Rachael Ray Shines

Perhaps this has been said before but if only we could bottle the energy and goodwill of Rachael Ray. Surely it would help to begin to solve some of our problems. After a long day, which entailed getting up at 6 a.m. and shooting three of her television shows; cooking; exercising; and changing; Ray looked and sounded great at the 92nd Street Y talking about her new book, “My Year in Meals,” with “The View’s” Sherri Sheperd, who did a nice job “pinch hitting” for Joy Behar (cue in Bob Sheppard announcing Sheperd batting for Behar).

Ray enlightened the audience with practical ideas and emphasized the need to try, which is the backbone to her “no regrets” philosophy of life. Her energy and enthusiasm are boundless and normally that type of “do all, all good” does not inspire me all that much. However, Ray, who recently made a big contribution to Hurricane Sandy victims and really cares about kids and their eating and cooking beginnings proved to be most inspiring. Much good comes from her “Yum-o” organization in that regard.

In the cooking department, I will need help just to get to zero but that is another story. I am on board with Rachael’s love for cooking and the saving money and empowerment that comes with it. She proved most engaging when we chatted after the interview and book signing. I made her laugh when I said to this most outgoing, dynamic personality, “You have to overcome your shyness problem.” Indeed “laughter is the best medicine” as is loving what you do. Few people love what they do and bring the passion/personality to it the way Rachael Ray does.

http://www.rachaelray.com/books/year-in-meals/