Food Network star: Eat almonds

By Robin Bronk - 09/24/12 07:28 PM ET

Winner of 2009’s “Food Network Star,” Melissa d’Arabian is a mom of four, television host and New York Times best-selling author, Her cooking show, “Ten Dollar Dinners,” is in its seventh season. Melissa’s first cookbook, Ten Dollar Dinners: 140 Recipes and Tips to Elevate Simple, Fresh Meals Any Night of the Week, debuted in August 2012 and became an instant best-seller. Melissa also hosts the Cooking Channel’s “Drop 5 lbs. With Good Housekeeping.” Melissa, who holds an undergraduate degree form the University of Vermont and an M.B.A. from Georgetown University, lives just outside San Diego with her husband, Philippe, and their four daughters — Valentine, Charlotte and twins Margaux and Océane — who double as mom’s official taste-testers and sous-chefs. Melissa loves connecting with fans on Facebook and Twitter (@MelissadArabian).

ROBIN BRONK: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him? What issue would you like him to know about?

MELISSA d ‘ARABIAN: I’d love to talk with President Obama about ways we can raise the volume on the national conversation about suicide, a topic close to my heart since I lost my own mom to suicide when I was 20. Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission in a variety of ways. The sad reality is that someone dies by suicide every 14 minutes, making suicide the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, suicide is absolutely preventable, and my hope is to be part of the solution.

RB: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would that be?

MD: I’m raising four young girls, so while there are a multitude of questions I could think of to ask President Obama, what I really want to know is: At what age will I finally get a good night’s sleep? Will I survive the teenage years? When will I stop worrying? (Was that more than one question?)

RB: What piece of advice would you give President Obama as he’s campaigning for the upcoming election?

MD: Keep raw almonds on hand to sustain energy. And tuck a pair of socks in your carry-on. (I’m assuming Air Force One is as cold as commercial planes.)

RB: If you were going to send the president to one of your favorite places in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

MD: Olympic National Park in Washington state for a day of family camp with Michelle, Sasha and Malia. Nothing like a day of canoeing in the rain and dinner in the mess hall to bring a family together!

RB: What piece of music would you recommend that President Obama add to his collection? Why?

MD: Leading the free world must be exhausting. My favorite decompressing soundtrack: “Luna Rotas” by Rosana. Her smooth vocals take the edge off any day.

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

MD: I considered running for City Council in 2008, but I won Food Network Star instead. In my current hometown of Coronado, Calif., we actually have a dog mayor (of course, in addition to our regular one)! Perhaps our sweet dog Roxy has a future in politics yet.

Robin Bronk is CEO of The Creative Coalition — the leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Bronk is a frequent speaker on the role of the entertainment industry in public advocacy campaigns and represents The Creative Coalition and its legislative agenda before members of Congress and the White House. She produced the feature film “Poliwood,” airing on Showtime, and edited the recently published book Art & Soul. Bronk pens this weekly column with assistance from Risa Kotek.