and making it positive and constructive and get them involved according to their age level.

While Darren and Toni admit to a few bad decisions put them into this situation, they’re careful not to fall into the blame game. The spouse can be an easy target - so you have to realize that you’re in this together. Make informed decisions - it’s math, not magic. While they feel like the rug has been pulled out from under them, Dr. Phil encourages them to hold themselves accountable, but not to dwell on it, and focus on the fact that their in it together and they’ll get through it.

An audience member asks how she can explain to er friend she can’t go out without being embarrassed and Dr. Phil says that money does not define who we are. Don’t be embarrassed - and also own it, and invite he friends to do things hat don’t cost money. Own it. This is where you are - own it. Another viewer is a blended family, and how do they go about parenting without prejudice? Dr. Phil says that you’re a guy living with their mother, and vice versa, and the kids won’t respond to the step parent. You have to negotiate and discipline you own kids, and make it across the board - fair for everyone.

What’s coming up next for Dr. Phil? They have a multi-part series called the young wives club, as “young people tend to think marriage is a long date, they don’t know how to do anything!” Relationships are about negotiation! If you don’t like it, get in there and get your hands dirty and fix it. And check out some backstage advice for Dr. Phil too.

After a stop in the prep kitchen where Rach introduces her new Prep Mix n Pour Bowls - the proceeds of which go to the Yum-o! Charity - G is on hand or some Spring Fashion Bargains.

G says that even though there’s recession, you don’t have to skimp on style - here’s a lot of stuff at great prices, and there’s one key piece that works all the way through with items found in your own closet as she does fashion under $50 bucks. Check it out here!

What’s for dinner? Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Potatoes.

I’m probably the only person in the world who hasn’t seen the Curious Case of Benjamin Button - or Watchmen, but both are topics today. We start off with another Benjamin Button makeover of two viewers who look nothing like their actual age.

Julie is 26, and when she looks in the mirror she sees a child, not an adult or mom. She is often given the children’s menu - even when 5 months pregnant, and people just don’t take her seriously. She wants to look closer to her age so people will respect her more, and notice she’s not a child.

G is on hand to help out with the makeover. G says she understands how hard it is to find clothes to fit the small petite figure.

Gisele is in her 40s and is often treated as if she’s in her 20s. She says sometimes it is fun, but he’s often mistaken for the younger sister of her husband or even a daughter. Even when she went to buy her wedding dress the clerks overlooked her several times because they couldn’t believe she was there to get dress. She wants to join the work force again, and wants people to see her as a mature person who’s ready to work.

Gretta is joined by her partner in crime, Tim Gunn who’s backstage waiting for them to start their makeover. Off they go, and we see how it comes out later.

Which means it’s time for the Hot Men of Watchmen! BillyCrudup (Dr. Manhattan) Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian) and Patric Wilson (Nite Owl ll) are on hand and join Rach at the kitchen table. Rachael says she’s a convert, and the boys agree - it’s like the Holy Grail to comic book fans, but they agree it’s fun to see mom’s and girlfriends and others who were dragged by their friends to see it love the movie too. It’s cool to see it branch out into a wider audience.

Rach asks if it was fun - despite how dark and serious the undertones of the movie itself. Jeffrey says it was fun to do- but face it “We’re goofballs. We had a blast.” they liked playing the superhero - and the shlub. They’re human, not always good. Jeffrey says “I’m a little bit horrible.” And Rach says “a LITTLE bit?”

The movie is about deconstructing the comic book hero - just as the comic did itself. Rach says despite the length, she was ready to see it again. Billy says “You should see it again and again. And pay each time.” Much to everyone’s laughing delight.

Billy is blue and naked most of the movie, and Jeffrey laughs “There’s nothing little about Billy!” When asked if it was embarrassing? He says “Not when you look like THAT! It’s pretty unfortunate for the rest of my life, of course.” They talk about the hot sex scene, and they say it’s always awkward, and having been impotent the whole movie, the end scene is a huge payoff, and well deserved, says Patrick Wilson - but he’s quick to point out his wedding ring, though his wife was ok with the scene too.

So if they could play the Rachael Ray’s superhero names be? Jeffrey says after all the promotions - he wants to be Vacation Boy, and Patrick says “I’ll say Vacation MAN.” They ask Tommy - Billy’s brother - what his name should be, and he comes out all blue, and Billy is just laughs and hides his face. Tommy says that he’s been blue ever sense - and Rach busts him, and says every time Billy’s CGI came on screen, Tommy laughed, and Billy says “Hey, I was NAKED. Make it happen! Let’s see if there’s a family resemblance!” Check out the transformation backstage.

Next up, Tim Gunn joins Rachael and talks about some of his favorite Oscar looks - Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, Bradgelina! Tim admits to ambushing them so that he could get an interview. They had said they wouldn’t do any interviews, but he heard his producer say “Go! Go get them!” so he did.

They still don’t know what is happening with Project Runway and where it will be - he says it’s a fabulous season, and he is concerned bout he designers, he wants them to have the air time. The two networks are still battling it out. He doesn’t know where they’ll end up.

He tells about n airport experience - there was a traveling team of about 30 girls, who all came up to ask for his autographs. He said it was surreal, but then it’s always countered by a sobering experience as someone came up afterwards and was like “Who ARE you?!” Wondering how he got all that attention! Haha!

Tim is hosting a different kind of show, Addressing Psoriasis Fashion Show to raise awareness about the disease. Most people dress around it, and the fashion show is to showcase folks who have the disease - which is a chronic immune system disorder - and their stories of how the won’t let it get the better of them.

Then it’s time for the Makeover results. Julie comes out - and with her short sassy haircut and casual suit - she looks FANTASTIC and VERY age appropriate! Sophisticated and Julie says she finally feels grown up. Gissele comes out next, and she looks sassy and fabulous - and older without being dowdy or too old. Gorgeous!

Check here for Tim’s Must-Have fashion item!

What’s for dinner? Citrus-Soy Chicken, Pork or Shrimp Stir Fry.

We start today about gossiping about celebs and whether they’ve had plastic surgery. It usually ticks Rachael off, because people often write such things about her. She laughs and says she wouldn’t lift her BROWS but her BOOTY if she had a week off! Sheesh!

Dr. Anthony Youn is back, and he’ll help pinpoint who has or hasn’t. He even says Rachael has no signs of it. The Doc says that you can usually spot work if it’s been done - good plastic surgery is done so you can’t see it, unless your a surgeon. So, the Octo-mom. Angelina WannaBe or not? We look at some clips and before/after pictures, and Dr. Youn does some comparisons, and says… her nose is thinner, her lips are quite a bit larger and he believes she may have had a nose job and lip augmentation. He says “may or may not” but leans toward the “may”. He demonstrates what he uses for lip augmentation and has Rach touch it - THEN tells her its cadaver skin, and she freaks out. Awesome!

Some reports that Michael Jackson is suffering from a staff infection in his face, possibly mersa, related to plastic surgery. He shows some pictures of people have had such infections, though it’s very rare, and you don’t have to worry about it every day.

They move on to some tips for anyone considering plastic surgery - especially overseas where a million and a half are estimated to have it done that way. There’s an increased numbers of botched procedures that end up costing more, because they have to clean up the mess.

Make sure that you find someone you trust, and consult the international members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as they’ve been pre-screened. Get a second opinion, research the surgeon, where it’ll be done and he procedure itself. Don’t do anything that doesn’t make 100% sense to you. Even a procedure like liposuction is not for everyone - like Tara Reid’s botched procedure. Young Hollywood is feeling pressure to be perfect, and are having all this surgery with some disastrous results. It’s a serious thing, it’s not getting your hair done. So do the research before you go under the knife!

As he says - lipo is not for skinny people. if’ your 5′4″, 105, and are looking to have some perceived imperfection removed? “That person is better off seeing a therapist rather than seeing me.”

Next up it’s Bruno Tonioli (Who I always call Bruno Tortilini, because it makes my daughter laugh) who joins Rach at the table, to chat about Dancing with the Stars! He’s just like he is on DwtS - and tells Rach how gorgous she is, and how he’s so excited to see the new cast.

His predictions - he says it’s very early though. They’re young and sexy “so we want to get that out of them. But being so young and feisty, will they be able to present elegance and style?” He says it will be interesting, and amazing!

He says that it happens all the time though - some Star comes up and he’s all “who the hell is that?!” Bruno feels it helps though, because your judging the dancing, not the life outside of the studio. He wants to treat everyone the same. He won’t say anything about his favorites though. He says it’s too early, and you have to give it a chance. She even tries to bribe him and let him cook for her because he really wants to do that. He says ok, but he’ll ONLY tell her!

After a quick break, Bruno judges a unique dancing contest - Dancing with the Dogs! Check it out here, where they decide they can’t pick a winner, so all three get a full years supply of Rach’s Nutrish Dog Food. Check it out backstage as Bruno talks about his ultimate Dance Partner!

What’s for dinner? Figure Friendly Eggplant Parm Subs, and Chicken Parm Subs.

As with all Mystery Taster Mondays - there’s someone in the elevator, though this time it’s an entire (not quite) cast in the elevator, as Rachael starts in the kitchen to make a snack - pigs in a blanket with the works. As son as they’re in the oven, she steps into the corner and the Mystery Cast is revealed - and the crowd goes wild! Except for one lady who looks to be mouthing to her friend “who is that?” Ha! Rach gets them settled down and says she’s scared, but starts with the questions.

How many of them are there? 5.
pretty much the whole cast? it’s bigger.
Comedy or drama? Debate among the critics, but once the situation was set, hijinks were set to ensue. The laughtrack ensured it.
Is your show associated with one city? Maybe. It took place somewhere. Nowhere, but everywhere actually. CA plates on the car, always sunny.
Network or cable? Didn’t have cable back then, but can watch it on cable now.

Time for them to go back up, and the show to continue for a while as we get some double duty tips from viewers, from using a funnel to separate a youl from egg white, an egg slicer to spice up your next cheese platter, and keeping pancakes fresh and warm using a tortilla warmer. Check it out here!

Then it’s time for more questions and the reveal of the Mystery Cast! She recaps what she knows so far, then asks a couple more questions.

When it was first on the air - what demographic was it popular with? They covered the range from childhood to adulthood and still do - their audience was the same as Rachaels.
Primary set - like a tent, hospital, school? It was a house and a back yard.
Was it original or a spin off - it was original with many incarnations.
Cool theme song?
Holy cow its the Brady Bunch! Cindy, Marcia, Bobby, Peter and Greg! Everyone comes to the table as she says she shoulda made pork chops and applesauce! Ha!

They say be honest, she learned to cook from Alice - and she says not so much.. ha! How often o they get together? They get together often, especially this year as it’s the show’s 40th anniversary. They all met 41 years ago - so they’re friendships are older then Rachael! Ha! They’re amazed they’re not tired of each other yet. Marcia says she was originally supposed to play Jan “Which would ave changed my frickin life FOREVER!” Oh Marcia, marcia, MARCIA! Ha!

They recorded 5 albums, and when they went on tour it was he first time they got to interact with the fans, and they felt like rock stars. “Well you were!” Exactly.
Some of their favorite episods? Christopher Knight (Peter) says that his were the ones where he got to throw things at Maureen McCormic - Marcia. “Getting her covered with mud, hitting her with the football, the pie fight!” Maureen counters with her favorite which was in Hawaii, but happened off camera, as it was her first kiss with Barry - who blushes and she says it was incredible. Susan Olsen, Cindy, says that the two youngest Brady kids were having their own fling - they used o make out in Tiger’s dog house! Rach says it’s WAY too much Brady information!

Other then making out with their brothers - they had other favorites - Johnny Bravo, Greg making the history class movie, etc. They call Christopher a teaser, and he says he was between Greg and Marsha all the time, but he was always Greg’s wingman. The youngest aided and abbetted the picking on Maureen too - and are proud of it. Maureen McCormic has a book out called “here’s the story.”

They do occasionally watch the show, remembering, but it’s the people they met and knew. They get to watch it with their own kids, now, and it’s a whole nother thing, and much more fun. There is a coffetable book about the brady bunch variety hour - the Brady Skeleton In The Closet - and Cindy also is the “crazy cat lady” and rescues cats with Precious Paws. Greg is in musical theatre and travels a lot, Bobby makes decorative concrete countertops, and Christopher has a gameshow coming - Trivial Persuit.

One audience question - Brady Bunch was on at the same time as the Partridge family - was there a rivalry or were they friends? Marsha wanted to be a Partridge, because they were groovy and hip. When Bobby says the Bradies had the moves - Rach says “clearly the moves on each other!” Here’s more with the Bradys backstage, as well as The Brady Bunch Sound-off!

So, what’s for dinner? Lentil Soup with Sausage and Kale.