Watching Rachael Ray

Wow. That’s a LOTTA pies. We start in the kitchen where there are a ton of Pumpkin Pies on the counter, to discuss mail order pies for those who don’t like to bake. Like Rachael - of course! They scoured the country for the top three favorites - and here they are:

#3 - Little Pie Company
424 W. 43rd Street & GCT Dining Concourse
New York, NY
877-872-7437
$65

#2 - Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
75700 North Ave
Armada, MI 48005
(And other locations)
586-784-4PIE
(586.784.4743)
$25.95

#1 - Sweetie Pies
520 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
707-257-8817
$27.75

If a pumkin pie cost me $65 bucks? it better come encrusted in gold. Or bacon. Ha! And if you’re like me and are just shaking your head, check out the Pumpkin desert fakeout - Pumpkin Pudding. Yum!

Next up, fresh from the 26th season of Wheel of Fortune, and holder of the world record for the most frequent clapper - Vanna White! Vanna laughs and wants to know who took the time to count everytime she clapped. I mean really! She does admit she’s turned more letters then anyone - and has a pumpkin pie tip too. When you have the last piece that no one wants? Scoop out the filling and mix it with vanilla ice cream for Pumpkin ice cream. Yum! (And everyone knows who her “Fun Nanny” was right? Jen Johnson from Big Brother 8! I do love it when my shows keep crossing over… ha!)

After a bit of conjoling - Vanna admits to being 51 years old. She eats, exercises, gets up with the kids early, goes to bed early, just does whatever one else does. Rachael says Dang - she said work out! But Vanna counters with the fact she eats too. And she brought a gift for Rachael - a picture of the puzzle from last week where Rachael was on the Wheel! Before and After: Rachael & Manta Ray.

Has she ever hit the wrong letter? Screwed up at all? And she says yes, once - she turned the wrong letter, and they had to throw the the puzzle out. “Now they light the letters up before I touch them, so it doesn’t happen again!” One time in 26 years? Pretty good record there.

What does she do in her spare time, for fun? She crochet’s, and has her own line of yarn. She learned at 5 years old from her grandmother - and half the proceeds of her yarn go to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Hit up the giveaway button for your chance at Vanna’s Beginner Crochet Starter Kit!

Does she get to keep the clothes? No. She says she could get them at a discount, probably, but “really, where would I wear those things?! I’m a simple person.” She remembers auditioning even, and that she was a nervous mess. Merv Griffin picked her, he said, because she and Pat looked like a brother/sister team, and she had a huge head. Literally. Nice.

Are her kids good eaters? They eat ANYTHING. Even fish eyes. Um. Ew.
Vanna is also one of those people who does their shopping for Christmas all year long - finishing in July. Ha! (Me, I haven’t started yet. hah.)

Did you know the Wheel weighs 4000 pounds! It’s really hard to turn, actually. They do have a mock up practice version before they actually play. Unexpected moments? Interesting wins - one guy was so excited he dropped down and kissed Pat’s feet! Watch Wheel of Fortune, as they’re giving away 5000 bucks a night to celebrate their 5000th show coming up!

Check out more Backstage with Vanna.

After a quick check in the Prep Kitchen and Rach shows how to make your own hot pockets and dipping sauce, and it’s time for a new Human Lab - Anti-Aging! Maureen, who’s 53, says that her wrinkles are taking over, while Madeline 43, can only see herself getting old in the mirror - her husband is 7 years older and people think she looks older, while Kerry, 39, is just starting to get more wrinkles. They’ve all tried numerous things, and agreed to try more for the Human Lab.

Maurine tried the Cosmetic Skin Solutions Derma Rolling System - which claims to stimulate production of collagen and improve existing wrinkles. Madeline tries Facial Magic, which is a facial muscle exercise program. Kerry tries the Platinum Red Rejuvenating Facial Light, which claims to reduce aging through medical grade red light therapy.

So - do they work?

After four weeks, Maureen says that there’s a definite difference in her laugh lines, and a big difference in the soft lines around her eyes. She feels it’s like a mini face lift without the pain. Dr. Ciraldo is on hand, and says that its a physical exfoliation that makes it work. Maureen will continue using it, and has had a big confidence boost.

Madeline says she loves the Facil Magic - she loves the way it feel,s and the results, and she looks younger. Dr. Ciraldo says that it’s as simple as toning the muscles in the face, just like we do all our other muscle groups.

While Kerry hasn’t seen a huge difference herself, her friends have commented on the changes and that excites her. She’s going to give it a couple more weeks in hopes of seeing a big change herself, then she’ll be sold.

Vanna comes back to turn some letters for us, and in doing so let’s everyone know what’s for dinner - Pumpkin Turnovers with Sherry-Shallot Warm Brussels Sprouts Slaw. (….uh. ew? Course, I am not a fan of the Brussel Sprout, so….)