Watching Rachael Ray

Straight to the kitchen today after letting us know KT Tunstall is there to perform today - which is twice as awesome as they play her cd to rev up the audience all the time. In the kitchen, she gets started on what’s for dinner right away - Chicken Tortilla Stew, extended and speedy versions. A quick stock making lesson (Don’t fear the stock! It’s super easy to make!), and then it’s on to the main topic of the day: Gossip.

Four friends, Talia, Sarah, Stephanie and Beth LOVE to gossip - coworkers, celebrities, it doesn’t matter, no one is safe. They love to gossip, one even has a blog! And no, they didn’t give us the addy. Harumph. They all admit to being addicted to gossip, and use it as something to bring them together. They say they don’t feel bad about gossiping about Celebrities, because they’re not real people… So they challenged them to go 7 days without gossip, not one bad word, not one snarky comment, etc. (And for the record, Suxtors? I’ve been calling myself “snarky” for YEARS. It’s not always about YOU. (grin) but I digress…) They gave them camera’s to diary about the experience, and bracelets to remember not to gossip. Oh, and if they mess up? They start the 7 days all over again.

Rachael’s first comment was to address the comment on Celebrities, of course. They have real families and real feelings. 90% of the stuff you read is garbage, and spreading it and buying the trash rags is hurtful. - Mostly, though they have learned to laugh at it, it hurts their families, which makes it harder. Of course, she then suggested if the public didn’t support them they’d get better jobs, which had the suxtors up in arms again too. And they think fans are predictable? (Hi Molly!)

Naturally, they sent them to a nail salon together first, and the silence between friends was deafening. They had to slow down and think about what they were saying. They’re already jonsin’ for some dish at the 30-minute mark. Hahah!

Naturally, life coach Harriette Cole is back to help gossip about gossip. I mean talk about it. They agreed that it’s natural to talk about other people - it’s gossip when it turns negative. Bottom line, if you don’t have the courage to say it to someone’s face - don’t say it at all. She’s big on ridding herself of the negative energy, and the friends are trying to do that by this gossip diet.

The diet wasn’t easy, and they had to start over twice - the second time at midnight on day six! One of them says the general consensus is that she’s no longer fun to be around. Too funny! Bottom line is, if it is true, kind, timely, and necessary - then talk away. Harriette says they’re on the right track, and suggests they use the energy they used to spend negatively to talk creatively and perhaps garner some ideas to make something for themselves that will last a life time.

Want to try the gossip diet? Enter here for a set of No Gossip bracelets of your own to help you remember!

After a performance by KT Tunstall of her new single “Saving my face” (and by the way, the KT “is a bit of a cheat…” Her name is Kate, and wanted to stand out. A friend called her KT, and it stuck!) it’s back to the kitchen to finish what’s for dinner tonight - the Chicken Tortilla Stew.