Red Carpet Correspondent Behind the Scenes at the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards and Giveaway!

by Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

April 10, 2012 • 6 comments

I interviewed U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA and she recommended eating according to USDA's MyPlate and enjoying lean meats.

It was just a month ago, but it seems like yesterday that I was running on coffee and a few hours of sleep, racing to turn my book manuscript in by deadline. Like a castaway brought back to mainland civilization, I’m struggling to return to my normal like again as a “regular” person.

The same week of my book deadline, I had the amazing opportunity of reporting as a red carpet correspondent from the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards on behalf of my client National Pork Board. I have been reviewing random articles from the past month’s travels and deciding which of the lovely event swag I would keep and which I would give away, memories from that magnificent evening flooding my mind.

The bartenders poured Rosa Regale Italian sparkling wine (love!) at the event, so I wasn’t about to let this little gem out of my sight. Digital thermometers from National Pork Board are like sunglasses to me — I keep a few around so when I need one I can actually find it. A thermometer is important because it helps ensure a juicy, lean pork tenderloin (by signaling when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, to be followed by 3 minutes rest time for juices to redistribute). The swag bags also included my pork tenderloin recipes.

And the Lenox Marchesa china – I need a good excuse to serve high tea now.

On the red carpet I interviewed the absolutely lovely Hoda Kotb, television host of the Today Show 4^th Hour.

A very pleasant opportunity that night was interviewing Star Jones. Previously I knew her only from The View, but she is so much more than she was portrayed to be on the show. An author, legal analyst, attorney, and philanthropist, she’s pretty brilliant, in fact. Her story about open-heart surgery and how it changed her life is both humorous and touching. Before I even asked her a question, she raved about how lean and healthy pork is and how excited she was that she could eat pork and be healthy.

As a dietitian, I know that heart disease can spring up from nowhere, even in young people. With a history of heart attacks on one side of my family and strokes on the other, this video forever changed my views.

Every woman should see this video, “Just a Little Heart Attack,” starring and directed by Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks. We watched it during the awards presentation.

The video serves as a powerful reminder to take care of ourselves first and to listen to our bodies, which will enable us to take even better care of our families.

Now for the goods. My National Pork Board pals put together this cool swag bag that one lucky reader will receive:

• Coupons for lean cuts of pork
• The New American Heart Association Cookbook
• “Go Red” black tote bag from AHA
• BPA-free water bottle
• Pedometer
• Digital meat thermometer
• Pork booklet, including my recipes

To enter, please comment below about one thing you’ve been doing, or want to start doing to take better care of yourself. Entries due by Friday, April 20 at midnight (PST). Good luck!

Disclosure: National Pork Board compensated me to include them in this post. Words and ideas are 100% my own.

And here are more photos from the event for your viewing pleasure:

Lucky me. The Hudson Hotel concierge gave me this NYX “Fashion Bag,” since it was Fashion Week. Sweet. I now totally dig the NYX butt “naked” eyes kit.

Is it odd that I take pictures of soap? Loved the cilantro (coriander, really) conditioner.

I welcomed this light in my room as a distraction, considering that my room was the size of a shoebox. That’s the big city for you.

The makeup artist’s supplies to get me red carpet ready.

The paparazzi setting up.

Our spot on the red carpet next to “Inside Edition”.

The bar at Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards. Rosa Regale!

The arrival of Sugarland!

All of a sudden, Ramona Singer stood in front of me! It was fun meeting her. The Real Housewives of New York City is one of my favorite shows.

Javier Colon – the winner of The Voice – and me. Love his music.

Adria Sheil-Brown, RD, LD, with the National Pork Board, with me, striking a pose. Kay Unger dress. Such a fun event!

I hope to be back again, soon.

You may also like:

My Orange-Ponzu Pork Tenderloin Recipe Served at Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards

My Thyme-Roasted Pork Tenderloin recipe with Balsamic Shallot Compote Served at WDRDA

Video of Red Carpet Correspondent Michelle Interviewing Celebrities at Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards