The $5 Dinner Mom on Rachael Ray and New York City

$5 Dinners on Rachael Ray airs tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21st.  Check your local listings at www.rachaelrayshow.com!

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we!

About 6 months ago I heard about this segment with Rachael and Whoopi discussing the “fat tax” and the idea that it is more expensive to eat fresh produce and healthy foods. Of course, when I got wind of this, I had to say SOMETHING! I jumped on Rach’s website and submitted a short note in the “contact us” that went something like this…

“Just heard about the segment with Whoopi where the high cost of fresh produce and healthy eating were discussed. It is NOT MORE EXPENSIVE TO EAT HEALTHY!!!!!!!!! Here’s what I do…”

Totally forgot that I had submitted this to them. Until about a month ago!

A producer from the show called and said she’d been poking around the site and was interested in doing a story. We talked for a long time, she asked a gazillion questions, the kids whined and cried while I attempted to answer her questions in a most articulate way!

After getting off the phone with the producer there was a little LOT of squealling…cuz I just love Rachael and couldn’t believe I was going to get to MEET HER!  After a few more phone calls, squeals and interviews, it was set up that a crew would come to the house one week and I’d fly to NYC another week to appear in the studio!

The crew was LOVELY to work with!  They were very patient with me during the interviews.  Highlight of the day: the local high school marching band showed up in the grocery store…while we were filming!  Huh?  And they marched around the store.  Yeah.  That’s what I said!  The band caused a few audio issues while we went throughout the store….but we managed to get what was needed despite the tubas and trombones!

Skip ahead a week and I was off to NYC!!!  My mom flew out and met me there.  I managed to get a full and complete night’s sleep, by God’s good grace!, and woke up refreshed and ready for the day!  My mom and I spent about an hour straightening my hair.  We bummed around the hotel, went out to lunch at the Capital Grille and then headed over to the studio.

Getting hair and makeup done!

All dressed and ready to tape the segment!  I made a silly face because if I had attempted to smile, I don’t think I would have been able!  The anxiety was palpable!  No, actually, I completely pretended like I was not there so that I could get through it.  Had to make my brain go to another place so I wouldn’t feel nauseous or get tongue tied or just plain fall over! 

Notice the deodorant in hand.  Steph from A Year of Crockpotting was on the show last year and she tipped me off to the NEED for extra deodorant!  Thanks Steph!  The mini deodorant was very helpful.  As were the little paper towels wrapped around the deodorant.  NO SWEAT STAINS allowed on my pretty pink blouse!

The producers walked me over to the set, where I was thrown on stage and met Rachael.  I sat down with her at “the kitchen table” for the interview.  We had a short little chat while the background piece was rolling.  I felt a little shudder of nerves go up my body, I shook that off and it was time for business.  Then the camera started rolling.  We chatted for a few minutes and that’s was it!  The taping was a success! Rachael was so encouraging, flattering and super easy to chat with!  It was lovely meeting her, and all the staff and crew on the show!

After the taping, I laid down back at the hotel and felt like I couldn’t move.  Pure exhaution!  I made a few calls, had a granola bar and then off to dinner and to see Mamma Mia on Broadway!  LOVE THAT SHOW!  (I had not seen the movie and am so glad to have seen it first on Broadway!) 

We then strolled through Times Square and the M&M store after the show.

Hello…Chocolate Heaven!!!

The next day we had brunch with a friend and toured his office. 

How about this view of Broadway and 5th…and the Empire State building! 

I felt really tall when taking this photo in front of the Flat Iron building!

I did notice as we went around town that NYC streets were quieter than I remembered. I had memories of LOUD horns, lots of honking and cabbies yelling at each other! Not the case anymore…in an effort to reduce noise pollution, there is now a $350 fine for honking just to honk! I think I can say it made my trip a little more peaceful! The noise level was remarkably lower than previous visits!

We did some shopping that day and then it was BACK TO REALITY!

After an hour and a half ride back to the airport (my definition of traffic is stumbling over one of the children on my way to the kitchen in the morning!) I was on my way back home!

I had a FABULOUS time and I’m honored and humbled to have had the experience of being on the show and hanging out in New York City!

UPDATE:  Here is a newspaper link with a photo of Rachael and I sitting at the table.  If you are in the Dayton, OH area, you can catch me around 8:45 on Fox45 tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.  And if you are in the San Antonio, TX area, you can see an interview with me on Good Morning San Antonio on KSAT12.