The Dishing with Donna Show

I'm Back!!

2010-11-09T15:15:00.001-05:00

My favorite foodies, although my blog site looks a little malnourished over the past month or two .... I am excited to say it is because I have been working hard on creating a whole new online image for Dishing With Donna. Together with my branding firm, BopperSS.com, we have almost completed constructing the new DwD website, which will have my Blog, as well as all videos and video streaming live from the studio, and also Celebrity recipes and still so much more!!!
So please forgive me during our process .... as I have SO MUCH to blog about and update as soon as we launch the new site!! (next week!)

Perk up those taste buds, because I am coming right back!!!

http://www.dishingwithdonna.co/

If The Coat Fits ... Wear It!

2010-10-04T15:25:00.000-04:00

What a night!!!! This past Friday night, I had the time of my life. I was honored to be asked to come assist Senior Executive Chef to the Atlanta Braves, Chef Orazio LaManna, for the finale of his "Big Night Out" at the Stadium. I was given an official chef's coat (which somebody tried to buy off of me) and learned to cook with liquid nitrogen. Our theme for the feast was "Sexy Southern Cuisine", and I chose to create Lobster Mac-n-cheese with exotic cheeses as my personal dish. Little did I know .... Mr. lobster would be alive and kickin' for the demonstration! Talk about some fresh meat.

This is how it works: fans can pay $125 per person to come to the VIP Suite for a private cooking demonstration and included is an enormous spread of a gourmet dinner, free parking, open bar (yes, open bar), and of course - the absolutely gorgeous and huge suite to watch the game - with private outdoor seating. It was awesome. I felt so blessed to be a part of it.

Talking to everyone and chatting it up is always my favorite part of any event I do. Not only was the food simply delicious, but we had great guests for the "Big Night Out" to enjoy the night with as well. Unfortunately the Braves did not beat the Phillies that night ... but I am happy to now announce that we made it to the playoffs!!! Go Braves! So even though we had some Phillie fans in the suite with us ... it did not deter from our overall fabulous night of food, wine, fun, and fireworks! Next season, I hope to be asked to come back again. I was even given the full tour of the SunTrust Club (30K per year per person to be a member) as well as the players Clubhouse, and got onto the field to watch batting practice before our culinary night began! For dozens of more pictures - please go to the Dishing with Donna Facebook page.

There's only one thing that could have made this night better .... and that's being able to fit into my Braves chef's coat!!

- see Facebook for more details and pictures.
World Series ............. here we come!!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Food Hypnosis

2010-09-27T20:05:00.001-04:00

I'd like to think that I am adventurous and experimental. I'm not afraid to try anything atleast once. (ok... well maybe not "anything"!) I don't think I could ever muster up enough courage to eat even a fraction of what Andrew Zimmerman tries on his tv show - Bizarre Foods. -Yeah, I'll pass on the temporarily paralyzed live scorpions in a tangy soup broth, or the fried pellet feces of some rare rodent! Some extreme foodies may not be afraid to go there .... but this southern chica will admit defeat when my dish to taste contains potential DEATH in its ingredients!
However .... I'll still try more new things than the average person. Which is why I thought it would be adventurous to step out of my box of failed attempts to try and lose weight. Back in spring, I tried to lose 30lbs in 3 months. I hired a personal trainer and everything. -- Yeah. That didn't work.
And along with a million other ideas (yes, a million) I never have been able to kick my bad habit of running to sweets-n-grease for comfort food and snacking. It's my vice. - Then I met Sean Wheeler of Pure Hypnosis. He is an esteemed hypnotist who helps people overcome their addictions through hypno-therapy. Which includes food addictions and over eating problems.
I have never been a believer of such practices .... so I thought I would bring him onto my radio show and learn more about his successful profession -- for my own selfish curiosity. :-)

Sean offered to treat me to a hypnosis session, in order to help my subconscience NOT crave the fattening yumminess that I always run to.   I was game. Bring it on.
But when I got there... my sense of adventure turned into an unexpected fear. Shoot, I've never been hypnotized! What if my brain gets STUCK like that???? And I cluck like a chicken for the rest of my life! - I suddenly found myself nervous and not wanting to give up control of my mind. In case you've never met me, I happen to be rather a control freak. So to "let go" into a mental state of subconscious suggestion .... my brain chose to be stubborn! What can I say .... it's got a mind of it's on!
(hahaha, pun intended!)
To make a long story short, I was there for over 2 hours, and I think I disappointed Sean when he realized I never 'went under', after all his hard work. He said I wasn't 'open to the process'. So technically, it didn't work.
HOWEVER ... luckily, Sean records your sessions. Now --- I can lay in the comfort of my own room at home, put the CD in, and let myself truly go and experience this surprisingly realistic and interesting exercise for myself. The more you listen to the CD and practice these 'suggestions' ... the stronger it will effect your brain, and thus .... creating a new and improved mental YOU! For whatever your addictions may be.

So. As you are my witness ... starting tomorrow ... I am going to hypnotize myself (-- that sounds funny) every single day for one week. -- Look at the date of this blog.   In one week from now .... you will have another Blog to read about it, detailing the changes I've noticed and it's success for my life. I have seen it work in other people and have heard amazing stories about this kind of therapy!!   I'm actually really excited.

I hate the gym. So why not try hypnosis!   --- Hmmmm, let's see .... drive to gym and be bored and miserable on some torture nazi machine ..... or lay in my bed and dream it to reality!!
Gee. There's a hard decision.

---- Now where did I put my piece of pizza . . . . . . .

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

My "Big Night Out"

2010-09-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

On Friday, October 1st ... I have been invited to be the "celebrity-guest" for the Atlanta Braves "Big Night Out"! This is an icredible VIP evening which you can actually go and purchase tickets for yourself! -- Right now. :-) Here's what I am so excited about .... the "Big Night Out" includes:

1. Luxury Suite game Tickets

2. Free Parking

3. A private cooking demonstration by the Atlanta Braves Senior Executive Chef, Orazio LaManna (and Me!)

4. Gourmet Dinner

5. Open Bar all night

6. Lots of fun goodies!!

This is a special one night a month event that Chef LaManna created and October is the last one to be held for this entire year. I am honored to be the "FINALE" guest for 2010. This is going to be so much fun!!

Our theme is "Sexy Southern Cuisine" and I get to create lobster macaroni and cheese ... but here's the twist .... we're killing the lobsters right there in front of you, and thus using the freshest meat you can find. It is going to be beyond delicious, and I'm salivating just thinking about it already! (not so excited about killing the lobsters in front of an audience)

Also, Chef informed me we will be 'playing' with liquid nitrogen! Even more fun!!! It is a growing popular technique for cooking dessert foods especially like ice cream - milkshakes - popcorn balls - etc.... But it's dangerous! - It's not like every morning you wake up and think to yourself, "Hmmmm, I think I'm in the mood for some liquid nitrogen today". I've seen it on TV -- shows like Top Chef and even Next Food Network Star ... and I know Richard Blais here in Atlanta serves liquid nitrogen milkshakes from his restaurant in Midtown called FLIP ..... but I've still never seen it done in person before. Much less get to play in it all by myself!

As I write this blog, there are only 10 tickets left to sell. After that, the private cooking suite is over capacity and tickets will no longer be available. It's $125.00 per person and just click on the link below to order.

Buen Provecho and can't wait to see you lucky 10 on October 1st!!

Fireworks Extravaganze to follow!!! Finally!!

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/atl/ticketing/big_night_out.jsp

(pictures will definitely be coming)

(Definitely!)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Sweet Potato Salad - Restaurant Style!

2010-09-16T08:58:00.000-04:00

If memory serves me correctly, this may just be the very first recipe to ever hit this DwD Blog. I couldn't resist it ... after last weekend's Recipe Showdown, my stomach hasn't stopped craving this delicious and most popular side dish from one of Historic Roswell's hot spots - INDIGO. Chef Todd Hogan proudly created this dish and if you love some great southern flair .... then try this winner next time you are looking to impress even your own taste buds!

SWEET POTATO SALAD

3 large Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
3/4 cup Red onion, diced
2/3 cup Celery, diced
1 tbsp Ginger root, peeled and grated
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 tbsp Parsley
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp pepper

* Cook potatoes in salted water until tender. Cool on sheet tray
* While potatoes cool, place all other ingredients in mixing bowl and mix together
* Fold in cooked potatoes and allow to sit for at least 4 hours before serving.
(optional: you can serve this warmed as well .... Mmmmm!)

Not only does this dish capture the sassiness of the south, but it will have your kitchen smelling like a southern dream. Happy Cooking and let me know how it turns out for ya.

Thank you Chef Todd Hogan (and Owner) of Indigo Restaurant.
Buen Provecho!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Recipe Showcase

2010-09-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

I know, I know. I was bad last week and didn't update the blog. I will be honest and say that I have had a rough past 2 weeks. Forgive me for the delay ... I was in a car accident which totalled my car 2 weeks ago and then had to go off to South Carolina to be the "Hope Speaker" at a women's motivational conference this past week. (a blog about that is coming!!) When I think all along, I was the one who needed the motivation. - God and his timing. Doesn't he just have such the sense of humor!

I barely made it to my radio show this past Saturday. I came flying in from South Carolina, straight to the studios, and running down the hallway, exploding into the Live studio like a tornado -- threw on my headphones, and in one nano second .... had just enough time to take one breath before immediatly saying "Hello and Welcome to the Dishing With Donna Show". And this is no exaggeration!! I have witnesses. It turned out to be quite hysterical! - Gotta love Live radio.
My show for the day was RECIPE SHOWDOWN, with noted chefs and restauranteurs around Atlanta coming in and sharing the actual recipe of one of their most popular menu dishes. It was delicious! I had the pleasure of having Gus Tselios, owner of Marietta Fish Market/Marietta Diner/Cherokee Cattle Co./Pasta Bella (whew!) give us the recipe to his famous all-seafood hearty stew in a tomato base. I had Todd Rushing, a long time friend of the show, from Concentrics Restaurants (One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks, Parish, Tap, Stats, Room, Lobby, etc.....) break down the techniques of braising vs. brining - with so many ideas and tips for each. Then I was also excited to finally have Chef Todd Hogan, owner of Indigo in the quaint and gorgeous Historic Roswell, come and offer his prized recipe for Sweet Potato Salad from his restaurant. - I think the entire studio was salivating by the end of the hour! Great show.

Hard to believe I just flew in at 90mph (literally) and made it in my seat with less than a millisecond to air. Thank you to my guests who were all equally fabulous and made me very hungry. Thank you for the recipes, WHICH, ... should be uploaded to the DwD Website on my Recipes page within 24 hours from now. So make sure you go up and click on my tab to the website and go try these amazing recipes for yourself! Straight from the menu of their restaurants to the table in your own kitchen.

. . . . I don't know about you, but that Sweet Potato Salad is calling my name . . . . . and its quick and easy to whip up! And ofcourse, what kind of host would I be if I didn't tell you to GO TO THESE RESTAURANTS. Support our local culinary visionaries. Your taste buds depend on it.

- Mine do!

Ho hum, what a hard job .... but somebody's got to do it!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Food and Fireworks @ the Stadium

2010-08-31T19:37:00.004-04:00

I can't help it! I just HAVE to say it again ..... I'm sorry, I know I say it all the time ... but .... I LOVE MY JOB! Especially the 'perks' I get to experience are so wonderful with such wonderful people involved, that it just fills me with enormous gratitude and wonderment. I know I am blessed.
And what a terrific night I had last Friday at the Braves game with my special friends and guests as Chef LaManna invited us for dinner at the 755 Club, along with fabulous seats for the game, and a private tour of the "Big Night Out" event he hosts every month. Which I will be by his side on October 1st during the hour long cooking demo as his bouncy sous chef! - (More information on that coming soon ....) -Should be a deliciously unpredictable demo!

My friends for the night were Todd Rushing, of Concentrics Restaurant Group, and his adorable wife Laurie, as well as Dan Hott who is my Director of Operations and who accompanies me on most all DwD events and outings. The four of us are good friends together and the night was fabulous. At dinner, I enjoyed the special seafood of the night which was fresh flounder coated in crab and shrimp and yumminess. And Chef LaManna treated us to a beautiful sample dish of several desserts, which I could not say no to of course! That would be so rude of me not to eat every last little morsel of crumb on the dessert plate .... right??? ;-)

The only thing that I didn't get to do was watch the fireworks. BUMMED ME OUT, I can't even explain. I had talked about not seeing fireworks in years and years and how cool it was going to be to see them in person for the first time in ages and obviously I was excited! Well. As the very loud fireworks were going off for nearly 10-15 minutes outside .... I was in a hallway inside walking towards the doors to leave. -- Listening to the crashes right above my head and the explosions I so badly wanted to see! We were chatting with Chef LaManna - which was great - but I couldn't understand why we weren't talking outside?!?!?!?!? Lol, I have to admit -- it was killing me. I felt like a kid. Dan knows and would laugh telling you the story from his angle, I'm sure!

So, Chef -- on October 1st, if that's a Friday night ... I am SO watching the fireworks!!! ;-)

(I only blow dried my hair out ... why are people going crazy over this?)

GO BRAVES!!!!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Atlanta Braves - Chef LaManna

2010-08-26T12:26:00.001-04:00

I was tempted to put a different picture up as my first attention-grabbing photo for this blog ... but if I want to maintain any sense of dignity ... I'll save the embarassing ones for later. - I can't help it, when there's good food around, I just get so excited! Especially when it is brought to me by surprise, like this past Saturday when Atlanta Braves Executive Chef, Orazio LaManna, showed up to my studio and unveiled one of his favorite dishes on the 755 Club menu. This delicious waffle sandwich is called "The Hammer": southern-fried chicken breast on toasted waffles with apple-smoked bacon, fried onions, pepper jack cheese and pecan-maple mayonnaise. Not only did this excite me to taste, but between every commercial break -- my other returning guest, Herb Mesa, and I could not stop shoveling them down our mouth before we had to come back on air!

Also on the show this week, to one very special lucky caller -- we had a fabulous giveaway live on air for 4 tickets to an Atlanta Braves baseball game, along with a dinner for 4 in the 755 Club.

Wow!!! Chef LaManna told us a couple funny foodie stories about Bobby Cox as well as Brian McCann - and learned what really does go on at these exquisite banquets of feasting for the players every single game. - Yes ... every single game! The players get to feast like gods on lobster, filet mignon, sea bass, shrimp and crab legs, prime rib, hams, etc..etc.. each and every single game. It was fascinating! And ofcourse, Herb was there cracking jokes the whole way through.

It was definitely a chow down day in the studios.

I am happy to say that Chef LaManna has invited me to do a VIP demonstration with him behind the scenes at Turner Field on October 1st. This day is perfect since it's an end of the season home game against the evil Phillies. ;-) I couldn't be more excited! I am so very blessed to do what I do, and had an excellent time with my featured guest. And ok ok ok ...... here is the one picture of me first taken as Chef unveiled the yummy food .... this was my initial reaction:

Chicken and waffles. Never thought I'd say this ..... but MAN is that good soul food! Who would have ever thought to put that together? -- I guess kind of like cinnamon buns and chili. Bet you didn't know that when mixed all together in a bowl .... you have just created fabulosity. Think outside the box people. It's okay to play with your food.
;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

2010-08-20T11:38:00.001-04:00

The "Dishing With Donna" Show has MOVED!!!

Starting immediately, DwD is now officially aired at 4:00pm, no longer 2pm.
ALSO, if you missed it, you can catch a replay of the show again on Sunday @ 6:00pm!

Then additionally, DwD has been picked up by another radio station too!
The new 1190am THE BIZ will now play DwD on Saturdays @ 5:00pm.

................ Please make a note of the changes and join us in our excitement.
Many new things to start happening as well! STAY TUNED!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

The End. -- Or is it??

2010-08-17T16:27:00.001-04:00

This is officially my last blog about Next Food Network Star. I have loved this season so much and have had the opportunity to truly be involved all along. But as all good things must come to an end (including buffets) this season ended on Sunday night with what I am calling, the Big Bang Let Down.
The viewing party for Herb Mesa was held at Via restaurant and lounge in the heart of Buckhead. He rented out the entire venue just for his friends and family to watch the very last episode. The finale! I was invited to attend - as well as teach a salsa dance class. Where did that come from??? And the party itself was a smashing success!! A Big Bang!! Entirely way too much energetic fun! (is there really such a thing as 'too much fun'??) I don't know, maybe we should ask Herb.

Atlanta finalist, Herb Mesa, during one of his many announcements throughout the night. (I think he likes the microphone!)

The evening was filled with music and fabulous food . . . . and of course, Food Network.

Former finalist Brianna Jenkins joins the party!

Yeah, I was rockin' the big hair.

As the big screens were playing the finale of the show, Via was sitting on pins and needles waiting to see who Food Network would announce as the winner. Was it going to be Herb?? Did he do it?? I mean, his adorable little mother flew in all the way from Puerto Rico just for the show, as well as out of town friends. His wife was on his arm, his 2 little girls were there ready for their own cameo .... everything looked like it was going in Herb's favor. Even the tv judges were singing his praises!

BUT DID HE WIN THE WHOLE SHA-BANG????

IS HERB THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR????

As Herb was explaining to everybody here in this picture .... despite the fact that he did not win the show, nor his own show, he is still overwhelmed and blessed and grateful to have had this entire experience. It was bittersweet. And the fact that Aarti was in fact the winner - that didn't stop Herb from cranking up the salsa music and dancing the night away --- Latin style!! Before leaving the swanky little shindig, Herb and I stole a moment outside together for a quick 5 minute on camera interview which should be uploaded on YouTube a little later this week. Make sure you go and check it out!!

-- But please excuse the fact that we are both sopping wet from sweat -- we probably put a glare on your screen from it! But what are ya gonna do!?!? That's what happens when you get 2 latinos on a dancefloor together . . . the party never ends! And Herb, I believe your party is just beginning. Congratulations.

(hey, who's brilliant idea was it to do our camera interview at the END of the night anyhow???)

Herbalicious Times TWO

2010-08-11T13:53:00.000-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen .. he did it again! Herb Mesa from Atlanta is going to the finale of Next Food Network Star!! As the previous blogs have been detailing, our friend Herb is continuing to wow the Food Network judges and after all these weeks of intense yet entertaining competition ... it has come to this. The last episode. The finale. Who will win their own new Food Network tv show??? -- Well many people came to TWO Urban Licks in downtown last Sunday night to find out. Every Sunday night is a viewing party for Herb (and originally for Brianna as well) (Team Sexy!) and I went yet again this past weekend. - And ofcourse, with the famous "Herbalicious" drink in my hand - we all had too much fun.

(Hi Brianna!)

This upcoming Sunday is the grand finale being held at HAVANA CLUB in Buckhead. I will be there actually teaching a Salsa class! Salsa the dance, not salsa the food. So please do come out and meet me, meet Herb and all his posse over at Havana for a great celebration night, open to all. Just $10.00 to get in. I'm sure there will be plenty of "Herbalicious" to go around. (plus an open bar) Then after this Sunday night ... it's all over. No more reporting on The Next Food Network Star. Ho Hum.

---- Well, until next season that is!

GOOD LUCK HERB!!! WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Hungry for High School?

2010-08-04T16:52:00.002-04:00

Ok, I debated and debated whether or not to write about my recent high school reunion, held informally at Fado's in Buckhead. I chose not to attend my 5 year reunion. I chose not to attend the formal 10 year reunion. And for the 15th reunion . . . . there was no reunion. But then someone had the brilliant idea of hosting a "Fashionably Late" reunion to make up for it, thus creating ... the first ever, 16 Year Reuinion for Roswell High School, Class of 1994. An informal social gathering for happy hour at Fado's just 2 weeks ago.

(there was not enough room for a full group photo ... this is the closest we could get)

Luckily, thanks to Facebook - many of us have already reconnected and rekindled friendships. Otherwise, this would be the first time I have seen anybody in nearly 20 years. What I found shocking was how many of my old friends are still living .............. in Roswell. And yet I can't pick on them, because so am I. Funny how the world works. My date for the evening was actually a middle school friend of mine, Megan, and we were the first to arrive!! (should that be embarassing?)

I know I am a foodie show and my blog is supposed to center around all things food-entertainment. So I will just interject briefly to include that the stuffed mushrooms with a 3 cheese blend and bacon was absolutely delicious. - There. Now can this be constituted as a food blog?? ;-)

Honestly, these moments are just a picture in your life to be remembered - and I thought it was worthy to include for the world to see here on this blog. (-- plus, I've had school people asking me to post something!) So this for all you aggressive Hornets who just want to see more of your own pictures online. Haha. A big thank you to Fado's, Mandy Stokely Russell, and Nicole Hausleiter Davis. Also to my date Meggie, and my life long friend Carrie - for making the evening so delicious. Cheers to all of you!

I thought we were 35 now, but it looks like here we're still stuck at 15!

Now, let me preface and tell you that I am NOT a drinker, unless it starts with W and ends in 'ine'. And on the rare occassion that I would drink anything other than wine or diet coke ... it is certainly not shots. I graduated from doing shots before I ever graduated from college. -- However, when I'm surrounded by old friends asking me to try something called CHRISTMAS IN YOUR MOUTH ... and they are paying for it ..... shoot, sometimes - it's just time for a holiday.

I gave a new meaning to Big Bang Theory! -- But hey, my bangs were tame in comparison to the everlasting walls of hairspray created by other girls. This was 'nuthin!

I promise to all my fellow foodie readers, FOOD is about to be served. Stay tuned and keep reading.

- Until then, Go Hornets! Sting 'Em!!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Softer Side of Susie

2010-07-28T10:08:00.001-04:00

If you follow the DwD Show, then you already know that DwD follows "The Next Food Network Star". We are right in the meat of the season (no pun intended!) and things are getting hot on set! I was slated to interview Bobby Flay this upcoming weekend -- but as you can assume, his schedule is quite demanding. Things got shifted around at the last minute due to conflict of timing - but we will still get to talk to Bobby in the near future. I can't wait!

Still great news though .... in place of Bobby, we get the opportunity to talk to his co-Judge on the hit show, Ms. Susie Fogelson. We all know her simply by 'Susie' - the beautiful but strict judge who can be quite intimidating at times. I have already interviewed her and will be playing our conversation for you this Saturday. She even got very candid and open about the 2 Atlanta finalists; Herb Mesa and Brianna Jenkins. Plus, it was nice to see a softer side to Susie - as she talks about the connection and bonds she makes with the finalists throughout the seasons and how that effects their overall decision for eliminations.

. . . . . . . . . or does it??

Tune in and listen!! Get hungry with me for more of Food Network.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Bobby Flay is in the House!

2010-07-22T17:41:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to announce that Bobby Flay is coming onto the DwD Show!! He is still one Food Network personality I have not had the pleasure of hanging out with yet. So I am really excited! I just got the confirmation from Food Network this morning. What's ironic is ... even though I've watched Bobby for a long time and truly respect his talent - I didn't really become a big fan until I became a big fan of Next Food Network Star. (see previous blog). He is a judge and host. Bobby has always seemed "so serious" to me - which I understand his cooking is a craft - but I've always found myself being highly entertained by the big in-your-face personalities with extreme energy and charisma! - Hello Paula Deen and Guy Fieri.

Regardless, I have truly converted to a Flay-Fan since watching the softer side of him come out during this competition show, and dare I even say HUMOR. Besides, the man is a culinary icon. Who wouldn't be excited to announce their personal one-on-one interview with him? It's next Tuesday morning, although we will be pre-recording for the July 31st airing of DwD. - Make sure you tune in!
Now the only ones left on my wish list to interview are still Rachel Ray (my twin), Alton Brown, the Neely's, and in my dreams .... Julia Child. Sidebar: Julia Child was once asked what was her secret for living a fullfilled long life, her answer was instantly "Red Meat and Gin".
And these days, you can hear Paula Deen's secret for a happy life .... "Butter".

I think I'll be asking Bobby what his secret is! I'm sure it's going to have something to do with a grill ....
Hmmmm. Flame on!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Food Network Stars Vs. Cooking Channel

2010-07-20T22:16:00.001-04:00

My new friends. Returning guests from the hit show 'Next Food Network Star' - Herb Mesa (left) and Brianna Jenkins, along with the musically talented Roger Mooking (center), host of the Cooking Channel's 'Everyday Exotic'. What an energy in the room!! With 4 huge outgoing personalities (myself included. ha!) there wasn't a second of hesitation within our full throttle full speed conversation on air last Saturday. We laughed, we poked, we prodded, we got nitty gritty, and even quite sentimental - plus of course we dished all about delicious food. But first, let me describe to you what's going on with the brand new Cooking Channel.

The Cooking Channel is owned and operated by the Food Network. So now you can start to think of it as either the newly adopted child of Food Network ... or better yet, the twin brother -- who look extremely similar on the outside, but completely different personalities on the inside. For example, the Cooking Channel is a necessary extension of something that is already successful ... and therefore now needs more room to showcase all the extra talent and ideas and additional stars. The Cooking Channel focuses on the instruction of cooking and learning - and stays away from competition reality shows and fluffy entertainment. This is to be more technical and diverse. There are some crossover personalities who have shows like Emeril and Rachel Ray, but it will really embrace global cuisine and take viewers all around the culinary world. While in the meantime, we also are graced with old reruns of Julia Child. It's awesome.

Then of course .... we have the Food Network. And one of my all time favorite shows to watch is 'The Next Food Network Star' (which I will now be referring to as NFNS) and it's a competition show to the likes of Top Chef on Bravo. The winner wins their own show on Food Network!! Hence, the name. For this year in Season 6, Atlanta has 2 contestants fighting for the finale - both still here at the midseason point - and that's our very own Herb and Brianna. Two magnetic, charismatic personalities and I was proud to have them on my show again to give us an update. Just like the first time, we had so much fun and the hour was over way too fast.

After the program was over and we were all hanging out in the other studio just laughing and talking about salsa dancing as we were closing up ... Herb and Brianna invited us to their viewing party that night at the swanky restaurant Room inside the Twelve Hotel. It was stunning. I took my mother, my sister, and my aunt for a little Girls Night Out - family style. Herb saw us and ran over to us immediately offering us food and his signature drinks! It was fabulous. Brianna looked absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous. -- I had no idea by how much fun we were having that Brianna was the one who got eliminated at the end of that night's episode. Everyone gasped as it played on screens throughout the restaurant. I think Brianna even teared up a little. -- I know Herb did! She had the microphone and said a thank you/goodbye speech and then hugged me as soon as she turned away. It was definitely a bittersweet moment and yet still a fabulous night.

Lookey who it is! Even Eric and Robin Gagnon, Presidents of We Sell Restaurants, my sponsors came out to play. It was a lovely evening. Room itself was impressive. And as sad as I am to see Brianna be eliminated from the show, she has definitely made a name for herself now!, and a big congratulations for Herb who is still in the running!! Watch NFNS every Sunday night on Food Network at 9:00pm.

And you can watch Roger (above) every day on the Cooking Channel with his show, Everyday Exotic. (times vary). I myself had an energetic and entertaining show with these guests last week.

Stay tuned because there's always something new and fun every DwD show. - We're like a box of chocolates ..... you never know what you're gonna get!

(but it's sweet every time)

My only question left is ................................ when am I going to get a tv show of my own?!??! C'mon now people! ;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Oprah who??

2010-07-14T19:47:00.000-04:00

Many of you know already that I was deep into an audition process to star on Oprah's upcoming new tv reality show called "OWN". It is Oprah's attempt to find America's next famous talk show host. I guess she finally succombed to the depths of reality tv. Hey, if Trump can do it - why not the big O. Sources say the show will actually be similar in feel to that of 'The Apprentice'. - Not that I would know because I did not make it to L.A.    (I say that with a teeny bit of disgust in my tone)
After everything I went through to make it past the first few rounds of auditioning - plus the 3 hour application process alone - yeah, I'm a little jealous. - Although I did make it far enough to have an on-camera screen test! What an experience that was!   Let me set up the scenario for you. It's quite the covert spy operation!

After waking up at 2:45am to be at the audition site by 4am, then getting a call back for a small group audition at 8am, which then led me to a phone call saying I had been chosen for another call back - etc... I finally had to show up at a hotel for the on-camera screen test. However!! This is how it was described to me: in an email by Oprah's people, I was given the information along with some specific directions. The directions said at the end, "DO NOT GO TO THE HOTEL DESK. DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE THAT WORKS AT THE HOTEL.  GO STRAIGHT TO THE LOBBY AND WAIT FOR YOUR CELL PHONE TO RING. DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE. IF SOMEONE ELSE AUDITIONING APPROACHES YOU, DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM. WE WILL CALL YOUR CELL AND TELL YOU WHERE TO GO NEXT".
- Um, are you kidding me??? I felt like I was in a James Bond film.   And yet on the flipside, it was thrilling!! So my cell phone finally rang and I was told to go to the 3rd floor and someone would meet me at the elevators. At this point, I was escorted into a hotel room that had been drastically changed to look like a mini studio set - with professional lights everywhere and cameras and pieces of tape on the floor to tell you where to stand, floor to cieling backdrops of Oprah and the show .... etc....
Surreal! The casting agent began asking me my questions and without a shy bone in my body -- I rocked it. (or so I thought). What irritates me is that the casting agent said the same thing! She said I was fabulous and "have nothing to worry about".   ---- What does that mean?? She was visibly impressed and even squeezed me tight on my way out. She lastly told me to wait for "THE CALL".   (I put that in caps because over the next week and a half .... 'the call' was the only topic of conversation amongst all the people in my life.) My cell phone immediatly became an appendage of my body. If I went to the bathroom, so did my cell. If I walked outside to get the mail, so did my cell. If I went to mow the lawn, so did my cell. - It became an obsession! I couldn't dare miss "the call"!    Because this was it! That phone call was the vehicle to put me on a plane and out to LA and to Oprah.   Friday night, July 9th was the cut off. If I didn't get the call by then, then I would know I did not get chosen for that very last round.
Obviously, since I am still here writing you this blog ... I think we all know the outcome.
It was a major disappointment. I'm not going to lie. I'm a girl, I cried. I would like to take this opportunity and blame the casting agent who auditioned me. (lol) If she hadn't told me "I have nothing to worry about" in terms of being chosen for LA .... then I think I would not have had such faithful expectations. Because when the call did not come in -- I admit, I was crushed.
Granted, I came a long way! I am proud of myself for that. Definitely. I beat thousands and thousands of other hopefuls just in the first audition alone! Which is amazing to think about. I know this.
So I know I baked my cake! But man .... the icing would have made it so much sweeter.
After my pity party had ended, I realized that I have a new fire under my bum to go out and give it 10 times more effort to continue this adventure! - I love where I am at, but there's still a ladder to climb.

Thank you to all those who have been supporting me and cheering for me along the way! What a crazy past few weeks. Maybe I should be thankful that I'm not going to meet Oprah and be on her show. -- I wouldn't want to be in her sights when I go and steal all her thunder!

:-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Great Cupcake Smackdown

2010-07-11T17:35:00.001-04:00

I love my sweets. I crave sweet fattening goodness as other people crave saltiness. I'll run to all-things-sweet before I ever even consider anything remotely healthy. But if I ever look at another cupcake again ... it will be too soon! (yeah right, I say this knowing full well I could have another one tomorrow!) But after eating over 20 cupcakes in one sitting earlier today ... if I sneeze, I swear icing is going to come out my nose.

The event was called the Great Cupcake Smackdown and it was fascinating! I was blessed to be one of the judges for this restaurant/bakery competition. The event was a smashing success, held at Bradford's on Bishop in downtown, and I want to say a huge thank you to Shameeka Ayers - aka "Broke Socialite" - for putting this event together. You can follow Shameeka on twitter or on facebook, like I do, or simply go check out her fun and sassy website which is: http://www.thebrokesocialite.com/

I am hoping to collaborate with Shameeka on some future foodie events, so stay tuned! But as for today, the judges table unanimously voted for the Marie Antionette cupcake as our overall winner! It felt as though we were eating half cupcake - half creme brulee, with a flame toasted sugary top. It was addictive!

- As soon as I touch base with Shameeka ... I am going to come back and tweak this blog entry with the accurate information of winners, judges, and more pictures!

Until then ... my insides are one giant cupcake, and I'm about to go "smackdown" on my bed and let it all digest. -- After 20 cupcakes, this could take a while . . . . . Go go gadget abdomen!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Heaven at the Capital Grille

2010-07-07T12:46:00.001-04:00

I'm kicking myself for not writing this blog earlier. Last month, I was blessed to have one of the most exquisite dining experiences I've ever had here in Atlanta. The food was divine, the service was superior, and the best part about the evening ... was my tour of Italy. -- Ok, ok, California and New Zealand were also being toured, but for me personally - I could drink my way through Italy without having to try a single other wine. What I am talking about, my friends, is the Master Wine Tasting Event going on right now at the beautiful Capital Grille restaurant in Buckhead. This special event is from Jun 7-July 25. Let me just share with you what I experienced in hopes that you'll treat yourself (or a special someone) to the same edible luxury.

Master Sommelier George Miliotes (one of 170 in the world) has carefully assembled a spectacular collection of famous wines you may know and insider wines you’ll want to know from California, Europe and even Down Under. Master Miliotes selected this summer’s wines in part because they represent some of the finest vintages from each region, but also because they make for a nice study in comparing and contrasting similar grapes from vastly different regions. (see website: http://www.thecaptialgrille.com/ )

Here is how it works. You order your meal as standard. No matter how much or how little you order ... for a separate cost of only $25.00 - you can enjoy 10 of these chosen wines. Yes, ten! It's an incredible opportunity to expand your wine knowledge and tastings. My favorite, by far, was the italian wine Sella & Mosca Marchese di Villamarina, Sardinia, 2003. -- To which I later found out ... cost about $120.00 per bottle! - Yeah, leave it to me and my taste buds to love the most expensive thing on the menu. I didn't know!! - But yes, it was superb. I'm grateful I was able to enjoy several glasses of it - plus so many others, for only 25 bucks. You can't beat that! And then to top it off with my favorite meal of the year so far . . . .

I became a glutton of fine cuisine that night. I ordered the special of the evening, which was Maine Lobster stuffed with colossal lump crabmeat and steaming hot cheeses. (my mouth is salivating just thinking about it) Not to mention the deliciously thick lobster bisque as my appetizer along with calamari and hot cherry peppers. I was in heaven!

Dear God, please have the Villamarina wine ready for me to toast my arrival someday, and if you could please make sure that the Executive Chef from Capital Grille will also be coming .... ;-)

Foodies, treat yourself to the Master Wine Tasting Event at Capital Grille this month. You too will experience a little bite of heaven.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Celebrating with the Williamson Bros!

2010-07-05T17:04:00.002-04:00

I have officially reached a milestone! This past weekend was my 2 year anniversary of being on air. Yep, this July 4th holiday weekend was the first time "Dishing With Donna" was broadcasted in '08. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It started out as a 30 minute show and was pre-recorded. What that means is I would go into the radio studios around 6:30am 3 times a week. I only had 2 hours each morning to use the studio and in that time, I interviewed my guests, recorded myself, edited, produced it, and turned it in as a complete ready-to-air show. The first episode ever was my kickoff July 4th BBQ Special. I interviewed Shane Thompson of the nation's SHANE'S RIB SHACK restaurant chain, and after a high energy conversation about barbecuing and grilling tips and all sorts of fun foodie expertise ... I then gave a couple quick recipes of my own. I remember talking about how to grill the perfect corn on the cob and then trying something different for a change and baking your greenbeans in olive oil and garlic.   -- And that was it! Show #1.
Luckily for me, it was a hit! The problem was, I got way too comfortable pre-recording all my material and editing it every week to sound perfect. I didn't want to promote myself going Live on air.   - It was actually an internal struggle (comically) between me and my business partner for a long time! I was being so stubborn. - Little did I know, that going Live would actually become an addiction ... my "drug of choice", if you will. There is such a thrill for me to be on live radio!! I simply love it! Can't believe I put up such a fight for so long! (Sorry John!) These days, my program is now a full hour and yes my favorite foodies ... I AM live.  And loving it!
     This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Danny and Larry Williamson of the infamous Williamson Bros. BBQ - and we opened up the phone lines in order to let YOU GUYS ask them all your own cooking out or grilling questions. It was wonderful, the calls came flooding in, and we even had BBQ giveaways. I decided it is only fitting to keep the BBQ theme going every anniversary - and a big thank you to Dreamland BBQ of Roswell who came to be my experts last year. Even Sam Huff of BBQ-1 has gotten in on a piece of the action. -- Lastly, I produced a long montage of all my favorite clips from the past 2 years from guests who had been on the show. Clips from people like; Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Kevin Rathbun, Ted Allen, Richard Blais, Todd Rushing, Bob Tuschman, Daisy Martinez, Emily Sailers of Indigo Girls, and more ....   I worked hard on putting that little montage together, and I was proud to air it.

So here is to 2 years and counting! CHEERS!! And thank you so much for helping be a part of my growth and success. I can't have success without listeners ... so other than God being my ultimate provider, it is you guys who are making this happen!!
Cheers to you!!

Buen Provecho!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Howl on up to Wine Country

2010-06-29T10:47:00.004-04:00

I am so blessed to do the things I do for my job. I actually get to call this "work". A couple weeks ago my radio show drove up to North Georgia, just outside of Dahlonega to broadcast live from this gorgeous winery, WOLF MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS & WINERY. It was breathtaking. -- As most vineyards are, especially if you are a wine lover - like myself. It is easy to appreciate the lush rolling hills and the spectacular views and the beauty of the nature God created. At Wolf Mountain, this is such a place. Not only were the grounds absolutely beautiful .... but the winery itself and the restaurant was simply fascinating. I can't recommend it enough, especially if you have a special someone to share it with. Talk about romantic!!

My special someone's were my sponsors, We Sell Restaurants - Eric and Robin Gagnon, as well as my partner in crime, my Director of Operations - Dan Hott. We all drove the hour and a half to get into North Georgia mountains, and thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon there for the live radio broadcast. --- Which actually never happened. True! There were technical problems with the phone lines and we could not get a dedicated line to broadcast through. It was a hectic, problematic panic time of trying to make it work. I am a LIVE show, remember?? And without trying to sound cliche, the show must go on! To make a long story short .... I had to replay a back up show, and we had to reschedule the winery remote. Which was completely fine and worked out better in the end anyhow. (like I said, I'm skimming over the long story) I don't want to focus on that part because Wolf Mountain Vineyards will be coming on the show in 2 weeks from now anyhow! All is good.

So! Let's just get back to the lovely afternoon . . . . . . .

We all were treated to delicious wines (I had to force myself to stop at the 4th glass), interesting education about the specific wines and varietals from the local vineyard ... to which I was sincerely impressed at the quality of this Georgia wine, and an afternoon of euphoric relaxation.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is a family owned and operated business. Wolf Mountain's wines are produced 100% at the 1,800-foot elevations of the Dahlonega Plateau. The Estate Vineyards are home to plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tannat, and Touriga Nacional which are blended to create our Reserve Estate Red Wines. The Boegner family prides themselves on the multitude of awards they have earned across the country. My personal favorite (3 glasses worth) was the Demi-Sec white wine. - Which is crazy because I'm not even a white wine fan. So that tells you how delicious it is!

I'm very excited to have Karl and Brannon Boegner coming onto my radio show soon. Make sure you tune in and listen, but make sure you've got gas in your car ... because if you're anything like me .... you'll want to hop right in and take the scenic tour up to North Georgia mountains and treat your palate to this fine establishment. With everything from tastings, to parties, to special events, to wine classes, tours, and the exquisite restaurant -- I dare anyone to say they weren't completely satisfied!

Now, bottom's up!!!

CHEERS!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Indigo Girls eat Fried Chicken

2010-06-14T18:55:00.002-04:00

(Thank you Audrey Mangold for taking this awesome picture)

I was 16 years old. My best friend in highschool wanted me to listen to this new TAPE she had by an all girls group called the Indigo Girls. (Hi Erin!!) I was so frustrated because the songs were so "wordy" and too much like lyrical poetry. But because my friend insisted on playing this tape constantly against my will .... I quickly started catching onto the words, and before I knew it -- I was hooked! The album was "Rites of Passage". The year was 1992.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that 18 years later, I would be sitting next to Emily on my own radio show! Since I was 16, the Indigo Girls have been my personal #1 favorite music group of ALL TIME. Their music has captivated me throughout the years, knowing every word to every song of every album . . . attending atleast a dozen concerts, several of them front row . . . and because the music is such a part of me, every friend I've ever had already knows that a road trip with Donna means a road trip with the Indigo Girls!

So! With that said, I guess there's no need to explain my child-like ridiculous excitement when I received the message that Emily was going to come on my foodie show!!! I was a basket case of emotion, running around my kitchen listening to the voicemail over and over again .... as if I were 16. - I'm laughing at myself as I write this! (20 years of being a fanatic will do that to you).

In fact, here is a picture of my face as I waited on Emily (with total enthusiasm) to come up the elevators of my radio studio.

Yeah. I was a hot mess. But here's where everything changes . . . .

As soon as Emily walks in, there's such a comforting air about her. She's the furthest thing from pretentious and was happy, cheerful, positive, energetic, and very welcoming. I somehow morphed into "Ms. Professional" the moment she opened the door, and hopefully my 20 years of being a dynamite loyal fan didn't make me look like anything other than the professional radio personality that I try to be, no matter which celebrity I'm interviewing. I stayed cool, calm, collected, and ready to rock the interview! (no pun intended)

The interview was fantastic. We dished all about her restaurant in Decatur called Watershed. Joe Truex (from Repast) is the new Executive Chef and the menu is all your favorite southern dishes. Emily has grown up with a passion for food and wine and the restaurant has been opened for eleven years. (Yes, 11!) It is in the heart of downtown Decatur, just down from Parkers on Ponce (another DwD friend) and also Cakes and Ale. Watershed has grown into a wine focused restaurant with a style all its own. Emily can often be found there as long as she is in town.
During the interview, not only did we have a light hearted "Top Ten Q&A", her favorite recipe, updated info on all things Indigo Girls, and Watershed information galore ..... but my favorite part of the entire interview??? A live performance!!! Emily graced us with her music, singing 'Watershed' live on air - the namesake of her restaurant.

The whole show was full of energy and laughter. And despite being an Indigo Girl, we definitely focused mostly on food topics, which was so great to learn another side of Emily. We learned that both Emily and I are from a family of four daughters, both of us being second in the lineup. She is a graduate of Shamrock Highschool (although I'll forgive her for that) and we loved and hated all the same foods. -- Crazy!! For those of you who tuned in and listened, I'm not sure if you could pick up on my giddy demeanor and fumbling over some words ... which is not like me .... but please just remember, this moment was a 20 year long build up of anticipation! As much as I have loved meeting Paula Deen and having dinner with Ted Allen and so many other favorite Food Network faces ..... for me, Emily took the cake. It was good to feel 16 again.

And now that we're sisters from another mister, you can definitely find me hanging out over at Watershed! And don't forget to buy the upcoming Holiday album by the Indigo Girls. - Their first holiday album ever.

..... I've got 'Romeo and Juliet' playing in the background. I think I'm gonna make me some fried chicken (her best seller) and crank up the volume!
Maybe I'll invite Emily on my next road trip ..... I wonder if she jams to her own CD's?!?!? Man, that would be a trip!!!
(Ha! Get it??? - Trip . . . . )

TV Never Tasted So Good!

2010-06-09T11:53:00.003-04:00

It's the new season of "THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR"!!! My favorite competition show!! Don't get me wrong all you Top Chef fans .... that is a very close second. Maybe my first and a half favorite show. But since I personally know the most important judge, Bob Tuschman, on The Next Food Network Star, and have had many personal conversations with so many of the Food Network faces who appear on the show as well . . . . . I have to be loyal and say that this is the best show ever! Since I still have not succumbed to TiVo yet, I am therefore glued to the tv on Sunday nights again and I've got double the enthusiasm this year because Atlanta has 2 finalists competing head to head to win the coveted prize of winning their OWN SHOW on Food Network and becoming a famous star! Hence the name "The Next Food Network Star" ... which I will now be referring to as NFNS throughout this blog. (probably a no brainer, but that's for the skimmers!)

Last year - funny story - Senior Vice President of Food Network Programming and also Judge on NFNS, Bob Tuschman, came onto my show for the second time that season to discuss the building anticipation as it was wrapping up to the Final 4. Our Atlanta finalist, Jamika Pessoa, got so close! I was rooting for her all along of course. But Bob asked me a question, on air, and he asked "So Donna, who do you want to win??" -- Now, please keep in mind that the recording of the show had already wrapped a couple months beforehand. Everyone involved is basically contracted to keep all details a secret. So Bob already knows who wins the whole shabang and the finale has already been taped, edited, and ready to air for quite some time. He knows I don't know! And he won't tell me. So I blurt out there ... with such style ... (yeah right) ... "I don't care who wins as long as it isn't that Melissa woman. I cannot believe I'm still having to watch her! How has she made it to the Final Four???? I mean really, c'mon!"

-- Yeah. She won. If you watch the Food Network, then you know her from her hit show, "10 Dollar Dinners with Melissa D'Arabian". Yep! That was me and my big mouth. What do I know!

But Guy Fieri also got his fame and fortune by winning Season 2 of NFNS. Aaron of "Big Daddy's House" won Season 4. And now .... season 6 just began!! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Atlanta's very own BRIANNA JENKINS & HERB MESA!

(and me). Both Brianna and Herb came on my radio show this past weekend to discuss the premiere of NFNS and they're individual experiences going through the auditioning process and then the craziness of the first competition! With the help of the one and only, princess of Food Network - Giada, these two characters got to show off their personality as well as their culinary talent. - Unlike Kevin Gillespie, Hector Santiago, Richard Blais, or even Eli Kirshtein ... neither Brianna nor Herb own their own restaurants. Instead, they successfully work for themselves as personal chefs, caterers, teaching cooking classes, and still so much more! In Herb's case ... he is a personal trainer too. He's got two definitions for meat! ;-)

It was a pleasure meeting both of them. They each have so much energy and charisma and spunk, I could have kept talking to them for hours! I laughed out loud when Brianna told the story of how Herb was just "one of the girls" from day one, walking in with his animal print bags ...... luckily, his wife is also a big fan.

Go check out your Georgia Food Network stars and see their pictures, read their bios, and learn about their culinary expertise at http://www.foodnetwork.com/ Watch THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR every Sunday night at 9:00pm. This first premeire episode last weekend had both Brianna and Herb looking strong one minute ... and needing improvement the next. They both sailed past elimination ... which means, more weeks to watch our hopefuls grow better and better and sharper and sharper. With their larger-than-life personalities ... let's see what the world has in store for them!

( I think I should host the show. Move over Giada .... Dishy is on her way!!!)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Hungry Heroes

2010-06-04T17:41:00.001-04:00

The Pentagon recently created a 26 page recipe for "bombproof" brownies. This recipe was published by the Department of Defense and isn't referred to as a recipe .... but a formula. It has become an internet sensation for news outlets, bloggers, and even twitter users. But where did the need for "bombproof" brownies come from??

Food is probably the last thing we think about when discussing a war. But what exactly do those soldiers eat when they're stuck in a trench out in the middle of a jungle for weeks on end?? How is the food delivered? How is it prepared and saved? How often do they even get to eat? What are the edible options? How has it changed throughout the history of wars??

Well, my favorite foodies, I have many of these answers for you. Last week for my special Memorial Day radio show, I covered all of these questions. I have to admit, I was pretty fascinated as I conducted all my research. In fact, I became so engrossed in studying this information that it completely consumed me for several days. There is no possible way for me to share all the historical information I collected. So in this blog, I will simply highlight certain aspects that I found most intriguing. However I do encourage you to look online for even more information which can satisfy your own hungry curiosity. But again, please note - I am not covering every war and these are only highlights. - So let's embrace Memorial Day from a foodie perspective.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. First observed on May 30, 1868 - the tradition began by placing flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Yet the south refused to acknowledge the holiday until after World War 1 because they didn't want to share the holiday with the north.   (talk about holding a grudge!)

CIVIL WAR:   Food historians claim that the north generally ate better than the south. Certain packing companies chose only to send food to the Union armies during the Industrial Revolution. In the south, plantation owners ate very differently from their slaves, as you could probably suspect. However, the slaves still ate better than what our pre-conceived notions may think. For example, it was quite common for workers who completed their duties early to be released to go hunt and fish for themselves - keeping whatever they wanted. Many slave women were allowed to plant their own vegetable gardens in their own quarters. The birth of "soul food" came from a combination of the rations slaves were given from their masters mixed with whatever they could grow, hunt, or catch for themselves.
The state of Georgia itself had considerably lower prices on their food distribution and sales than any other southern state. For example, bacon could be bought for 2 cents. Rice was at 4 cents. Sugars sold for 25 cents. Soda was popular at 25 cents. Molassas at 50 cents. Peas, which were in great demand, sold in large quantities for 85 cents.   (all prices subject to weight and quantity)
Perserving foods and canning foods became popular during the Civil War for the first time.

WORLD WAR I:   Sadly, food alone was considered a luxury for the soldiers trapped in trenches. Eating hot food or even warmed food was next to impossible. Food was strictly rationed and restricted. The British historically receieved meals that far outweighed the quality and quantity of the food the Germans received. While the German armies were fed mostly bread, potatoes and vegetables only ..... the British were served cheeses, jams, spices, breads, butter, oatmeal, tobacco, tea, chocolate, and even rum!

WORLD WAR II:   In spring of 1942, food rationing for civilians was put into motion. This drastically changed the American way of life. Rationing was introduced to avoid public outrage due to shortages and wealthy favoritism. In 1943, it was nationally mandatory for families to register for "Buying Cards". This started with the Sugar Buying Cards. In today's standards, this would be like a coupon book. But government mandated. Other rationing methods were also active. Stamping became a way of life. Red Stamp rationing covered all meats, butter, fats and oils. Blue Stamp rationing covered canned food, fruits and veggies, beans and soups. Ration stamps morphed into 'currency' with every American family being issued a "War Ration Book". (can you imagine our government suddenly telling us today what we can and cannot buy at the grocery store??) Unfortunately, this extended into rationing clothing, gas, and oil.
What was the side effect??   The Black Market. The 3 most popular items on the Black Market were meat, sugar, and gasoline.

VIETNAM:    One word. Spam. Period. If the soldiers were not eating spam, then it was usually powdered rations instead. ("just add water")   This was seen in spaghetti, rice, chile, and sometimes chicken. The Navy and the Air Force almost always ate the best. These branches often had the "luxury" of having access to a mess hall or dining facility. While the Army and Marines would go weeks at a time buried deep in the jungles barely surviving off a can of spam.

=======================================

The list of wars and information continue on and on. I even found recipes online from the wives of Confederate soldiers. My favorite was a hushpuppy-like recipe called "Confederate Johnnie Cake". I wish I had more room and more time to write. But if any of this interested you .... it's only the tip of the ice berg!
Regardless of our foodie opinions . . . . something else jumped out at me while researching this material. I wanted to share it. It is the perfect reminder of why we honor Memorial Day.

In 1915, Moina Michael wrote this poem:

WE CHERISH TOO, THE POPPY RED
THAT GROWS ON FIELDS WHERE VALOR LED,
IT SEEMS TO SIGNAL TO THE SKIES
THAT BLOOD OF HEROES NEVER DIES.

(to my grandfathers, my uncle, and many of my friends ..... this was for you.)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

My favorite VETERAN

2010-06-01T18:36:00.002-04:00

For Memorial Day, I was tearfully proud to introduce my grandfather - Navy Petty Officer Donzell Geddie of World War II - to come talk with me on my radio show about the food rationing and experiences of his war era. At almost 90 years young, my grandfather ("Grandaddy") fascinated listeners with a personal account of spam dinners and waiting for the ships to bring in their once-in-a-blue-moon treat ... steak. He also told the story of how he and his fellow navy men would sit on their boats close to the shore of Papau New Guinea and watch as the tribal natives would feast on beetle-nut and other questionable foods. As other military branches were being served merely potatoes and bread, my grandfather got to eat lots of hot dogs, which I thought was humorous.

He didn't sound nervous at all, even after saying "Well it's only taken me 90 years to get on the radio". I tell my grandfather all the time that he is going to live forever and he's not allowed to leave me. But deep in my heart, I know that this was a moment for me to share with him that I will personally treasure even after he's gone.

He still loves to cook! He cooks every single day. In these pictures, I am walking him through my easy-step dessert cobbler. He chose fried apple. His favorite.

(Yes. We ARE blood related. This is not a joke. I know the coloring looks 'off'. --- I lean much more to my father's side of the family. The Puerto Rican side! Hence, I'm brown. My mother? - Looks like these up-to-no-gooders!) ;-)
I cannot thank our fellow men and women in the service enough for their valor, courage, patriotism, and willingness to protect me, protect you, and protect our country. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE YOU. Past or present, the honor lives on through the ages. My grandfather bravely served in World War II, and now I have friends serving overseas this very moment. (wonder what they're eating ....) So in honor of Memorial Day Weekend, I devoted my entire radio program around the food economy, rations, and recipes from all the different wars America fought in throughout history. It was fascinating!! I'm going to attempt another blog on the information I aired during the show. -- It's alot of 411.
Oh!!!! And one more thing . . . . . . . .

Yeah. That means me. ;-)

Salsa - Not The Food

2010-05-28T09:58:00.001-04:00

Well here is a complete sidebar blog for ya! For those of you who don't already know, I am a jack of all trades and a master at none. I have been blessed with a wide array of talents and throughout my life, I have worked around almost every one of those oddity skills. For example .... I have been a swim team coach, a soft ball coach, professional make up artist, a dance instructor, a counselor for foster children, tv news production assistant, a hair stylist, a model scout, a childrens book author (still waiting to be published), an advertising sales guru, and did I mention . . . . radio talk show host?? ;-)
But of all the things I have randomly done or accomplished throughout my ecclectic lifetime, one thing in particular is a passion above the rest. A passion that burns in my blood. A passion that I wish I could devote more time to. - That passion is DANCING. I have performed and competed on a professional level of Latin Dance. When I lived in Miami and dance was how I made my living, I was trained on how to be an instructor. Once evolving into a dance instructor - not just a performer - I truly found my niche! I immediately realized that instructing is my sweet spot. I am a better dance instructor than I am a dancer. By far. (isn't it weird how that works??)

I have been asked to come and teach Salsa classes every week at this new hip Soho studio in downtown historic Roswell, called STREET STUDIO, which was just featured on the front page of the AJC's Living section. If you are interested in taking any of my classes .... please check out the information!
http://streetdancestudio.org/atlanta-dance/street-studio-grooves/new-ballroom-salsa-couples-series-classes/

. . . . I'm thinking of a way to incorporate Salsa dance with Salsa food. Hmmmm. Maybe I should throw a dance party where the entrance fee is your special salsa recipe or sample! I could call it, SALSA FOR SALSA! - Not a shabby idea. We'll have a nice little mixer of dancers and foodies! Love it already!

Would love to meet you. So step away from that kitchen, and come see me on the dance floor!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Mouth of the South

2010-05-26T12:29:00.000-04:00

Oklahoma City is the "fattest" city in all of America, according to a recent news report on msn. Followed by 3 southern cities; Birmingham, Memphis, and Louisville. I didn't appreciate the stigma that this report is giving to all 'us southerners'. Other than Oklahoma City, the south is fat!   ... "The south will rise again!!" ... Did they mean - on the scale??
This report has encouraged me not to be a statistic and to attempt to get back on my fitness program. As my followers already know, I put myself on what I "endearingly" call - a nazi diet. Trying to gear up for bathing suit season, 3 months ago - I started a personal training regime. Which, by the way, I was not looking forward to. I'm very much results-driven, but not necessarily driven to do what it takes to get to the results. Hey, at least I'm honest! My goal was 30 pounds in 3 months. (yeah, right). I am one week away from the 3 month mark, and I've lost a total of 12 pounds. Um . . . . not even half of my goal! At first, I enjoyed blaming my trainer. I didn't think he was pushing me hard enough and we weren't getting along personally either. We had very different opinions about what would work! Of course, I thought I was right. What's new. But then eventually I had to swallow a thick chunk of humble pie (- mmmmm, pie -) and admit that I was not the professional. I agreed to shut that big hole in my face and finally do whatever he said. AND, shutting that hole in my face was also directed towards food as well. - The 'diet' part of dieting is where my frustrations explode.   I LOVE FOOD!!! I am a food host for a profession, for crying out loud! - You want me to only eat veggies and proteins???   Really??? - You can't possibly be serious.   I'm a Puerto Rican Southern Belle who obsesses over Italian.   Does any word of that sound like I would be okay with an imprisoned meal plan??   - Survey Says ..... NO.
However, as I mentioned, I decided to throw down the gauntlet and test this trainer's theory. A trainer who I referred to as 'Caveman' for the whole first month. But sure enough, I dropped 10 lbs suprisingly quick. I looked at the scale with wonderment. I hated to admit it at first, but he was right! -- It motivated me! It excited me! It energized me!   ..... It starved me. I was at a crossroads. Do I continue to deny my foodie responsibilites but lose the weight .... or do I enjoy the foods that make me happy, but stay inside a thick girl's body?? What to do what to do. For those of you reading this, if you've ever struggled with your weight before, then you know the frustrations I'm talking about. Amen?? And if you are blessed to be fit naturally ... well ... you can kiss my grits!    (Mmmmmm, grits)
Oooh! Sidebar -- Dogwood Restaurant in downtown across from the Fox Theatre has the most amazing flight of grits on their menu! They call it the "Grits Bar". Delish!!
Back on track -- so my whole point here is, my 3 months are up. For those of you who have been following my progress  (or lack thereof) I officially lost 12 lbs in 3 months. - Not bad, but not good either. Today was the first time I've worked out pretty hard in a while. I will admit, the gym and I are not friends. I would rather be out running on a hiking trail in the woods instead of on a boring machine of torture. However! I did go to the gym today. I pushed myself really hard. And I walked out of there drenched in sweat, probably smelly, and with my muscles aching already.   - And ladies and gentlemen .... it felt fantastic!!
Unfortuantely, Caveman has found another cave. My trainer - who I can now call my friend and he knows I'm just playing - was offered an incredible ownership position at a new gym in Sandy Springs. So as much as I need him to help me finish off these other 18 lbs, I found myself today channeling my inner Cavewoman. Dieting is not easy. In fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever tried to do.   And it irritates me. I CRAVE pizza and french fries on a daily basis. (Go to MAX'S by Centennial Olympic Park for the best pizza in Atlanta!!)   But I actually bought a naughty little bathing suit, which I totally do not fit into at the moment,   and hung it up on my dresser mirror.   Staring at that thing has lit a new fire under my bum.   So join me (again) in my Part II of the nazi diet. Any suggestions or recipes you could offer me would be so helpful and welcomed!

Oklahoma, congratulations on being the fattest city in America. As for me, time to shut my pie hole!
(Mmmmm, did I mention I love pie?!?!)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Kessler in a Crisis

2010-05-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

John Kessler had my pulse racing. There's a first time for everything, and this was the first time in history that I thought I was going to be stood up by my guest on show day. And not only stood up .... but stood up Live on air!!! Ever heard of that saying "the show must go on?" I have now experienced that definition too up close and personal. - John Kessler, AJC famous food columist, was my featured guest on yesterday's radio show. We've been so excited to have him come on and have been promoting it like crazy! In case you are not aware, he is quite a local staple here in the Atlanta food scene. His name is both feared and respected throughout restaurants everywhere. So I knew we would have so much to talk about when he came onto the show. .... That is, if he made it.

I wasn't sure at first because the program is Live at 2:00. At 1:59, I was about to panic. The entire content circled around his interview to kickstart the show, and Kessler was nowhere to be found. And I'm sorry, but I had NO BACK UP PLAN. It's not every day you think your guest is going to forget you. - At that moment, I realized I hadn't checked my email all day. When I quickly pulled it up ... AS THE MUSIC BEGAN TO PLAY ... I saw that Kessler had emailed me from his blackberry saying that he was stuck in road work traffic and there were major delays! I had to stall.

Stall???? It's live radio! Really??

With relief running through my blood finally, by the sheer grace of God, I had my sponsors already in studio and we were able to thankfully go ahead and chat with them in the first segment instead. So all was fixed. Whew! . . . . . or so I thought.

Ten minutes go by. Commercial Break #1. My sponsors are done with their segment, and we will be back on air again in 3 minutes. - Still no Kessler. -- What???? Now the second wave of panic starts to grow. We called and found out that he was just down the street, but even then, the traffic was barely creeping. It could take another ten minutes. So! Atleast knowing he was almost here, I was able to calm my nerves - but now the music is coming back up again and I have nothing prepared to talk about without Kessler! What was I going to do for another ten minutes of live talk time?? -- I was told to do what I do best .... jabber! Luckily, I can do that. But under such pressure!??! So I actually pulled up this very blog on my program screen in the studio, and started discussing my previous blog entry about becoming a professional food critic. It fit quite nicely into a great fly by the seat of my pants introduction, because without any notice .... in flies Kessler like a long haired tornado, blows right past me, jumps into his seat, throws on his headphones, and says 'ready'! - All in about one nanosecond.

Normally I would never ever ever put up a picture like this of me laughing so hysterically (Come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about! Not exactly 'pretty') - but it just truly catches the moment. I guess you had to be there to truly appreciate this story .... the panic .... the stress .... the drama ..... and then the whirling tazmanian devil entrance to break the tension! It really was hilarious. And it all happened on live radio.
Needless to say, once engrossed in conversation --- John Kessler was one of my absolute favorite and best interviews of all time. He was effortless to talk to and we laughed, swapped stories, found out what truly disgusts him in restaurants as well as his own kitchen disaster stories and even unspeakable animal body parts he has had to eat before! It was fantastic. In fact, there was such good chemistry going on that I've invited him to come back as often as he wants to. I even had someone call in and admit "I don't know who this man is, but I'm loving this interview!"

We are uploading this interview on Facebook if you'd like to watch the video. Unfortunately we did not have the camera rolling when he came bursting in the studio, because my Director of Operations was downstairs letting Kessler in the building instead. - Shoot, that would have been priceless. (although, he is probably thankful!) I want to officially thank John Kessler for being my most witty, colorful, intriguing, and enjoyable guest. And I look forward to more unpredictable tazmanian moments!

(oh, and yes - I am a victim of airbrushing.)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

A Degree in Food Criticism

2010-05-20T13:26:00.002-04:00

I couldn't be more excited about my next radio program this upcoming weekend! I have the one and only, feared yet respected, John Kessler of the AJC coming on air and we are going to get up close and personal. I had the absolute pleasure of having lunch with John last week in Dunwoody at the E. 48th Street Market (go read his blog), which was quaint and lovely. To my surprise, he whipped out his camera phone and was taking pictures left and right from start to finish. - I loved it, because it was so under the radar and yet he was quick and effortless about it. Never missing a beat of our conversation. I'm not sure what I exactly expected John Kessler to be like in a one-on-one personal situation ... I will say on a sidebar that I have met several uppity food critics who act as if they built the restaurant industry with their own two hands ... but I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by John with a huge friendly smile, a casual air, and a humble non-aggressive personality that just made the whole dining experience so comfortable and enjoyable. (- is that enough adjectives for ya in one sentence??) Because he is so interesting and so easy to talk to.... I am looking forward to our radio interview this weekend all the more.

Furthermore, meeting John Kessler motivated me to learn more about what it takes to rise to the top as a professional food critic. - So I did some homework!   (and no, ladies and gentleman -- I am not a food critic. I'm a host who interviews those who are.) So! After some research, I decided to share with you the information I learned. What DOES it take to become a food critic?? -- Other than having a large appetite and a big mouth.

1.) DEVELOP STELLAR WRITING SKILLS AS A REPORTER. - You may have the most acute and trained palate in the world, but if you cannot communicate your skills effectively and properly .... then you could easily be discriminated against as a poor source for judgement - even if your food knowledge outweighs that of a well known food critic. Taking journalism classes is a strong recommendation, or even English courses to strengthen writing skills.
2.) MUST BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS. - It is very practical for a food critic to have previous restaurant experience, especially behind the scenes. At the very least, you should know how the industry operates from the front of the house to the back of the kitchen. It's not just about the food ... it's about the industry as a whole. Educate yourself. Surround yourself in the restaurant operating business.
3.) TEST THE LIMITS OF YOUR PALATE.   - To be a legitimate food critic, you must have an eager and adventurous palate. Be prepared and willing to taste every kind of food and drink in every culture cuisine. This may require you stepping out of your comfort zone and being brave. But that is where the adventursome palate comes in to play. No matter how strange or how foreign, go ahead and try anything that you come across and then record your opinions as descriptively as you can. Think of it as training your tastebuds, as you would train for a sport. You must "exercise" the limits of your palate.
4.) BECOME A FOOD EXPERT.   - Your goal should be to know the most, to taste the most, to experience the most, to appreciate the most, and to continually learn the most. A few tips on how to accomplish this is actually quite simple. a) Study cookbooks. b) Travel c) Learn how to cook yourself with a variety of cuisines and levels d) Build your culinary vocabulary! e) Know wine. Take classes f) Find your niche and immerse yourself in your chosen foodie field. Such as: desserts, pastas, italian vs. french, etc... g) Take every opportunity to go to food festivals, wine festivals, cooking demonstrations, foodie events, etc...
5.) RESEARCH OTHER FOOD CRITICS AND CHEFS.   - This is a given. Every career should know their competitors and allies. Period. Compare other writing skills, techniques and subject matter.
6.) WRITE REVIEWS.   - Practice writing a review. Or volunteer to do it for a local paper or even websites. When writing reviews, it's good advice to take friends with you and collect different impressions. Pay close attention to the ambience and service. Make a mental checklist of everything you would want to read about in someone else's review or what is important to you. Try not to bring attention to yourself. Failing to maintain anonymity will impact and interfere with the overall genuine experience.
7.) CREATE A PORTFOLIO OF YOUR ARTICLES.   -- Food critics must have an active collection of your work. Schedule writing at least one article/review per week to start off with. Consider writing a Blog. Editors will expect to see mulitple examples of your work across an entire platform of food, wine, restaurants, chefs, festivals, food trends, etc...
8.) APPLY TO NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES REGARDING FOOD COLUMNS.   - A large part of any food critic's life is writing for newspapers. Be prepared to start at the very bottom and work your way up. Take any job/story that they assign you. The freedom to write whatever you want will come later, higher up the ladder. Landing a writing job will require your own hardwork and efforts in the steps already listed above.

So to all my favorite foodies ... whether you want to become a feared, respected, and powerful food critic as John Kessler is known to be, or simply want to expand your personal culinary and industry knowledge ... then here's a quick list of some ideas to get you moving in the right direction.   (thank you to WIKIHOW for providing this list. - which I slightly improvised)    Great starting point!

Unfortuantely for me .... I'm the world's pickiest eater. I officially disqualify myself due to Step #3.
;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Italy-Florence-Tuscany-Atlanta

2010-05-19T11:30:00.003-04:00

This blog is way overdue. My apologies to the readers .... as you just read in my Holy Computer entry, I have been without a computer for quite some time and let me tell you something -- I don't know how society ever functioned without them! I have felt lost, helpless, powerless, and have thrown a pity-party more than once. - But alas, my computer has been returned and I'm back to the land of technology. Finally!   (will write more on this experience soon) (and MAN, has it been an experience!)

However, I am officially behind in my blogging now. So I will be playing catch up over the next few days.    MMmmm. Ketchup. Which means french fries. Mmmm.
-- Woops! Just had vision of what I remember those tasting like . . . . . . dang diet. (more on that to come too!)
Ok Donna. Focus.
ITALY. The one place on this beautiful planet that I dream of visiting someday. The one place that I have visions of going to for the scenery, the wine, and of course .... the food. My favorite. Italian. Which, as I've mentioned before, is so strange that I obsess over italian food because my heritage is actually Puerto Rican and Sweet South American. But yet - it's italian food that my palate craves. Go figure.  So I love searching out restaurants with authentic italian cuisine. I'm not knocking on Olive Garden and other restaurant chains (ok, well maybe I am) but that is NOT authentic italian food. Don't fool yourself. And more often than not, the small quaint unassuming restaurants are the best places to dine if you're looking for quality of food.
That's exactly what I delighted in when I found TAVERNA FIORENTINA. The most incredible Tuscan food I've found in my searching.  In fact, I was in such foodie bliss that I decided to bring the owners onto my show!

Taverna Fiorentina is located in the Vinings, tucked away in a little shopping plaza area.

I loved it immediately. Paolo Tondo is part owner and brings homemade recipes straight from Tuscany, which is his hometown. You want to talk about authentic??? Just try to talk to him . . . his accent is so thickly italian that it was almost difficult just to understand what he was trying to say in english. He oversees the culinary expertise of his restaurant with an accute talent for cuisine. I was in foodie heaven.
Jasmin Reyes is the house-Sommalier, although she is currently receiving several other wine titles as well. Growing up at her family's winery in Spain, Jasmin has had superior knowledge of wines since she was a child. Her deep appreciation and expertise has allowed her to be the other co-owner of Taverna Fiorentina. This powerful culinary duo marry their skills and palates together to create a cuisine that is beyond italian compare. - Not to sound like a commercial, but if you are craving delicious unique authentic italian food ... then jump over to the Vinings and get lost in Tuscany!! Because ladies and gentlemen, Florence has a new zip code!
Also joining us for the wine portion of my radio show was Todd Rushing of Concentrics Restaurant Group. He is a friend of DwD and a welcomed regular. Todd was excited to talk about seasonal Rose's and how to pair them with the dishes of Taverna Fiorentina. - We even discussed what wines to pair with Rabbit.

If you are interested in dining in Italy -- I mean, Taverna Fiorentina -- ;-) -- then feel free to snag a Half Off gift certificate from my website. It's my 50% Off program. Just for you guys. Whether you eat the black eyed pea ravioli or the shaved octopus with lemon .... you are in for a treat!

And you don't even need a passport.

click for their website

click here to purchase a 50% Off Gift Certificate to Taverna Fiorentina

Now did somebody say french fries?

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

My Holy Computer

2010-05-12T17:23:00.001-04:00

Ok. I am giving you the heads up, this will not be an entry about food. However! Let me tease your appetite for something still fulfilling. Rather than be stuffed in the gut, how about being stuffed in the spirit. God works in mysterious ways my friends - and sometimes it isn't even about us, but that we are being used to fill someone else's prayer. Right? Well in this particular case, I'd like to introduce you to . . . . . . my computer. I'm personifying it because quite frankly, it's been possessed.
Last week I suffered the dreaded Trojan Horse Virus - my horse was on steroids - and literally sat and watched as it ate away my hard drive bite by bite, file by file. After a couple days of desperately trying to perform microchip CPR, I had to finally close my eyes and accept that my computer has flatlined.   -- It was more than a death. It was a murder.
Those viruses are planted by people you know! And I'm just going to go ahead and say it out loud .... THAT IS JUST PLAIN EVIL!!   Evil people!
I have experiened all 5 of psychology's "Stages of Grief". 1) Denial. You think it would dawn on me to call a PC Repair place BEFORE the damage continued to escalate. But nope. Not me. I was in denial that this could be fatal. Hmph! I could fix it! 2) Anger. Um .... that is an understatement! I hope all those trojan soldiers get their own hard drives nuked! 3) Bargaining. This was done repeatedly several times on a rotating 10 second schedule. "Please just save all my work documents and I promise never to sin again!"   4) Depression. I cried. I did, I admit it. - I lost everything. Everything! I have no more pictures. (years and years worth). I have no more data. No more work documents. Not a single work file. No resume. No paperwork. No history of anything. Gone. All of it. Forever.   -- Yeah. I cried.   5) Acceptance.   . . . . . . . . not there yet!

So. Time to find a PC Repair place. This is the part where God comes in. I had the crazy idea that perhaps there would be a business out there who would be willing to ressurrect my crucified computer, even if it takes a miracle, in exchange for some advertising on my radio station. I thought it was a shot in the dark, but my father always taught me that it never hurts to ask. - Here goes nothing -
My business partner, Dan Hott, was kind enough to make me a list of all the local repair places around me. I called the first one and there was no answer. I called over and over and over but no one would pick up. - Weird. I kept persisting on this particular place because it's where he got HIS computer fixed not too long ago (although his didn't have the Headless Horseman's Trojan Nightmare Virus) - but atleast it was a good way to get my foot in the door. Finally I just had to give up though. They 'oddly' never picked up. So later, I called the second business on the random list. A gentleman named Britt answered the phone from US Gaming Center. After we spoke for a bit, he said YES to the trade and I thought I had just won the lottery!   But here's the chilling part . . . . . Britt tells me that he and his wife (also business partner) have been praying for an opportunity like this! He tells me that they have spent so much money on expanding their facility and doing all these amazing things (tell ya that in a second) but they didn't have any extra money available for advertising, and had been praying for God to help them find a way to still get exposure.
HELLO!! Not only that, but he continues on to say how unbelievably strange this is because his store was not yet opened for the day. He had some emergency where he had to be at the store despite the fact that it was closed.   ---- And then here comes my call.

When I got there later and met the lovely wife, she shares with me some of her faith and her favorite radio station is 104.7 The Fish. -- Mine too!! It all just "fit".  And I took a big swallow of humble pie. -- Here I am frantic about my own situation and blinded by my own selfishness, and yet all along - maybe God meant for us all to help each other. And that what I bring to the table can be used to help someone else and their needs too. (not that I appreciate losing my computer to help someone else, lol, but I get the bigger picture) It's awesome to see how the web works! Miracles happen everyday. In the midst of our chaos and drama and schedules and responsibilites and clutter . . . . we often miss the quiet hand of God, orchestrating little webs of favor all around us. Start paying closer attention.   - You'll see!

THANK YOU U.S. GAMING CENTER!!!!

--- I will be writing more on U.S Gaming Center next! Stay tuned to Part 2.
I'm waiting to get my computer back . . . . . let's see what happens!   (- or doesn't)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Paula Deen's Dressing Room . . . .

2010-05-06T10:59:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of watching Paula Deen get her hair and makeup done while I was privately hanging out with her in her dressing room.

. . . . Well. Sort of.
The lovely Ginny McCormack (see "Cooking With Energy" blog post) offered me complimentary tickets to the Metropolitan Cooking Show held at the Cobb Galleria Center where Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batali were there for entertainment cooking demonstrations. What a day I had!! I did not receive any passes to go into the very expensive private show of Paula Deen. My free tickets were general admission only, to the vast array of vendors and booths. But little did they know .... I was on a mission!!   Oh yeah, I was NOT leaving there without getting to meet Paula Deen. Period.   She has been on my radio show several times in the past, and the last time was just recently - along with her Atlanta cousin, the charming Johnnie Gabriel of Gabriel's Desserts in Marietta. Johnnie (long time friend of the DwD Show) was also determined to help me meet her cousin Paula. Boy, she was on the phone with Paula's publicist, her manager, and even her bodyguard! (Hi Hollis!) (-- her bodyguard.)    But nothing seemed to be working.   Paula was just too busy. Even Johnnie couldn't make anything happen, despite her continuous efforts.
-- So! I knew it was time to take matters into my own hands. Operation Deen was underway!
My business partner (Dan Hott) found the woman who was in charge of the entire Metropolitan Cooking Show, racing around with a walkie talkie. I charged right up to her, mid run, and spouted off quickly about who I was and if there was any chance I could "poke my head into the private Celebrity Cooking Theater", even though I didn't have a ticket. Well to my surprise, she simply said - "Follow me".
Next thing I knew, at warp speed, she was walking us right up to the front row of the entire theater!! Passing a million security guards and ticket takers.   - I admit, it made me feel good and even pretty dang excited.
Oddly, we chose however to sit way in the back. And good thing we did, because next thing that happens is a large friendly man comes and sits back there next to us. (we were kinda in a hang out area) Turns out ... it's Paula's direct business partner!! He was quite talkative and seemed intrigued with our conversation. After he learned that Paula has been on my show several times WITH Johnnie .... he insisted that we must meet her!    (Hello! Thank you God!) Sure enough, when Paula was finished with her hour on stage ---- absolutely hysterical by the way, talking more about wetting her pants every time she sneezes, coughs, laughs, or farts (her words!) (her EXACT words were, "I'm at that age where I dribble pee-pee alot!) and now has to wear Depends ---- but that's beside the point. She was a raging ball of laughter .... and when it was all over, she was rushed quickly by an entourage of staff from one room to the next, like a tornado. Even her business partner couldn't get close to her.
It looked like my chances were slowly fading away as time kept passing. Johnnie couldn't get through to her either! I was doomed!
. . . . Until . . . . Hollis.   Hollis the Bodyguard. - Hollis was guarding Paula's dressing room a couple hours later and after putting on the charm (thick-style!) the man actually poked his head in for us and asked if Paula could see me really quick.    Lo and behold ... Hollis comes back out and says "OK!"
Next thing I know - I'm being escorted into Paula's dressing room and there she is.   Her head is unable to move because she's got her makeup artist busy working on her face, and her hairdresser right behind her with his hands all in her hair and spraying enough hair spray to collapse our Ozone layer.    -- I introduced myself and whether she remembered exactly who I was or not, she played it off like she had known me for years.   She was grasping onto a pack of cigarrettes for dear life (I didn't know she smoked) and was trying to talk to me through lipstick applications.   It was actually quite comical. We took some pictures and then Hollis walked me back out.
I was beaming!!!
I think I'm still beaming.   :-)   What a little adventure! It was a moment any foodie could appreciate. I think I almost pee'd in MY pants!

Operation Deen = mission completed.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

What is it like to be Ryan Seacrest?

2010-05-03T19:37:00.003-04:00

For those of you who do not know ... Ryan Seacrest is an Atlanta native. Yep! If you're around your mid 30's and have grown up around town, then you could have very well been sitting next to Mr. American Idol and had no idea. Ryan is a graduate of Dunwoody Highschool. His parents still live in Dunwoody and have always been very community-friendly. And here's something else I bet you didn't know .... every morning at the highschool, someone would come over the loud speaker to give all the annoucements to the school.   That would be Ryan. Also, a certain young student just happened to land a job on-air at Star 94 while in highschool. That would also be Ryan. -- His dream? To be a famous radio host.

Everyone has a dream! And everyone has to start somewhere.   Ryan got his start in highschool ... being the voice of entertainment. I got MY start quite a bit later of course, but I have a dream nonetheless! If gawky Ryan Seacrest from Dunwoody, Georgia can rise to global stardom --- then shoot, why can't any of us do the same thing!?!?!?! Everyone has different dreams, but for me - my dream mirrors that of Ryan Seacrest. He just got to it before me! (little bugger!)
Hosting a radio show is not easy.   It looks like fun on the outside, but there's so much more that goes into it than what the outside world perceives.   (-- which I'm sure is true for most any job).    The preparation is so time consuming, and post production can last for ungodly hours on end.   For example, I was couped up in a tiny studio all by myself for 9 hours . . . . NINE HOURS STRAIGHT . . . . just to edit/produce 15 minutes worth of sample footage for the Food Network.   9 hours!

And there is definitely 'study time' too. For example, I hosted the Taste of Marietta recently, and if you saw me on stage --- it looked like I was just having a good ole time chatting away and having fun with the audience. -- But that's what over-preparing does .... it makes your job look effortless. I spent hours studying the Bio's of every person I had to introduce and talk about all throughout the day. I had to know their personal information as well as their business information forwards and backwards. I had to study their recipes for the day and know those backwards and forwards (21 recipes to be exact) - and I have to be able to talk about them just as naturally as if they were my own recipes. I had to study the sponsors and know their businesses and specific information. I was handed lists of last minute information only moments before going on stage and be expected to talk about that stuff from memory too. I had to study 5 pages of food trivia and memorize most of those. I'm expected to stay energetic, happy, and entertaining ... even when I'm exhausted, hot, and miserable.

--- Not that I'm complaining!!!! I love what I do and I am so very blessed.   Luckily, I'm living my dream.   This IS my passion. This IS what I want to do with my life. And all of the extra work is exactly what I signed up to do. So the last thing you will hear from me is complaining.

But working my way up the ladder right now just makes me wonder .... I wonder how many of these type of events did Ryan Seacrest do??? How many hours did he spend editing his tapes to send out to networks???   How much useless momentary information did he have to cram and memorize right before walking onto a stage??? -- And don't even get me started on the whole other aspect of embracing your own confidence and personality in order to truly entertain hundreds or thousands of people with nothing but ..... YOURSELF.
Uh, hello pressure!

So Ryan Seacrest ... if you're reading .... ;-) .... can I get an AMEN!!

- I recently had someone ask me what is like to be on the radio. I thought I would use my blog to answer that question and say that there's much more than what meets the eye. (- or should I say ear)   Just like any other career, it takes work. Hard work and dedication.   Period.
I think my new dream is to someday have someone write a blog and title it, "WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE DONNA RODRIGUEZ?"

Move over Dunwoody .... cuz Roswell is comin' to beat ya!
Hornets can sting a Wildcat any day!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Cooking With Energy!

2010-04-28T17:41:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, I had a fantastic show. It was upbeat, enjoyable, entertaining, and full of energy! SCANA Energy, that is.
My guests included local celebrities Ginny McCormack and Sam Huff -- 2 of the NICEST people you will ever meet in the culinary industry. I am so happy I can now say that I know them personally. Both Ginny and Sam are Marietta locals who were invited to showcase their talents at the Taste of Marietta on the Cooking Stage with all day long cooking demonstrations. -- Scana Energy Cooking Stage, actually.

Along with Johnnie Gabriel (a long time friend of "Dishing With Donna" and cousin of Paula Deen), all the action was taking place at our cooking stage! I was honored to be the host/emcee and the entire event was a knockout success.

Both Sam and Ginny came on to the DwD Show the day before and Atlanta was able to see why they were specifically asked to take part in the Taste of Marietta. With Sam's profound knowledge and Ginny's magnetic charisma . . . this radio show could have lasted for hours and hours.

Sam Huff and his restaurant, BBQ-1in Marietta, has been voted by Zagat Awards as the #2 BEST BARBECUE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!! --- Uh, yeah. Can you believe that?!?!?! Every foodie in the south needs to come and meet Sam at his restaurant. But that's not all folks ... he has also mastered many other culinary accomplishments as well. As Sam likes to say, "Men cook on grills. Women cook in pots". :-) True to his statement, Sam demonstrated delicious mouthwatering grilling demonstrations such as, Scallops Wrapped in Brisket - Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin Pinwheels - Chargrilled Duck Breasts - and even Lamb Satay Shish-Kabobs.

MMmmmm, I'm starting to salivate just thinking about it. Don't even get me started on his 12 hour long cooking class, which he named 'College of Pig Knowledge' ... or more tenderly referred to as PORK U! - I even got the apron.

http://www.bbq1.net/

Ginny McCormack is easily relatable to Martha Stewart ... except far more beautiful and charismatic and likeable and charming and outgoing and graceful. (I could use many other words here.) She is the kind of woman who can steal your heart. (and your tastebuds!) Author of the sophisticated "Sundays in the South" cookbook, Ginny invites you into her world of culinary expertise, home decor, family, past times, and personal spirit. Every page is inspired by a quote and something personally touching. Included in this gorgeous cookbook are pictures of her 4 children, her home, her travels, tips, techniques, and it's all categorized by a themed Sunday Family Dinner. I can't rave enough about it! If you love food, family, and the traditional South .... then you need to make a mental note to go buy this book. I highly recommend it.

Ginny is also a cooking instructor and speaker, editor of the online magazine - Food Lover, a regular on Family Net tv, and she just launched her new website: http://www.ginnymccormackcooks.com/

God is definitely blessing Ginny, and it's wonderful to see blessings happening to those who bless others. - Open your heart, and your stomach ;-) to learning more about this inspirational woman today.

Hopefully I can have both of these talented people back on the Dishing With Donna Show in the near future. July 4th is just around the corner!! Sam ... I'm coming to get ya!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Food Surrounded by Art. - ARTISAN.

2010-04-25T08:03:00.000-04:00

I love restaurants that are off the beaten path.   Little hidden gems of the culinary scene! One of my recent discoveries should be equated to that of a National Geographic discovery!   I cannot believe that this restaurant is tucked away and nestled right down the street from my house ... and I've never experienced its charm or its fabulous location!   I feel like I have stumbled upon a great discovery and now I want to share it with the world!    -- Yes, it's THAT good!
This fabulous eatery is nearly hidden amongst the ecclectic art galleries of old Historic Roswell, off Canton Street.   It is called ARTISAN Foods and Bakery. Opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- this creative little artsy hot spot has captured my heart.   - - And my appetite! Their over-sized generous servings of delicious baked treats is enough to have you coming back for seconds ... but then you have their full service menu dishes with meals that will have your taste buds dancing!
    As I mentioned, ARTISAN is beautifully located between several art galleries and ecclectic shops. It blends in so effortlessly that you could very easily miss it all together unless you are 'in the know'.   Perhaps only the locals could tell you where to find it, like a hidden treasure, -- but then again, Southern Living Magazine did just feature Artisan Foods and Bakery in a recent issue to be devoured by all!

I'm sure that as the lazy days of summer arrive, you can come find me soaking in the ambience and atmosphere of Artisan in Roswell. I'll be the one sitting on the patio - gazing at the art galleries, watching the passerby's, indulging in my new favorite dish - the Pear & Proscuitto salad, inhaling their intoxicating bakery aromas, and soaking in the gorgeous scenery. Yep!! Sounds so good, I think I'll just stop typing right here and go visit my new favorite local spot. I don't think my tummy can even handle the wait!

Treat yourself to a fabulous 50% OFF gift certificate from my dining program right now. I will be shocked if you tell me your experience was anything less than awesome. Ask for the owner, Hoyt. He is always ready to greet with a smile!

- - - - - And no, he's not the twin brother of Shaquille O'Neal.

;-)

http://www.dishingwithdonnashow.com/

UPDATE: Challenge: 30lbs in 3 Months

2010-04-24T11:28:00.003-04:00

What woman wishes to share her body issues with the general public?? -- Um, not me!   And yet somehow, this is my third blog about it. Go figure.   Ever heard of a plateau?? Well that's apparently where I have set up camp and had my body decide to hang out there for a while. On a dang plateau!
It's funny how the science of our bodies actually functions. And how so many outside factors can truly affect the outcome of our overall success. ( - or for some, the failures) For example, I've never been considered "small". I have a big bone structure and have always been naturally athletic - and pretty strong for a girly girl.   But MAN did I use to eat garbage. My sisters and I still laugh at our younger years when we could each eat 3 bowls of CoCo Pebbles cereal for breakfast, one big hamburger - one McNuggets order- large fry - and ice cream sundaes for lunch (a piece!), snacks of meal-size-proportions and usually containing lots of chocolate or grease, then dinners of pizza or more hamburgers or Bbq or boiled hot dogs or even pancake dinners with bacon and biscuits and sausage and eggs, then followed by a rich decadent dessert and then usually a late night snack of another bowl of cereal or another bowl of ice cream or even a bag of potato chips.  Daily. -- Yes my favorite foodies, this was a standard day in the life of Donna's stomach.   (if you don't think I'm being accurate here .... sadly, ask any family member of mine. We were not exactly raised to eat healthy)   --- Shocking, I know.   Vegetables were never in my vocabulary. Fruit came in the form of Strawberry Shortcake or Apple Pie.

However, here's the odd point. . . . . WE NEVER GAINED ANY WEIGHT!! Me and all of my sisters still turned out to be star athletes and extraordinarily active -- and even kinda cute! :-) I look back and understand now that it was because our metabolism was the true champion.   We were "those kids" who could eat whatever we wanted because of how active and energetic our lifestyles were. I may not have been the skinniest nor the model-type -- but I never had to worry about 'gaining' weight. No matter what I ate! In fact .... I was the EXACT same weight on the scale from my 8th grade year, all the way until I hit 30.   -- This is no joke.

Ahhhh. 30 years old. The moment when everything suddenly changed. The moment when my metabolism decided to stab me in the back. (or should I say, my mid section!) For the first time in my life, I noticed the scale inching upwards. I noticed my strong solid arms suddenly turning into motion. (like when the wind blew, I could feel my former tricep flapping in the breeze!) I would stare at myself naked in the mirror and ask out loud, "What is going on with my body?!?!?!?!?"
Sure enough,   TIME had caught up with me.   AGE took on a new meaning.   - And the past 4 years of my life have been an eye-awakening lesson in science.   (and humility).     As I mentioned, my poor mother endured a husband who never ate anything other than McDonalds and Pizza Hut, and had her eldest child (me) following directly in his footsteps.  The most nutritious vegetable my father and I could swallow was a potato. And even that was in the form of a french fry. -- After the age of 30, I was hit hard with the reality that sausage meatballs and pancake dinners could no longer be devoured without severe consequences to my love handles.    My gluteus maximus actually became a pancake!!
So here I am, struggling to stay in shape at age 34.   And here I am, actually talking about it to the general public.   ---- What????
Thankfully, a gentleman named Scott Hornsby, General Manager of Gold's Gym in Roswell, is trying to help me understand where my body is at this moment in time.   I'm receiving personal training 4 days a week now and have lost a total of 11 pounds so far.   My goal, as previously stated, is 30 lbs.      (Yes, that's how much my metabolism has let me down)   I wanted to lose 30 in 3 months, but it's been 7 weeks already and I've plateau'ed around this 10lb mark.   My trainer Scott tells me its because I've gained back so much muscle (we weight lift like crazy!)   and muscle weighs alot more than fat.   Therefore, this upcoming week -- instead of relying on a scale, we are going to measure my success instead.   Literally. With a measuring tape.
Because he says I could have lost 20 pounds of fat, but have earned 10 pounds of muscle!  (a "scale loss" of only 10 lbs) He basically teaches to throw out the scale. - Period. He says it is all about body-fat percentage. Not a scale.
-- Good to know since I work my butt off in the gym and believe it or not ... have begun to like salads!   Two days in a row this week my lunch has been the same,   spinach salad with boiled egg whites, almonds, feta cheese, carrots, broccoli, and either salmon or chicken.     -- WooHoo!!!! Go me!!

I know I'm not supposed to look at the scale, but come on.   When a green salad is my meal instead of half a Pizza Hut pizza ..... aren't I allowed to get frustrated at my plateau???    But I'm not giving up.   11 pounds in 7 weeks may not be the number I was hoping for, but I'm hanging in there until I atleast get to see my body-fat percentage loss.     ( then again, I have selectively not told you about my cheating indulgences. - I'm not a robot, people!!)
---- So this blog is just an update.
Scott ...... you still have my committment and my perserverance.

Just please atleast make my pancake bootie into a muffin bootie!
I promise, I'll eat the apples without the pie.
- MMmmmm.   Pie.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Nino's in my Backyard

2010-04-21T13:21:00.005-04:00

Remember the story of the Little Engine Who Could??
That's how I feel about the little restaurant right around the corner from my house.   It literally just keeps on truckin'.   The restaurant is called NINO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN, and it is most known for its long residence as Roswell's former hang out spot, Applebee's, off Alpharetta Hwy.   - Since Applebee's retired it's business there, unfortunately the little independant building has suffered some major losses. There have been new restaurants to try and fill its shoes, but to no avail. It's been failure after failure with wrong concepts.
However!! I am supporting NINO's Italian Kitchen and cheering for their success ever since I went to eat there a few weeks back, and I have to admit - as much as I was trying to be objective, I confess to walking in with an already pre-conceived notion that I would not be impressed.  I can't help it, it's practically in my backyard and I've personally watched the transitions, attempts, and changeovers for several years now. But to my pleasant surprise, I was wrong! I left with a new hope that Nino's will be the triumphant caboose of the little engine that could!
The atmosphere could certainly be spruced up a bit, but do not let that influence you. Because the real winner is the food.   YUM!!!!! Nino's serves truly authentic italian food and is a family owned and operated business. Many of the recipes on the menu are delicious old family recipes and I ate the special veal dish and ladies and gentlemen ... it was probably the #1 best veal meal I have ever eaten. I couldn't stop shoveling it in mouth like candy!
Nino is the namesake to his own restaurant and he is charming, funny, talented, and ready to serve you personally. I was able to chat with him continuously throughout the night and the entire dining experience was very enjoyable, and again -- delicious!   I have to also include that our waitress was so upbeat and adorable that we actually invited her to sit down with us and just chat!
Bottom line?

Nino's Italian Kitchen - click here for website

Get Your Nino's Gift Certificates for Half Price - click here

Great food. Great staff. Great potential. And worth a definite visit! Treat yourself with a gift certificate from my 50% Off Program in order to go try them out. If you love italian food .... you will love the food of Nino's!

Bon Appetito! And pass the wine --

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

My Heart is Overflowing .....

2010-04-18T19:20:00.002-04:00

For those of you who don't know .... I am honored to be a national spokesperson for a non-profit organization called CHILDREN WITHOUT A VOICE, USA. This charity organization passionately serves to prevent child abuse. It tirelessly fights to prevent and bring awareness to the violence upon innocent children who suffer daily from unspeakable crimes. My heart melts not only for the children .... but with admiration for the president of this foundation, LIN SEAHORN, who has a testimonial story of her own of severe abuse, neglect, and bouncing from one institution to another throughout her entire childhood of brutality and heartbreak.
Lin Seahorn is one of the few survivors who take their story of suffering, and turn it into a future of hope and lifelong efforts to save children who are in the same nightmare situations that she was subjected to herself. -- Lin's heart is enormous. I have never met anyone like her. And she has selflessly dedicated her life to saving children of all ages from the horrific abuse that she once endured, witnessed, and by absolutely no fault of her own .... became a victim to.

Here is a picture of Lin (a champion survivor!) with some of the children she is blessed to be interactive with. All three of these little girls, (from left to right: McKenna, Katie, and Michelle) were severely abused and have been taken from their parents to be adopted by amazing women and families who love them and support them in ways that I can't even begin to describe.

Don't let this adorable picture fool you. 2 of these 3 girls cannot function in "normal" society. They will never be able to live alone, and they will never have the mental capacity to be married or know what it means to even have independance. --- These beautiful girls were shaken.

Shaken Baby Syndrome.

SBS = a severe form of head injury that occurs when an infant or small child is shaken forcibly enough to cause the brain to bounce against the skull causing lifelong brain damage and abnormal defects. Common result is death.

www.military.com/benefits/resources/tbi-glossary

Ladies and gentleman .... I cannot warn you enough. This is sadly a reality in our world that is becoming more and more evident. I just recently found myself in a personal situation with someone I actually know who exhausted all means of trying to get her teething baby to relax and quit crying. After long periods of time of becoming more and more impatient and helpless towards her baby's needs ..... she, in desperation and confusion and frustration .... lost her temper for a split second, shook her baby in a moment of emotion .... and is now serving time in jail for child abuse ---- her baby now suffers from devastating siezures and permanent brain damage. The baby was born 'normal', and will now live a life of special needs & mental retardation because of a moment of motherly impatience.

PEOPLE MUST KNOW ABOUT THESE CONSEQUENCES!!!!!!!!!

I know I am a foodie show. -- But can you understand now why I have such a heart for this organization??? Lin Seahorn is a hero of mine, and like I said before -- I am honored to be a spokesperson for her cause. Please help me in helping her. She needs volunteers .... more media coverage .... more $$ donations .... more people to CARE.
Here are a few more pictures of our volunteer get-together last night as well as some more of the adopted children who will be future survivors.

There is more information on my website under the tab entitled: My Cause.

Help me in helping our future by protecting the innocent children who were never asked to be born into an abusive home. Their pain does not have to continue!!! We can help Lin Seahorn and help CHILDREN WITHOUT A VOICE, USA by preventing child abuse before it ever occurs.

Learn how. Open your hearts and visit: http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Alone with Science

2010-04-12T16:13:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday was a little milestone for me. Probably not a big deal to anybody else, but it certainly put a smile on my face. Do me a favor, just real quick - think about your job and what it is that you do. Be it a promotion or just great work on a specific project ... I'm sure there's been times where you're proud of yourself for accomplishing a certain something. Right? Well this past weekend was one of those little accomplishments for myself.  In fact, I did a little giddy dance after my radio show finished.
This past show was the first time ever that I did it all by myself!   (Lol, that sounds funny.) What I mean is, I didn't have any guests. No interviews.   It was a full hour of just MOI.   :-)   A full LIVE hour nonetheless!   While other people in the company were nervously unsure how that would sound ... I, on the other hand, was hungry for it. I was confident, over prepared, and ready to rock-n-roll!   I didn't have a nervous bone in my body. Quite the contrary, Bring it on!
I entitled the show "Healthy Lifestyle" and spent a lot of time researching the science behind nutrition and different blood types. I have become fascinated by a book called "EAT RIGHT 4 YOUR BLOOD TYPE" by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo.   (Thank you Marcy for introducing me to this book!!)   I spent countless hours devouring the education of this book and preparing a show around it. (with my own twists of course) I included the science of other in-depth nutrition books and culinary research as well.   And I have to say --- I was quite OVER prepared which is a great thing, and actually filled the whole hour with fascinating uninterrupted information.

I am so used to conducting an entertainment show with upbeat guests, exciting giveaways, and laughs around every corner ... that the challenge of hosting my first solo-show was already intense enough --- but then to knock it out of the ballpark with serious, informative, and educational content which I had to work hard just to understand it myself ....... well Hallelujah, Amen, and Praise God all at once!!!   I did it!   And I didn't suck. I started receiving emails immediately from listeners detailing their intrigue in that show! Yeah, I had my happy dance in full swing as we left the studios.
So. Like I said, sometimes when you accomplish something challenging, it's just nice to be able to chat about it. So thanks for listening.   (- twice, now)

And by the way -- something every human being needs to know ..... your Blood Type.

And "RED" doesn't count.    ;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Mexican Surprise

2010-04-05T11:13:00.002-04:00

I love surprises!! Who doesn't? Especially when they are surprise gifts. Right? Well I had a little surprise come to me this past weekend while I was broadcasting my radio show Live from Golds Gym in Roswell for my "Healthy Lifestyle" episode. I was rambling on and on about certain foods being UNhealthy for certain blood types, when all of the sudden, a familiar woman comes up to me (as I'm live on air) puts a huge bag in front of my face, waves, and just walks away.
I knew immediately it was food because I could smell the lime and cilantro from within ... taunting me to open it and scarf down whatever was inside!   - Ofcourse, I had to wait for a commercial break to satisfy my curiosity ...but sure enough, it was delicious mexican food from one of the BEST mexican joints around!!   The Bridge Mexican Gourmet restaurant in Roswell just proved to everyone that you can still eat hearty, still eat at a restaurant, still even eat mexican .... and still stay slim and healthy!   It's true! It CAN be done. You just have to understand what you can and can't order.
Teresa, from The Bridge, was so sweet to be listening to the show (on healthiness)   (- is that a word?)   and suprised me by showing up to the broadcast with a huge helping of Ceviche and also Scabeche.   YUM!!
- For those of you who may not know, Scebeche is Shrimp & scallops marinated with lemon, mixed with onions, tomatoes, jalapeño, oregano,
cilantro and topped with avocado slices. Served on a bed of lettuce.   Kind of like a big brother to Ceviche.
DELICIOSO!
Thank you Teresa for your yummy generosity .... surprises are the best! .... and you will definitely see me again soon at The Bridge!   :-)

The Bridge Mexican Gourmet is located at 10479 Alpharetta St. (Highway 9) in the Old Lake Place shopping center, just southwest of Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Sun Dial Delight

2010-04-05T09:55:00.006-04:00

This past Friday night, I had a very special night dining at the Sun Dial - which I think is one of the most romantic and impressive restaurants in all of Atlanta. My experience there this past weekend was, however, the most incredible experience I have ever had there before. As most Atlantans, I have eaten at the Sun Dial a small handful of times throughout my life. I even went through a phase in my early 20's where my best friend and I would go there almost every other weekend to sip wine and listen to the jazz band. (while all the other people my age were out partying like rock stars in nightclubs and bars ... I couldn't wait to get all dressed up and go be a part of the "mature" crowd). -- And I loved it!

But here I am now, almost 15 years later, and I just fell in love with the restaurant all over again. The Sun Dial has had its fair share of ups and downs. Especially with the tornado a couple years ago and having to undergo reconstruction and temporary closing, but the Sun Dial is back - and better than ever. For Valentines Day, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chef Russell Sleight who is the Executive Chef of the entire Westin Peachtree Hotel, obviously including the Sun Dial. I learned that this restaurant is famous for marriage proposals ... often getting as much as 40 proposals on one Valentines Day evening alone! It was a fabulous interview, and I was blessed enough to be invited back by Chef Russell for an evening of pampering and foodie bliss. - Boy, he wasn't lying!
I had a special romantic evening of my own already in progress, and this incredible dinner experience was just the icing on the cake. Chef Christian Messier personally came out to chat with us several different times, as we were continuously presented with the most beautiful dishes.

I would be happy to share and describe all the delicious food we were given, which were all personal choices by Chef Christian, but he pampered us with SO MANY dishes, I wouldn't even know where to begin!! THANK YOU CHEF. I will say that his contemporary version of Paella was divine. When serving Paella to a Puerto Rican foodie, that's already risk enough. And then when you take the tradition out of traditional paella ... uh oh ... it better be something out of this world! I was already skeptical upon its arrival. -- You know, sometimes its okay to be proven wrong though! Because let me tell you, His paella was modern and artsy -- but absolutely mouthwatering! Fabulous. Here are some other highlights we were treated with:

SCALLOPS OSCAR. CARPACCIO THREE WAYS. BLUE CHEESE, MUSHROOM & BACON CRUSTED BEEF TENDERLOIN (another favorite!!). KEY LIME MOUSSE. FRIED APPLE PIE.

(and still so much more....)

I am personally recommending that you go re-visit the Sun Dial. Perfect for any occasion. And no need to fear the elevator ..... it's still not working. (which my date was thankful for) ;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

April Fools!

2010-04-01T17:51:00.003-04:00

Every year I tell myself, "this is going to be the year I become a practical jokester!"   And as every April 1st comes and goes -- I always forget to do anything. It's a consistent pattern every year. You know, George Clooney is well known in his Hollywood circle of friends as being the best practical joke man. I'm sure you've already heard that before. And then there's Ashton Kutcher of course with his previous show, Punk'd. Even the WORST jokes that are nearly nightmares for these people actually turn into a funny relief when they find out its just a joke.   -- Today, on April Fool's, - I wish I could say the same for what happened to me. I would have given ANYTHING if it had been a joke. Almost too crazy to even believe.   I'm STILL shaking.

I was eating at a fabulous restaurant today, doing a formal 'review' for my show --- and something happened to me.   Something so out of this world strange, that it would fit perfectly for April Fools Day.   Unfortuantely, it was actually very scary. And it was so bizarro that I had to come home and blog about it. -- If only a tv crew had been around to capture this on film.

So I'm sitting by myself reviewing an impressive meal (the restaurant will remain nameless due to the sensitivity of what I'm about to share) and throughout almost all of it, I keep noticing this woman staring at me. Blatantly. I even smiled a couple times at her,just because it was so obvious! She was eating by herself too from across the room. I eventually concluded that maybe she was one of my radio listeners who perhaps had met me before at an event or something. I mean, I don't know - I couldn't fathom why this lady was so uncomfortably staring at me.   I had to force myself to ignore it.
   -- So as I finished my meal and after speaking to the owner for a bit, I left the restaurant and was walking towards my car. All the sudden I heard a woman's voice calling out, "Excuse me! Excuse me!"   -- I turned around and sure enough, it was the staring lady -- chasing me down the parking lot.   She looked nice and 'normal' enough, so I stopped and was curious to know how we knew each other.   She was very sweet and polite and said she was sorry for staring at me if I noticed (yeah, how could I not?!?) but that she was 'in awe' because I looked just like her daughter .... and how I could be confused for her twin! She said the resemblance was striking, if not eerie.
Ahhhh, now I get it. Seemed simple enough. Right?
So when I asked if she happened to have a picture of her daughter so I could see for myself .... she looked down at the ground and then began to get choked up.   What she told me next could have changed my entire world.
This lady (a total stranger) began to WEEP in front of me, and told me her daughter had died overseas in the war about 7 years ago.
I didn't know what to do! Stunned and in shock, I just held out my arms and began hugging this poor woman. After she calmed down, I finally started to say my goodbyes (-pretty freaked out by this experience already).   As I said my peace and with another couple of hugs .... I finally started walking back to my car.   So sad. I was moved.
All the sudden -- I hear her running up behind me. Again. She says to me, "Wait! Please don't go!"   She literally came right up to me as I was opening my car door. She wanted me to go back into the restaurant with her and keep chatting. She said she would pay for anything I wanted, if I would just let her 'look at me' some more.   (freaky!!)   I declined, of course. I felt really bad for her - but honestly, I had work to do. I was already running late for my next appointment.   -- But she wouldn't take no for an answer! It actually became quite uncomfortable with me continuing to tell her, "I'm sorry, I can't".
Then. Here comes the crazy.
This woman grabbed my hand and literally said "No I'M sorry. I can't let you leave".    (uh, help me, Twilight Zone!) She started crying. Again! And before I knew it, she was shouting in desperation! -- Things like "MY DAUGHTER SENT YOU TO ME"  - "WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER" - "YOU CAN'T LEAVE! I'LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN".

Uh -- folks -- at this point, people in the parking lot are all staring!! I am officially scared and FREAKED OUT!!!!   She kept hanging onto my arm for dear life!!!!   Hanging on to my arm and shouting in tears!   What was I supposed to do???????   What would YOU have done?????   I'm panicking myself now at this point!!
I politely try to pry her off of me, even telling her that she's scaring me.   And then, the worst of it came.   This crazy broken woman started crying out her daughters name. Calling ME her daughter's name!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT THE - ????????????????
Uh ..... HELP!!!!!!!!!!

She was obviously unconsoleable, and now I am truly scared for my own safety.   So I yank my arm out of her grip ... jump in my car .... (all the while, I'm saying I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, over and over again as I try to squeal away!)   This lady is screaming in the parking lot for me to not go (there is now a small crowd watching!!) and right as I was about to slam my car door shut ...... she makes one last leap .... calls me by her daughters name again .... and has managed to grab hold of my left leg, as she stumbles to the ground!
Well I can't very well hit the gas and move my car!! I'd kill her!!    So here I am, stuck with a crazy lady holding onto my leg in a tantrum .... I am now officially yelling for anyone to come and help me .... while she's just there on the ground crying and pulling on my leg!!!!!!   She's just pulling and pulling .....     ...... kinda like I'm here pulling yours.

;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Chinese vs. Italian

2010-03-31T10:49:00.000-04:00

I am asked quite frequently "where is a good place to eat?"    I'm asked by family, by friends, by coworkers, by aquaintences, by random listeners of my radio show, etc.....   I'm asked this question day in, day out.   And usually, I can answer this question easily -- no matter what part of town you may be interested in. Not only am I a foodie by profession, but I'm also an Atlanta native who has grown up for over 30 years all around town. So even if you were to ask me where is a good place to eat in Stockbridge -- I've got your answer. Or in Stone Mountain. Or Cumming. Or Fayetteville. Or Lawerenceville. Or Alpharetta. Or Vinings.  Or downtown. -- Don't worry, I got you covered. Bring it on!
UNLESS --- you ask me where is a good chinese restaurant.
Yesterday, my business partner called me from Alpharetta and was craving chinese. So he called me and expected an easy answer.   For the first time in foodie history ... I was stuck.   I had no idea. Good chinese??   I racked my brain trying to think of one. And that's when I realized, wow - I apparently need to go school myself and begin a personal quest to find atleast one good chinese joint in every major part of town.   Believe it or not, I have only found one restaurant that I really like for chinese.   It's in Roswell on Mansell Rd and Alpharetta Hwy called YA SHU YUEN.
It's the one and only chinese restaurant that I have truly enjoyed for nearly 20 years. Nothing else has compared in my book. Ever.   - Then again, I'm not a big fan of chinese either. So I'm sure that has something to do with it. I never "crave" it. I've never been the "hey let's order take out" kind of person.  (-I'm the pizza girl.) So in all fairness, perhaps I'm not the person to listen to when it comes to chinese food.

On the flip side - if I had been asked 'where is a good italian restaurant' ... shoot, I could rattle off dozens!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some italian food! I could eat italian every day of the week. There's no joke here! I'm being honest. I'm half Puerto Rican and half Southern Belle .... yet the food I cook the best and crave the most . . . . Italian!
Go figure.

Anyone have recommendations of some chinese restaurants for me to try???

http://www.dishingwithdonnashow.com/

10 Pound Month?

2010-03-25T17:00:00.000-04:00

As I've already put it out there about a month ago .... I publicly challenged myself to lose 30lbs in 3 months. Some people say that's not realistic to do, but I disagree. Hard? Yes. Impossible? Never! I refuse to use diet pills or supplements, I'm doing this a la natural baby. Something inside me tells me that's the only way I will ever truly keep it off. This isn't necessarily a "diet". More like a healthy lifestyle change. (34 years past due!)

I got really upset the other day because the scale has only gone down 5 pounds in over 3 weeks. But that's 3 full solid weeks of major bigtime working out and attempting to curb my eating habits.   Now, for those of you who know me pretty well, it's probably apparent that I'm not exactly the most patient of people. (some of you are probably already laughing!) In fact, quite the contrary. God blessed me with a lot of incredible things. Patience -- is not one of them.   I feel that if I run on a treadmill really hard for 20 minutes, when I get back to the scale ... I should have lost 5 pounds right there on the spot. Can I get an Amen?!?!?
So a couple days ago, I was really bummed out that I had only lost 5 "true" pounds in 3 hard weeks, and unfortunately -- I blogged about it right in the heart of my impatient frustration.  That blog actually upset certain people (like my trainer) and the blog was taken down. I guess it sounded like I was blaming him ... which couldn't be further from the truth ofcourse. But I took it down because anybody that can deal with ME through my frustrations (not pretty) deserves respect in my book!   ;-)

Besides! It's about time I indulge in some Humble Pie.   Because ladies and gentlemen .... as of this morning, I have lost a total of 8 pounds!!!!   And it is March 25 which means I still have 6 more days to lose 2 more measly pounds. And I will have hit my monthly goal! 10 pounds lost per each month.    -- So man did I speak too soon. I got all giddy this morning looking at the scale, which is completely opposite from what I'm used to feeling, so today has been a good day!!
I've even stepped up my personal training sessions now to 4 times per week, and knock me over with a feather --- last night I went to McKendricks Steakhouse for dinner and PASSED on the yummy hot bread, PASSED on the insanely huge onion rings that I love, and PASSED on dessert!!!   (I think I must be possessed).   Check this out, I ate grilled Halibut with Asparagus and a side soup.   CONGRATULATIONS TO ME!! And here's the astonishing part ... I was full.
Don't even get me started on the incredible lunch I had at Artisian Bakery for lunch yesterday too!   Proscuitto and Pear Salad.   Never thought I would say this, but YUM!
My trainer is Scott Hornsby of Golds Gym in Roswell. He also happens to be the General Manager. I told him I've never been a big fan of gyms, so he has been wonderful at showing me lots of non-gym'ish things that still kick my butt. For example, He's got me doing crazy exercises like dragging the dead weight of my body across the gym floor using only my arms (did I mention he attaches weight plates to my feet?) - or how about doing walking lunges in a ballet plie stance?? Lol!!   -Or even exercising with a huge gigantic heavy TIRE.    Crack me up.

My "5 Pound Frustration" is now changing into my "10 Pound Victory"!
Scott, I'm starting to see the light.

......... Keep following my progress because I've still got 20 more pounds to go. (22, technically.)

Now where did I put that patience?????

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Paula Deen and Johnnie Gabriel

2010-03-14T13:41:00.000-04:00

If you missed it, I had Paula Deen on my show yesterday. She cracks me up! But boy was it a process to have her on my show. This was her 2nd time actually, and the first time we talked a lot about food and Paula's new cookbook. However this time around ... I wanted to surprise her! So I called up my friend, the lovely Johnnie Gabriel who owns Gabriel's Desserts in Marietta. Johnnie just happens to be Paula's cousin and the two of them are dearly close. So I worked it out to where Johnnie was going to be in studio with me so that we could surprise Paula and just have a field day with the whole interview! The problem came when Paula's publicist contacted me and told me Paula was very sick and had to push back a lot of her tv filming, and because of that -- I was given the boot. She was way behind, and had no time for a little interview with moi.
Well I was so disappointed because of my whole 'Johnnie suprise' ... and to make a long story short, I wasn't going to take no for an answer! So I went back and forth and back and forth with Paula's publicist, and unfortunately I had to go to my last resort and throw out my surprise Johnnie card. I had to give it up. - Well as soon as Paula heard about her beloved cousin who was going to be in on the interview as well, I got a phone call from her publicist and everything was back on! (so thank you Johnnie Gabriel!)
Sure enough, they had so much fun chatting together and even though it's MY radio show .... I felt more like a listener, or a spectator. I guess it's true what they say, when you get two southern belle women together .... the mouths can run at 200mph! "Ain't that the truth!" So we all talked about their hystercial childhood stories, like when Johnnie made Paula shave her legs DRY for the first time ever - and she said the pain was excrutiating the next day. (not to mention that all the red dots on her legs looked worse than chicken pox) I also found out that apparantly Paula Deen has still got some knock out legs! Who knew!

........ Can anybody find a picture of her showing off those calves???

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

The 3 F's

2010-03-10T15:01:00.002-05:00

Food Network.
Fickle Pickle.
Fois Gras.
. . . . . . . . . . . "F" is not my favorite letter. The journalist in me is very picky about my choice of letters in order to make certain impressions. For example, I love names. And the letter you choose to start with is characteristically important. - Not sure why, but I've been pretty obsessed with names since I was a child. I once threw a fit because my sister named her barbie what I wanted to name my barbie. And in kindergarten I stomped out of class in a tantrum because some other girl chose the same name I wanted for a game we were playing. --- I'm embarrassed just remembering that! I've created lists upon lists of different 'types' of names for whenever any friend or family member is pregnant and wants suggestions. Even my father had a rule that all of our dogs/pets (throughout life) all had to have a strong 2 syllable name with hard consanants in order to train them properly. It's just this weird oddity about my personality. Everyone has oddities! Everyone has something weird about them! And I don't like "F's". So be it.

However - 3 things have come up just in the last couple of days .... 3 things that excite me .... 3 things to look forward to ..... 3 things that all just happen to start with F. One of my favorites, Food Network! What foodie doesn't follow the Food Network to nearly a biblical proportion? However, what you may not know yet is that a quaint little restaurant in Roswell just landed major Food Network exposure on the show called "Best Thing I Ever Ate" on March 19th. RELISH in Historic Roswell was featured for their Fried Black Eyed Peas. Yum! Make sure to tune in to see Relish later next week. And by the way, if you haven't tried their Bread Pudding (where the 'bread' is really Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!) then you are in for a treat!

Fickle Pickle Cafe - click here for website

And speaking of Relish .... that takes us to our next 'F'. Fickle Pickle! It's another restaurant owned by the same gentleman as Relish. And it just happens to be right down the street. Fickle Pickle is inside an old renovated house on the infamous Canton Street in Roswell. I got to eat lunch there yesterday for my first time and thanks to the weather, I was able to relax on the back patio and enjoy the sunshine with my delicious fried catfish sandwich and carrot cake cookies for dessert. I loved it! I will definitely keep going back to the Fickle Pickle throughout spring and summer. - It is the perfect compliment to a fresh and lovely day.

You know what else I love??? Fois Grois. Oh yeah, it is divine! Which brings us to our 3rd and final 'F' . . . . and I don't even have anything to tell about it other than the fact that someone just mentioned it recently in passing, and now I want some!   -- Richard Blais invited me to his previous restaurant, Home, last year as a personal guest and spoiled us rotten. We feasted on fois grois over sweet pancakes all evening.   That was the last time I ate fois grois .... and lately, I'm simply craving it! - Thought I'd share.

Other F words that I actually like;   flowers. fabulous. french fries. fried anything. firefighters. food. falafel. fried ice cream. already said fried. father. feet. fudge. fried fudge? fried fudge falafel with french fries .......
    Now we may be on to something!   ;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Old Man Amick

2010-03-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

(Justin Amick, Me, Bob Amick, Todd Rushing)

The room chuckled in unison as Justin Amick referred to his father as "the old man" live on radio. Twice! He was referring to the highly respected Bob Amick of Concentrics Restaurant Group. This past Saturday was my radio show in which I titled "Like Father, Like Son" ... where I featured Bob Amick and the General Manager of his Parish restaurant, Justin Amick. The two of them had obvious great chemistry together and it was entertaining to watch their playful dynamics. When you hear the name 'Bob Amick' -- a certain level of admiration and high regard will just automatically arise within in you. Bob is a legend in his own right. Making a stellar name for himself back when he was with the Peasant Group, Bob is also known for creating Mick's, Killer Creek, and then of course the infamous empire of Concentrics Restaurant Group. Trust me when I tell you that someone of this stature walks around with a reputation to protect.

Which is why it was so endearing to watch him banter back and forth with his son, Justin, and yet be so proud. We laughed a lot and got to hear some personal stories to the softer side of the Amick family.

Todd Rushing squeezed into the action too! Unfortunately we don't have a picture of that sight .... it's a small studio for lots of men to be gathered in! And me. Sandwiched in between. -- I always enjoy having Todd back in studio and on the show. He is such a natural on air! I'm hoping to convince him to come on atleast once a month .... his brain is so unique that there will always be something new he can teach us in the foodie world.

Also in this episode of DwD, I brought on some of my favorite people. The founders of the most incredible non-profit organization which I just happen to be a spokesperson for! ;-) They are hosting an exciting Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament next month, and I just wanted to try and help by letting them talk to you guys for a minute on how you can help and get involved.

Lin Seahorn and Bill Mattson.
Feel free to contact them anytime and learn more about CHILDREN WITHOUT A VOICE, USA. A non-profit organization passionately and tirelessly working to prevent child abuse. -- Volunteering is precious. Donating is a blessing.
GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRASIER ON APRIL 19TH AT BEAR'S BEST!!!
Just ask me for the info.

Great show!! Great food at Parish!! Great giveaways!!
And now my favorite foodies .... next week ...... MS. PAULA DEEN YA'LL!

Butter anyone?

http://www.dishingwithdonnashow.com/

Cookin' for a Cause

2010-03-01T17:51:00.006-05:00

This past Saturday was a very special radio show for me. We were able to open our hearts (instead of just our bellies) and listen to several ways that foodies can help change the world. It was a busy show, lots of people to talk to, but worth every minute of overtime. If your heart likes to volunteer ... then this was the show for you.
Although I had several different amazing people in the studio - all with inspirational stories to share . . . one gentleman in particular really stole the show! That man's name is Royce. Royce was the typical broken homeless man that you would see on the streets of downtown Atlanta. Sadly, many people would walk by him with only negative thoughts of disgust and ignorance. Little did you know .... God had greater things in store for this particular homeless man!
Royce eventually went to a shelter for shelter.   The shelter he went to was the ATLANTA UNION MISSION down by the Ga. Dome. It was there, in the middle of a nightmare, that Royce found his Foodie calling.
Through the grace of God and an eager heart ... Royce was rescued, rehabilitated, and reborn.  - Royce is now Executive Chef of Atlanta Union Mission and feeds nearly 8000 other homeless people a week!!

Incredible. I think the best part about this truly inspirational story is how humble he is. He's pure. He's sincere. He's faithful and full of love. He has a servant's heart.   - It was an HONOR to meet him.
Check this out.   Bless his heart, Royce was SO nervous to come onto Live radio. So nervous that he actually wrote down his thoughts and answers onto a piece of paper so that he wouldn't stumble or forget anything when asked. Moreso, the other wonderful people that came onto the show actually took Royce aside and prayed for him out in the hallway right before coming on air.   It nearly brought tears to my eyes!
With that said, I think he did an amazing job talking to me on the radio about his past, his present, and ofcourse -- his eternal future.

(Royce is in the black shirt, CEO Jim Reese in yellow)

Go meet Royce, this extraordinary talented foodie man, anytime you want to by volunteering in the kitchen at ATLANTA UNION MISSION in downtown. Just email me and I will even meet you there!
Also, just a quick thank you to Worthy Works who came to promote the HUNGER WALK 2010 with Robert Kukler of Fifth Group Restaurants. The Hunger Walk starts at Turner Field and is in less than 2 weeks from now. So hurry up and go get all your info! - Also, I was honored to showcase something different called CITY OF REFUGE with it's incredible program, 180 Degree Kitchen. Troubled young adults are taken off the street and away from crime in order to enroll for free at this Culinary School! On Tuesdays and Thursdays the students practice what they've learned that week in gourmet training and they cook for the homeless. It is a program that is ridiculously amazing! (pls scroll down and read my blog entry entitled 180 Degrees for more details).

If you would like to go with me and volunteer at either of these places ... please just email me directly and let me know. I would love to meet you! And is there any other better way to meet?? Join me in volunteering!!! Cuz we're cookin' for a cause!

......................................... (person #1) "WHY AREN'T YOU PRAYING FOR GOD TO HELP THE HOMELESS, TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM THESE NATURAL DISASTERS, TO HELP HEAL THE SICK, TO CARE FOR NEEDY CHILDREN, TO ATLEAST OFFER COMFORT AND LOVE TO THE LOST, - WHY AREN'T YOU ASKING GOD TO HELP THESE POOR PEOPLE?????"

(person #2) ". . . BECAUSE I'M AFRAID HE'D ASK ME THE SAME THING."

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Personal Training is Golden

2010-02-26T12:33:00.000-05:00

So today I had my very first ever personal training session over at Gold's Gym in Roswell. Yep! Down with the detox ... hello personal training! (don't worry, I won't write about this as much as I wrote about my detox.) But let me just put it out there -- I am announcing a challenge for myself! 30lbs in 3 months. That's my goal. According to my new personal trainer, Scott - the GM of Gold's, 30 lbs in 3 months is definitely do-able for me and my body type, although I'll be satisfied if I lost 20! Let me give a warm 'thank you' to all the incredible Atlanta chefs who have generously contributed to my newfound weight gain since starting DwD.   (that was sarcastic) Although the endless food has been DIVINE .... my love handles have gone from a Mini Cooper to a dang Cadillac!   And since I was born with a round face already (like my dad's) ... my cheeks have filled out so much that instead of looking like a cute little cheeky chipmunk, I am now lovingly referred to as "Basketball Head".     (- love ya Dan!)
So! Gearing up for the summer, and all the exciting DwD events we have coming up ... it is high time to de-chef my love handles. I'm not going to write too much about it, because quite frankly -- I'm still a girl so it's a little embarrassing to talk about my body issues with thousands of strangers. But! Say a little prayer for me instead. 30 lbs in 3 months. It's the official DWD CHALLENGE!!

...... is it odd that on my very first day of personal training, I worked on a different pair of cheeks???
(now if THOSE cheeks could look like little basketballs instead of one big pancake, then we're GOLDen.)

Thank you to Scott at Golds Gym. My milk drinking nazi trainer.   :-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

It's 180 Degrees!

2010-02-24T00:10:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt an urge, or even a curiosity, to go and volunteer and truly feel as though you are giving and helping and making an effort ..... but just have no idea where to go or what to do?? People often battle with wanting to help vs. actually taking action to help. We can think about it all we want and tell ourselves, "I need to remember to find a place to volunteer!", "Don't forget to ask MaryLou Freebush where she volunteers at", "I should really get involved doing something, hmmmm, I'll figure that one out tomorrow" .... etc ... but no matter how many times I tell myself this, I still never seem to get my feet to follow my heart. I guess I'm best at volunteering my procrastination. -- Thankfully, I have an inspirational friend named Shannon Alderman (wickedly talented free lance writer, if you're interested!) and she joyfully volunteers all over downtown whenever she can. Which is usually a couple times per week!   Every stinkin week. - It blows my mind.   Watching her find happiness in putting others first makes me feel about one inch tall.   She is my new inspiration!

A while back, I decided I would throw myself into the MAKE A WISH Foundation, volunteering.  My whole family did it together. But for some unexplainable reason ... I just never got attached to the program emotionally. - I didn't understand why my heart wasn't responding, and yet my mother and sister and aunt all fully and naturally connected to the Make a Wish organization. I was the odd one out. -- and I was disappointed, until . . . . . . . . . until only a month or so later, my childhood youth minister popped back up into my life after a million years, and when he heard what I now do for a living -- Food Radio -- he was so excited to tell me about a place called 180 Degree Kitchen.   Well, actually - my computer doesn't have a "degree" symbol, but technically it looks like this: 180* Kitchen. (that's the closest I could get-)
    My friends, please read. This is so cool and so incredibly enriching that you will also now understand why maybe my heart wasn't wrapped around Make A Wish ... although I am so proud of my family who are very involved (-you ladies are love in action!) .... but I think it was because God matched my heart with something else more tailored to my identity. And my heart melted when I discovered 180* Kitchen!   I knew that is a place where I can truly devote my volunteering time and energy into. If you are a foodie, like I am, then you may want to check this out!
The City of Refuge is an entire "village", if you will, right in the most dangerous part of the state in the projects of Atlanta ... a city within a city, City of Refuge is a huge living complex for homeless women and children - rehabilitating them, educating them, providing medical needs and private living arrangements, countless programs for the children, job placement, church, social functions, therapy, and so so so much more to give these homeless women and struggling addicted women a chance to save their life. To regain responsibility and dignity. To offer love and a future to their children. To find purpose and spirit within. - It's deep. And amazing.
----- What's MORE amazing is the part where we can come in. Within this structured living environment, there is a separate program called 180* Kitchen. It is actually a Culinary School where troubled and struggling kids ages 16-25 can come and get off the streets, and make a future for themselves! They enroll in culinary school. FOR FREE. It's incredible!! At the end of their schooling, (which is the real deal!) the 180* Kitchen will actually place these students into a restaurant with an entry level job! And the best part is ... on Tuesdays and Thursdays, anyone is welcome to come and watch the students prepare gourmet lessoned meals for the Homeless.    IT   IS   SO  COOL.    Homeless people are lined up from all over to come and eat this free meal twice a week.   And we, as volunteers, simply set the tables and bring out plates of food to the homeless men and women and children sitting there restaurant style, and then help close everything up after.  Quick quick. It's so simple ... and yet so internally rewarding. I highly recommend you joining me in volunteering any week! I am committing myself to becoming more involved.
Bruce Deel operates the entire operation and is a man who wears many hats. He has been highly recognized for his passionate steadfast work with City of Refuge, and still continues to grow and grow and grow in public visibility and utter blessings.   Listen to me dish with Bruce, plus the Executive Chef and Culinary Director, Chef Alex - coming up this Saturday on DwD at 2:00pm.

Your heart is going to feel warm and fuzzy ... because we're cranking it up to 180 Degrees!

http://www.cityofrefugeinc.com/kitchen.html

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Hector Santiago ... Representing!

2010-02-21T19:11:00.002-05:00

"Lovin' Latin Food"

Saludos! Bienvenidos! I had a great radio show this weekend. I themed it: "Lovin Latin Food", focusing on my own culture, Puerto Rico. My spotlight guest was Hector Santiago of Top Chef, Season 6, and also a Puerto Rico native. I went to eat at Pura Vida, his restaurant in the cozy Virginia Highlands, the night before our interview and was salivating over the tapas that we ordered. (pictures are coming) We got to speak with Hector that night, and I'm not going to lie -- I was a little nervous about him coming on to the radio program because he seemed so quiet and passive and ... a man of few words. Now - I'm in radio. It's all about bringing a huge personality to life to satisfy listeners over the airwaves! So since Hector seemed quite passive and potentially shy, I completely over-compensated in my preparation! I knew I needed substantially more content to talk about in order to keep the conversation alive the next day on air.

Luckily, I was WRONG.
Hector came into the studios ready to rock n roll!! He brought a fantastic dynamic onto air - because he was enjoyable, he was likeable, we laughed alot - talked candidly about his personal experiences and opinions about being on Top Chef .....

Hector gave away a couple free dinners at Pura Vida to some lucky callers, talked about some great food of course, and found out some personal secrets as to what makes Hector Santiago, Hector Santiago!

Have I mentioned yet how much I love my job??
I also had on the "Lovin Latin Food" show an intriguing Puerto Rican woman named Eris Garriga. She is a multi-international-award winning cookbook author and just finished her new editions of both an English version and a Spanish version of her cookbook called "Homestyle Puerto Rican Cooking". She is so warm and so lovely and so lively. We had an enlightening discussion about latin cuisines in comparison to mexican food, and specific ingredients and spices which make the extreme differentiation. It was delicious conversation!

This episode of "Dishing With Donna" brought a sweet and spicy recipe to radio! I was so hungry by the end of this taping that I was immediately inspired to go home and try another round of Asopao (a traditional puerto rican soup/stew dish). The last time I tried to make this was during the SuperBowl, and got so sidetracked with the game, that I screwed up my Asopao and let all the water boil out. (go see my previous Superbowl blog!)

And of course, we can't leave out my wonderful sponsor - We Sell Restaurants - the nations largest restaurant brokerage firm, right here in Atlanta. The presidents are Eric and Robin Gagnon ... who I'm enjoying more and more as every month goes by.

All the guests together: Robin and Eric Gagnon, Eris Garriga, and HECTOR SANTIAGO.

In case you wonder what I'm always saying to close my show, it's "Buen Provecho". Which is the same thing as Bon Apetit. (if I even spelled that right) - but in Spanish. I actually started saying Buen Provecho when I lived in Miami and was spending a lot of time learning the culture, the language, and the food from my Puerto Rican family there. And in the spanish culture .... everyone is family!!

So to you, all my listening family ..... BUEN PROVECHO!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

I Heart Dogwood

2010-02-17T14:51:00.002-05:00

I just want to say a very warm THANK YOU to Shane Touhy of Dogwood Restaurant in downtown, and to all his team and staff. My Valentines Day dinner was superb. It was beautiful, it was romantic, it was delicious, it was divine. - From the flight of grits, to the sweet lobster fricassee, to the succulent dish of quail ... I was impressed with every bite. Thank you for the dining experience, and thank you so much for all your special generosity that evening to help make my own special night one to remember.

Treat yourself to a dinner gift certificate to Dogwood, simply by clicking below
$50 Gift Certificate for only $25 - click here

Dogwood Restaurant - click here for website

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Saturday the Great

2010-02-15T12:13:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday was an all around great day! I know I haven't blogged in one whole week, and to the blogger world - that's like a century long, but I have to admit ... it was a quiet week. My business partner and I (hi Dan!) spent a lot of long hours working "behind the scenes", so I wasn't out and about doing anything interesting enough to blog about. -- Well, unless you want to hear about my sudden newfound fascination with old movies. (This past week alone I found time late at nights watching Finian's Rainbow, Play Misty for Me, and Send Me Flowers.) But other than that .... it was all work work work.

Until now!
What a fabulous weekend it was! It was Valentines Day you know. On Friday I stayed in and fell asleep before your grandmother did, loving every minute of it. And then Saturday afternoon was my newly LIVE radio show. It was a special Valentine's Day show with the Sun Dial's Executive Chef, Russell Sleight, who is technically even more than that. He's the executive chef of the entire Westin Peachtree Hotel. - Which is open again and even revolving now! Congratulations Sun Dial. - We even gave away a free romantic dinner for 2 to one lucky caller!
Also on the show was newcomer segment sponsor, Worthy Connections, who comes every other week to tell you about one restaurant industry person who is offering their time and energy to greater causes for charity. This week they brought Tom Murphy to the Dishing With Donna Show. Tom works with Open Hand organization and it was all around a great show.

We also gave away free dinners to Varasano's Pizzeria in Buckhead and a gift certificate to Gabriel's Desserts in Marietta, a restaurant owned and operated by Paula Deen's cousin, Johnnie Gabriel.
--- Take a listen every Saturday for constant incredible giveaways!

Then on Saturday night, I was treated like a queen for an early Valentines Jump Start. I was taken to Cafe Efendi in Alpharetta ... which just happens to be a restaurant that I crave off and on .... (check out my tv appearance down below on this blog to watch me review Cafe Efendi on NBC) ... it was almost too much fun. I ate the one dish that I dream about, which is Iskender Kabob. Tried a new dish, Stuffed Cabbage over meaty rice - yum! I salivated over my Bachlava. Sipped on wine all night, clapped and cheered for the bellydancers, had the traditional hookah, and never stopped smiling from ear to ear! - Well. Except when my mouth was shoveling down food like a needy garbage disposal. Even my heartburn had a smile.

(no, that's not me dancing with the bellydancer.

But that lady was shakin' it out!)

If you like Greek food ... you will love this authentic Turkish restaurant, Cafe Efendi! Ask for Hal, the owner. He'll be your new best friend!!

http://www.cafeefendi.com/index.html

click here for website

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Live and Alive!!

2010-02-07T18:54:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I aired my very first One Full Hour hour radio show (was 30 minutes for this past year). And in case you didn't know, I've always been a pre-recorded show. And this Saturday -- I was LIVE for the first time. It was completely different! And although I admit I was crazy nervous at first -- I ended up and somehow felt like I had already been doing it for years! It was so natural. So comfortable. I'm going to go ahead and just put it on out there ..... I felt like I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. I'm not sure what the future holds in way of entertainment - not exactly sure if I'll stay in radio, stay in food, go to tv, etc..... But I AM doing exactly what I went to college for (which is so unique these days!) and I AM doing exactly what I love (which is rare!) and I AM doing exactly what exactly what I am good at.   Need I say - I walked out of the studio feeling . . . BLESSED!
So I'll just ahead and give God a shout out for that one.

I had a fabulous Super Bowl Special to kick off our new era of The "Dishing With Donna" Show. My special Guest Co-Host was Atlanta's one and only TODD RUSHING, of the Concentrics Restaurant Group - and let me just tell you ... he was so good he could be a radio host himself!!  I'm so thankful he was a part of it with me from start to finish. We also spoke with one of his Executive Chefs, Nick Melvin from Parish Restaurant -- a New Orleans cuisine restaurant in Inman Park. Absolutely superb!! (So that was representing the New Orleans Saints.)  Nick also did a fantastic job on air.  We learned about the history of New Orleans cuisine and enjoyed interesting conversation. Also included was Robb Dillon from the incredible NY Butcher Shoppe off Roswell Road, and Robb was our expert on all things MEAT both in general and for Super Bowl foodie ideas. He is a maticulously educated butcher and no matter where you live in Atlanta, it is definitely worth a visit! (tell them you heard about it from DwD!) :-)   And then of course, we checked in with my sponsors for the local inside scoop, We Sell Restaurants. I get to dish with Robin and Eric every week on my show. It's been a lot of dark and early fun mornings together in the studio! I consider knowing them and having them work with me also a blessing.
The best part about the show was when we had extreme Giveaways!!! I had 4 different amazing giveaways to offer callers - including a free dinner for 4 at One Midtown Kitchen.  Mardi Gras party tickets. Not to mention free steaks and full dinners from NY Butcher Shoppe as well.   I had a blast! -- Keep calling in!

I gotta tell you, I'm not trying to brag or sound egotistical, so forgive me if that's the impression you're about to get . . . . but let's just be candid here . .. . . I HAVE A GREAT SHOW!!!!!
:-)

I am blessed. It feels very humbling.   And as I sit here on my laptop and the Super Bowl is on tv right in front of me, all I can think about is how I can't wait for next Saturday to hurry up and get here so I can do it all over again.   - - So you better tune in and listen!!   Thank you to all of those who are helping make DwD a success.
Too bad there's not a Radio Bowl.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Judging the S.Pellegrino ALMOST FAMOUS CHEF Competition

2010-02-04T10:26:00.002-05:00

Wow. I was honored to be asked to participate as a judge for this competition. Along with Eli Kirshtein from Top Chef and Meridith Ford from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution (esteemed food critic) and with some other great people, we spent all afternoon watching 8 competitors battle it out for the coveted "Almost Famous Chef" title - and the winner we chose would then compete nationally in Napa Valley - representing the southeast. The finalist chefs were from all over the southeast and came here to the Art Institute of Atlanta Culinary School to see who was the best of the best.
All afternoon the judges watched carefully as all 8 competitors nervously prepared their dishes by themselves within a 90 minute time frame. It was so cool to watch!! I was a "media judge" which meant I was specifically focusing on their presence and composure and delivery. I had to ask them questions about their inspiration behind their dishes and even their lives, and had to judge them according to their communication skills and composure. In the end, a deliciously talented young guy named Timothy DeVore is on his way to Napa! He was my top pick from the beginning. The winning dish picture is below: Sumac seared duck breast, braised duck leg, parsnip puree, and bull’s blood microgreens. (yep. bull's blood.)

It's funny, I'm not a chef (like Eli) I'm not a food critic (like Meridith) and I don't run restaurants (like a couple other judges) ..... I interview all those people instead. So to be a Judge for an important culinary competition was definitely a new element for me to experience. It didn't help that something happened to my registration info and I was the only judge at the official table with a hand-written name tag thingy. Yeah. That was professional. But since I recieved a fabulous knife set as my parting gift .... I guess I'll forgive S.Pellegrino.

Lastly, just want to give a shout out to Cris Martinez of CBS, Eat It Atlanta blogger, Aaron at Sotto Sotto, Sean at McCrady's, Robert of Charleston, and of course the lovely Meridith of AJC and Eli Kirshtein of Top Chef.

-- This was at the end of a long day. Me, Meridith Ford, and Cris Martinez.

And it's a wrap!!

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Class With Ursula

2010-01-29T17:53:00.005-05:00

Last night I went to the nations largest independant cooking school, Ursula's Cooking School, which happens to be right here in Atlanta off of Cheshire Bridge Rd in Buckhead. It was my 4th time to go ... or was it my 5th? Whichever, I truly love attending her class. Ursula even taught Roselyn Carter how to cook! It's amazing how thick her German accent still is, and I find myself laughing out loud in class sometimes when I can't understand what in the world she's saying. "Zen, zuh next zing zwe do eez ..."
She is contagiously adorable.
I was introduced to Ursula by one of the most amazing women I have ever met, Shannon Alderman, who actually wrote the very first "Dishing With Donna" article. As a free lance writer, she was assigned by a newspaper to do a story on me - we clicked instantly - and now I am blessed to call Shannon one of my very best friends. But one day she said I absolutely must be introduced to one of her closest friends, and Oma - if you will. (german for grandmother) -They meet once a week at Francos in Buckhead for dinner together, and I actually got invited to join in on their weekly tradition one night. So I met Ursula for dinner at Franco's and I knew immediately why Shannon (early 30's) spends so much personal time with her. She's a unique soul who is naturally magnetic! And at age 76 - she has more wit, more sense of humor, more radiant energy and more life in her than most 30-something year olds! Turning her own private home into a commercial teaching kitchen, Ursula has been running her independant cooking school right off of Cheshire Bridge Rd since 1966.

Now granted, you sit in little bitty tiny school desks for nearly 3 hours while you watch and smell and salivate. And then finally at the end - she serves you everything you've just learned to make, buffet style. You're so hungry by this point that dinner becomes one dangerous cattle call! Watch out piggies ... the trough is ready! (yes, I said 3 hours later ...)

With easy "anyone can do them" recipes --- Ursula creates elegant dishes with little effort. Learn helpful hints around the kitchen as well as how to cut some corners. (which I always like!) Ursula will have you cracking up WiZ her AckZent allZ nite, as well as learn some fun new things to cook. Just watch out for her kitchen witches!! Don't be frightened, she says she collects them for good luck! I think she just announced that she has around 300 witches in her kitchen. -- Oh, and don't mention Hitler either. Coming here to get away from Germany ..... she's not exactly a fan.

(From left to right: Me, my friend Heather, and Shannon Alderman)

Go visit her website and upon my recommendation -- spend a little money to take her cooking classes.
Eez a Good Zing!

Click Here for Ursula's Website

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Sick-n-Sip

2010-01-28T12:36:00.003-05:00

I realize that I have not updated my blog yet this week. Wow, this week has flown by! Which is odd to say since I have been sick for 2 days straight feeling like the day is so long. I haven't eaten very much at all (- why couldn't this have happened when I was struggling to detox?? Being sick would have made it so much easier!). And that being the reason why I haven't blogged. Using sickness as my procrastination.
However! The night before I started feeling sicky, I did go out to dinner at a fabulous new joint called SIP in Milton (that snug little area of Alpharetta). Although the creative tapas food was great, it was more of the atmosphere that had me so impressed. SIP is definitely a "Donna spot". With the lights glowing and dark rustic walls, the wine focused decor and an air of sexiness, yet still so comfortable and cozy at the same time. It's perfect for a date ... which I was on. :-)
The best part about SIP is their enomatic wine systems. Incredible! Breakthrough technology for dispensing wine. You get a special card, slip it into the machine, choose your wine that you want - then choose the amount you want (a taste, a half glass, or full glass), push the button, place your glass in the machine .... and it will dispense for you your exact choices!! Right there on the spot. It is so cool.
So we had some fun with that, tasting both whites and reds. And be careful if you try their chocolate cayenne pepper ice cream dessert! I needed a firehose to wash out the burn! -- It hurt so good.

Get yourself a $35 dinner gift card for only $17.50. It's our popular 50% off dining program!

Easy easy.

Click Here to Purchase Your Gift Certificates to "Sip"

http://www.sipwineshop.com/

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Soup for the Soul

2010-01-25T09:06:00.001-05:00

So last night, my father (who is Puerto Rican) requested that I make him one of his favorite authentic Puerto Rican dishes called Asopao. It is a thick traditional soup made with chicken, rice, olives, ham, peppers, capers, other goodies, and ofcourse ... sofrito. I once interviewed Ted Allen from Food Network and he said that if you put sofrito on anything at all -- it automatically becomes a latin dish! It was funny. Anyhow! I was going to take pictures and put the pictures on this blog (or should I say Flog!) along with the recipe. But as you can see, there are no pictures. Well that is because I botched up the meal. Ugh! I wouldn't exactly call what I made 'soup' -- not even a stew. It was more like ... just rice with a bunch of yummy stuff in it. I somehow left the water boiling and went to go watch the football game (sorry Brett Favre, if you're reading! Ha) and when I came back to the stove, yep, all the water had boiled itself right on out. Nice job Donna. Luckily, it still turned out quite good, thanks to the intensely delicious flavors - and my dad was a good sport about it. It just wasn't his soup.
Also, for my side dish - I have become obsessed with frying bread. It may clog up my aorta, but as each bite is swallowed ... I somehow think it's worth it! All I do is take french bread or cuban bread - slice it into one inch pieces and slather on a big thick layer of butter. I place it directly into a skillet with sizzling hot olive oil, butter side down. Flip it after a couple minutes to brown the other side, and that's it!! The BEST part comes next. How to top it! For my puerto rican dish last night, I sprinkled on spicy cheese first, topped off by black beans that I had been cooking on the stove, full of delicious seasoning. You put all that on top of the fried bread pieces and WOW!!!! Your taste buds will do a little dance! (although your arteries might hate you) Last week, I was making an italian dinner (my favorite) and fried my bread the same way - but I topped it with provolone cheese and then white beans that I had been cooking in garlic and basil. YUM!!

I want to say thank you really quick to Eris Garriga who is the author of my incredible Puerto Rican cookbook, and who is coming onto the 'Dishing With Donna' radio show in a couple weeks. If any of you want her cookbook .... just let me know.
So maybe my soup didn't turn out as soup, but having a home cooked meal with your parents is always good for the soul.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

F.L.O.G

2010-01-22T10:12:00.004-05:00

I love it!! -- I actually just created it. Yep! It's a phrase my business partner just came up with and we are officially hereby claiming it as our own. :-)    ..... Oh, It'll catch on!

FLOG = Food Lovers Blog.

Genius!! It's perfect. So I hereby publicly nominate the newly created word (done so by the Dishing With Donna Show) lol - FLOG to now exclusively pertain to all blogs in the foodie industry!!   We'll create our own blogging identity. I think it's great! So who's with me now??!?!?!?!
Whaddya say!??!
And let's let this very Flog be the first to bring on the new wave of Floggers!!!

Tell me what you think. Just comment below.
:-)
   ..... (are 2 smiley faces two smiley faces too much??)

But feel free to tell me if you like this cool idea, or has this detox just gone to my head - ?? Because I have no quams about supporting that idea either! This detox has been a roller coaster to my insides. Maybe it's gone to my brain. I mean, even as I'm sitting here writing this flog .... I just finished eating one boiled egg white and one small cup of fat free yogurt, and I'm now sipping on my delicious detox tea thing.   ( -- btw, my teeth just grit together when I sarcastically used the word delicious).   And there's a whopping small vegetable side salad waiting on me for my entire lunch later. Mmmmm,  I'm craving it already ....   (teeth still gritting, but now also add a head shaking back and forth as well)   And don't forget the intensely effective Fiber powder to go along with it! -- Doesn't that sound appealing??
They should have a commercial that says: THIS IS YOUR BRAIN.   THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON DETOX.   And see what that frying pan looks like!
Regardless.
I still like the idea of all of us foodie bloggers to embrace the word FLOG!   - a Food Lovers Blog -
I've already included it as part of my website!   Check it out at:    http://www.dishingwithdonnashow.com/

And again, what do YOU think about it???
TO FLOG OR NOT TO FLOG.   THAT IS THE QUESTION.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

A Fat and Happy Detox.

2010-01-20T15:48:00.010-05:00

I knew it! I told you so. I knew my body was going to reject a Detox. First, in my last attempt, my stomach became my personal nemisis and definitely put the 'pain' in hunger pains! -You think my tummy would appreciate being squeaky clean and polished from the inside out. A shiney new inner lining. - But no! Not my organs. Nope! They'd rather be fat and happy than empty and neglected. (we're coming right back to this 'fat and happy' notion ... )
The issue this go-round is the fact that the new detox I've been assigned to do includes so many pills and powders. And for the first time in 34 years ... I am breaking out all over the place. If there's one thing I know I can say with confidence that I've been blessed with -- it's always been flawless skin. Even in my pre-teen years (or more bluntly, puberty) - it was never an issue for me. While everyone else walked around with a snow capped mountain range on their face . . . I somehow remained miraculously immune to it. So I can't even relate to what a breakout feels like.
Well, that is ... until I decided to become more "healthy", and now ironically my face is hiking through that same mountain range.
This particular detox is drastic, and its causing drastic side effects. Don't even get me started on the side effects of my digestive track! - Ew.

So do I take the good with the bad?? Or in this case, the bad with the good? I guess the good news is it's only a 7 day detox. I'm on day 3. I'm a fighter - I can squeeze out 4 more days. But in order to compensate for the flawed skin and erupting belly .... I may just have to sneak some wine to keep me sane.   ;-)   Shhh, don't tell! Detox Schmeetox. Whatever happened to a good old fashioned diet??

Speaking of diet - just real quick - how am I supposed to stay loyal to a diet when I go to restaurants like THE BRIDGE in Roswell!??!?! It's one of the most authentic mexican restaurants I've been to in all of Atlanta. It's getting rave reviews. I had to go there. Driving up to the location - I had my doubts. I did. But I got to tell ya, sometimes the "hole in the wall" joints deliver dishes of food that are FAR superior to the food found in a mass produced chain. THE BRIDGE is exactly one of those joints. Absolutely delicious. When I looked at the menu and saw the combination called "Fat and Happy" .... are you kidding me? I had to order it! It was a chicken tamale, a beef enchilada, tacos, rice and beans, and a salad.
Again, since I saw the word 'salad' in it, I knew it had to be on my detox plan!

Check out THE BRIDGE in Roswell. Tell the owners (who are there on site) that you saw it on Dishing With Donna. And you can even go get yourself a gift certificate to try it out directly from my 50% Off Program! (scroll down on this blog) Buy a $35.00 dinner certificate for only $15 bucks. - Yummy date night!  Get Fat and Happy, I did.

Click Here to purchase your $35 Gift Certificates. . .
"Dishing With Donna" - The Bridge Mexican Gourmet

10479 Alpharetta St.

Roswell, GA 30075
(678) 373-1726
http://www.bridgemexicangourmet.com/

The Beacon article about The Bridge Mexican Gourmet - click here

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Detox - Take Two! -- Really??

2010-01-18T19:39:00.002-05:00

Oh what have I gotten myself into now?? Right as I was proclaiming my acceptance about my natural inability to maintain a strict regime of nazi detoxification, and feeling glad that I'm no longer held accountable for such nonsense blog-writing ....... well all the sudden here comes a curve ball! I'm pretty much assigned to a new detox plan with strict orders that I must obey it properly this time and cannot cheat! Fabulous. So here I am at the end of Day One.
Again.
Yep. Again.
( . . . if you could only see my eyes rolling . . . )

So let's see ...again for the record, I ate zip for breakfast and choked on my own sweat instead while I went to the gym very early for a strong cardio workout. With nothing in my stomach but water (and maybe last night's wine) it was several hours later when I went to Chick-fil-a and surprised myself when I heard my own voice ordering a grilled chicken sandwich, no butter - with a side salad for my lunch. - Who knew I could say those words! ... You see, -I'm growing. ;-)

I might have slipped a glass of white wine in there somewhere (naughty me) but other than that ... my dinner was simply the Puerto Rican Asopao that I had made from a couple nights ago reheated. No dessert. Yes I'm serious .... no dessert!

This newly enforced detox has me taking pills every morning and every night, lots of different pills for lots of different detoxification reasons. Gross. But luckily it's only 7 days. As I'm closing out the first day ... maybe this time around will be the real deal. Who knows. After what I already tried to go through though .... I'm not looking forward to this week. And there's no more cookies left!! My drug of choice = cookies. I'd ask you where they could have possibly gone -- but then my lovehandles already showed me.

Day One. Mission completed.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Atlanta & Company's "Metromix" Restaurant Segment

2010-01-15T12:44:00.004-05:00

Donna on the "Metromix Meals" television show talking about one of her favorite restaurants, Cafe Efendi in Alpharetta. For Cafe Efendi's website - click here

Detox Day 6 & 7 -- Crash and Burn

2010-01-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when you don't want to lie, you just play the denial game instead and completely ignore the situation. Well I think that's what I've been doing for 2 days now. I don't want to lie on my blog, therefore ... I just haven't written! I've been too embarrassed to admit that my stomach is simply not allowing me to remain on a strict Detox.   -- A diet is one thing. Even working out every day seems okay for me. But a Detox??? No caffeine? No wine? No sugars? No salt? No carbs? No spices? No fat? -- NO FUN.
Cmon let's just be honest here.   I am in the restaurant and food industry. Ok? It's my job! How could I have ever expected to Detox for 10 days when I'm eating in several restaurants a day for a living??? And if you've read the previous Detox blogs .... then you already know I've cheated every single day somehow since day One. Trying to "detox" has left me cranky and feeling like a failure.

Therefore, my fellow foodies, let's just call a spade a spade. Donna is not a detoxing person! Period. I appreciate and love food way too much to break up our happy relationship together. I need food and food needs me. And not KASHI cereal kind of food either. But food like the grits bar at Dogwood, stuffed peppers at Wisteria, meatball pizza at Max's, spinach and chicken canneloni at Alfredo's, a kripsy kreme milkshake from Flip, sushi from Miso, barbecue from Swallow in the Hollow, a good cabernet from Sip Wine Bar, etc... etc....

So I will continue to finish out my Detox Tea thing. I still have a few more days of that. And on day 10, I will let you know how much weight I've lost. (or not lost). But let's look at the bright side of this little self-project . . . . I now know never to attempt a detox again! Good to know.
Oh I can handle a diet! Just not a strict detox. Not for me. And for those of you who can, kudos to you!   (Mmmmm, Kudos)
So my goal is to lose the 30 lbs I've packed on since becoming a Food Radio Host. -- Detox vs. Diet. That sounds like a new blog title!
;-)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Dogwood Restaurant on The "Dishing with Donna" Show

2010-01-13T14:40:00.009-05:00

I wanted to give a big Thank You to my guest this week, Shane Touhy - Owner/Executive Chef of Dogwood Restaurant located in downtown Atlanta across from the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Click below to buy a $50 gift cetificate for ONLY $25. Hurry though, this deal wont stick around forever. And don't forget to listen to Shane chat with me on the "Dishing With Donna" show this Saturday at 2:00pm on WGKA 920am.

click here for your gift certificate.
Dishing with Donna - Dogwood

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Detox Day 5 - The Revival

2010-01-12T10:51:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to wonder if my Detox Tea is still working. On day 3, my bowels definitely felt the effects of 'intestinal cleansing' for sure! (Lol, I'm trying to keep it PG here...) But yeah, it was freakish and cool at the same time. Since then however, nothing else has happened. Maybe it's because I've cheated a few times, so the Tea is mad at me now - ??

Well I'm done with the cheat! After speaking to a friend of mine this morning (Hi Copee!) I am suddenly re-energized to jump back on the bandwagon of discipline. He is also detoxing, but doing a liquid-only diet for 21 days ... and he has not cheated even once! He is on day 9, and here I am only on day 5 - -and have already cheated several times. AND I even get to eat solid foods, and he does not. I asked him his secret and his answer was eye-opening. Copee says that every time he gets hungry and tempted, he literally removes himself from the area of temptation (like a kitchen) and goes and prays to God for strength. By the time he is done praying, he said he no longer feels the need to indulge! As a christian myself, this spoke to me. Why didn't I realize this before?? God wants us to lean on Him in times of need, and yes - even in a diet. It encourages and builds self-discipline, which is obviously important to have when living a christian lifestyle. So with no pun intended ... it all feeds off each other!
So watch out God, I'm about to bombard you with lots of extra prayer time!   (Food tempts me quite frequently throughout the day) (just read the previous blogs!)   ;-)

So today is technically Day 6 ... but let me tell you about yesterday, my Day 5.
I woke up to a bowl of the most disgusting cereal I have ever tried, KASHI. If you've ever had a craving for stale wet styrofoam - then this breakfast is for you! In fact, this cereal could be used on Fear Factor.
For lunch I re-heated my brown rice and turkey sausage from the other night, and just ate a little bowl. I was doing good again!!   I was feeling good! Did I mention I even had an early morning date with the gym?
................. But like clockwork, around 5pm, I had the pre-dinner munchies. And what was available for snacking??? Chocolate Chunk cookies!!!  Well I decided I better hurry and finish them off so that they won't tempt me anymore. Thank goodness they're no longer around!
And then for dinner, a very weird combination of shrimp cocktail and eggs.   (- don't ask.)

So that was my Day 5 yesterday.   As for today though .... I'm using Copee as my motivation, and God as my strength. Hopefully by the end of today, I will not have another cookie story for you.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Paula Deen and Bobby Flay to attend Metropolitan Cooking Show in Atlanta

2010-01-11T16:21:00.001-05:00

Paula Deen and Bobby Flay to attend Metropolitan Cooking Show in Atlanta

Posted using ShareThis

Detox Crisis - Day 4

2010-01-11T11:57:00.000-05:00

I don't like this game anymore. This whole 'detox' game. Because let's just be honest ... it's all about win or lose. If I stay obedient to the 'rules', then I win. If I slip up and eat a cookie, I lose! It's as simple as that. And I think I'm already losing. This game is no longer fun!

I was so proud of myself for starting off my day yesterday with breakfast and a Bible study at IHOP. Yes, proud. Because as surprising as it's going to sound, I actually ordered a healthy breakfast! I had turkey bacon, egg "substitute" (whatever that is), whole wheat toast. and turkey sausage. I was full, satisfied, and pretty dang proud of myself for not ordering my usual french toast or pancakes. At this point, my day is looking like a WIN!
Then I went to the movies and saw Avatar. -- Incredible movie by the way!! Go see it! I did eat popcorn, but it was UNbuttered. And we brought a little baggie of mixed nuts to munch on as well. So I had no official lunch, but enough munchies to last me til dinner. Right??
-- WRONG! I got back to my house, and lo' and behold .... again ... cookies.
Really????   Have we not already learned that I have a weakness for all things sweet??? I believe this must be a terrorist attack. Because no one who loves me would have chocolate chunk cookies sitting out the moment I walk thru the door.   This plot to destroy me is working -- because I indulged in SEVERAL.   Kill me now.
After a 2 second guilt trip about the cookies - I then went down to Buckhead and got all my hair chopped off. Yep! Whacked it all off. And then I took my hairdresser out to dinner afterwards at Eclipse di Luna. This is actually a great restaurant for my Detox. Everything is Tapas, so small plates. And there are a lot of healthy choices as well.  She and I shared plates of hummus and octopus and lamb. It was delicious. Light and delicious! However . . . . . maybe I backslid again and drank a glass of red wine.
OOPS! How did that happen??

Okay. So I seem to be winning and losing in this whole Detox game. One hit, one miss. One hit, one miss. But hey .... atleast I'm not giving up and I'm still playing!   Does that earn me some bonus points?? Extra credit?? Anything??   -- Did I win another cookie??

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Detox Dilemma - Day 3

2010-01-10T15:18:00.001-05:00

Well crap. I cheated yesterday. (Day 3 was Saturday) I admit it. Dang ice cream!! It's my personal kryptonite! Well that, and cookies. And cinnamon buns. And doughnuts. And cheesecake. And candy bars. And applie pie. And ............. well you get the picture. - I love sweets! And ice cream ranks at the top. So when someone pulls out some ice cream and heath bar Magic Shell right in front of my face -- I don't think I should be held responsible for my reactions! (--- yes, the lethal Magic Shell again) (Who can say no??)

So so what? I had a bowl of ice cream. What about the rest of my triumphant day?? I woke up and drank the gross Detox Tea with enthusaism. Want to know why?? .... Because when I first weighed myself, I've lost 5 POUNDS!! 5!! In less than 3 days! That was the first time in over a year that I've seen the scale go backwards and not forwards. It was a glorious little moment for me. So I bopped downstairs and drank the tea and whipped up a bowl of low fat oatmeal for breakfast. After that, I spent the afternoon with my grandparents down on the south side of Atlanta. For lunch there was some deliciously fatty chunky chicken salad sitting on a plate in front of me, oozing in thick mayo. As I looked around the table at both my grandparents as well as my mother chowing down on this chicken salad .... I actually stood up and traded mine out for a bowl of Raisin Bran cereal. Yep! It's true. Even my mother was proud of me. :-)
I drank water as if it were about to become extinct. I ate nuts and granola for my snacks. - I was still going strong!
And then at dinner - I took a baby step backwards when I indulged in 2 pieces of goat cheese pizza. But that's where I drew the line! I was done for the day. Only water throughout the night now. Done. No more food. Day 3 completed and successful!! Go me!
. . . . . . . . . . Uuuuuuuuuuuuntil someone decided to draw blood. It was just like slow motion. I saw the freezer being open. I saw an arm reach in and slowly pull out what I immeditely recongnized as a tub of the deadly temptation ..... ice cream. Flavor: Kryptonite.
Then! Then the kitchen of my heart began to blow up and self destruct when I watched another arm pull out the Magic Shell.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!KA BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spoon to mouth, it was over.
I ate that ice cream like a glutton. But somehow, I found the courage within and the strength to perservere ... because ladies and gentlemen ... I did not have a second bowl!!
And THAT my fellow foodies, is why Day 3 still counts as a Success on the scorecard, and therefore .... continuing on to Day 4 of Detox Diet!

:-)

( ... 5 lbs gone and 25 more to go!)

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Detox - Day 2

2010-01-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

I did it!! One day down, 9 more to go. Finally. One full day of crazy-healthy eating, along with my Detox Tea thing. Last night, I said no thank you to the wine (sniff sniff) and ate a small bowl of rice, turkey sausage, and shrimp with lite tomato sauce. No dessert. Can you believe that?? No dessert! There's one for the history books.

As for today, I have not felt well at all. It's almost 2pm and I'm just now getting out of bed for the first time today, still in my robe. Because of feeling ill, I have not eaten or drank anything yet. Not even water. Nothing. -- As soon as I post this, I will go downstairs and attempt to drink my Detox Tea. Not sure what else I can stomach at the moment. But hey -- being sick works in my favor!! I have no appetite! Sweet. So Day 2 of Detox ... going good so far. Ha!
(oh, it also allows me to stay home from the gym -- Should this upset me??? Because it doesn't.)
;-)
Stay tuned and find out tomorrow how the rest of my day/night goes. - Will write more tomorrow. My eyes are so swollen and puffy that I'm surprised I'm even typing correctly.

uhnteel thin --

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Detox Disaster

2010-01-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

My personal Detox plan (to kick start my new healthy diet for 2010) was supposed to start 4 days ago, on Monday. Yeah. I was doing great until about 2:00pm. That didn't last long. - I decided to try again the next day, and was hanging in there til about 10am (haha) since I guess one piece of cold pizza still counts as cheating on a detox. Then came Wednesday. I was bound and determined to get my butt in gear (literally) and make this the day that I could be disciplined!   Other than still downing caffeine first thing in the morning (something I told myself would be part of the Detox -- no caffeine) but other than that ... I was actually doing pretty good! Healthy fruit breakfast. A gross health bar for my lunch.   Tons of water. I was doing it!!! Yay me!   . . . . . aaaaaand then came the cookie test. Right before my eyes were some of the most delicious looking cookies and brownies and doughnuts. Are you kidding me?? Who can say no to that?? - Before I knew it, I had already scarfed down several, and loved every minute of it. Since I had already botched my detox for the day, I later decided that a bowl of ice cream with Magic Shell (Mmmmmm, Magic Shell!) was okay after my believe-it-or-not healthy dinner of spinach salad. I proudly declared that my spinach salad cancelled out my ice cream. :-)

So! Here I am.   Attemptive day 4. Thursday. It's noon right now, and this morning I pulled myself out of bed very early and suffered a grueling cardio workout at the gym (I did pretty good though!) -- went to Whole Foods and decided to buy myself 100% healthy diet foods, as well as this crazy 10-Day Detox Tea stuff. It's supposed to flush out my intestines, liver, and kidneys. - Lovely.
So I am now armed with my arsenol of guilt!   ( as in, I better do this because I just forked out a lot of money to make this work!)
Today, I have had low-fat oatmeal for breakfast, 2 liters of water already, and about to eat some healthy soup for my lunch.    .... stay tuned and keep up with me every single day as to how I'm handling this 10 Day Detox Diet.
After 3 days of failed attmepts, I'm hoping that this day 4 will REALLY be my Day One.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

Turkish Delight on a Moonlit Night

2010-01-05T21:34:00.001-05:00

"Hey let's go out for some Turkish food!" is not exactly a common phrase you hear every weekend, is it? I'm more inclined to think one would choose Greek food before suggesting a Turkish restaurant. And yet the comparison is quite similiar. If you have never enjoyed cuisine from Turkey ... then let me tell you that you are missing out!
Go to Alpharetta and try CAFE EFENDI. A new favorite local spot of mine, tucked away in a charming renovated house just across from PURE Taqueria. Although Turkish food is not immediately identified with any particular dish (i.e.= sushi for Japan, or pasta for Italy) it is still a competitive underdog in the world of ethnic cuisine. Turkish cuisine prides itself on elaborate style with simple technique, focused on one main ingredient per dish.

To start, our meze of choice was falafel which I truly enjoyed. It had subtle flavor and balanced well with the jajik sauce, a rich and creamy white dipping sauce. Kiymali Borek was also served and it is the Turkish comparison to Greek spanikopita. We chose the ground beef borek rather than the spinach. I thought the sesame seed garnish made it unique with a lovely presentation.
Dinner was impressive. My dish was the savory Iskender Kebob, a house favorite. It is thinly sliced meat atop a buttery pide (bread) with light tomato sauce and creamy yogurt. The spices were not overpowering, the meat was tender and tasty, surprisingly complimented by the sweet yogurt which takes your taste buds to a new level. I absolutely loved it. I could eat it again right now!
My guest enjoyed Lamb Sautee. Lamb is one of the most popular meats used in Turkish cooking. This particular dish was strong, yet the perfect example of focusing all flavors around one central ingredient. The lamb was the star, and the spices, sauces and other vegetables worked together to showcase the lamb. It was rich and delicious.

Café Efendi represents the authenticity of Turkey not only by its food, but also by the friendly all-Turkish staff, the décor, the atmosphere, the famous hookahs, and the overall Mediterranean style.

So next time you think Greek …. Just go outside the box one inch further, and treat yourself to the subtle differences and fine cuisine of Atlanta’s best Turkish restaurant, Café Efendi.

www.dishingwithdonnashow.com

VIP Listener Wine Tasting Party @ Parish Restaurant

2009-12-28T16:23:00.006-05:00

Todd Rushing (right) and Dan Hott at the exclusive

"Dishing With Donna" VIP Wine Tasting at Parish Restaurant

Listeners of "Dishing With Donna" enjoy a VIP foodie night!

Donna and Dominique Giovine of Casa LaPostolle Wines host the event