In January, the Food Network will be debuting a new reality show called Dinner: Impossible. The show features chef Robert Irvine, who has cooked for the British royal family and four US presidents, and his two sous chefs (both named George), all of whom are put into strange situations in which they have to prepare gourmet food while overcoming various obstacles. By obstacles, we're not referring to any Indiana Jones-like traps, but more along the lines of extremely unusual working conditions. For example, one episode will feature the chefs having to shop for and prep dinner for 150, to be served on a train - assuming that they don't get left at the station. Another will feature the chefs cooking with 18th century equipment and utensils, also on a tight timeline. Essentially, the chefs will not know where they are going, where they will be working or who they will be cooking for before they arrive and will have to cook the best food they can in the circumstances. Perhaps the only downside is that, unlike Top Chef, which also features some somewhat extreme cooking situations, no one will be voted off on this show so the only thing that really will keep the chefs motivated is their own desire to beat the odds.

All year long, there has been discussion about whether the TV advertising regulator, Ofcom, would institute a ban on junk food ads on programs that were targeted to kids. Recently, Ofcom said that they would be instituting guidelines for advertising, but that they would not restrict the commercials shown during prime time, a statement which prompted some to believe that the restrictions might not be too severe. Ofcom, however, has just published its guidelines and they call for a "total ban on junk food advertising around all children's programming, on all children's channels" and on any show that would specifically appeal, for any reason, to under 16-year-olds. Due to their decision to include kids up to the age of 16, some awards shows and music channels will be affected.

The networks, for their part, insist that they have cut back on food advertising and that many ads are not accepted unless they are in some way promoting education, social development or physical activity.

In the past, studies have shown that the average American child from infancy to 6 watches one hour of TV per day, while 8 to 18-year-olds watch 3 hours daily. This means that they could be seeing as many as 40,000 ads. An alternative solution to heavier restrictions on advertising is that the concerned parents behind the study could simply stop allowing their children to watch that much TV. If the numbers drop even by half, they would have that much less to worry about from advertising, no matter what products were being promoted.

I am not the best cook in the world, my children will easily vouch for that. Everyday when dinnertime arrives, I am always surprised that I am the one expected to figure out something nutritious, whip it up and serve it on a plate. And although the cooking process does not stir my inner muse, a beautiful kitchen does. I love watching cooking and redecorating shows just for the sole propose of ogling those gorgeous appliances. The classic stainless steal is smart and quietly whispers class and sophistication.

But I like a splash of color here and there.

Currently I am on a red kick, having just purchased a red Oster toaster oven and a lovely red tea pot. But I am starting to see orange pop up in the color scheme. This is not your horrid, screaming orange of the 1970's era, but rather a whimsical, perky orange that says, "Welcome to the new millennium. Let's cook up some fun cookies!" These orange appliances also have the vintage curves of yesteryear to lend a softer and more comforting feel to the kitchen. Who knows, if I had a kitchen chock full of happy and inviting appliances, I might be more apt to cook dinner in a timely fashion.