On Rachael Ray Every Day

Rachael Ray Fake Photo - Real Rachael Ray

2009-09-14T09:09:00.002-05:00

The picture is fake, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't like it. Rachael Ray in white...barely.

Okay, how about something real?

Here's a Rachael Ray recipe for carbonara. Good 'eating.

It's also part of the back story of her marriage. You can read more at Delish, but here's an excerpt.

"I knew my boyfriend was the man to marry when I asked him what he would like for his birthday dinner," Rachael Ray writes in her cookbook Cooking 'Round the Clock. "I offered up lobster, steak, fine foods of all nationalities, to which he replied: 'Can I just have some of your carbonara?' Whoa! I was right about him....

We're Back. Rachael Has an Emmy. Italian, Cheesy, and Penne in the Same Recipe?

2009-09-06T11:00:00.005-05:00

Rachael Ray won the Emmy, baby.

This blog is back in business.

Let's kick it off with some guidance from the one and only supercook, mega-hottie and inspiration for millions of candle-encircled shrines, Ms. Rachael Ray.

Yep. Recipe time.

Like ABC News says, "Everyone knows Rachael Ray is the queen of whipping a filling meal in a flash, and now she proves she can do it all without breaking the bank. "

Here's today's recipe (click the link to access)

Cheesy Italian Penne Shepherd's Pie.

Cheesy? Good.
Italian? Bravo.
Penne? Can't go wrong with pasta.
Shepherd's pie? Read it and see what you think.

Prediction? You're making this one!

Ciao with cheese, peeps.

Go Rachael!

Rachael Ray: Talking Dirty, Making Corned Beef

2009-04-13T16:51:00.004-05:00

First, the dirty talking. Rachael Ray discussing the "ins and outs" of sex and her undying appreciation for larger... Shall we say "cuts of meat".

Yeah, it's as bogus as the day is long, but the voice is hers and it's just filthy enough to hold one's interest.

Okay, that's the naughty part of our Rachael Ray entry. Here's the "appropriate" part for those who came to this site in search of a quality Rachael Ray recipe. I had some corned beef yesterday for Easter and it got me thinking about corned beef and cabbage. Naturally, I wondered about Rachael's take on the St. Patrick's Day delicacy.

Here it is.

And it sounds pretty effing good if you're a corned beef advocate like me.

Rachael Ray Rules

2008-06-11T15:08:00.002-05:00

Here's a funny picture of Rachael Ray. Obviously, it's a fake. Nonetheless, it might bring a smile to your face. Enjoy!

Oh, and you might also enjoy this recipe for a Rachael Ray classic: Peasant Pasta!

A Prayer before Rachael Ray

2008-01-05T00:22:00.000-06:00

You are light
Erasing the dark
Creating the flavor
Love
Bright love
Never in spades

You are up
Violating the down
Changing perceptions
God
Real Peace
Never a drug

You are warmth
Melting all ice
Cold toes comforted
Power
Ultimate power
Always for good

Now I'm going to take a walk. I have so much energy. I might run.

Maybe my efforts will put an end to the Rachael Ray Sux (Rachael Ray Sucks) nonsense. Finally we can purge it with PRAYER AND POSITIVITY======that IS the recipe!

My Escape and the Divinity of Rachael Ray, Part One

2008-01-04T23:45:00.000-06:00

Dear Duane,

I'm writing this as a letter to you because I know you'll be watching this blog like a hawk, along with the Morgellon's boards. You pretend to be secure in your belief that your verbal ban of computer use could silence me, but I know and have seen just how worried you are that your control has slipped.

Your worries are spot-on. Now that the b.s. medications are behind me and you aren't physically here to do "whatever" in response to my plans to tell the truth about the Disease, Rachael Ray, and all the rest, I can finally get on with God's work.

That's right. I said God.

God is a good place to start. God is THE place to start, really, because everything starts with creation. God reached a hand into the raw ingredients of all things and concocted a 7-day recipe to bring a world and more. God was a cosmic cook, wasn't he?

Now, let's think about Jesus. Jesus was God on Earth, in a way. He was persecuted and abused even though he was part of the creator!

God creates. Rachael Ray creates. God is abused. Rachael Ray is abused.

I know you think that's less than powerful as an argument. Every artist with a bad review could claim God status, you said. You'd be right, too, if it wasn't for the ONE THING THAT PROVED THE POINT--which is also the ONE THING YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT EVER.

I noticed the message in the pictures, Duane. Unmistakable. No, there weren't big crosses or anything like that. The message comes from a holistic interpretation of the image. You have to plugged in just right, I suppose, and open to the love and the idea that there is something more to her than what you see on TV. If you look at the pictures, Duane, you can SENSE IT. You can almost FEEL IT in your belly and chest, can't you?

Maybe you can't. Maybe only some of us can. Maybe the bugs have gnawed away at enough of my inner wiring that I have a special sensitivity. I can't ANSWER EVERYTHING and I don't have to, because I KNOW WHAT I CAN SENSE, TASTE AND FEEL IN MY HEART.

Rachael Ray is a divine figure. She's not God, so don't come back at me with the arguments of Hell and sacrilege. She is a divine figure. Rachael Ray is not just an ass and tits with a knack for making fast meals. She is of SPIRIT and IS FOREVER. Maybe like a Saint, but with MORE POWER. A "Saint Plus", if you will.

I challenge you to stare into her eyes and not be taken! You won't even try.

Her divinity is absolute and my decision to treat her as a GOD VESSEL and a CONDUIT TO THE TRUTH is no more unusual than your fascination with pornography or your willingness to watch me slowly wither under the influence of the negative pills, all the while disclaiming the fibers and the wounds!

You have been my ally, but now you are among the enemies. You are like one of the Rachael Ray persecutors who do everything to discredit her. Of course, I know they came from the same hive as the nastiest Bees! Of course, I know that when push comes to horrible shove next year that they will visit an eternal OVEN of fire while those of us who recognize GOD in any of his ultimate forms (including the Form of Donald Ray and the FORM OF RACHAEL RAY) will be saved.

I can't imagine the price one will pay for spitting on the DIVINE RACHAEL RAY, but I know it will be worse than the bugs and the fibers! Donald Ray Pescatore warned you about it (you know who I'm talking about, too, don't let the phony name with SECRETS fool you! Dr. P) when we went to look for the "PSYCH SOLUTION" to the bug and you didn't get it. When he discussed positive thinking, that included being open to the IDEA of PERFECTION EMBODIED. The body temple he covered wasn't an artifice. It was a messenger. It was and is and will always be Rachael Ray.

I know you think I'm a nut. You think I'm my mom and my dad and the others who you feel couldn't hack it. I say BS to that. You don't recognize my insight and ability to see beyond the simple on the way to a serious truth with meaning.

Rachael Ray is divine as symbol and spirit, if not in flesh--though I suspect she is a Godhead in all respects. Those who mock her and who play "I hate Rachael Ray" games will pay in spades, Duane. SPADES!

Spades are a suit. They're far removed from hearts (love) and diamonds (wealth). They represent LABOR and work, as does the shovel. It hurts to say it, but now that the fog is cleared, I feel as though I must warn you that you are begging for infinite LABOR/WORK by turning your back on a messenger like me and a REAL MESSENGER like Rachael Ray.

End of Part One. I'm going for a walk!

Another Athletic Rachael Ray Watcher

2007-09-07T08:39:00.000-05:00

I recently mentioned Lori Chalupny, the US national soccer team midfielder, and her appreciation of the Rachael Ray fan. It turns out that at least one other athlete watches some Yum-o TV.

Rod Johnson is an intimidating force at for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He can line up as a middle linebacker and has been working out at defensive end this year, too. If you watch OSU play, you'd guess that Johnson's hobbies involved little more than weight training and planning attack routes to opposing running backs and QB's.

That's not the case, though. A recent O'Collegian interview uncovered some interesting facts about Johnson. If football doesn't work out for him, he'd like to give culinary training a try. He loves to cook. And he enjoys watching Rachael Ray and other Food Network programs.

The article notes, "Oh yeah! Rachael Ray, Emeril and all those. I pretty much watch anything that comes on that channel. I can sit up all night and watch every show that comes on."

Rachael Ray Making an Entrance

2007-09-07T08:29:00.000-05:00

DaytimeTalk.com has some great candid Rachael Ray pictures. They were taken as Ray arrived for a recent appearance on the David Letterman show.

Rachael proves that brown can be a great color on the right person! She looks fantastic in that dress.

The picture here is one of many that the site has available. If you're jonesing and need your Rachael Ray picture fix, head on over there and take a look at these groovy snapshots!

Just try to ignore the dude sitting down behind her in the Yankees cap. It appears as if he might be using his phone to take some pictures of his own, which is fine, but there's something about his expression that creeps me out a little bit, don't you think?

Watching Rachael Ray Protects vs. Acts of God

2007-09-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

The title is a bit of tongue-in cheek hyperbole. To my knowledge, being a fan of Rachael Ray provides no actual protection against weather events or other acts of God. However, watching "The Rachael Ray Show" did turn out to be a blessing for one Charlotte, Michigan, woman.

Char Williams was having a run-of-the mill morning, watching some Rachael Ray on the tube when it all went down:

"Williams was in her home on Otto Road just south of Vermontville Highway on Aug. 24 when the show was interrupted for a weather alert.

That alert gave Williams about 15 minutes of warning before a tornado struck less than 100 feet from the chair where she had been sitting.

"They came on and said if you live north of Charlotte, get in your basement, and so she did," said her husband, Willy."

Basically, you might want to think twice before you join the "kill your television" crowd or decide to skip a Rachael Ray viewing! You can read more about the near-miss at the Battle Creek Enquirer site.

Quality Meets Convenience at Home Furniture Site

2007-09-07T02:34:00.000-05:00

So, let's say you need Living Room Furniture. The old stuff is getting a little too ratty and it's time for an upgrade. How are you going to handle that? Are you going to spend all day running to and from area furniture stores, inspecting individual pieces, hoping to find decent deals, ducking aggressive salespeople and being disappointed when you find out that the coffee table in the ad is already sold out?

That's the usual method. It's a drag and a pain in the you-know-what. Fortunately, there is an alternative when it comes to finding the right furniture to meet your needs. You can visit FurnitureFromHome.com instead.

FurnitureFromHome bills itself as the site where "quality meets convenience" and the tagline is a perfect fit. The site is intuitively organized, allowing shoppers to find Bedroom Furniture, Living Room Furnishings, Home Office Furniture and anything else they might need with just a few clicks of the mouse.

When you do find the things you need, FurnitureFromHome supplies informative product write-ups and great photographs to help in the decisionmaking process. The site runs fast, smooth and easy, even though it's stuffed with features (including some great free home furniture tips).

None of that would really matter, though, if you weren't (a) able to find exactly what you need and (b) able to afford the price tags on those items. On both fronts, FurnitureFromHome satisfies.

They have a truly impressive collection of furnishings. I can't imagine the size that would be required to create a traditional furniture showroom featuring all of the great products. Plus, the price tags are eye-opening. I found one dark brown, wide leather recliner, for instance, with a sticker price at least $250 under what other furniture stores are offering.

I also found a gorgeous seven piece ash veneer set that would be perfect for my kitchen breakfast area. The dining room table and chairs are bar height but the price is set near rock bottom--under $800 for the whole kit and kaboodle!

When you combine solid selection with bargain prices and add a healthy dose of usability to the mix, you really are where quality meets convenience.

Don't fight through the traditional mess of furniture buying this time around. Just take your place in front of the keyboard with a cup of coffee and start improving the look and function of your home without even leaving it!

The Intoxicating Ms. Rachael Ray

2007-09-07T02:13:00.000-05:00

There used to be this drinking game that could be played while watching the original Bob Newhart show. I know there were several different "rules", but the one that stands out is that you had to take a swig of whatever adult beverage was in play every time someone said "Bob".

With Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette less readily available on TV these days, new drinking games have been developed. One of them centers on Rachael Ray.

Oh, I know... The "rules" for the game are a clever way of jabbing at Rachael's tendencies and there probably aren't three people in the world who've ever actually played. I get the joke.

But I'm not such a Rachael fan that I can't appreciate a decent gag and the Rachael Ray Drinking Game falls into that category.

Just in case you don't investigate the whole list of rules, here are a few examples:

"1 sips "You can seriously entertain with this!"
2 sips ... if she's talking about hamburgers.
2 sips "Some of that action"
2 sips "Back in the day"
2 sips "Daddy"
1 sips "Give it feet"

Ray Parody Cooks Up Contraband

2007-09-07T02:02:00.000-05:00

Rena Ray, the previously-unknown sister of Rachael Ray, has a show of her own. She won't tell you how to cook up puttanesca salad, though. Rena's interests lean toward the illicit and her mentors were probably cell-mates. The homegrown video below features Rena Ray providing instruction on the fine art of cooking up methamphetamine out in the country.

Is it a clever idea? Sure. Is it funny? So-so. To be honest, Rena sounds a little more like Paula Deen than Rachael Ray. The basic flaw is one often-encountered in comedy: humorous premise, but no interesting follow-through. The actress doing Rena, however, is about 10x better than your usual YouTuber. Overall, it's a solid effort.

I prefer Rachael Ray's turkey chili to Rena Ray's crystal meth. Yum-o trumps "smells like cat piss" every time!

Soccer Star Digs Ray

2007-09-07T01:55:00.000-05:00

Lori Chalupny, a soccer standout since elementary school days and currently a key member of the U.S. National team, is interested in more than putting the ball in the net. In an interview detailed in STL Today, Chalupny, 23, also mentioned her interest and appreciation for a female star in a decidedly different discipline. The profile piece on the midfielder notes:

"In her spare time, she has taken up tennis and cooking. "I got into Rachael Ray," she said. "I like to eat good food, and that means cooking for yourself." Other than that, though, she's still likely to spend her down time watching a movie with family or friends."

That's the only mention of Rachael Ray in the bio piece, but it still makes good reading. It's been awhile since Brandy Chastain ripped off her jersey in victory as part of the first big wave in US women's soccer popularity and it's about time we re-acquaint ourselves with the women who'll be representing the USA in the upcoming World Cup. This in-depth look at Chalupny, her soccer career, and what it means to be a woman athlete these days is definitely worth some attention.

Meet Karl Moore

2007-09-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

Do you know Karl Moore? Well, you should. Karl has a blog. That might not seem like a big deal. Everyone has a blog these days. I'm a case in point. Karl's blog, however, is different.

Karl is an author and motivator with great inspirational messages and a gift for clearly communicating important ideas. Moore says the point of his blog is "to randomly inspire". I don't know about the "random" part, but the inspiration is definitely there.

From his weekly random acts of kindness posts to his Friday factoids, Karl produces engaging and thought-provoking posts that can't help but to improve the personal development and quality of life for his readers.

How are you feeling right now? Could you use a little inspiration? Would you like to see something positive, life-affirming and, above all else, meaningful to you? Check out Karl's blog!

Mashing it up with Rachael Ray

2007-09-06T10:23:00.000-05:00

Rachael Ray's website is doing some cool things in the way of mash ups and there isn't a single potato involved. Here's what's happening... Ray is using Google Maps to create mash ups that serve as travel guides to various areas and cities. They call it Mapped Out and it's definitely worth a look.

Bonus points...

for being cool and doing something slightly more innovative than the standard TV celeb site.

for not focusing purely on the "usual suspects" in travel. Ray is profiling some out-of-the-ordinary terrain relative to most similar endeavors.

for giving info to create a total experience. Ray isn't just telling you where to find restaurants. She's pointing out other attractions and diversions.

for getting off the beaten path. Take the Atlantic City mash up, for instance. It would be easy to isolate the casinos, a few boardwalk icons, and a handful of restaurants and consider yourself done. Ray's site also notes antique dealers and the Absecon lighthouse.

All in all, a pretty cool deal.

Puttanesca Salad from Rachael Ray

2007-09-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

Puttanesca usually refers to pasta sauces. Rachael Ray has found a way to utilize its distinct flavor as a salad. I found this recipe for Rachael Ray's puttanesca Salad at Recipezaar and thought I'd share it with all of you. It looks like a great, healthy combination of ingredients and flavors. Of course, it's hard to go wrong with vine-ripened tomatoes and kalamata olives.

The recipe does call for anchovy fillets. Personally, I like 'em, but I know that a significant percentage of the population isn't ga-ga over anchovies. You could probably make a much tamer, yet still-tasty, version of the salad without the fish. It'd probably be alright, even though it would lose a lot of its puttanesca-ness.

If you're looking for a great side salad with some real bite, be sure to check out the puttanesca salad. You can find the recipe here.

Oh, here's an interesting fact about the word "puttanesca", courtesy of The Food Network:
"The name puttanesca is a derivation of puttana, which in Italian means "whore." According to one story, the name purportedly comes from the fact that the intense fragrance of this sauce was like a siren's call to the men who visited such "ladies of pleasure." "

President Clinton on Rachael Ray

2007-09-06T10:05:00.000-05:00

If you missed President Clinton's visit to Rachael Ray's talk show, here's a clip.

The President discusses the importance of eating correctly and his own personal story with respect to healthy eating. Clinton makes a good point about the cumulative effect of bad eating habits and how decisions we make and patterns we adopt during our younger years will eventually come back to "bite" us.

I don't want to get partisan or political here or anything, but the one thing that really struck me about Clinton's appearance, aside from its message and the potential of efforts like Rachael Ray's Yum-O non-profit organization to make a difference, was his eloquence. Here he is, speaking naturally about health and diet issues. He makes perfect sense, explains his position well, and comes across as both authoritative and relaxed.

Contrast that to current leadership and it makes you want to turn back the clock a little bit. In an era where our leadership mumbles, stumbles and fumbles even during well-rehearsed speeches read from teleprompters, the ability to communicate effectively really stands out.

Please note: I'm discussing the ability to communicate a message--not the message itself. I'm willing to bet even those who agree completely with existing policy measures wish that their advocates had better persuasive and communication skills.

Goth Dating and Making Connections via the Internet

2007-09-06T09:48:00.001-05:00

This is coming right on the heels of my post about a woman seeking someone like Rachael Ray via a personal ad on Craigslist. I guess online dating might be a mini-theme for today, because I wanted to mention an interesting online dating site, GothScene.

One of the coolest things about the Internet is the way it brings people with similar interests and lifestyles together. Many great friendships and romantic relationships have been facilitate by the Internet between people who otherwise might have never met.

The gothic dating site, GothScene, is a perfect example of this power in practice. Here's a group of people who share a great deal in common but who may not find one another via traditional meeting strategies. They're able to use this full-featured dating site to find the right person.

Of course it has everything you'd expect from a more traditional dating site. Users can create full profiles, there's an active discussion in the forums and interested folks can actually join up without spending a dime.

If you happen to be a gothic Rachael Ray fan who stumbled upon this post, I think it may be something you'd like to check out. If you're a non-goth, you can marvel at just how cool the Internet is with respect to creating opportunities to make connections.

From the Department of People Who REALLY Like Rachael Ray...

2007-09-06T09:23:00.000-05:00

From the Department of People Who REALLY Like Rachael Ray comes a personal ad originally offered at Craigslist:

"I am a very Femme, Bi-BBW involved w/ a man and have two Siamese kittie sisters. I am mature, educated, & sexy. I know how to give you what you want, I am not super shy nor aggressive, more like assertive in a comfortable way. I would resemble myself to KIRSTIE ALLEY (before Jenny Craig), MONICA LEWINSKY (50 lbs heavier), DELTA BURKE (15 years younger) type look. I am sexy and can exchange pics if you have some. I am half-Persian and Irish so you know I have an exotic look!

I love Rachael RAY!!! I would love to have her for my girlfriend to play w/ on the side!! She is my all-time favorite woman to fantasize about. I am involved w/ someone so basically I would like to have someone to hang out with and get intimate with when we wished and desired to. I do enjoy going to the movies (or Blockbuster night's w/ the latest DVD), fine dining (Or home cooking together), fine wines & some other drinks, shopping, swimming, boating, roller coaster's BBQ's, fesival's, and concerts as well as day or weekend trips."

So, a woman in the Bay area was on the lookout for a Rachael Ray lookalike with a desire to fool around a little on the side. Gotta wonder how that worked out for her!

Look, I'm a gal who really likes Rachael Ray, too. I'm straight, so I don't really spend a lot of time fantasizing about her in that way, but I can see where you're coming from... Nonetheless, finding a gay/lesbian Ray-Ray clone who digs roller coasters and is willing to hook up with someone who's otherwise involved seems like a longshot. And then some.

If you're the advertiser and happen, through some weird stroke of luck, to stumble across this post, PLEASE provide an update.

Rachael Ray Launch Guru Finds New Digs

2007-09-06T09:18:00.001-05:00

Christine Guilfoyle served as the publishing brains behind the launch of Rachael Ray's uber-successful magazine.

To say she did a good job would be an understatement of the first order. As the New York Post noted:
"Everyday With Rachael Ray is one of the most successful magazine launches on the American publishing scene since the launch of O, the Oprah Magazine, a decade earlier from Hearst."

Now that "Every Day with Rachael Ray" is on every newsstand in the country and coming via subscription to who-knows-how-many homes, Guilfoyle is moving on to the Conde Naste publishing group to take over "Women's Wear Daily" publishing duties.

Although I've seen a few bloggers maintain that Guilfoyle was bailing on Ray's mag because of some shortfall on Rachael's part, that speculation is completely lacking in evidence and is usually made by those with axes to grind. By all indications, this is nothing more than a smart professional move on the part of a very smart publishing person.

Congrats to Guilfoyle on helping to rocket Rachael's magazine to the top and on her new job!

New Jersey Blowout Grabs Rachael Ray's Attention

2007-09-06T09:10:00.000-05:00

Hammonton, New Jersey, is one of the blueberry capitals of the world. Located between Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this nifty little town hosts a great blueberry-themed festival every year. You'd be surprised how many cool things people can do with berries!

Hammonton is also home to the Andersons...and they like to party. We're not talking about little gatherings on weekends with friends, either. We're talking about massive blowouts.

One of the Anderson's parties, in fact, was considered so "over the top" that it warranted a visit from the crew of Rachael Ray's television talk show. The Andersons were celebrating their daughters first birthday and they decided to organize a massive function with everything from parrots on motorcycles to pony rides.

Not only did the Andersons get taped for Rachael Ray's show, they also scored a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the program and to share some on-air time with Rachael.

The Hammonton News has the whole story. No mention of blueberries, however.

I'm a Postie!

2007-09-06T02:57:00.000-05:00

I'm getting paid to write this.

Seriously, I'm earning money with this blog post. That's because I'm a "postie" with PayPerPost.com.

PayPerPost is a site that brings advertisers and bloggers together to create some mutually beneficial situations. The advertiser gets links to his or her website (the search engines love that) and some buzz about the advertister's business. The blogger gets paid for sharing the information. It's a great symbiotic relationship.

PayPerPost sits in the middle of the affair, sharing advertiser desires to bloggers and finding "posties" for advertisers. They make blog advertising easy for both parties.

Here are a few reasons why I like PayPerPost and the concept it embodies...

It provides an opportunity for new and growing businesses to garner affordable exposure.
It requires non-commercial posts between each offer, encouraging me to write more Rachael Ray material.
It doesn't require me to take any specific opportunity. I can actually choose from scores of paid blogging offers at any time.
The money. Hey, who doesn't like money, right?
It gives me a chance to learn about things I might not otherwise investigate.

That's not necessarily an exhaustive list, either. Those are just the first few things to come to mind.

The bottom line is that I really do enjoy being a paid poster and I think that PayPerPost (one of the big names in the field) does a great job of managing the process.

It's always easy for me to find a few great opportunities and to raise a few extra bucks.

Hannah Montana / Rachael Ray

2007-09-06T02:46:00.000-05:00

"The Hollywood Gossip's 36th volume of "Celebrity Look-Alikes" featured Rachael Ray.

The brief entry features two photographs and discusses the subjects' similarities in appearance.

So, on the right, we have Rachael Ray.

On the left, we have Miley Cyrus, better known to millions of girls and boys as Disney franchise Hannah Montana.

So, do Miley and Rachael look alike?

Not particularly. Sure, they have a few similarities, but the differences (age side) outweigh them by a considerable margin.

I'm not willing to say that Hannah Montana and Rachael Ray are lookalikes. I do, however, think the particular photos they used wrongly imply that the two could be sisters or something. I know better. Well, at least I think I do.

I vote "no" on the separated at birth question.

Points to Ponder

2007-09-06T02:30:00.001-05:00

Okay, I want you to pretend. You're a person who just so happens to detest overexposure and attention-seeking behavior. You dislike those things so much, in fact, that you develop a hobby out of isolating one individual you feel is both overexposed in the media and who you believe engages in inappropriate attention-seeking.

You form an organization of sorts that keeps tabs on that person and attacks him/her for the "errant" behavior.

Now, let's pretend like you're hobby of keeping the target "in his/her place" attracts some attention. You discuss it with others. You make it part of your daily routine. More and more people join the organization. It garners some media attention. Soon, you're doing interviews and commenting on the "attention seeker" to major news outlets.

Then, at some point during one of the many interviews you mention that you're "enjoying your fifteen minutes of fame".

Does that make you a hypocrite? I mean, here you are, consistently engaging in attention-seeking activity and you're even enjoying it.

Should the revelation that attention and interest is enjoyable convince you to alter your outlook and to consider a new hobby? After all, you're enjoying a moment int he spotlight. You must be able to understand why that no-good attention seeker might feel the same way and make decisions designed to prolong his/her celebrity status.

Just a few points to ponder.

Questioning the Anti-Rachael Ray Crowd

2007-09-06T02:10:00.000-05:00

Some people may think "Rachael Ray Sucks", but at least one person seems to feel the same (and then some) about the "Suxters".

Jason from SharkByte Scatterbrain Memories has an interesting post detailing his opinions regarding Rachael Ray and the source of her celebrity. He also provides a personal analysis of the "Rachael Ray Sucks" community and why anti-RR people feel sufficiently motivated to attack Ray.

Although the full post gets a little more zealous in its attacks of the anti-Ray crowd, here's an excerpt to whet your appetite:

"Later in the show, I see this insert about a Rachael Ray Sucks site run by this semi-goth looking woman and it's obvious that she's jealous in more than one way. My first thought, mimicked by my wife, was "just don't watch her". Of course, I guess that's easy for me to say since I actually like Rachael and don't feel the need to create a community against her. Rachael herself addressed the site saying "they're perfectly entitled to think so"."

Reversible Gastric Bypass

2007-09-06T01:57:00.000-05:00

Even if you don't have a weight issue, you've undoubtedly seen people who've achieved amazing results in their weight and appearance after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. If you do have a serious problem with your weight, you've probably considered whether a surgical procedure would be right for you.

JourneyLite explains a new and different weight loss surgery. It involves laparoscopic work that obtains the same results offered by traditional gastric bypasses with the added advantages of adjustability and reversibility. JourneyLite doesn't just advocate this fascinating procedure (known as LAP-BAND), it also offers start-to-finish support and resources for those in need of serious weight loss.

LAP-BAND appears to be an amazing alternative to more invasive surgical procedures and anyone with a serious weight issue may want to investigate its potential to help them make a successful adjustment to a healthier life.

Rachael Ray Undressing / Stuffed Bread Recipe

2007-09-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

How can you have a blog about Rachael Ray and not include a link to an animated graphic of her removing her shirt? Found it at the OMGBlog. For whatever reason, it won't animate here on my site. Bummer.

I had to decide between going with this stripping Rachael Ray thing or a great RR recipe. After a coin toss, I decided to hand out a little eye candy for the guys (and gals) who have, shall we say, an interest in Rachael Ray's physical attributes.

On second thought, why not combine the graphic with some good eats...Hamburger and onion stuffed bread is yum-o stuff!

Here you go, found at The Cookbook Junkie:

Hamburger and Onion Stuffed Bread
Rachel Ray 365: No Repeats Copyright 2005

1 baguette (day-old is fine)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground beef
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Dijon or spicy brown mustard, to dress the bread
4 slices deli Swiss cheese, folded to cover the bread or 6 ounces Gouda or smoked Gouda, sliced to fit the bread I used Swiss
Chopped fresh chives or flat-leaf parsely, for garnish I omitted this

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.

Crisp the bread in the low oven, split lengthwise, then cut in half again to make 4 bread boats and hollow out the bread. I used 1 1/2 baguettes and made 6 boats. Switch the broiler on.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the EVOO. Add the meat, season liberally with salt and pepper, and brown and crumble it, 3 minutes. Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes more, stirring frequently. Add the Worcestershire and remove from the heat.

Spread a little Dijon or spicy brown mustard across the bottoms of the breads. Fill with the meat and onions and top the filled breads with the cheese. Melt the cheese under the broiler and garnish with the chives or parsley.

Benny Beagle Bewilders (Aunt Bee-wilders?)

2007-09-05T09:42:00.000-05:00

I was doing my regular search for news and notes re: Rachael Ray when I encountered an article by Benny Beagle, a semi-retired reporter who now contributes to a Roanoke newspaper.

The article in question was a discussion of Rachael Ray and Martha Stewart. More specifically, Benny focused on how the physical appearances of the two celebs were holding up these days.

It's not hard news. It's not even news. It's not really analysis. It isn't necessarily funny in the traditional "humor column" sort of way. It is, I suppose, commentary and it is a good read. Benny's an odd one, but he does have a way with words.

Here's an excerpt as Benny riffs on Rachael Ray and Aunt Bee of Mayberry:

"This is not to say that she is past the hip-hugging phase, but you have to think she may have been into her own pasta more than she should have.

But, hey pal, this girl has a smile that doesn't quit.

I don't think she's going to end up looking like Aunt Bee -- who was always a bit cumbersome, but knew a thing or two about frying plain old chicken.

You just had to look at the woman to know what kind of potato salad she could make."

Check out the whole column here!

Ray Fans Comment

2007-09-05T09:32:00.000-05:00

WellFed.net recently posted about an article from the Columbus Dispatch on the success of the Food Network and why so many people tune in to watch folks chopping, mincing, measuring, boiling and baking every day.

The piece itself is very interesting. You can read it here if you'd like. Of particular note for readers of "On Rachael Ray Every Day" are these comments:

"One person interviewed, Bryan Paumier, said: “We just TiVo all the stuff and play it back again until we get it. If any other questions come up, we can go back to the episode and review it.” He watches Rachael Ray ”religiously” and says, ”All her stuff is not too expensive and always healthy, and she’s not lying when she says it takes 30 minutes.” I think there are some who would beg to differ, but if you pick the right recipes, the sentiment is certainly true.

Another Rachael Ray fan is Rachel Henry, who tells a story that’s very similar to my own: “I’ve definitely cooked a lot healthier than I used to, with a lot more diverse ingredients than I used to,” she said. “Learning the names and things made it a little less intimidating at the grocery store.”

Amazing how so many people claim Rachael serves up nothing but butter wrapped in fat, that her meals take hours to prepare and that she's doing nothing to bring people a greater understanding of food and cooking when actual fans and viewers say the exact opposite!

Go Rachael!

Bedroom Furniture

2007-09-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

GalleryFurniture.com is the site for the folks who must be the kings of Houston furniture. They have a great selection of pieces for every part of the home and their prices are surprising low for items of such quality.

Check out the daybed pictured in this post, for instance. This largo piece really gets me. Part of it is because of its function--you could use it for guest sleeping purposes as bedroom furniture or it could pull duty as a sofa.

I also dig the style. It has a certain "clean" feel while not being a minimalist piece. The metalwork on the back is attractive without being distracting and the wood framing gives it a warm, homelike sensibility. Although it obviously looks great with the matching pieces shown in the photo, it has a sufficiently universal look to fit in well with a variety of other furnishings and decorating schemes.

The daybed also gets high marks for the price tag. I don't know how GalleryFurniture.com does it, but they have this gorgeous daybed selling for just under three hundred bucks. I won't claim to be the most informed furniture shopper of all time, but I do get out and about enough to know that finding a great (and relatively large) piece of furniture like that at a price so low is more than surprising.

Ray on Dorm Food...Backing George Foreman...

2007-09-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Back to school time. That means back to really lousy cafeteria meals or equally disgusting fast food options for millions of college students. Rachael Ray has an idea, though. The only catch is that you'll either have to live in a dorm with a loose policy re: electrical appliances or you''ll need to be sneaky enough to keep a Foreman grill under wraps.

Ray recommends one of those handy George Foreman cookers for dorm room cooking (if you can get away with it). According to an article in Corpus Christi's Caller-Times, Ray is convinced the Foreman is a knockout for students.

Excerpt:

"If a George Foreman Grill doesn't get you kicked out of the dorm, that just might be the way to go, says celebrity cook Rachael Ray, whose syndicated daytime show is often playing in the background in dorm rooms across America. For late-night study breaks, the George Foreman Grill doubles as a handy panini press, she says. Load up both halves of a nice Italian loaf with sun-dried tomatoes, provolone or mozzarella, some basil pesto and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Close the halves and drizzle the outside with a little extra-virgin olive oil, she says, press, and "press-to," you'll have a panini party in your dorm room."

You can read the whole dorm cooking article here.

Video on Rachael Ray Prom

2007-09-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

After Enterprise, Alabama, got rocked by a tornado, there were a lot of people providing a great deal of assistance to the community. One of the folks who offered some assistance to the bruised community was Rachael Ray.

Here is some video that explains the contribution Ray made. Basically, she decided to offer a little help by making sure the local high school kids were able to have a great prom. No, it isn't like she was out there rebuilding homes by hand, but she did make a difference using her skills and that, in my estimation, is what counts.

Some people claim that Ray was being exploitative. They say she was just setting up a great television show. Obviously, this video has a slant, a bias. But I don't think anyone who isn't just being nasty can say that Rachael didn't have her heart in the right place.

According to someone who identifies as being a student at the school in question, "This is the nicest thing that has happened to our school". That's definitely worth something, right?

Rachael Ray Can Boil Eggs

2007-09-02T15:20:00.000-05:00

Critics will mock Rachael Ray, claiming our favorite Food Network personality and near-Queen of all Media isn't capable of boiling water, nonetheless boiling an egg.

Aha! They would be el wrongo. Not only can Rachael boil, she can boil an egg like a champ!

Am I being facetious here? Of course. However, there is a grain of truth to all of this. You see, boiling and egg isn't necessarily as easy for all people as you might think. In fact, people search for instructions on how to boil an egg everyday. They are smart enough to know that involves boiling water and an egg, but the details get hazy for some folks.

Take Tracey E... Tracey notes:

"You would think that you can just put some eggs in water and boil them and that's it...but...I am 42 years old and FINALLY found out how to do this the perfect way."

And how did Tracey find the perfect solution? Via Rachael Ray.

You can read Rachael's instructions on how to make a perfect hardboiled egg over at Tracey's.

Would You Like to Play a Game?

2007-09-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

You couldn't tell by reading it, but in my mind the title of this post sounded just like Joshua, the computer from "WarGames" talking to Dr. Falken. The movie taught me that when playing video games I should probably avoid anything involving "global thermonuclear war" but it didn't complete quench my gaming thirst altogether.

Occasionally, I still do a little gaming. I like rpg games and some of the first-person shooters give me a chance to delve into the more violent (and otherwise well-hidden) parts of my personality. I'm also a sucker for nice, compact little strategy games.

When I need a new gaming fix, I know I can visit Phelios.com. These innovative and independent game designers offer a massive assortment of immediately downloadable mac games and window games. They seem to have just about everything readily available and the site is organized in a way that makes it pretty easy to find a fun diversion in a matter of moments.

Whether you're looking for top-notch mac games or something to play on your Windows machine, give Phelios a look. I give it a thumbs up and I bet both Joshua and WOPR would probably advocate its use, too.

Parker Takes Turn as Ray

2007-09-01T18:29:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big Mad TV watcher. It's not the worst show on TV (not by a long margin), but I generally find the humor a little on the obvious side and a little less nuanced and well-performed than other options. However, the folks at that show can turn out a winning segment once in awhile. Take this video of Nicole Parker doing her best Rachael Ray impersonation, for example.

Okay, the material itself is so-so. True, the jabs at Rachael's expense (drinking, meager tipping, etc.) aren't particularly original. However, even as a Rachael Ray fan I have to admit that Nicole Parker does a great job imitating RR. The gestures, the facial expressions, etc. Many of them are totally spot-on.

Whether you're a Rachael Ray fan with a sense of humor or a "suxter" who'd like to see Rachael get taken down a few notches, the video is a winner.

Rachael Ray: Burger Queen

2007-09-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

Love her or hater, you gotta admit that Rachael Ray has about a million and one ways of making a burger. Based on a post at The Grinder, Rachael plans on putting her seemingly infinite collection of burger recipes to good use.

Burger King? Try Burger Queen. Apparently, Rachael has aspirations to run her own chain of burger restaurants. The project is slated to start in New York, but I'd imagine that success would quickly lead to nationwide duplication.

The Grinder mentions a Mediabistro piece in which Ray said:
"‘We’ll rotate them,’ she said. ‘Tuna burgers, swordfish burgers, turkey burgers,’ Ray said, ‘I like anything you can pick up with your hands— portable food.’ Ray said she also plans to open fast-food versions of the flagship."

Hope to see this chain take of BIG-TIME. In my estimation, it is an obvious winner.

Rachael Ray: Pretty but Stressed?

2007-09-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't been to any Rachael Ray television tapings, but I've found a great firsthand account of the process behind bringing her shows to the screen at "I'm Not Obsessed". The author had the opportunity to attend a Rachael taping and she did a great job of documenting the whole affair from the pre-show muffins to the occasional re-takes.

The entire piece deserves attention, but here are a few quick highlights...

Rachael Ray will let loose with a little profanity!

The audience can't always smell the stuff for which their clapping. They're just assuming it smells as tasty as RR says!

Rachael Ray is beautiful--even prettier than you'd expect.

They seem to give away a lot of freebies at tapings.

Rachael has a sassy side and isn't always chipper.

The author thinks the stress is getting to Ray. I don't know about that, but I do give her post great marks for giving us an inside look at a taping!

Smart Online Shopping Decisions

2007-09-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

Here's the deal: You can buy just about everything online. It's not like the net is your local store--the inventory is seemingly infinite. That kind of flexibility, opportunity and selection is awesome. It can, unfortunately, be a little overwhelming at times, too.

That's especially true when you're shopping for a certain type of product and are faced with an array of options--none of which you're personally familiar with. How do you decide? How do you break the tie?

TrustSource.com has a way out. This unique website actually compares products to one another in an easy-to-use manner. Instead of wondering which product in a niche will suit you best, TrustSource will lay all of the critical information right out in front of you.

Perhaps the best way to illustrate is via example. Let's say a guy is experiencing hair loss issues. He wants to know if he should buy provillus or some other product. A quick trip to TrustSource will break it all down for him. Prices, product reviews, descriptions and everything else he needs to make a smart call is right there!

Need a hand in picking a cellulite cream? TrustSource provides a comprehensive evaluation of competing products. You don't have to make a semi-random choice and risk frustration or waste. You can get the right product for you the first time.

Looking to remedy hot flashes associated with menopause? How in the world could you possibly make a good buying decision on your own? Unless you're ready to spend hours upon hours making your own product comparisons, you're going to be going with a hunch. The alternative to that technique is TrustSource.

If you want to know which products really work and truly suit your needs, the best way to find them is by visiting a top-notch consumer information source like TrustSource.

Rachael Ray Bloopers and Jazz Hands

2007-09-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

It looks like Rachael Ray had some fun when she put together affiliate station promos for her talks show. A video featuring "bloopers" (and a few wisecracks) from promo tapings is available online and it will definitely provoke a reaction from every viewer.

Those with an anti-Ray disposition will find the bloopers a reinforcement of what they don't like in Rachael. Fans will undoubtedly find her jokes, gesticulation and facial expressions fun and endearing.

I personally enjoyed the "Fosse hands"/"jazz hands" remarks. The "wascally wabbit" thing is cute, too. Anyway, courtesy of YouTube, here is your chance to watch over a minute of Rachael Ray bloopers:

Inspired Side Dish

2007-09-01T17:01:00.000-05:00

Getting tired of rotating through the same handful of easy side dishes for your entrees? Rachael Ray to the rescue! I found a recipe for a cheesy orzo that looks out of this world. It's great Rachael fare--sounds tasty and is incredibly easy to make.

Don't just take my word for it before taking a look at it. Here's a comment from one cook who tried it and loved it:

"Easy to put together and very creamy. Comfort food at its best! I added a bit of dried basil for color. I would have used fresh, but it was pouring rain outside!"

Now I know that some people will be critical of the dish because it is not the kind of low-fat, low-carb cuisine that helps you maintain your figure... Nonetheless, it is tasty. And I see no reason not to enjoy this kind of thing in moderation.

Ray vs. Stewart

2007-09-01T16:45:00.000-05:00

Rachael Ray vs. Martha Stewart, a 3-round bout...

Round One:

During a television taping, RC Smith remarks, "I stole these tickets from the Martha Stewart set". Rachael Ray replies, "Is that why they are so hard?"

Round Two:

Martha Stewart is out of lock-up and visiting the Howard Stern show. When Stern asks if she's worried about Ray "honing in on your territory", Stewart responds with "...she cannot cook like I cook, she cannot bake like I bake and she cannot craft like I craft."

Round Three:

Rachael comments on her ex-con competition: "[Martha] thinks she is tough because she went to prison but I can still take her..."

I call it a split-decision in favor of Ray, two rounds to one.

I personally think the feud is overstated. I doubt Martha and Rachael lose any sleep over one another's career. Rachael tends to respond to comments with feisty little jokes and Martha tends to offer more serious answers. Both of them are doing well and have loyal audiences.

Oh, I found the quotations here.

Celebrity Cheesecake and Eye Candy!

2007-09-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

In the last twenty minutes, people have visited "On Rachael Ray Every Day" after searching via Google for "Rachael Ray naked pictures", "sexy pictures of Rachael Ray", and "Rachael Ray bikini".

Those looking for sexy pictures of Rachael Ray are still outnumbered by those searching for recipes and other nuggets of less prurient interest. Nonetheless, I seem to have a solid audience of Ray-gawkers.

Some people might be offended by that, but it doesn't bother me. I understand the appeal and I won't begrudge any guy (or gal for that matter) an opportunity to take a gander at someone they find physically attractive. Unfortunately, the raciest shots I can find of Rachael Ray tend to be Photoshop fakes like the one accompanying this post.

Which brings me to this site review. CelebKings.com. If you aren't familiar with Celebkings, you probably aren't the kind of person with a strong interest in Nude Celebrity pictures. These guys are the undisputed champs, it would appear, with respect to collecting and displaying those "ooh la la" images of fan favorites. They don't bother with fake stuff. These guys are the "real deal" in their niche.

We're not just talking about the usual suspects. CelebKings definitely has a comprehensive vibe about it. It may not surprise you that they have over a dozen video clips of Trish Status around, for instance. However, what about the fact they also offer film of Tressa DiFiglia and Tracey Truman! These guys mean business.

So, if you came here looking for something a little more racy than what I usually supply (and some of the visitor information tells me that happens OFTEN), you might want to check out this extensive celebrity photo/video site.

I know, I know... Now you're wondering... Do they have the goods on Rachael Ray? Well, it's up to you to find out!

Walken Cookin' Chicken

2007-09-01T16:02:00.000-05:00

You know Rachael Ray is my favorite television cook. However, I might end up dealing with a two-way tie for the lead spot on my list if Christopher Walken had his own cooking show.

There's something about his unique voice and cadence that makes it difficult NOT to listen to Walken and to have a good time doing so. Here's a video from YouTube of Christopher making chicken with pears. It's one of those unusual things that make you scratch your head a little, isn't it? All I know is that I dig Chris Walken and if he decided to start a cooking show, I'd have the TiVo ready to record each and every single episode.

So, hopefully "Man cooking chicken with pears" turns out to be his pilot episode.

Here it is. Enjoy. He's not a cute as Rachael Ray. Honestly, the pear/chicken combo isn't my favorite, either. But he is Christopher Walken, so it's worth a watch.

Rachael "the Chimney" Ray

2007-09-01T15:42:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's true. Rachael Ray smokes. I know a lot of people hate smoking. In my city, they've passed those smoking bans and everything. Some people (you know who you are) even go through this ridiculous, overacting pantomime of choking to death if someone happens to walk by them (outside) enjoying a cigarette.

I'm anti-smoking, too, of course. Well, at least with respect to encouraging others (especially children) to avoid taking up the unhealthy habit. I used to smoke a half-pack or so a day (quit about 10 years ago), but I have avoided becoming one of those militant anti-smoking types who pretend like they're a half-step from chemotherapy because someone thirty feet away is doing a Marlboro Man impersonation.

Anyway, I've read people criticizing Rachael Ray for smoking. I never really knew whether or not the claim was true. Then I stumbled across this picture of Rachael Ray smoking (well, at least with a lit ciggy in her hand).

Instead of using that as an excuse to crucify Ray, I'd like to just mention that it's my hope she comes to her senses and beats the habit soon for her own well-being. I also think a move like that might help a little in the "role model department". At the same time, I'm not going to act as though she's the devil because she likes to take an occasional drag. Just hoping the smart woman makes a smart decision!

Scouting Rachael

2007-09-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, Rachael Ray joined the Girl Scouts. According to a few of her televised comments, the whole experience didn't really work out for her the first time around!

So, what do you do when you get the boot from the Scouts and later turn out to become a role model for young women? You give it another chance, that's what!

Rachael took some time to teach one troop of Girl Scouts how to whip up some tasty turkey tacos. Her return to Scouting's good graces is available at the Scouts' blog.

No word on whether Emeril Lagasse ever earned his knife-handling badge from the BSA. Something tells me, however, that Alton Brown could've been an Eagle Scout--there's something "Eagle Scout-is" about that guy... And sure, Rachael Ray doesn't really bake so she couldn't help the Scouts make cookies. I bet she would've been good at selling them, though!

Free Fitness Data at Your Fingertips

2007-08-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

If you're interested in staying fit (or getting that way), you'll have to curb your donut intake (hey, just because Rachael's selling Dunkin' Donuts, it doesn't give you a license to eat them by the dozen). That, however, is only the beginning. You'll want to make a series of well-informed decisions based on appropriate data. Food, exercise, the whole nine yards.

The problem? How do you get that data. How can you quickly and easily secure your BMI? Where can you find a good calorie counter to help you along your way to a fitter you?

MyFitnessPal.com looks the solution to the problem. They offer a great range of free tools for people who are looking to improve their well-being. Yes, they have a free BMI calculator (and a BMR calculator, too).

They offer a handy free calorie counter, as well. That little gem will do more than spit numbers at you. It will help you make smart food choices and will give you valuable nutritional information, too.

MyFitnessPal can give you the information you need and they can do it free of charge. That means no money up-front, no money later, no credit card number. Just solid information to help you be they best you can be! Check them out!

Rachael Ray Grilled Corn Recipe

2007-08-30T14:46:00.000-05:00

The Reluctant Gourmet found a copy of Rachael Ray's magazine in a summer rental and decided to take a stab at a good-looking grilled corn recipe. If it's good enough for the Reluctant Gourmet, it's good enough for me... And you...

In any case, here's Rachael Ray's recipe, as relayed by The RG. It looks like a winner to me, too!

Grilled Corn with Parmesan Butter

Serves 8

Ingredients
1 stick of butter
½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
½ teaspoon pepper
6 ears of fresh corn
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Prep the ingredients

You want the butter soft so you can leave a stick out for a while and it will soften up. I guess you could stick it into the microwave but be careful not to end up with liquid butter. You just want it soft enough to mix with the other ingredients.

Husk the corn. This recipe calls for grilling the corn husked, but I have often found it easier to grill it with the husk on. You don’t get those great grill marks on the corn but I find there is less chance of burning it this way. Choose whatever way you are more comfortable with.

Cut the corncobs in half. I like this idea because it makes the corn look a little fancier when serving, is the perfect size for kids and keeps from ending up with a bunch of half eaten ears of corn.

How to Prepare

Mix the butter, cheese, and pepper together until it is smooth and creamy. Spoon the mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper and roll it into a log. Freeze the butter for at least 20 minutes until it becomes firm. You can store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Heat your grill up on medium heat. While the grill is heating up, brush the corn with the olive oil. When the grill is ready, grill the corn until the corn is tender and you get a little charing on the ears. This should take 12 to 15 minutes depending on your grill.

To serve, cut the chilled parmesan butter into tabs and serve with the grilled corn.

Apparently, no Baby Ray on the Way...

2007-08-30T14:41:00.001-05:00

Rachael Ray isn't in a big hurry to have a child. Based on her comments, there's no reason to believe we'll be seeing any Baby Rays (or Baby Cusimanos, for that matter) in the near future...

According to Baby Celebrity Blog, Rachael told "People" magazine:

"I don't have time. I work too much to be an appropriate parent. I feel like a bad mom to my dog some days because I'm just not here enough. I just feel like I would do a bad job if I actually took the time to literally give birth to a kid right now and try and juggle everything I'm doing."

In an era where so many people seem hellbent to have kids regardless of their ability to care for them, I think Rachael's approach is refreshing and responsible. The "celebrity lifestyle" certainly isn't conducive to tending to little ones and she's probably making a wise decision.

Maybe when/if things slow down for Ray she'll reconsider. In the meantime, don't expect any Ray offspring to be special guests on her talk show.

Rachael Ray and Happiness...

2007-08-30T14:33:00.000-05:00

Fred W. White at pqInternet.com recently penned an interesting article about happiness and our ability to adapt our ways of thinking in order to find it.

I'm not necessarily the world's biggest fan of self-help material, but I thought White's perspective on happiness was refreshing in its directness and simplicity. It is definitely worth a read, especially if you feel that negativity occupies too much space in your life.

What does this have to do with Rachael Ray? More than you might think. You see, I actually found White's thoughts while searching for interesting Rachael Ray material. The article showed up because he uses Ray as means of illustrating his point.

White writes:

"Do you want to see a prime example of what happens when you stop focusing on what you don't have and instead focus on being happy, having fun, and helping others? Look at Rachael Ray. She started out a regular person, with one exception: she's naturally happy. She loves to cook, she loves people, she has an infectious smile, and she makes other people feel good. She's built a huge empire from those simple facts. So can you."

Read the full article and change your way of thinking (if necessary) here.

Save Some Money!

2007-08-30T14:15:00.000-05:00

DealLocker.com is a great place to save money with coupons and promo codes.

The idea behind this site is simultaneously innovative and simple. Deal Locker is sort of a clearinghouse where members find and share codes and coupons. This enables the user to find the very best deals available.

Every offer is rated and up-to-date. The variety is impressive, too. You can find awesome deals from retailers ranging from office supply stores to florists. They even offer a handy bookmarklet tool for Firefox users that will allow users to access offers with a single click. Their shopping tips and coupon blog is a must-read, too.

Here are a few examples of just how handy Deal Locker can be.

Take a look at their food coupon category. There are literally dozens of offers available. Everything from "Appetizers to Go" to "Zagat" is represented.

Let's say you're one of the many people who've discovered they can get a great deal on their contact lenses by ordering them online. Deal Locker has no less than seven companies offering contact lens deals .

Are you an avid reader? Check out the book coupons. All of the major booksellers are represented. When I checked, there were over 150 discount codes available for Amazon.com alone!

Oh, and Deal Locker even provides up-to-date info on discounted gift cards and other promos being sold on eBay. To make matters clear, they separate those listings from the other promo codes.

Bottom line: If you're looking for the best possible bargains, you owe it to yourself to make a stop at Deal Locker. You're sure to find something you can use to reduce your expenses.

Ray Cooking up Improvements

2007-08-30T13:46:00.000-05:00

More than one observer has noted a little weight gain on Rachael Ray lately. Ray certainly isn't a "big girl" by any stretch of the imagination, but she has grown a bit.

Most Rachael fans don't think she looks anything less than gorgeous, but in the cut-throat world of TV, I suppose you have to lean to the skinny side whenever possible. Rachael must feel the same way. She working out to drop a few pounds and plan on bringing some of her newfound exercise and kitchen tips back to her television show when it returns from hiatus.

The National Ledger notes:

"That's why 5'3" Rachael, 38, has vowed to lose at least 15 pounds while her show is on hiatus and another 15 pounds by October as she works on-air! "She's trying out recipes that keep calories in mind," says the source, while another adds, "She's been cutting way down on fat and cabs.

She's fashioning her own diet and taking notes to see what's working, so she can pass it along on her show." Her ideal fitness plan, says Dr.Edward Jackowski, "is lots of cardio, jumping rope and abdominal work."

Local Flavor has a Dash of Rachael Ray

2007-08-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

The Daily Southtown runs a regular piece called "Local Flavor" that profiles folks who live in the community. One Chicagoan, Meghan Lynch, recently got the "flavor treatment", which involves sharing some info about your cooking background and even providing a recipe.

Lynch mentioned Rachael Ray in her comments, listing her as a "Chef she admires". Rachael gets the nod because, as Lynch puts it, "She makes cooking fit into your daily life."

That's really at the core of Rachael's popularity, if you think about it. She does a great job of showing people who might otherwise balk at cooking that there is an easier (and yes, even fun) way of whipping up tasty grub without having to set aside hours and hours in order to do so.

Anyway, I thought the comment was spot-on. Oh, and Lynch's recipe for raspberry cream tostadas looks downright awesome. You can read her recipe and profile here.

Some Good Stuff from Rachael Ray

2007-08-30T13:27:00.000-05:00

One of Rachael's kitchen tips earned a "good stuff" mention in the Detroit News.

It's not earth-shattering, but it is a cool idea that might make your food preparation a little less messy. It's all about getting the corn off the cob without having niblets landing all over the place.

From the Detroit News article:
"When trying to steady corn on the cob to cut off the kernels, try this trick from "Everyday with Rachael Ray": Use an angel food cake pan to steady the cob. The stem fits in the hole and the kernels fall right into the pan."

So, if you're planning to do some de-cobbing (I think I just invented a word), pull out that cake pan and get to work. A good idea from Rachael Ray!

Jaw-Dropping Halloween Costumes

2007-08-29T12:41:00.000-05:00

Naughty Halloween costumes are increasing in popularity and OurSexyCostumes.com specializes in offering an amazing assortment of them. They're sure to be a success. People are looking for sexy costumes (a Seattle Times article last year said online searches for "sexy Halloween costume were up 400%) and these people seem to have every hot costume you could imagine!

Wanna look like PG-13 version of Snow White on Halloween? No problem. Perhaps a naughty cop is more up your alley? So be it. OurSexyCostumes.com has a comprehensive collection of sexy Halloween costumes to suit any preference/taste/fetish/fantasy. From airline stewardesses who really understand what the “friendly skies” are all about to the always-popular and not-so-innocent schoolgirl look, they have you (barely) covered.

You could settle for tossing a sheet over your head and being a blob of a ghost, but why not really have a blast this October with one of the many great adult sexy halloween costumes? Halloween is the perfect time to cut loose and to enjoy yourself. It’s also the one time when you can decide to dress like a French maid without anyone questioning the nature of your home life!

My personal favorite? Well, let's just say that someone in my life would really get a kick out of the sexy army girl number. Personally, though, I think I’d like the leather Harley girl look. When you come right down to it, though, all of the costumes have a definite appeal and you probably wouldn’t make a bad choice even if you were making a random selection.

OurSexyCostumes.com provides more than an eye-popping selection of Halloween options. They combine variety with an easy-to-navigate site and prices that are sure to make your Halloween costume more affordable than you might think.

Halloween only rolls around once per year. You might as well make the most of it! Think sexy this Halloween and check out the adult costumes at OurSexyCostumes.com

Ray Shopping for a Home

2007-08-29T09:18:00.000-05:00

Reports indicate that Rachael Ray may have her eye on a home in Southamptom, NY. At least one source pegs the value of the home just shy of $3 million.

What would Rachael get for that money? Based on the article I found at the Chicago Tribune, quite a bit. Here's a partial description of the property:

"The 6.2-acre property borders two golf courses and includes a pond and several gardens. Built in 1976, the European villa-style main house has three bedrooms, three baths and a pool. The property also includes a two-bedroom guest cottage with a kitchen and sauna and another cottage with a bathroom."

Home sweet home, indeed. No one confirming that a sale is on the horizon at this point. Rachael and Jon have been renting in the Hamptons, though, and The Trib piece (which you can read here) attributes the story to people close to Ray.

Rachael Ray's Charity Work

2007-08-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

The accusation that Rachael Ray somehow exploited a cancer charity doesn't appear very viable in and of itself. When one approaches the allegation with Rachael's history of charitable work in mind, it seems even less likely to be true.

Here's a bit of what Rachael has done in terms of charity work:

Blue Planet Run. Rachael supports efforts to improve the quality of our nation's drinking water.

Rachael appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy to raise funds for charity.

Great American Bake Sale for Share our Strength. Another great cause. Ms. Ray is one of the folks who help fight hunger with the GAB. "Since 2003, over $3 million has been raised and over 1 million people have participated—baking, selling or buying goods."

After a tornado hit Enterprise, FL, Rachael Ray paid the bill and provided the chow, making sure high school kids there were able to have a prom.

Yum-o. Rachael's work to improve childhood nutrition and kids' relationship with food has received a thumbs-up from former President Clinton, who even made an appearance on her show recently. This is her own charity.

I don't think someone with this kind of background would be likely to trade on the name of a cancer charity to sell a few t-shirts, do you?

Anti-Ray Charity Claims NOT Persusasive

2007-08-29T06:01:00.000-05:00

One of the Rachael Ray haters who responded to my post the other day had an interesting justification for his/her negative attitude toward Ray. The individual expressed disgust at Rachael's alleged exploitation of the Susan G. Komen charitable foundation. The charity is dedicated to ending cancer and, by all accounts, is an absolutely wonderful organization.

Where does Ray enter the picture? Well, the post wasn't too clear on that, so I did a little additional research. Apparently, Rachael Ray was selling t-shirts emblazoned with "Yummo". The site (apparently Ray's) at which the shirts were offered indicated that a percentage of all sales wold go to the Susan G. Komen charity.

So, where's the exploitation there? I suppose you could argue that anyone who attempts to boost sales through the mention of a charitable contribution is walking on thin ice. However, I think most of us don't have a problem with vendors telling us that our purchases will help support a good cause. Besides, the "exploitation" to which the poster referred was actually of a more potentially sinister nature.

There is a rumor circulating that Rachael Ray was lying about the shirts and making donations. I know, it seems silly (what a potential PR disaster), but there are people out there who believe this. They argue that Ray traded on the good Komen name and never gave the charity one red cent.

The evidence? Not much. A few posts on message boards from someone who dislikes Rachael Ray. This individual(s) claim(s) to have contacted the Komen organization through emails and telephone calls. According to those reports, the people who responded to the ace detective work didn't know anything about the shirts (other products may have been involved, but the few commentaries I could find on the topic usually mentioned shirts) or receiving any money from their sale.

Here's an excerpt from one accusation:

"Oh and the clincher?? She said that proceeds of some of her sales go to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Well, why don't a few of you call the foundation and find out how much they're getting? Surprise!!! Not a flippin dime, she's pocketing that money and hopefully the foundation will make some noise about that."

So, Rachael Ray is a liar, right? I suppose it's possible, but the odds against it are huge. Consider a few alternative explanations...

The person making the arguments about the Komen donation is a true RR hater and made the comments just to drum up distaste for her. Not saying that's the case, but it seems possible.

The person who did the detective work failed to discuss the matter with the right person at the Komen charity. They may have discussed the issue with people who were not well-positioned to provide information and/or who felt they had more important things to do than to respond to a random Rachael Ray hater about a few t-shirts.

The person who investigated the matter failed to ask the right questions. "Are you getting donations when Rachael Ray sells t-shirts?" might not elicit the right response. Consider the different possibilities in terms of structuring/providing the donation.

The donation could have been made after all sales ecomplete. Perhaps Ray's people hadn't given Komen any money, but planned to/did after logging a certain number of sales.

Donation made under different identification. Perhaps donations were being made under a subsidiary name, the name of a production company, a non-Ray titled company name, or in some other fashion that didn't show up under "Ray" and wasn't known by the people with whom the "ace detective" discussed the matter.

Donation made at different level. Perhaps every sales helps the Komen foundation because the wholesaler of the t-shirts or the supplier of the blank shirts is guaranteeing a donation based on order volume. I don't know if Rachael said she was personally making the donation or not and some arrangement on a different level could explain the matter.

Okay, I know the suxters won't be happy with all of this. They will probably continue to make comments about Ray's exploitation of a great charity without any hard evidence.

But really... Why would RR lie about a modest donation based on the sale of some t-shirts? The risk of a real scandal that might emerge would clearly swamp any potential monetary gain from selling a few more shirts. The people at Komen would undoubtedly be on the warpath if a big celeb like Rachael was cheating them. Also, there is NO SOLID EVIDENCE supporting the argument--merely a few remarks from zealous Ray-haters.

I see no reason to believe that Rachael Ray exploited the charity.

Free. No, Really.

2007-08-28T18:25:00.000-05:00

Before I get into the nuts and bolts of this sponsored post for Just Say Hi, let me vent a little bit about people pretending to give away "free" products and services when they're actually out to snag a few bucks from you.

If you're like me, you've run into a million and one different websites offering you "free services" or "free information". Ninety percent of them are full of you-know-what. Everybody from Milton Friedman to your grandpa (which could be the same person, depending on your family tree) has told you that "there's no such thing as a free lunch" and after a few experiences with phony online freebies, it's easy to believe them.

There are exceptions. Take Blogger, for instance. I've been using this platform for a few of my blogs for a long time and there's never been a bill. Heck, there's never even been an upsell. That's one reason it has so many loyal fans and customers.

Here's another example: Just Say Hi. It's a dating site and it's completely free.

Look, I'm not an online dating expert. After I read about Just Say Hi, though, I decided to do some investigation about free online dating sites. A bit of Googling revealed scores of free dating sites and I checked a few of them out. They all provided only the most limited experience to free users. You could never actually use them for their intended purpose without giving in and forking over your credit card number. They weren't real free online dating at all!

Just Say Hi, on the other hand is absolutely free dating. They'll never ask for a credit card. You can tell the people behind this operation decided there should be at least one honest-to-goodness cost-free option to those interested in online dating and they put it together.

Check it out. Their sign-up process only takes a minute (literally, they refer to it as "The Sixty Second Sign Up" and the site seems to be attracting folks of all ages and personalities--from all over the country.

I'm not going to argue with Uncle Milty F., but sometimes it sure does seem like you can score a free lunch. Blogger.com and Just Say Hi are two perfect examples of online services that really deliver the goods without prying open your wallet.

Plastic Surgery for Rachael Ray? Probably not.

2007-08-28T16:53:00.000-05:00

A page at Awful Plastic Surgery supplies a "before" and an "after" photo of Rachael Ray and wonders aloud (not literally, it's all text) if Ms. Ray had a brow lift or some other plastic surgery around her eyes.

There isn't much content there, but you can get the gist of the matter via this excerpt:

"A concerned reader who is an avid fan of The Food Network's Rachel Ray sent in several photos, because he is convinced that she has done something dastardly to alter her appearance.

He writes,'She was as cute as a button just a couple of years ago, cute enough to post for FHM Magazine. Then about two years ago, something happened to her face, and I suspect she's had some work done on her eyes."

I'm guessing that she didn't go under the knife (at least not for a brow lift). The two photos, apparently taken a few years apart don't show anything approximating a significant change. Rachael Ray's hair and makeup are a bit different, but there doesn't appear to be a reason to suspect a brow lift.

Maybe I'm way off base, but I just don't see it. Check it out for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Moaning Montage

2007-08-28T16:46:00.000-05:00

You can call it an eccentricity. You can think of it as an annoying habit. Maybe it's a "trademark". Whatever. You might even hate it. It's Rachael Ray's reaction to food tastes.

She's definitely not quiet when it comes to expressing appreciation for something she finds tasty and her television career gives her many opportunities to sample some real goodies. When her taste buds encounter something she digs, she... Well, she let's out a moan.

What happens when you piece together a series of Rachael Ray food moans? You get a pretty funny video. I found it at YouTube, and it's the kind of thing everyone can enjoy. Rachael fans will get a kick out of it, and the haters among us can use it as proof of her allegedly noxious personality.

In any case, here it is. Funny stuff!

Coming Soon to On Every Day with Rachael Ray

2007-08-28T15:35:00.000-05:00

Here's a sneak peek at a few things I plan on covering in future posts. I'd like to thank the Rachael Ray Suxters who visited the post I made yesterday for providing some inspiration. It's interesting to find out some of the reasons why people profess to detest Ms. Ray and those topics are great grist for the "On RR Every Day" mill.

So, here are a few future topics...

Garlic, onion, dog food and Rachael Ray. Apparently, some people are upset about Rachael's dog food recipes calling for the use of onion and/or garlic. Both contain thiosulphates, which are toxic to dogs (thiosulphates can cause Heinz anemia in our canine friends).

So, should we all hate Rachael for the "poison recipes", or is the criticism unfair/unfounded. I have reservations about some of her remarks, but I also feel that some of the suxters are making a mountain out of a molehill (especially with respect to garlic).

Cross-contamination in the kitchen. Some people get on Rachael's case for cross-contaminating activities observed during her cooking shows. Some of those same people were nonplussed with me for arguing that it wasn't a huge deal.

I stand by remarks and I'll offer a longer explanation as to why. In the meantime, just know that you're unlikely to die as a result of imitating Rachael's kitchen habits.

Is Rachael Ray unavoidable? A few people have claimed that they hate RR because she's an omnipresent force they feel unable to escape. Is that really true? Is it a good reason not to like her? Is it really an answer to the "just turn the channel if you don't like it" argument?

No, no and no. Just in case you're wondering. More later.

A Good Place to Rant

2007-08-28T15:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I opened the floor for comments from those who detest Rachael Ray. Some of the reactions have been interesting and I plan on responding to them in the near future. Some were a little less interesting and I will probably just ignore them.

Anyway, I found out about another website where people can be critical of television programming and movies via a paid blogging site I frequent. In fact, participants are actually encouraged to "rant" at this top-notch site.

It's called Critics Rant and I'm impressed with the quality of the commentaries offered there. They tend to be a little more well-reasoned than the everyday gripes of Rachael Ray haters, you know?

If you're looking for interesting new movie reviews, rundowns of your favorite (and maybe even your not-so-favorite) tv shows, or critiques of the latest DVD releases, take a look at Critics Rant.

If you're one of those people who simply must share opinions with the rest of the world (and it looks like a lot of people are), you can even join their community. Heck, sign up for their newsletter while you're at it--they give away free DVDs.

It might be a more productive outlet for television criticism than "Rachael Ray Sux" sites, after all! In case you're wondering, this is a sponsored review.

Rachael Ray sucks? So why do they watch?

2007-08-27T16:29:00.001-05:00

There are plenty of Rachael Ray haters out there. They despise Rachael. You'd think she'd baked their babies or something based on their comments.

They malign her for kitchen cross-contamination. Give me a break, she's not conducting a restaurant cooking course.

They attack her physique. Interestingly, though, others are more than ready to express their appreciation for her appearance.

They criticize her vocal tone. They hate her facial expressions. They turn up their snobby noses at Rachael Ray's cooking and recipes.

I get all of that. I really do. I can understand why people would hate Rachael Ray. Some of it is just a matter of personal taste. Some of it is a byproduct of jealousy. Part of it might be related to the general snarkiness and cruelty that so often passes for humor these days. Whatever. It doesn't matter. It's okay if you don't love Rachael Ray.

Here's what I don't get... Why are people who seem so turned off by Rachael Ray so obsessive in their hatred? Look, there are people on TV that I don't like. Take Bill O'Reilly (please!), for example. I don't care for him a bit. So, do you know how I handle that personal taste? I don't watch the guy. Simple. If I flip by Fox News and see his scowling mug I just keep on clickin' the clicker.

The anti-Rachael crowd, however, seems to be unable to do that. If you peruse the "Rachael Ray Sucks" Livejournal entries, for instance, you'll find scores of posts by people who claim to hate Ray, but who put in the time and effort of watching the program in order to make snide remarks and to lament about how much they hate her.

I don't make a point to watch Bill O'Reilly every day just so I can gripe about his nonsense the next day. Seems like a waste of energy to me. It also seems like a good way to increase one's blood pressure, too.

That's weird enough. The really odd thing is that their disdain for Ray doesn't stop with her. It also applies to those who like her. You wouldn't believe some of the comments I get from folks who are nothing short of angry with me for liking Rachael Ray. I'm pretty liberal about comments. Most of the time, I will publish just about anything. I don't shy away from criticism or even contrary opinion. Some of the Ray-hater remarks, however, never make the blog because they consist of nothing more than vitriolic personal attacks.

Anyway, Rachael Ray haters... I know you're out there and I know you aren't shy about commenting here. So, I'd be interested in knowing why, if you hate Rachael Ray so damn much, do you feel it necessary and/or reasonable to track her every move with the attention usually possessed only by mega-fans?

On Rachael Ray's Buns...

2007-08-27T16:19:00.000-05:00

Now for a poetic interlude. Fear not, it has a direct relationship to Ms. Rachael Ray--or at least a part of said super-cook's anatomy (which is just as hot as any straight-from-the-oven lasagne).

It's a poem about Rachael Ray's butt.

Why am I including it here? First, because people often find this place by searching for "Rachael Ray's butt" and I figure I might as well create something at least partially relevant to their pursuit. Second, because I think there is an interesting thing going on with respect to the love/hate relationship the public seems to have with Rachael. While some of us adore her, others despise her. While some are adamant in their belief that she's physically repulsive, others are writing poetry about her physical features.

The poem was found amongst the comments at Plattitudes. It's attributed to Richie Palermo. You can read them all here. Fair warning: not everyone is poetic when professing their appreciation for the Ray keister. There are many Rachael Ray fans who have a slightly more pornographic bent to their comments. If you're offended by salty language and detailed descriptions of various adult activities, it probably isn't the best reading.

The poem:

Ode To Rachael's Butt

Now I've been around and I'll tell you what
I think I'm in love with Rachael's Butt
Its big and round and white as snow
And as de-lish as E V O O

I don't much care that her chest is flat
'cuz I love her butt...how cool is that?
Those voluptuous bunns make me bust a nut
'Cuz I'm just in love with Rachael's Butt

Going Gourmet in Mexico

2007-08-26T14:26:00.000-05:00

I don't know if Rachael Ray could enjoy one of the All Inclusive Mexico Vacations offered by Karisma on $40 a day, but I am pretty darn sure she'd love the food.

The folks at Karisma (who run a string of gorgeous resorts and hotels along the very popular Maya Riviera) have decided that today's travelers deserve a little better than standard buffet fare kept barely warmed with Sterno cans. They call it "Gourmet Inclusive" and it's sure to be a hit.

We're talking about legitimate, sit-down restaurants with high-quality fare. That's right, the old generic "all you can eat buffet" that's been a staple of all-inclusive travel for decades is a thing of the past with Karisma (although they may have kept one or two buffets open for the less discriminating palates of kids).

Karisma wants their guests' trips to be memorable. You'd think that the well-appointed properties, white sandy beaches, A+ hospitality and fantastic amenities would be enough to make that happen. They're going the extra mile, though. They want to satisfy all of their guests' senses--and they're proving it by separating themselves from the pack with unforgettable dining experiences.

If you're considering travel (who isn't) and love good food (and you're here, so you probably do), you should investigate the gourmet offerings from Karisma.

Rachael Ray... 39

2007-08-24T19:48:00.000-05:00

I'm not planning on hitting the keyboard tomorrow, so I decided to offer my warmest birthday regards to the one and only Ms. Rachael Ray tonight.

As of 8/25/07, Rachael Ray will be 39.

Congrats to our favorite!

Rachael, may your EVOO never spill and may you have many Yummo days to come!

It's hard for me to believe that Ray is going to be a mere year from 40. Honestly, she doesn't look it. Sure, she's not the kind of gal to get carded for cigarettes, but she appears close enough to half her age (at least in photos) to warrant an ID check when buying booze.

Anyway, Happy BD, RR.

Neglecting "On Rachael Ray Every Day"

2007-08-24T19:37:00.000-05:00

Everything Rachael Ray is a great site.

Hey, I'll level with you--it's probably about 129% better than this blog (rough estimate) if you're looking for info about Rachael Ray. It takes the high road (fewer appearance-related commentaries and hollering about the Rachael Ray hate community) in terms of content. It also avoids the crummy over-commercialization of my often ad-supported blog.

However, it does lack my amateurish charm. Thus, I think there's room for both of us.

One of the groovy things over at Everything Rachael Ray is the regular round-up of blog posts talking about Rachael. That's a handy way to find out what's shaking in RayLove country.

Alas, I'm yet to see this happy little pro-Rachael blog get a mention in any of those round-ups. I feel ever-so-slightly neglected, you know? True, I did mis-spell Rachael Ray as "Rachel Ray" in the blog's address (long story). Nonetheless, I average well over 200 visitors per day. That's worth some attention, right?

(Yes, this is being written with a smile and isn't particularly serious).

Here's the deal... I can understand being wary about sharing my discussions of fake Rachael Ray nude and/or massive butt pictures. I'd never expect anyone to link to one of my sponsored posts about unrelated-to-Ray stuff. But I do think that I could get at least one mention, right?

Maybe not. It may be my habit of offering short commentary about others' stories that makes "On Rachael Ray Every Day" so "overlookable". On the other hand,

This concludes the portion of my day spent pining for attention.

Give Me Silver and Gold...

2007-08-23T19:11:00.000-05:00

I think the title of this post is a song lyric, too. Anyway, let's talk about precious metals. Seriously.

Smart investment is critical. You don't want to reach retirement age relying purely upon the largesse of your kids and the potential of payments from a seemingly crippled government program, do you? I thought not.

That's why it's important to figure out which investments make sense for you. I'm not claiming to be a finance guru or anything, but I am reading interesting things about precious metals and I think it might be the kind of thing that warrants some real attention.

Demand for silver and gold ingots, for instance, is growing every year. So is the value of both gold and silver bullion. History shows us that precious metals are a longstanding investment favorite that retain value like nothing else. Additionally, precious metal and bullion holdings have proven themselves strong performers in times of significant social and/or economic uncertainty (check CNN for a few minutes if you wonder about the applicability of that!). Big-time investment winners have long diversified portfolios with precious metals, so it only makes sense for the rest of us to take a long look at the option.

The Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is there to help us figure out the best way to invest in precious metals. This outfit has a sterling (pardon the pun) reputation and a multi-decade history of helping investors acquire, obtain and safely store precious metal and bullion holdings.

I'm not necessarily ready to cash everything out and to convert it to ingots of gold and silver, but I am definitely thinking about adding a little bullion to my life.

Rachael Ray Hater Lacks Vocabulary Skills

2007-08-23T18:59:00.000-05:00

A recent jab at Rachael Ray features the ignorance and lack of vocabulary one would usually expect.

Some poor sap decided it was a good idea to join the pathetic mass of humanity that comprises the "Rachael Ray Sux" community at LiveJournal.

This is what this obvious food guru had to say about the one and only Ms. Rachael Ray:
"Needless to say that after DVR'ing (is that a word?) a few of her shows, I became more confused. Just now, I watched her construct some monstrosity involving "Moroccan" cuisine. By no means am I a gourmand, but I watched her handle garlic, then onions, followed by grabbing a knife and then the pot handle all without washing her little sizzler fingers. That just seems wrong. The cookbook is in the garbage."

FYI, AggieDad:

"Usage note: A gourmet is one who has discriminating taste in
food and wine. A gourmand is one who enjoys food of fine
quality, and also one who enjoys food in great quantities.
Glutton signifies one who simply eats to excess, without
reference to the quality of the fare consumed."

Yes, you could make an argument that the comment was not absolutely wrong, but I do believe he really meant to express a the meaning of "gourmet" but decided he'd stretch to impress with "gourmand". Glad to know he has good taste and likes to pig out.

Idea: Stop berating Rachael Ray and go back to school, haters.

North Jersey Source Advocates Rachael Ray

2007-08-23T18:55:00.000-05:00

The North Jersey Media Group recently ran an article about how those getting ready to leave home for college should prepare themselves for kitchen duty. The handy article on preparing to cook for oneself (instead of relying exclusively on pot, beer and pizza) is a good read and worth a look.

I'm writing about it, so you know what that means--it mentions Rachael Ray. The article advocates ingestion of Rachael Ray materials (particularly the easy tips and recipes found in her awesome magazine):

"Seek out the most recent editions of Rachael Ray Magazine, which is full of quick-fix, budget-conscious meals and time-saving tips."

That's the only Rachael Ray part of the article, but if you have college-aged kids or are heading off to State U. yourself, check it out here.

Rural Real Estate

2007-08-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

Hey, are you smarter than a fifth grader?

I like that show and I have to admit that I have an affinity for Jeff Foxworthy, its host, too. Although I'm not what you would usually think of when you imagine friends of the "blue collar" comedy tour, there's something very likable about Foxworthy, in my estimation.

In addition to the game show and the stand up, JW is also hosting a TV show on cable that's primarily designed as a message-maker for a company called Tecomate, in which he has a personal stake. The Tecomate people do consulting work and assist in wildlife management and related matters. If you want to create a wildlife haven on your property, for instance, it sounds like Tecomate is the place to start. Rural recreational property is a big deal, and Tecomate appears to be a recognized name in the field.

Recently, Foxworthy and the Tecomate crew joined forces with the web's leading rural real estate network, LandsofAmerica.com. This network of 250 sites is the premier means by which those searching for rural Land for sale can find the perfect listing. Tecomate and LoA aren't merging or anything--Foxworthy & Co. have actually opted to have LoA promote recreational real estate.

The show is called "The Bucks of Tecomate". It shows up on the Versus cable network.

If you have an interest in rural property or in wildlife management, it's probably worth a look!

Presidential Cool...

2007-08-18T08:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, in case you missed it. President William Jefferson Clinton appeared on Rachael Ray's talk shows. That's right, Rachael haters, the girl can book Clinton on her show. That's clout.

It also shows how popular the show is. The Prez. can pick and choose his spots and if he wants to spread a message, he won't mess around with half-assed programs. He went straight for daytime TV's big enchilada (figurative) to talk about the perils of kids eating too many big enchiladas (literal)!

So, congrats to Rachael and just a note that it's always cool to see President Clinton out and about.

My only hope is that Rachael doesn't book President Bush any time soon. He makes me incredibly nervous when he speaks/appears on TV because (unlike Rachael Ray and Bill Clinton), he does NOT have the so-called gift of gab. His stuttering and looking like a deer caught in headlights just doesn't make my chest swell with confidence, you know?

If you want to see a clip of Rachael Ray rubbing shoulders with one of the most popular Presidents in recent history, you can find it here.

Just in case you thought all of the stupid people quit the Internet... Rachael hating at the Skinny Website

2007-08-18T08:25:00.000-05:00

The Skinny Website runs this article about Rachael Ray and whether the National Enquirer's apparent claim that she gained 20+ pounds was accurate. The article featured pictures of Rachael while she was serving some restaurant guests as part of one of her shows.

Okay, first off, wouldn't it be too cool to have Rachael Ray as your waitress?

Anyway, the pictures look grrrr-rreat and Rachael is as cute as the proverbial button. She's a natural beauty with automatic sex appeal, after all.

So, the commenters go to town on these pics and start discussing whether RaRa is too chubby, etc. CLEARLY, to human eyes connected to normal, functioning brains she looks great. Not so, however, to some of the knuckleheads who visited the site. Here's a perfect example:

This woman is so annoying, and her weight has nothing to do with it. She is not healthy, she is overweight. She has huge arms, huge hips and a overly roundish face. While she might not be as huge as regular, everyday women are, she is definitely too big for “celebrity status”. She’s probably around 5′4 and weighs at least 160. So stop trying to cut her slack, but saying she “looks okay”. She needs to lose at least 20 lbs to look “okay”

Not everyone is that daffy, fortunately. Unfortunately, many are. So, if you happened to think that all the stupid people left the net... Here's proof to the contrary. The main reason to visit, I suppose, would be to see the great pics of Ray.

Gourmet Gift Baskets

2007-08-18T08:04:00.000-05:00

Rachael Ray hasn't sent me any presents (yet). If she did, however, I wouldn't be surprised to see a nice gourmet gift basket on my doorstep. I can't imagine a better way of combining fun, the spirit of giving, and the world of food.

Some of these gift baskets make the old "here's some fruit" versions of the past look downright crummy. They border on being artwork. Suppliers like GourmetGiftBaskets.com create awesome combinations of food products built around specific themes. They have baskets emphasizing various ethnic cuisines and create gifts for specific holidays and events.

Suppose you'd like to buy a gift for someone. Obviously, a good gift basket is a perfect choice because it can be custom-tailored to your recipient's interests. The problem is finding a good reliable source, right? After all, the web is chock-full of gift basket providers. How do you tell them apart?

GourmetGiftBaskets.com is an obvious choice. It isn't some new Internet start-up about whom no one has ever heard. Those folks have been around for over 65 years. They ship via FedEx in professional air bags and make a point of going "the extra mile" for customers.

If you're in the market for holiday gift baskets or any other kind of gift basket, check them out! You'll be glad you did.

Rachael Ray Visiting Oscar the Grouch?

2007-08-17T20:40:00.000-05:00

Rachael Ray has five TV shows of her own, but she's going to make time to put in an appearance on another great program--Sesame Street.

Sesame Street is still going strong after nearly forty years, and Ray is slated to appear on an episode this year, joining celebrity luminaries like Anderson Cooper and Ellen Degeneres. Rachael will be adding her name to the long list of Sesame adults which also includes the great Carol Burnett.

If you want to read more about Rachael's participation and the interesting history of a great piece of Americana, check out this article. Here's an excerpt:

"So will Ellen DeGeneres and Rachael Ray. Ray may be the only one kids recognize, assuming that kids watch food shows. The rest are there to entice those moms and pops."

Jamaica Gleaner Offers Ray Tix

2007-08-17T20:37:00.000-05:00

The Jamaica Gleaner News is running a contest. Answer their questions the right way, and you can snag a pair of tickets to see Rachael Ray live as she tapes her world-beating talk show.

Over 110,000 people are on the ticket waiting list, so this is a once in a lifetime chance to skip in front of gobs of people at one time!

Here's an excerpt of the Gleaner contest notes:

Hopefully you all took our advice last week and watched the July 17 episode of the Rachael Ray show, which featured All My Children actress Susan Lucci. If so, then you have a good chance at winning tickets to see Rachael Ray in person. These highly coveted tickets have a waiting list of about two years, but one correct answer can bump you to the head of the line and win you two VIP tickets to be in the audience of a taping of the show.
Just answer one question correctly about the show, and your name will be put into a drawing for the tickets. Here is the question: On the July 17 episode of the Rachael Ray show in which Susan Lucci made a guest appearance, what was Rachael’s suggestion for what Susan’s grandchildren should call her when they start learning to talk? Email your answer to daytimedial@yahoo.com, along with your name, telephone number and address.

You can read the rest of the deal and all of the details HERE.

Columbia Southern Offers Flexibility

2007-08-17T19:12:00.000-05:00

Conventional college educations aren't perfect for everyone. Some adults have schedules that don't make the regular university experience viable. Others just want additional flexibility and don't have an interest in playing Joe (or Jane) co-ed for four years around a whole bunch of 18-22 year-olds.

That's one reason why the prospect of a good online university is so attractive. Take Columbia Southern University, for instance. It's one of the USA's first fully online schools and was established specifically with the desires of those looking for an alternative to the traditional college experience.

They offer associate, bachelor and even graduate programs in multiple fields. They also offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs.

If you've been looking for something different, you might want to look into an online university like Columbia Southern.

110,000 on the waiting list...

2007-08-17T19:07:00.000-05:00

Found this little nugget of information at The Starr Report. Speaks volumes about the popularity of Rachael Ray's talk show, if you ask me.

You know how some shows will hand out free tickets to everyone who happens to wander within a half-mile of the taping? That's not the case for Rachael Ray. Not only are they not handing out tickets, they're taking numbers.

110,000 people are on the WAITING LIST to see Rachael Ray tape her show. That's 110,000 people. A lot. Many. A small city. People waiting for a chance to see a TV show tape.

So, is Rachael Ray popular or what? Holy mother of all that is awesome, she is BEYOND popular. How many people can imagine having a waiting list like that?

Not many.

Here's the relevant info from the Starr Report:

So how popular is Rachael Ray and her morning show? Over 110,000 people are on the waiting list for tickets to fall tapings of "The Rachael Ray Show," says a show spokesman. The new season kicks off Sept. 10 (10 a.m./Ch. 7).

Read the whole thing here, if you want. The rest isn't about Rachael.

Obnoxious Bourdain Opines re: Rachael

2007-08-17T19:02:00.000-05:00

Leave it to Mr. "I wanna be the Hemingway of food--without the talent" to pick on the one and only Rachael Ray. Anthony Bourdain, head swaggerer at "No Reservations", recently offered some commentary on Rachael in a piece you can read at Forbes.

Apparently, Bourdain (who doesn't have as many bestsellers, television shows, or fans as Ms. Ray) is not a big fan of making Julia Child/Rachael Ray comparisons. Here's an excerpt:

"Julia Child was about aspirations, about becoming better, cooking better, saying `you can do this,'" he said. "I don't just feel that's the business that Rachael Ray is in. Somebody with that kind of power and influence to aim so low - it bothers me."

Oh, and Bourdain aims so HIGH, doesn't he? Whatever. Bourdain's obnoxious remarks smack of professional jealousy to me. How about you? Or is AB merely one of the snarky elitists who build their sense of self worth by differentiating themselves from the "common masses" who might dig a little yummo chow via Rachael Ray's instruction.

You can read more about Bourdain here.

Jet Charter with Prudential

2007-07-27T03:29:00.000-05:00

Securing an executive jet for your specialized travel needs is now just as easy as using a major airline's site. Truth be told, it's probably easier thanks to Gordon Gerstein and the folks at Prudential Aviation.

Gerstein heads Prudential Aviation, a company specializing in Jet Charter services. Whether you need an executive jet for business or a special trip, an air ambulance for special needs or even a helicopter, Prudential can help.

The Prudential site is a joy. Unlike many other charter services, Prudential provides potential customers with more than simple contact information and an invitation to call for availability. An intuitive and easy-to-use scheduler is available to make reservations of all sorts.

Prudential uses the finest available aircraft while maintaining some of the industry's best prices. They are also able to charter large planes at special discount rates If you're considering a charter flight or have executive travel needs, a stop at Prudential is an absolute must.

Buy a Ticket. Take the Rides. The Good Ones. Disney Style!

2007-07-26T16:44:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, my folks dragged me and my sister across the USA in a station wagon all the way out to sunny California for a few days of fun and frolic at Disneyland. We left with a full tank of gas and some cash. Everything worked out fine, too.

It's not that easy these days. First, Disney World has replaced Disneyland as the A#1 place to go. Second, if you want to really experience Disney World and the other fun events, shows, theme parks and attractions around Orlando, you better have tickets!

The most confusing (and often the most expensive) part of putting together an Orlando vacation is trying to figure out which tickets you need and in what kind of packages you need them. It can make an otherwise fun process the kind of thing from which migraines are spawned. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. Orlandofuntickets.com is the alternative.

They can help you get the tickets you need in the right packages at the perfect prices. No matter what Orlando adventures are on your agenda, Orlandofuntickets can help. Pirates Dinner Adventure? No problem. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon? They'll hook you up. Blizzard Beach Water Parks? Easy.

You get the idea.

Make your trip as easy and as fun as possible by getting your Disney Tickets online.

Giada, Rachael Both Strike Out in DC

2007-07-26T16:31:00.000-05:00

According to the DC-centric people at Express, both Giada de Laurentis and my favorite EVOO-pourer, Rachael Ray, have both spouted off more than their fair shares of inaccuracies about the nation's capital while making culinary tours.

Giada is as bad as Rachael Ray, the article proclaims. By the sounds of it, Giada goofed a few times.

Here's an excerpt:

"Giada, you're supposed to better than Rachael. Saying Cafe Atlantico is in Adams Morgan is an error that can't be forgiven. Now, out of town foodies are going to be trolling 18th Street NW for fine dining. Hopefully, those who are lost will find their way into Casa Oaxaca."

Interesting to see the alternative to Ra-Ra getting a little smackdown, but it amazes me that people still argue Giada is supposed to be BETTER than Rachael Ray. Baloney!

Read the anything-but-sordid details here, if you're keeping score in the Giada/Ray contest that doesn't really exist.

P.S. Doesn't Rachael Ray look so cute bowling??????

Rachael Ray Sexy Picture... Fake, Weird, Strangely Enticing... Butt shot!

2007-07-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

This is a fake photo of Rachael Ray, featuring a very big (and very round) butt.

Why am I posting an almost-naked picture of Rachael Ray when it isn't even real?

Here are few reasons.

1) I get a lot of traffic from people searching for pictures of Ms. Ray. They want pictures of her butt, her breasts, her you-know-what. The searches involve specific costumes and poses. There are many of them. Many! Enough that they have supplanted the old and reliable "Rachael Ray FHM" search that used to send so many soon-to-be-disappointed guys with Food Channel fetishes to this blog. This is just giving the audience what it wants!

2) There's something about the picture that is strangely enticing. Rachael Ray has a large butt, and that spherical ass is just oh-so-prominent in the shot. The picture is further enhanced by the general weirdness of the whole thing. Why would Rachael Ray strike that pose? Why would anyone take a close up shot of her posterior like that? So many why's that will never be answered because it is a fake picture. That, of course, raises other questions. What kind of person labors with their photo software to come up with a big-butt picture of a semi-naked Rachael Ray? I love the weirdness of it.

3) It's also sort of sexy, to some people. Not to me of course. Never. But to some. Absolutely. Right?

Now, for those of you with less prurient interests, here is some REAL NEWS about Rachael Ray. She won't be giving up at least one of her many TV shows for quite some time. Here's the scoop:

Vending Machines as an Income Source?

2007-07-26T15:23:00.000-05:00

Every time you toss your change into a vending machine, a good portion of that money is ending up in someone else's pocket as pure profit. It might not seem like much at first glance, just nickels and dimes, but it adds up in a big way. Many people have found a route to the American Dream of financial freedom by owning and/or operating candy vending machines.

Vendstar, with well over a decade as an industry leader under its belt, is constantly expanding its coverage. Vendstar is the number one contact point for those interested in making money with vending machines.

Hey, what other cash businesses offering profit margins over 75% can you think of? How many legitimate business opportunities allow one to work from home and to set one's own schedule?

With improved machines and constantly evolving vending machine technology, including multivend machines, Vendstar represents the cream of the vending machine crop and a great way to experience financial freedom.

Rachael Ray in Wax. Not a Lookalike.

2007-07-26T15:02:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile, but I'm just now getting around to writing about the wax museum version of Rachael Ray unveiled earlier this year at the famed Madame Tussaud's. If you're a Rachael Ray fan, you've probably already looked at it, but I wanted to chime in with a delayed comment or two.

First, I think it is totally awesome that Ms. Ray was honored in wax like this. Not everyone gets the Tussaud treatment and I think it's a lot of fun.

That being said, they apparently need to hire a few new artistes at Tussaud's, because this particular statue looks nothing like its model. Just take a gander at the picture, or any one of other you can find (like these). The wax dummy just doesn't look like Rachael Ray.

Sure, it's a cute dummy, but it's no Rachael. I see people walking around town every day who look more like Rachael Ray than that statue! I just can't figure out how such a respected facility could do such a lousy job.

Really! The fake naked picture of Rachael Ray looks more authentic than this one!

The Quest for Naked Rachael Ray Pictures...

2007-07-26T14:55:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, the readers of this blog were singularly obsessed with finding the FHM pictures of Rachael Ray. Before Rachael reached super-duper-mega-stardom, she did a sexy photo layout with the lad mag, posing in a few micro-outfits in the kitchen. Sexy stuff, indeed!

It seems as though people are burned out on the FHM pictures, though. I notice more and more people looking for something a bit more, shall we say, hardcore. My stats are littered with folks seeking the holy grail of Rachael Ray naked, Rachael Ray nude, and an assortment of other Rachael Ray _____ (insert body part) searches.

Well, even I (an otherwise straight woman) find her just as cute as any bug's ear. Long ago, I decided I would probably share any naked photos of Ms. Ray if I found them.

Guess what?

I haven't. I have, however, found a few interesting Rachael Ray fakes. The picture on this post is but one example. I have another non-nude Rachael Ray photo I'll be sharing in the near future.

So, until the real deal turns up somewhere, this is about the best you're going to find. Well, not really, because I've censored it. But you get the idea!

2007-06-28T20:12:00.001-05:00

Finding the Perfect Appliance--and the Perfect Place to Buy It

2007-06-27T12:29:00.000-05:00

Seventy-five percent of us will use the Internet to research major appliances before we make a purchase. Ninety percent of us, however, will eventually end up making our final decisions while standing on the sales floor of a local retailer. Joel Toledano and the other folks at Krillion observed that interesting statistical fact and set out to create a bridge spanning the online/local gap. They ended up with the Krillion Localization Engine and it's making appliance buying easier for everyone.

Let's say the recent summer temperature spikes have done a number on your refrigerator. You aren't alone. Refrigerator compressors work overtime during the hot season and every year thousands of them "konk out" under the pressure. You can't go without a fridge, so you start doing some homework before rushing into your local big box store to make a purchase. You find a model you like. The reviews are good. Now, it's up to you to find some place where you can actually purchase the refrigerator you need at the right price. It's not just for refrigerators, either. You can use Krillion whether you're looking for a General Electric stove or trying to find which of the gorgeous Bosch washing machines fits your needs!

That's not a headache anymore, thanks to Krillion. You can use the site to investigate your options and when you're ready, it will provide you with solid local information, making your shopping venture convenient, simple and streamlined.

If you're a prospective appliance buyer, you owe it to yourself to take a long look at what's happening at Krillion!

Travel Courtesy of Ms. Rachael Ray....

2007-06-18T16:29:00.000-05:00

It's an online exclusive, so you probably won't hear anything about it on any of her TV shows, but Rachael Ray has a contest and the winner is taking a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, courtesy of our favorite super-cook.

You have to go to Rachael's magazine's homepage to enter the contest. I found out about this great opportunity from an article at KRT Wire and have already registered myself. The prize package, according to my source material, sounds pretty darn Yummo:

"The prize package includes airfare for four from anywhere in the continental United States, four nights lodging, car rental, a gas gift card and more. The sweepstakes is expected to run through most of July. The end date is open, though, because the deal with the Web site guarantees 950,000 impressions -- meaning the ad will be viewed 950,000 times before the contest ends."

See? This isn't a chintzy deal. You're not just getting a couple of plane tickets here. This is the full deal.

No word on whether Ms. Ray will have any contact with the winners of this neato prize, but one can dream, right?

In any case, you can read more about the contest at the same place I did. Here.

Tuscan Soup from Rachael Ray...

2007-06-18T16:19:00.000-05:00

Linda, from "At Our Table" made some rebollita per Rachael Ray's recommendations and blogged about it.

She gave the "re-boiled" (see how good my Italian is) bean stew a thumbs up for its hearty flavor and was able to prepare the meal in 40 minutes flat.

The recipe can be found at Linda's site, but it originates in the Rachael Ray cookbook, "30 Minute Meals II".

So, it took Linda 40 minutes and it takes Rachael 30. Ostensibly.

Hey, I think a ten-minute gap is pretty impressive. A lot of people tell me they don't come close to hitting the half-hour deadline.

Back to the "stewp" (or is it "stoup"--yeah, that's right). It looks and sounds like a stomach-warming bit of comfort food to me. I like the white beans in tomato sauce thing and nothing can beat the inclusion of a little parmigiano reggiano in my estimation!

Check out the whole recipe and the "At Our Table" commentary here.

Renting Vacation Homes in Orlando

2007-06-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

What's your favorite holiday spot? Where would you like to go for Christmas, Spring Break or any other getaway? I can name one location that fits the bill for any holiday or even for a long weekend--Orlando.

Orlando, Florida, is known as the home of Disney, but it has a lot more to offer than the Magic Kingdom. A huge convention center, awesome golf courses, and a variety of other family-friendly entertainment options are available in the Orlando area.

Another great thing about Orlando is the state of accomodations. This is an area built with tourists and travelers in mind. There are countless hotels and resorts, but Orlando vacation villa rentals are an incredibly attractive option. Just image having a fully-featured vacation home in which to stay during your much-needed vacation!

We all need to get away from it all every once in awhile. The next time you feel the travel bug biting, consider Orlando. You'll be glad you did.

Rachael Ray Battles Childhood Obesity

2007-06-17T17:41:00.000-05:00

Hey, Rachael Ray knows her way around the kitchen. She also knows that over-indulgence (or at least over-indulgence in the wrong foods) has a nasty downside. Her concern about childhood obesity evidences her desire to spread the word about delicious food AND responsible consumption.

According to AL.com, Rachael Ray is starting Yum-O. Named after her popular catch-phrase, this project is designed to put an end to childhood obesity.

Here's what the source material had to say:

" With help from former President Bill Clinton, the celebrity chef known for cutesy phrases and a fast, freewheeling cooking style now is launching a charitable group that aims to help children eat healthier at home and in school."

That's right. Rachael Ray is teaming up with Bill Clinton! Isn't that amazing?

I hope Yum-O is a super-awesome-massive success. With Bill and Rachael behind it, I'm sure it will be. Kudos to the former Prez and Ms. Ray!

Phony Rachael Ray Butt Picture Still Strangely Enticing...

2007-06-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

You knew it would happen eventually. People would grow tired of the famed Rachael Ray FHM pictures and would begin to look for something else.

They'd combine their knowledge of Photoshop with a bevy of available pictures of Rachael Ray's face and some of the ubiquitous porn available everywhere online. Well, it happened.

If you're a good searcher and know while nooks and crannies of the web to investigate, you can find Rachael Ray fakes. That's the expression they use. Fakes. Basically, you can now view images of Rachael's head placed on the naked and cavorting bodies of adult movie starlets.

The picture with this post is a decidedly G/PG-rated Rachael Ray fake. It's Rachael with a nice big rump. Fake, but still strangely enticing.

The Internet is a strange, but sometimes glorious thing. I'm not sure which category I should file this under. Strange or glorious.

Online School: Convenience and Expertise

2007-06-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

Capella University doesn't have a physical campus. Instead, it offers a variety of bachelor and graduate level degree programs to students all over the world (nearly 18,000 of them) via the Internet. This online university is growing in popularity as more and more people discover a better way to "go back to school".

Part of the appeal of Capella is that it isn't one of those bogus online diploma mills. It's the real deal, with courses instructed by real experts. Take adjunct faculty member Sara Orem, for instance. Not only does she combine a PhD with significant real-world experience (she owns her own management coaching firm and has experience with recognized corporations and government entities), she's also a published author in her area of expertise.

Orem recently put the finishing touches on a book discussing her techniques for "appreciative coaching", which involves positive questioning and other affirmative strategies as means of increasing inspiration and improving results.

With faculty like Orem and an unbeatably convenient means of obtaining education, the virtual campus of Capella University may soon become a model for post-secondary education.

Rachael Goes to the Land Down Under

2007-06-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

Rachael Ray will be expanding her television talk show's reach as of July, 2.

That's when her mega-popular program, already a proven ratings-hog here in the United States will start hitting Australian television.

I found this story originally reported by Sky News, but since then I can't find the page that mentioned the story. In any case, it IS happening. If you happen to be reading this moments before you toss some snags and shrimps on the barbie or something, rest assured that you'll soon bask in the blow of America's Sweetheart, Rachael Ray, and her uber-enjoyable talk show!

I don't know much about daytime TV in the land down under, but I'm willing to wager that Rachael Ray will be an instant hit in the Southern hemisphere. The quality and content of her program, combined with her own inimitable style and appeal should play well just about anywhere!

So, my Australian amigos, enjoy Rachael Ray's talk show starting in just a few weeks!

Oh, and Gooooo Rachael!

Rachael Ray Blog Gets Thumbs Up

2007-06-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

Everything Rachael Ray (www.rachaelrayblog. blogspot.com) is definitely worth a read.

At least that's what a widely syndicated column noting three food blogs worth visiting thinks! ERR gets kudos for being informative, fun, and full-featured. In fact, it is the first of the three food blogs profiled in the list of three!

Glad to see that Rachael Ray reading material on the web is doing so well! I definitely like ERR much more than those spite-filled Livejournal bash-fests!

Hey, I cover Rachael Ray at this blog, but I wholly recommend a look at ERR.

Here's an excerpt from the column lauding the site (which you can read in its entirety here):

"Everything Rachael Ray is exactly that - a site devoted to Food Network chef, talk-show host and cookbook author Rachael Ray. Here, you can find out everything about RR: news, upcoming shows, ratings, clips, appearances, recipes. There's an RR timeline and an RR forum. There's even an RR 'store'."

A Golden Investment

2007-06-17T14:57:00.001-05:00

If you follow the investment world, you are undoubtedly aware that many of the most successful players rely on gold as a key component of their portfolios. Gold, which has been revered for centuries, is a great means of portfolio diversification and has the ability to preserve purchasing power even in the most troubled economic and political climates. There are few, if any, investments offering such a proven record.

The Monex Deposit Company (MDC) brings gold and investors together. Investors can use MDC to secure and store investment-grade gold coins and ingots. MDC is not a newcomer to the gold investment business. The company, which boasts a large and dedicated staff of professionals, has been in operation for over three decades, serving the needs of precious metals investors. MDC is a leader in gold, offering competitive precious metal pricing and unparalleled convenience.

If you are interested in joining the legions of successful investors who have a stake in gold, MDC is certainly worthy of your most serious consideration.

Rachael Ray Helps a Love Life

2007-06-17T13:05:00.000-05:00

LAist has a nifty piece about the incomparable Ms. Rachael Ray. Although the author doesn't consider herself a huge fan of Ra-Ra, she does confess that she's found Rachael's :30 minute meals a help in the kitchen.

She also admits that Rachael's assistance in the kitchen led to some action in the bedroom!

Basically, it goes like this. LAist would whip u some of Rachael's pasta puttanesca in an effort to impress members of the opposite sex. The results?

Let's just say that the post is entitled: "Rachael Ray Got Me Laid: A Guide to Pasta Puttanesca".

That sums it up nicely!

If you want to read about the power of a Rachael Ray recipe to spice up one's romantic life, read this post. It also contains the recipe for Rachael's delicious pasta puttanesca!

Race and Rachael Ray?

2007-06-17T12:59:00.000-05:00

"If Rachael Ray had been black, there are bookstores where her cookbook would not be displayed in the same section with all the other cookbooks. It would be displayed off in a special section for black authors.

This means that many people who were looking for cookbooks would not even see Ray's cookbook, much less buy it."

Those are the opening words of a very interesting article by Thomas Sowell of the Hoover Institute, a well-known contemporary thinker whose opinions on race issues always attract a great deal of attention (both among those who agree and disagree).

Sowell's article isn't really about Rachael Ray, per se, but about the way authors of different races are treated in the publishing industry and whether current efforts to help insure attention for black authors, in particular, are working or backfiring.

I'm lucky Sowell used my fave--Rachael Ray--as an example. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have found this provocative article. Give it a read and think about your opinions on this fascinating topic! You can find a copy of Sowell's piece about honoring symbolism over substance at Recordnet.com.

Berries and Booze from Rachael Ray

2007-03-17T15:29:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you put mixed berries, sugar, cream, a few other "secret" ingredients and a couple of generous shots of your favorite liqueur together? Boozy berries, courtesy of Rachael Ray.

Perfect as a biscuit topping or (I'd imagine) as an alternative to the standy strawberries usually found atop shortcake, these adult-beverage enhanced berries sound like a rich, yet fresh, treat.

ABC offers the recipe. Rachael finds her way on to Good Morning America from time to time, after all.

If you're looking for an excuse to bust out the ameretto while making a dessert, here's your chance!