In 2004 I underwent gastric bypass surgery which helped me lose 160 pounds. Through that process began my search for great recipes to showcase foods flavors and quality. That was when I discovered Rachael Ray. Having only done basic cooking before my surgery, I was so happy to find recipes that tasted wonderful but didn't require a culinary degree to cook. Rachael gave me the courage to use foods I had never used before. Fresh herbs and veggies took over in a kitchen that was more accustomed to seeing fast food and Hamburger Helper.
My kids began affectionately referred to my tweaking basic recipes I found as "Rachael Raying" them but it was such a good feeling to have the confidence to do that. As time has gone by I have begun to write a few of my own recipes so my kids now refer to my experimenting as "Bobbi Reneeing" recipes.
Now cooking shows play on my TV almost 24/7. I record every episode of 30 minute Meals, Week in a Day, and The Rachael Ray show. I guess you could say I am a bit obsessed with cooking and food. But I have to thank Rachael for that. She is the one that I give all of the credit to for bringing me out of my little cooking shell.
“Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners” was the first RR cookbook I bought so I figured it would be only fitting that those be the recipes I cook and share with everyone.
I know some people will just say I am copying the book/movie idea and will not be interested in reading, and that is OK. I finally decided to do this because I wanted to share with people my love of cooking with Rachael, and how much fun cooking and sharing your ideas, feelings, and impressions could be. My kitchen is the heart of my home. It is where we gather to cook, eat, talk, etc. Now I want to open that up to you. Come cook with me and laugh with me. I am sure there will be some frustrations along the way, but we will be in it together! Lets start the journey…..
