Watching Rachael Ray

We start off in the kitchen today with a plug for the Yum-O! Family Cookbook, 100% of the proceeds that go to the Yum-O! charity. It takes kids from breakfast, to lunchbox, to dinner. She makes several cream cheese spreads for breakfast or a snack, including ways to cut carbs and fat: to help get rid of some carbs, scoop out the insides, or cut it in thirds, or use the mini bagels. She makes a BLT Spread, an Asian Veggie Spread and what she calls a Bunny Spread (Because rabbits like to eat the vege’s in it.) (I know.) The point of making them at home, of course, is so that you can add more vege’s with less of the cream cheese.

All the kiddo centric snacks can only mean one thing - SuperNanny Jo Frost is here! She’s just wrapping up the 4th season of Supernanny, and says the one thing she’s learned about the parents she’s helping is that they all say they’ve tried it, and it doesn’t work. With further talk, however, she learns that they’ve skipped steps in the technique - either because they don’t have the patience to follow through or be consistent. When they get her in the house, they know what they’re going to get, and she helps them make it a priority.

They surprised a viewer who’s about to give birth to triplets! She says she needs all the advice she can get as a first time mom, so it’s Nanny Jo to the rescue. They told her they would attend the baby shower as part of the segment, but surprised them with Nanny Jo instead. Lauren says she’s nervous and wonders how to take care of all three at the same time. She says at the end of the day, realize you can only change one bottom at a time, and it’s ok to tell her family and friends she’ll call them back if she’s busy with the baby or simply needs to sleep. Nanny Jo takes Lauren on a surprise shopping spree at Babies R Us and helps make sure they’re well stocked for their new arrivals.

Nanny Jo isn’t without some key advice for all expectant parents - Take care of yourself. You need your rest so that things don’t become so overwhelming, so take care of you so that you can take care of the babies. And secondly, communicate with your spouse - talk about everything and anything, so that you become confident parents in that first year.

Nanny brought along some of her favorite things - she’s into aromatherapy body lotion, candles, and Lime and Coriander Handwash.

Rachael then turns the tables though, and lets kids ask Nanny Jo some tough questions about issues with their parents. Brett wants to know why he gets in trouble for behaving badly, but his parents don’t. Jo says that parents are responsible for them and set boundaries for what is healthy for him. The things that he’s getting in trouble for are them teaching him family values - but it’s very important mom to lead by example. It’s critical not to be hypocritical.

Kylie asks why it’s ok to lie when mom tells her to tell someone on the phone that she’s not there… Jo tells mom she needs a voice mail message machine to work. Don’t ask the kids to be honest then show them examples of how you’re not always honest. Mom needs to answer the phone and say hey, I can’t talk now and learn to say no. Teach telephone etiquette too, to help the kids be safe because they don’t know who’s on the other end of the line.

Allison wanted to know why she has to eat her vegetables, when dad doesn’t eat his. Jo says daddy needs the naughty corner! It’s all about setting a good example for the kids. If they don’t like a particular vegetable, it’s ok, try something else. You’ll find something that they like.

Don’t forget to sign up for a copy of Nanny Jo’s new book - Jo Frost’s confident Baby Care.

Miranda Cosgrove takes us on a BLD - showing us her favorite restaurants to eat at while she’s working. She’s so cute - my kids LOVE iCarly!

Next up, Ben Barnes, Anna Popplewell and William Moseley are on hand from the Chronicals of Narnia, Prince Caspian. (I recently read a review that complained that the kids get to Narnia “not by the whimsical magic wardrobe, but by a subway tunnel” and how he hated that and felt it made the new movie less magical then the other. Clearly, he’s not a fan of the books - as that is EXACTLY how it happens. Harumph. Been waiting to get that off my chest. Moving on…)

Ben says that he was picked on by the cast when he joined, but they were very open and warm and welcoming - just as he expected. He did get razzed everyday though, and William protested that it sounded like they were serial bullies - not the case at all. They were all three, of course, delighted by how well the first movie did, but they just go on set and try to make a good film and hope people like it. They were excited that there was much more ‘real people’ fighting and locations this time around. There’s still a lot of cgi, but it’s expanded into even more human filming. The three stars were very cute and the accents are absolutely lovely - even when teasing Anna - she said she tried out for Hermione in Harry Potter, but then again, everyone in London did. “I didn’t try out for Hermoine!” protested Ben, though he was assured his hair was just as fine as Hermoine’s. They were all disappointed not to meet Eddie Izzard though, and the lines that made it into the movie weren’t the same ones they worked with so it was exciting to watch. Anna says “You never know when you’re going to be upstaged by a mouse!” Too much cute on one stage!

And we’re not done yet! WHEW. Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley joins Rachael at the Kitchen table. Did you know he was named after a tennis ball? He was! Mom confirms. Penn then confirms that they only do photoshoots in bed. Ha! He then joins Rachael in the kitchen, after Rachael asks him if he likes to cook for the ladies. He admits he doesn’t do it often, and gets him to help her make what’s for dinner - skillet roasted chicken with potatoes rosti. Penn does say that he can make anything with eggs - his secret ingredient? Hummus. Alrighty then.

And we’re out! See ya when we see ya!