Rachael Ray recently launched Mutt Madness — an initiative to help raise money for organizations that practices no-kill animal wellness. According to Ray’s site:

 ”If you’ve got a [charity] organization that practices no-kill animal wellness, then enter to win up to $50,000! How does it work? Our panel will choose 64 qualified organizations to participate in a fun, brackets-style program where the public votes for the winners. After 6 rounds of cash rewards, the grand prize winner will receive $50,000! All in all, we are giving away over $200K to organizations that have shown a serious committment to helping animals in need.”

Wow! That’s a lot of dough! 

To find out more, or to enter your own organization, visit RachaelRay.com!

via: looktothestars.org

Even though it drives me crazy that Rachel Ray abbreviates Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Seriously? EVOO?), I am pleased to announce that homegirl is being honored with a pretty fantastic award. 

This June, North Shore Animal League America will honor the television chef with the President’s Award for Humanitarian Excellence. 

According to the League:

“Rachael’s devotion to her own dog, Isaboo, her championing of the often unfairly maligned pit bull breeds and her support of shelter and rescue groups has brought attention to the plight of homeless animals. Nutrish, Rachael’s pet food company, has generously supported the Animal League in helping us save the lives of countless pets.

“Rachael and her husband John stirred up the excitement attending the DogCatemy Celebrity Gala where they shared their home-made video of their beloved Isaboo. Her concern for the wellbeing of all animals is reflected in the Rachael’s Rescue website, where the Animal League stands as one of several shelter and rescue groups benefitting from proceeds of Nutrish sales.“

While I’m thrilled to death that Rachel is doing her part for all the needy pups out there, I wish she’d make the connection between the food she eats and the animals that must suffer for it. Can I get an amen?

The luncheon will take place on June 3 at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, New York. Tickets to the event are $150 and are available at NSALAmerica.org.

“Nowhere in the dog magazine did it state that the recipe was intended for humans, not dogs. And the text accompanying the recipe contained a disclaimer warning owners to check with their dogs’ veterinarians, again leading many to believe the recipe was for dogs. Dr. Dana Harman, D.V.M., of Boca Raton, Fla, explains that onions can cause “potentially fatal hemolytic anemia” in dogs.”

Making matters worse, as Cele|bitchy points out,

“The recipe is still on Rachel Ray’s “Everyday” Magazine website under a “Pet Friendly” header and accompanied by a photo of her dog looking like he’s chowing down on the dish – which again contains onion.”

Understandably, quite a few people are upset at Rachel Ray’s misleading recipe — as well as the website’s decision to not make a more explicit disclaimer that the meal is not intended for dogs. Hopefully, no pets have been seriously harmed — but the peeps over at Ray’s site need to wake up from their holiday comas and change that site asap!

Billed as New York City’s largest green trade show, the Go Green Expo is an all inclusive schmorgisborg of eco-friendly, green deliciousness.

The event kicks off with the Go Green Expo Gala Awards Dinner on Friday, April 25th at the Hilton Grand Ballroom in NYC. This uber fancy black tie evening boasts a cocktail reception by 360 Vodka, a Maggie Norris eco-couture fashion show, a dinner menu designed by Rachel Ray and an award ceremony honoring a long list of green heroes, including Anderson Cooper and David Bach. Tickets to the dinner are $500 dollars each and between $5,000-10,000 dollars for a table of 10.

Wanna go green without spending as much green – no worries! The expo continues on Saturday and Sunday with the low ticket price of just 10 dollars. 10 dollars people!! But check this out: if you bring your Con Ed bill and sign up to switch to wind power (which is seriously like a few dollars more a month) Con Ed will buy your ticket for you!

The expo itself will feature hundreds of companies showcasing the latest earth friendly products & services, dozens of interactive seminars & speeches, an eco-film festival, an eco-fashion show and a variety of hands on demonstrations. Oh and if you own or run a business don’t forget to sign up for the Business Goes Green Summit and learn how to “greenify” your money maker.

So what the heck are you waiting for? Visit GoGreenExpo.com and spend your Earth Day weekend with me and thousands of other like-minded New Yorkers. See ya at the show!

Kristin Davis kills me with cuteness. Of all the Sex In The City ladies most attractive on my radar, she takes the cake. She’s also into miniature donkeys — which for some might be a little too kinky; but scores additional points with me as she’s using the little guys to help spread the good word on the Oxfam America Unwrapped holiday campaign.

Davis will appear on the Rachel Ray Show tomorrow (December 19th) with a miniature donkey to talk about the holiday gifting program which supports Oxfam America’s poverty relief programs around the world. Donkeys help families to farm, carry heavy loads and food and water. When someone ‘purchases’ one of these representative gifts on behalf of a friend or loved one, the recipient will receive a photo of the gift and a card that states what has been purchased in their honor and how it goes to help people around the world.

Symbolic gifts include dozens of options such as a goat, a dozen baby chicks, a cooking stove or plant 50 trees. When you purchase an item on behalf of someone else, that individual will receive a gift card detailing the sale and how it will help someone in need. It is truly an excellent way to help — and still give this holiday season to friends and family.

Check out Kristen tomorrow on Rachel Ray! Jump here to hit Oxfam America Unwrapped.