Watching Rachael Ray

We start in the kitchen for the first part of the Fast, Faster, Fastest meal trio. First up, the Fast - Spicy Roast Pork Tenderloin with 3-cheese Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus, Green Beans and Lemon.

The reason for the fast, faster, fastest is because Danica Patrick knows a lot about going fast - she’s just won her first IndyCar race, where she keeps up and surpasses thes best of the best! Danica joins Rachael at the kitchen table, where she says she’s hungry now because it smells so good in the kitchen. Rachael can’t get over how tiny she is, and how it worries about her because of it. Of course, Danica says the TV makes her look taller, but all of them are on the smallish size. She won’t be taking Helio’s lead though - Dancing with the Stars is not for her. Danica declares that she’s too serious. Playing cards is her game - she has the serious look for it.

Danica shows a picture of her hubby, who is a physical therapist. She declares him her best friend. There’s also pictures of her sexy photo shoot for Sports Illustrated. She admits to being nervous, but says she ate anyway - but she totally rebelled the next week and ditched the diet. Hubby loves the pictures, and why wouldn’t he? Rawr! When they ask about nerves - Danica says she gets nervous before the engines start, then she’s fine. Her hubby and family have the worst part - as it’s more nerve-wracking to watch then to do it.

Now for the biggest challenge of all - Danica tried to teach her how to drive a stick shift - on the NYC streets! Rachael declares herself ashamed of what we were about to see, while Danica says “A little bit of throttle” And Rachael says “…that’s the gas, right?” This has disaster written all over it! She did well in first, but the honking started after a stall when she tried to shift to second. She didn’t too to bad for the first time - I remember my days of learning to drive a standard myself. Danica took over and took her for a ride - then it’s time to head inside once more. If you want more of Danica - click here where she answers some viewer questions!

Today’s human lab is all about the aches and pains. These mom’s have a few more aches and pains then normal, as they’re the Hipchix, an all mom Hockey team. They saw how much fun their kids were having and decided to get into the thick of things with their own team. Kari has problems with her neck, and Julie declares it the hardest workout she’s ever had, an has problems with her lower back. Stacey has bee around hockey her whole life - they even have a rink in her back yard. Her problem area is in her arches that kill her after just a few minutes.

Kari uses the Magnetic Pearl necklace, Julie tries LumbarWear back support underwear, and Stacey tries the Elgin Archxerciser - that is said to strengthen the muscles in her feet to help ease the pain. Dr. Manny is in the house to talk about the products as well - but the real question is if it works?

Kari said that she noticed a huge difference with the magnetic pearl necklace - she’s thrilled. She wears them during hockey and it alleviates the tension, and she’s not had any headaches either. The oh-so-sexy (not) Back support underwear says they’re comfortable to wear, and she gets much needed support for her lower back. She is happy with the result as well. Stacey, however, says she hasn’t seen any real results with the Archzerciser. She says it may work with other foot ailments - weak ankles or strengthening up the toes, but not for her high arches. She’ll have to keep looking for the solution that offers her better support.

Dr. Manny says the back girdle is the best in his opinion - even jokes he wears it himself sometimes. There’s no data to support the magnets working, but it’s temporary. The Arch exericser is good for some problems, but not the high arches.

Then it’s back to the kitchen for the rest of our pork meal trio! Italian Stuffed Pork Cutlets with bacon and Onion-Tomato Sauce, and Pork Saltimbocca with White Wine Sauce.

We jump right into the thick of it today with the Human Lab - Soap star edition! Rebecca Buddig from All My Children says her character was born in heels - and she loves to wear them as well, though it makes her feet hurt. The price one pays for beauty! She tries Insolia High Heel inserts. After a day with the inserts, Rebecca said she does feel a difference, though she couldn’t explain it exactly. “If deels like my weight is distributed differently,” she said - though her weight is all of two pounds soaking wet, but whatever. She said she didn’t feel the pressure in her toes like usual, and the only drawback was that her feet sweat a little bit more, but it was a trade-off she could totally live with.

Nadial Bjorlin from Days of Our Lives loves the pampering she gets on set, and misses it while she’s on the road. She tries Dissolving Paper Soap - it’s supposed to transform from paper to sudsy lather and leave you clean and pleasantly fragrant. She says it smells like rose water, and it’s great for traveling and camping, and possibly put it in a lingerie drawer for that extra sweet scent. It’s a great alternative for liquid soap that can spill in your luggage.

John-Paul Lavoisier from One Life to Live says his characters has a way with women and kisses a lot of women on the show. With all that kissing going on, fresh breath is a must, so he tries SmartMouth Mouthwash which claims to freshen breath for 24 full hours. Will it help him avoid a bad rap for bad breath? John-Paul said it did keep his mouth fresh, and it’s also sanitary as a pump, so he could share. They put it to the test, and John-paul’s co-star joins for a kiss test, that was so good she lost an earring! She declared his breath pretty flawless, so thumbs up for the Smart Mouth.

Next up, it’s tips for picking the perfect swimsuit - something we all hate to shop for. Viewer Christie Kostantas says she tells everyone she’s scared of the water, just to avoid going in the water and exposing the suit she bought 7 years ago. With an upcoming cruise, she wants and needs a new swimsuit that she feels comfortable in. Emme is on hand to help all us curvier women with helpful tips to find the right suit.

Check yourself out in the mirror (NAKED!) before you go shopping - take a good look at your figure, and pick out your best features. That’s what you’ll want to accentuate, while considering styles to hide problem areas. Pick out suits one size larger then your lingerie size - it has to fit everywhere. Don’t feel bad for the larger size, that’s the way it SHOULD be. Ruching can slim your mid-section, and a higher cut on the hip makes your legs look longer. Use a halter to lengthen your torso too. The best tip - bring a girlfriend. You have to have a support system! Emme points out that every woman is self-conscious about getting into a swim suit - so get over it, build your own self-esteem, get into the suit and have fun!

From the pool to the kitchen, what’s for dinner? Chicken Fra Diavolo with Fennel, onions and Potatoes and Warm Tomato and Roasted Garlic Sauce.

Rachael comes down the elevator and pretends to be scared to find Robin McGraw in the kitchen. Rachael says she loves when she stops by because it always has something to do with food products, though we never know if we’re wearing them or eating them. Today it’s a healthy after school snack that she makes for her family. Robin whips up the snack bars, while Rachael licks the peanut butter bowl, and cuts up the ones already done - eating the broken one, of course.

They move to the table to talk about the family for a while. Robin admits they still don’t agree on the children sometimes because well, Phil’s a man. She gives evidence of the difference between a man and a woman parenting. Jay wanted to quit the basketball team and Robin said ok - but Phil said absolutely not, you don’t let a child quit a team, it’s a commitment. Then he made her tell the kiddo he had to go back to the team. She got back at him by telling him it was all his daddy’s fault. Hahaha. been there done that!

Robin also brought in the family scrapbook, showing off pictures of the family and even some pets - including a snake. IN order for any new pets, they required the kids to read three books on the animal, write a report for them, and give an oral report for their class. That’s how she ended up owning a snake. Then there’s a short of Phil teaching the boy to ride the bike - in 70s shorts. Oh my. Dad didn’t have very say with the boy, of course - prom night, Robin did some coaching to make sure that her son treated his date like a lady - including the all important pre-date phone call.

Next up, Rachael asks if Robin ever lied to their children. She admits - like all parents - she certainly did. The old switch the hamster that died for the new one. Her four year old caught her though, and re-named Hammy, Hammy Jr. It’s then some questions from the audience. One has four boys, and asks how Robin remains so feminine and beautiful. Robin says it was natural, and she wanted to show the boys how to respect women and how to treat a woman. Another has teenage daughters, and asks for advice on how to protect her girls without smothering or “stalking” them. She says she knows it has to be scary, but figures you have to trust your own parenting job and taught them to protect themselves and right from wrong. They need a sense of self-worth, so trust yourself to walk that fine line.

Men love women in lingerie - but why can’t they buy it? My Man Colby Donaldson is on hand to find out and help Clay figure out how to buy something slinky and pretty for his wife. Clay says he always thought it was like a bowling ball - it was a gift for him instead of her. Colby understands, and the boys feel like they’re a pervert even thinking about it. Kate says she’d like to receive some lingerie from her husband. She’s been in mom mode, and it’d be nice to see he likes her sexy still.

The boys head off to the store - and Gretta is there to help them. Colby is just the wingman - Gretta is the professional. Colby admits to having bought some lingerie before, but never solo. He always took the girl with him. Gretta adds that for some guys its cool, but most men feel weird going in solo, it’s way out of their comfort zone. Kate says she’s fallen into the mommy rut and it meant a lot to her to be reminded that he thinks of he still in that sexy way.

Gretta takes the boys to Victoria’s Secret, and they feel intimated, that everyone is staring at them. G points out that the girls that work there are trained to help the guys for sure. They talk about types, and sizes, and G gives these tips: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, do your research (sizes for fitted things) and when in doubt - if something looks like a dress, choose a piece tht comes in small, medium or large. Go down a size from your best guess, and pick something with some stress.

Gretta says her cardinal rule is that there is a BIG line for women between sleazy and sexy - Colby adds that men have no idea about that line and need help. If your lady loves to wear shorts and t-shirts, then get something like that and start in the comfort zone, but do it with lace. Also - talk to your lady and see exactly what they like… you might be surprised! The end result is the perfect little seductive number that Clay picked out for his wife - that Rachael is embarrassed a little by the model who shows it off - and a $1000 gift card to VS so they can continue shopping.

After all that - what’s for dinner? Hula Chicken.

It’s Friday, so of course that means Lara is on hand with the Dish. First up is the website Ideal Bite, that sends little messages every day, about eco-beauty products, eco-resorts, healthy and organic food products and more - its all about living a little greener. Need help remembering to send birthday cards? Head to Jack Cards, where they do all the hard stuff for you! All you need to do is add you’re personal message, stuff it back in the envelope and send it off. Prices range from 1.99 to 6.99.

Next up is the Tweezerman Tweezers - patterned tweezers that help you find them at the bottom of your purse, it’s a great tweezer, according to Lara. St. Ives protective cleansers help those who tend to forget sunscreen - it’s a start to protection in one cleansing step. Kristin Bell then joins the ladies at the table to talk about her favorite beauty products - the Jergens natural glow moisturizers. Not only does it help you keep moisturized, and save us from botched self-tanner experiences, but you can go to Jergens.com and take the Glow in the Dark pledge to stop bad tanning habits - and the company will donate one dollar to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Don’t forget to look for Kristen Bell on Forgetting Sara Marshell, and possibly back on Heroes this fall!

Next up - it’s an instant Human Lab - Beauty style. Need help getting rid of that under arm flab? Want whiter teeth? Your behind need a little lift? While the ladies head off to attach their instant help products, Gretta shares one of her own favorites for instant gratification: Freeze 24-7 and Go Instant Smoother and Brightener. It smoothes the little lines and brightening up tired eyes during the day. Also check here for three more Gretta Favorites!

How’d the products work out? The Instant Arm Lift - Jen says she feels like the tape is pulling the arm up to her chin, but the product does seem to work. Jen says she could wear it a couple hours and still be comfortable - just make sure you’re wearing sleeves because it’s not completely invisible. Maria decided to try the Whiten-10 an instant teeth whitening product. They are white - but it almost looks too white, too perfect - Gretta says maybe it was her fault, she may have applied it too heavy handedly in the interest of time. But you can drink and eat without it rubbing off. Last is Tess, who a 18 wanted her butt lifted - talk to us when you’re forty! - and she tested the Biniki Butt Bra. She said it was simple, and not uncomfortable at all, and it did seem to give her a little more bedonkadonk behind.

We meet Louis Yuhasz of Louie’s Kids, who helps teach kids to lose weight and live healthier and happier lives. Check out more on the Community of Incredible People.

And what’s for dinner? Smoky Chipotle and Black Bean Chilaquiles.

And today, we’re NOT starting in the kitchen for the first time in a while. Instead we’re talking about Rachael’s obsessions, Dancing with the Stars. We see Julieanne and Adam Corola being eliminated last week, and - hey, Rachael’s hair looks cute today! - then Julianne joins Rachael at the round table.

When asked if this year was tough, Julianne said her past two partners were athletes and then.. there was Adam. But he really improved and tried and was kinda getting into it, including getting nerves backstage. She was scared of the dirty old man, being around him24-7 and then she got to know him, and he loves his family and kids, and is a really great guy. She’s glad that he got to know him and they’ll always be there for each other.

He dishes on a few of her other partners - Apollo was the easiest to teach, Helio was coordinated but hardest to teach because he was stubborn, and Adam talked all the time but it was the most fun she’d had, they’re good friends. Who does Julianne say has the best shot? Kristi, of course, but Jason Taylor has a great shot because he’s so graceful and effortless.

Turns out, Julianne can sing too, and almost tried out for American Idol. She moved to LA to sing and act, and used her dancing to get her foot in the door - she has an album coming out on the 20th, and is going on tour with Brad Paisley soon too. She’s pleased that her family at DWTS is really supportive of her with her singing, and it’s incredible what they’ve done for her and the other dancers. Rachael has a little challenge for her - the audience yells out dances and Julianne switches off without missing a beat. (Hahahha. Get it? I know, I’m a dork.)

Next up, we talk to a viewer who’s life was destroyed by internet gossip. Rachael never thought it happened to non-celebrities, too. Sue ran a website, Parents helping Parents, helping people connect with their kids, and people started slandering her. She fought back against a woman who was determined to destroy all she had built over 8 years. and won her case, to the tune of $11.3 million - though it is still under appeal!

Cyber-slander can ruin a life within a few keystrokes. Regina Lewis, an AOL Consumer Adviser shares her tips for protecting others and yourself against cyber-slander.

Take it seriously
Monitor your reputation
Speak up
Have a family discussion
Empower your kids
Think before you post - is it constructive, anonymous, will you regret it?

Click here for more on how to defend yourself, including links to all the helpful sites mentioned.

Next up, KC visits Chef Guy Fieri’s kitchen and gets a tour of “where the magic happens”. I love Guy! (Diners, drive-ins and dives! Whoo!) His kitchen is gorgeous, of course, as we knew it would be. They look in his fridge, with all the hot sauces and condiments - and a bottle of pepto, and a technique he learned from Rachael - individual baggies of bacon in the freezer. He has his own squeeze bottles that have designs of his tattoos on them. He likes them better then glass bottles, because if your hands are slippery and you drop them, they won’t break!

His kitchen is all about sharp knives, heat, counter space, and storage. Awesome!

Another tip from his kitchen - he loves to have his kids in the kitchen with him, but they tend to get under his feet, and KC has a solution for him! She suggests useing the Learning Tower from Little Partners. Double duty - it also converts to a puppet theater.

And hey - what’s for dinner? Spring-Summer Ziti!

We’re starting off in the kitchen again today, because Rachael is trying to embrace new things, she says. She is attempting to embrace baking skills, and says it’s easy to make scones - since her friend showed her how. It’s easy with a little help from the store, and she shows us scones three ways - Sour Cream and Dill Scones with Smoked Salmon, Fruit and Nut Scones, and Ham, Cheese and Chive Scones.

She of course says, afterwards, she wishes she had an authentic English lad or lady to test them and see if they’re good or not! Enter Dame Julie Andrews, to do just that, and join Rachael at the kitchen table. Rachael calls her new book Home: A Memoir of My Early Years a jaw dropper. Julie says people think they know a fair amount about her after Mary Poppins, but they don’t know how it all began. The boy includes talks of how she learned to sing, he struggles to make it on Broadway, and many humorous moments.

It took so long to write because her day job kept getting in the way, and she didn’t want to hurt or offend anyone. Now that her family has passed away - aside from brothers and sisters, of course - they talked about it and she decided to do it with the help of her daughter Emma. “It was a thrill for me that she cared to know and wanted to learn about” her early years, said Julie. She thinks the family is pleased with the end result. The talk about a couple of the stories in the book - from a couple that was surprised by being given tickets to a show she was in - only to come home and find their house cleaned out by a burglary, and a note that said “hope you enjoyed the show!” That, and advances by a handsome co-star, Richard Burton, are just some of the hidden jewels in the book. When Burton finally came to her after playing a joke then not speaking to her for a week, he was all lovey dovey, and “Mary Poppins let fly with a four letter anglo-saxon word, told him where to go and how to get there!” They of course made up afterwards.

Hit up the giveaway button down there along the side to enter for the chance to win a copy of the book yourself.

Next up, KC is on hand to help a viewer organize her office - which also doubles as her family’s minivan. She’s a Tupperware consultant, and works every day out of her car - losing things along the way. With the help of Staples, KC transformed her car into the best office on the block. Click here to see the transformation and to enter a giveaway bonanza where you can enter for the chance to win Staples products every day until April 29th!

KC also has some cool storage tips from the Container Store, including Pylones Way Cool Way Hot Fridge.

What’s for dinner? Elsa’s Favorite Fish, of course.

We start off in the kitchen where Rachael says we’re going to learn how to bake - oh my! We all know that she can’t bake, so she has a superstar guest join to teach the method. 3 time Grammy Winner, Trisha Yearwood surprises the crowd after giving a hint by singing “She’s in love with the boy…” - and the crowd goes wild!

Rachael jokes and says it’s not fair she’s tall, beautiful, sing, AND bakes! Trisha says she just loves to do it all, and has a new cookbook out - Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen. She wrote it with he mom and her sister. She learned how to cook when she moved away from home and would call her mom to ask how to make something - sometimes it takes more then once, but when it comes out tasting just like mama’s, you know you did right. Trisha says not to worry about mistakes - it could look like a lump and still taste great, it doesn’t have to look perfect if you’re not taking it to a bake sale, after all!

They get down to business, and Trisha shows us how to make German Chocolate Cake with Coconut Frosting. Don’t forget to hit up the giveaway button for a chance to win Trisha’s cookbook.

Just an aside - I love the outfit Rachael is wearing today! Very nice, and much better then the atrocity she wore to a recent event in New York that everyone is screaming EW about. It’s hit or miss with her stylists, hm?

Next up - it’s Human Lab time! This time, it’s all about improving the smile. Allison wishes for plumper lips - she says they look feminine and beautiful. Sarah wants to get rid of her laugh lines. She laughs a lot, and stops because she’s embarrassed about them. Carissa hates her crooked teeth, they’re crowded and she doesn’t find it attractive at all. Each of them got a product that said it would help their individual problems.

Allison tries the Luscious Lips Lip Plumper which claims to increase your lip size naturally by using a vacuum process to coax fluid into your lips and increase circulation. It looks hysterical! Allison says it’s nuts and looks crazy. But its supposed to increase lip size by 50% in two weeks. She says it pulls the lips out and there might be more circulation, it’s crazy but if it works?

Sarah uses the Angellift OTC derma strips, which claims to ease laugh lines, which she calls “the triplets”.

Carrissa trys the Snap-On Smile. She went to the inventor to be fitted for her own set, 10 days after making the mold, she’s fitted with her own snap on smile. She says it feels awkward, and will have to get used to it, but she’s smiling and excited about it.

Dr. Levine is on hand to talk about the products that they were test-driving. He recommends checking with a professional before diving into the mass of products out there, then test some and search for the one that’s right for you. And be sure to read the directions and comply with them so as not to do more harm then good.

The question is, of course - do they work? After two weeks, they checked in with everyone. Allison says the Lip Plumper works right away, and stays for about two hours, then deflate and go back to the normal state - but for those two hours, you’re FABULOUS. Rachael gives her the prize for most embarrassing tape for being brave enough to use it on tape. She says she’s addicted, and you keep wanting to do it a little more. Dr. Levine says that it is good to test it, before doing something more invasive - but don’t abuse it, because you could cause harm to the lips. So be careful to avoid bruising, or worse. Every once in a while isn’t a problem.

Sarah says that about four days after starting the Angellift OTC, she started to see a bit of improvement, and maybe after 6 months it’ll be perfect. Dr. Levine says that because it gets under the lip, it’s supporting the soft tissue, and tenses the muscles to strengthen them, which helps diminish the lines. It’s basically a mini-workout for the face.

Carissa loves her snap on smile, she can eat, speak, kiss and even bit into an apple without problems and people are seeing her smile, not her teeth. She is extremely happy, her confidence level is over the top. Dr. Lavine says that it’s not a permanent solution, but it’s a dress rehersal for more permanent work.

Next up we meet another Incredible Person, Alli Bradley who started Taste It Tuesday, where the kids get an opportunity to try things not usually offered in the school cafeterias. She met with some opposition, but the kids love it, because they get to taste different things.

And it’s breakfast for dinner tonight - Savory French Toast and Sausage Bake.

Starting in the kitchen again today, where we get three more versions of deviled eggs - Far-East Deviled Eggs, Go Green (olive) Deviled Eggs, and Deviled Ham & Eggs.

She washes up at the sink and complains that it’s not working and what do you have to do to get a plumber in here? Enter James Denton, sexy plumber extraordinaire from Desperate Housewives, complete with Tool Belt. Niiiiiiice. He is handy around the house, and recently he completed a kitchen remodel during the writer’s strike “because I’m cheap.”

Rachael asks if its fun or challenging to work with a whole bunch of women? He says it’s fantastic and the reason he has a job because it has such a great women’s voice - heightened, but relatable. He’s happy to let them deal with the pressure and paparazzi, and he just keeps his head down and tries not to get killed off on the show which is what all the guys do. He declares all the women as hot, hot, hot. Eva just opened up a restaurant, Baso. “You’re welcome, Eva” he says after the plug.

It ends with a picture of him and his wife and he goes HOT! She’s a personal trainer and helps keep him in shape. James says he’s in a band as well, and talks a bit about it - they’re called Band From TV.

James talks about being proud of being part of the comeback of ABC and bringing back the drama. His big spluge since the success of the show is that he bought a baseball team, the Orange County Flyers- they’re not getting rich, but it’s a lot of fun. He goes and works out with him just because he can.

He’s part of a campaign for Out and About with Allergies - it gives you a list of places where you can enjoy the outdoors even with allergies. The product is Veramyst - it’s a godsend for him, though it’s not for everyone. The day everything was blooming on Wisteria Lane (The name alone is a nightmare for allergy sufferers, he jokes) and nothing is sexier then allergies, allergies are SO HOT - everyone was very excited to say goodbye to his runny nose.

Then there was the story about killing the snake that he killed because it was going to hurt someone - but! He then took it home and ate it, just like his daddy taught him. He does say it doesn’t taste like chicken, and Rachael says it tastes a little bit like alligator - she points out the audience is so quite, they’re creeping them out, and James counters with he thinks he has a little bit of a crush on her now. That’s a-ok with Rachael!

Next up, a segment on trusting your intuition. Annette Oriscello has problems making decisions, and often regrets the ones she does make, from the wrong wedding dress, choosing a home or even something like a paint color. With a closet full of clothes she felt pressured to buy that she never wears, and a home that she doesn’t really love, she asks for help to learn to trust her instincts.

Char Margolis, the author of Discover Your Inner Wisdom, has some tips to help Annette:

Learn the four Cs - courage and confidence, commit and conquer.
Choose a quiet place to make decisions.
Trust your first gut feeling.

Hit up the giveaway button down there to enter for a copy of Char’s book.

Next up it’s time to meet Deborah Freeman, a practicing ob/gyn for 27 years who didn’t realize she was obsess until she visited her own doctor for a checkup. She simply hadn’t thought about it and was embarrassed because her patients wouldn’t listen to her if she didn’t follow her own advice. She turned her life around through diet and exercise over the past 5 years and has gone from a size 18 to a size 4 and lost 75 pounds. She entered a body building contest as well, and won at the age of 54. Learn more at the Community of Incredible People.

And what’s for dinner? An express meal - Dinner Strata!

It’s the return of the Dish with Lara Spencer! This time she has some gifts for Rachael - and if you hit the giveaway button you have the chance to win four of the items found on today’s Dish! Today’s dish included DNA 11 - it’s artwork from your own DNA chart! You get a kit, swab and place it in an envelope, and you get instant artwork. Since it doesn’t hurt to swab - you can even do it with a baby, and use it to decorate the nursery - though it’s not cheap at all.

Also - Bobbi Brown’s custom Makeup Pallette, the Zuca Pro suitcase - the carryon to carry all - and it’s even a seat for those inevitable delays. Last but not least, Passion on the Vine by Sergio Esposito, and the t-shirt that’s from OmniPeace Fashion, worn by celebs everywhere - and 25% of the profits go to help the hungry in Africa.

Next up, Brittany Snow joins Rachael to promote her new horror movie, Prom Night. Brittany says that her career and choices often change, and she’s really looking for characters that are deeper and loves doing so many characters. She loves the intensity of the horror genre, something she’s always loved. They talk a bit about Prom Night, of course, and her Prom Night special picture on the cover of Cosmo Girl - despite the fact that she never went to her own prom. She went to her homecoming though, designed her dress and the seamstress on American Dreams made it for her.

They bring this up, because there’s a viewer in the front row who talks about the cost of going to promi - she has two of them, her boyfriends and her own since they got o different schools. Samantha says she can’t afford her dream dress, so is at a loss over what to wear. Brittany is involved with Donate My Dress. org, and as such donates her dress from her homecoming to Samantha to wear to her prom. Samantha is thrilled, of course, and promises to send pictures from her big night.

Next up - the biggest diet mistakes we tend to make. Dina can’t seem to lose her last 15 pounds, and thinks she eats healthy enough. She doesn’t understand why the weight doesn’t come off. Evita is having the same problem. Rachael has them keep a food diary of everything they eat in a week, and celeb nutritionist Christine Avanti analyzed their menus and gave them the truth about their choices.

Christine points out that it’s deceiving sometimes because you think something is low in calories if you eat less, but they may have too much fat in them, so are actually more then you’d expect. She helps Dina and Evita by weighing in on the dos and don’t’s.

Eat 4 meals a day, and train your metabolism to work at a higher rate.
Keep daily caloric intake at an even level - if you don’t it will slow down the metabolism
Be aware of the fat content in the food - the daily intake should only be 40 grams, or 10 per meal.
Eat balanced meals - 1 part protein, 2 part carbs - and be wary of dairy products with twice as much fat as protein per ounce.

Right after the diet talk, of course, it’s time to eat! Greek Beef Tenderloin in Togas with Mediterranean Orzo and Greek Salad.

Starting off in the kitchen again today with a new BLD - breakfast, lunch or dinner - meal: Ham and cheese waffles with honey mustard dipping sauce.

Snackable suppers are the theme of the day since the Writer’s strike is obviously over and our favorite shows are coming back - among them, one of Rachael’s favorites, The Office. Back to dish about the show AND his new movie, Leatherheads, is John Krasinski. He laughs about being seen as ‘hot’ in some circles and said he insisted it was part of his “Strategic” contract negotiation. He said he’d do the movie if they made him People’s Sexiest Man, and joked that it worked for Matt Damon!

He said he was scared because Clooney is a renowned prankster and thought he would hit him with a big zinger during the shoot. He looked under his bed and in his closed every night - he made it through the shoot safely, but he was unprepared for the prank Rachael’s crew pulled on him - silverware in the jello mold - you can watch it here.

No pranks - but he did bet George Clooney $1000 he could beat him in basketball. They talked smack, and he told his friends and they were like “do YOU read vanity fair man?!” And he’s very good, very quick… John bought him a basketball hoop for his Italian Villa. Hardest part was getting it past customs. “It’s a basketball hoop for Clooney!” “They all say that.”

John is very funny, and the interview itself was cute and full of laughter. There was even a little dish about the ’spin-off’ of the office. John jokes that it’ll be called “The Stapler” and then says “I’m leaving the show” and then laughed because Rachael believed him a minute. They know nothing about it, it’s more from the creators of the show, instead of an actual spin-off.

All of us remember the story of Elizabeth Glaser, wife of Paul Michale glaser of Starskey & Hutch who got HIV from a blood transfusion and passed it on to their two children, Ariel and Jake. Without childhood treatments, Ariel lost her life four years after contracting the virus. Elizabeth was determined not to have her son suffer the same fate and co-founded the Pediactric AIDS Foundation, championing the prevention of HIV infections until her death in 1994.

Jake is now 23, and is carrying on his mother’s legacy, focusing his message on high school and college students, kids 25 and under who are going to lead this generation into the future. As important as the donations are, the message needs to get to the younger kids so that they will keep on in the fight. He admires his mother, and her ability to work so hard, accomplish so much, yet come home and live life - do a shot of tequila, jump in the pool with her clothes on. He says it helps him remember the passion and hard work are great and important and he’ll contiue on - but he needs to enjoy life at the same time.

Jake reminds us that despite the advantages that help people like him live with the HIV virus, there’s always more to be done. It’s too easy to get comfortable, and be happy with the treatments - but it’s not just the virus. Social issues, dealing with big questions like having a family, dating, etc. He admits it’s difficult to date having HIV, but he’s learned to get comfortable with letting others know about his condition. “If you’re going to walk away, then it’s your loss.”

If that’s not enough -want to know what’s for dinner? Mozzarella in Carozza with Warm Zucchini Salad.

We start off in the kitchen today, with a great food gift - a starter course to bring to your next get together - Bacon and Deviled Eggs. Everything’s better with bacon!

It’s time for Ty Pennington to join in because he says he’s good at gift giving - so it’s time for an Extreme Gift makeover. Ty is in New York City, as he tries to help other people give decent gifts instead of the oddities some folks come up with. One New Yorker isn’t shy about the worst gift he’s ever gotten: “Nothin’!” Hahah!

Ty to the rescue to help a woman give something cool for her man. He’s a techy, so it’s a Jacket with speakers in the hoodie and pockets for the mp3 player. A son - 25 years old - made a macaroni necklace for his mother last year, so Ty urges him to something a little higher end. Check out some of his ideas here. He even picked up an orange doggy kitchen timer for Rachael, that she puts up on her shelf in the kitchen.

Next up, Kristan is on the way to help a family with a DIY 911! They started a project then got in way over their heads and have been living with a huge hole in the wall for five months. “Here’s our hole, isn’t it lovely?” Kristan laughs, but is on hand with some guidance to fix it all up. She also has some tips for things best left to the professionals - electrical wires, plumbing, gas, or unknown pipes always suggest call the guys who know what they’re doing. As long as your safety is not involved - if it could involve your premature death don’t do it! - otherwise, try it!

Rachael is working on a new cookbook - The Big Orange Book - and says it’s her 14th cookbook, she thinks. She talks a bit about loving cookbooks, and how her collection and her mom’s together don’t come close to Betty’s collection. She has over 4000 cookbooks! She still has her first cookbook given to her by her home ec teacher. They had to get a separate building for her collection - she gets a number of them from garage sales and the like, her most expensive one is probably $6. She loves to cook, and loves the cookbooks too. She finds her favorite recipes by copying them off into a binder and keeping those on hand in her kitchen with 150 of her favorites. Rachael helps add to her collection with on of her favorites, The Essentials of Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan, and fills out her own books that Betty didn’t have yet.

Last but not least, we meet Shawn DeMartino, an Incredible Person and part of the Community of Incredible People, who struggled with his weight. At 11, he passed out when he was running, and decided to change his life. He’s 15 and fit, and helps teach other teens about healthy eating. He credits Rachael’s 30-minute meals with opening his eyes to making healthy food quickly. He runs track now, and feels that eating healthier and being active helps him feel better all around, his grades are even better.

All of that and what’s for dinner? Elsa’s Egg Cake.

We start with the mailbag today, to talk to one fan who’s beyond loyal - she wouldn’t even miss the show while giving birth to her baby! She asked what she missed on that day, and the guests from the show gave Kimberlie a rundown of all that happened while her attention was elsewhere. Kimberlie is in the front row with her son - who cried whenever Rachael got close. Haha!They even gave her a portion of the meal that day, a DVD of the show, the recipe and a Nancy Drew DVD - hit the give away button on the sidebar for the chance to win your own.

Next up is a quick I-chat with Robin in New Jersey who wants advise on how to wow her food demonstration customers. Rachael lets her know that going for the kids is a sure fire way to make Mom and Dad smile too. Wear bright colors and just be friendly is all there really is to it.

Last but not least, Daniel wants to know how to fire someone - he doesn’t want to be ruthless or overbearing. Rachael says to do it like her mama - look at them straight in the eye and let them know why - after you’ve given them a few chances. She’s not an authority though, so she brings in Ivanka Trump, someone very familiar with the phrase “You’re fired!” as she heard it on The Apprentice every week with her father. She agrees that the advise was useful, and the way to go.

OF course they dish about The Donald, and Celebrity Apprentice. Ivanka says she doesn’t always agree with her father - but since he’s not there, she’ll admit she’s usually right. Ivanka laughs and says Donald can come on the show and refute it if he wants too. They’re almost done choosing contestants for season two, and Ivanka loves the whole process. She admits that it’s a collaboration and sometimes it boils down to who she wants to meet - if there’s good looking men, it’s safe to assume that she choose them, not her dad!

Ivanka is the spokeswoman for Callaway, who did a line of clubs exclusively for women. She does a demo - but doesn’t sink the put, but you can enter with that handy dandy button below for your chance to win an Odyssey Divine 2-Ball Putter from Callaway.

Next up, Jared is on hand with some more animals to make Rachael uneasy as usually. She even gets her to try and kiss the camel, before giving her a pet - then bringing on the cleaning crew for the Camel Poopy Break. Jarod does a segment of Kissing cousins, and you can view the animals in the segment here.

After some chicken tips with Rachael, it’s time for dinner - Chipoltle Chicken Enchiladas.

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.

Monday
Valerie Bertinelli

Her bombshell book hit #1 and now for the first time Valerie opens up about life after the tell-all. See her personal video diary from the road, and find out what her parents really think about the racy revelations from her past. Plus, we’re breaking big Bertinelli news on the next chapter in her life!

Tuesday
Ivanka Trump

She holds her own on The Apprentice, but how does the Donald’s daughter hold up in a disagreement with dad? Ivanka Trump talks about the new season of Celebrity Apprentice and then hits the putting green with Rach! Plus, Jarod’s back with new animals and a new game called “Kissing Cousins” before Rachael shares her latest express-lane meal.

Wednesday
Ty Pennington’s Extreme Gift Makeover

We’re giving Ty Pennington an all-new challenge in the first-ever Extreme Gift Makeover. Watch him hit the streets and get the 4-1-1 on buying the perfect gift. The makeovers continue when Kristan Cunningham rescues a couple who are in over their heads with do-it-yourself home improvement. Get KC’s secrets for making almost any DIY project a success.

Thursday
The Office’s John Krasinski

Find out what everyone warned John Krasinski about when he started working with George Clooney on Leatherheads - and don’t miss Rachael’s backstage prank of her own on The Office star. Plus, Jake Glaser opens up about losing his famous mom, his sister, and living with HIV. What’s for dinner? Rachael’s grilled cheese with an Italian twist.

Friday
Biggest Diet Mistakes

Can’t figure out why your diet isn’t working? We’ve got two frustrated moms, their food diaries, and the shocking truth about the food you’re eating. Then, Hairspray cutie Brittany Snow makes a prom night dream come true, and Lara’s latest Dish shows you how to turn your DNA into a work of art!

They pulled a fast one on me with the newsletter - it said Friday would be a rerun, but oh no - It’s new! Not only is it new, but on the show is the one and only Jodie Foster! Love her!

After an introductory reel of her past works and a glimpse at the new movie, Jodie joins Rachael at the kitchen table for a chat. They talk about all the intense rolls she’s done, and if she enjoys that. Jodie says she does, she loves the intensity, then being able to do something completely different. She says it’s easy for her to shake off the intensity after the day is done and relax with her kids. Jodie is looking forward to having some time off after doing two movies recently (The Brave one and Nim’s Island) then getting back into the directors chair.

Where does she keep her Oscars? She kept them in the Bathroom for a long time because they matched her fixtures, until they started to corrode on the bottom, so now they’re on a book shelf - they don’t replace them, after all!

Nim’s Island are the first movie she’s been able to take her kids too - ages 9 and 6, and they enjoyed watching her be so lame. Jodie enjoyed shooting the underwater scenes, and the zip lines are super fun. She dishes on costar Abigail Breslin, who is a true city girl, but by the end of the movie she was a regular wild child, with her hair all ratted and stuff. The movie sounds like a great time! She considers the movie a great lesson too, about finding heroism without laser beams and figuring things out for yourself.

Jodie recently took her kids to Iceland, a vacation with a catch - no electronics allowed. Everyone can benefit from a weekend of gadget-free adventures. Jodie also works to get her kids to try new foods as they both can be picky eaters. They do a “new food day” and make something that they all have to try and if they hate it, they can spit it out. Rachael loves both ideas of course, and has issued two challenges - Unplug For A Day, and New Food Crew.

Her oldest has inherited her sense of humor too - very try and it tends to be R rated, which she has to tone down around the kids, of course. The little one is all about focus and pretending. Jodie’s real obsession is guitar hero, and they hooked it up in the ‘driveway’ on the big screen where Jodi will play them out to commercial. - while squealing that it’s on HARD! not supposed to put it on hard! She’s a rock star, of course!

Next up, Evette is on hand to show off some of the best Dining By Design tabletops for DIFFA, and to set up one of her own, too. They raise money for AIDS education. The only requirement is it has to seat 10 people - other then that is everything goes. One of them even projects images all over - the screens behind, the table, and even the diners would be wearing white to have the images on them too. Evette’s entire floor is coffee beans - I bet it smelt fantastic! From green environment to dining on a sweater to surrounding an acrobat suspended upside down over the table, it’s all a great setting for a great cause - and LuAnn from the Real Housewives Of New York was there!

One entire setting was knit! (hear that mom?) 15 people in the office knit for months to make it! Evette even had some at home tips for setting a hot table for your guests. Her three main trends for now- Pick a theme and center your table around it - how to pick a theme? Center it around something you love, and use what you’ve got. Another trend is mixing and matching - all your dinnerware doesn’t need to match! Shop the discount stores and get what you like - set the table, and pull it together with matching placemats and napkins. And the third big trend is to use nature - leaves and flowers and twigs and use those to dress your table.

With all these fantastic tables, you have to know what’s for dinner, right? Chicken Noodle - hold the soup!