Many of you may be familiar with her interactions on hit Bravo show Real Housewives of New Jersey, but did you know Teresa Giudice was also a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice, and with her new book Fabulicious! Fast & Fit, now also a THREE time New York time best seller. I caught up with Teresa prior to her Philadelphia visit for three book signings this month:

Celebrity Apprentice

PGC: Explain your experience on Celebrity Apprentice, were you glad you took part in it, and do you feel coming from a reality star’s background, did the camera’s and editing portray you fairly?

Teresa: What you see is what you get.  The cameras portrayed everything perfectly.  It’s not edited that much at all and I was glad I did it to help raise awareness for my charity The NephCure Foundation, which I ended up raising $70,000 dollars through Celebrity Apprentice show.

PGC: Do you keep in touch with anyone from the show? 

Teresa: Yes I still talk to many of the stars.  It was a show so I knew to let the other contestants comments during the show, roll off my back.  I talk to Victoria Gotti the most, but I still chat with people like Aubrey O’Day and Lisa Lampanelli.  I actually just spoke with Dee Snider about his latest commercial appearance and he joked that he was getting more recognition for that commercial than when he was on The Apprentice!

PGC: For any other TV stars that would consider being on it, would you recommend it, and looking back now, is there anything you would have done differently while on the show?

Teresa: I would totally recommend it to others.  I know it was a show, but it helps great causes and it is a lot of fun.  It’s work but it’s fun.  I wouldn’t change a thing, I knew it was a competition and it helped my cause so I’m very proud I did it.

Real Housewives of NJ

PGC: We’ve all been following your evolving relationship with your brother; can you explain the current state of that relationship?

Teresa: It’s a work in progress.  If you saw my interview on The View, I mention that I haven’t seen or spoken to much of my family since we stopped taping.  I would totally be willing to take my brother back with open arms if there were room.  I would hope we can work on it together off the air while the show isn’t taping.

PGC: Speaking of The View, after you left and your family came on the show later in the same taping, they mentioned that they did in fact contact you about the show and them becoming a part of it.

Teresa: That’s a lie.  The one thing I know I do is always be honest.  Imagine, Matt, if you found out your brother and sister, or cousin or whoever is close to you, come onto your show and never tell you about it and you had to find out through someone else.  I’ve had a lot of friends and family say that they wanted to be on the show, and my response has always been "Go for it."  My family’s response to coming on the show and not telling me was that they had to keep it a secret.  Bravo knows, the producers know, and I know that they purposely avoided telling me.

PGC: How is your relationship currently your family?

Teresa: Well it’s a shame, I never thought fame would destroy my family, but in actuality, it did in fact ruin it.

PGC: I know you have a blog on Bravo.com, what can viewers read about on there.

Teresa: It’s my opinions about what’s really going on.  Everyone should check it out to see what I’m really thinking about with the shows.

PGC: What can you tell fans about upcoming episodes on The Real Housewives of NJ?

Teresa: Just keep watching!  The family does eventually get together, we take trip to Napa soon and you’ll see what happens there.  I’ll also be on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live this Sunday (6/17) with my husband so be sure to check that out!

Your New Book :Fabulicious! Fast & Fit

PGC: You’re third book recently released, what can fans find that’s new with this book compared to your other two books, Skinny Italian, and Fabulicious!: Teresa’s Italian Family Cookbook?

Teresa: Well Fabulicious! Fast & Fit is now also a New York Times best seller like my last two books.  And what’s great about this book is that it has 70 heart healthy recipes all using 10 ingredients or less.  It’s a great book for those on Weight Watchers or any other healthy diet, it’s great for vegetarians, and what’s now included in this book is resourceful fitness tips.

PGC: Do you have a favorite recipe that you recommend everyone try?

Teresa: Yes I love the Chicken Brochette.  Families with picky children, this book is great for you.  I feel it’s important to have family meals together, I did it with my parents, and now I do it with my kids.  Family traditions are very important.  All these recipes I make myself with fresh authentic ingredients just like my parents used to do.  It’s a big part of my family.

PGC: When it comes to the ease of creating some of these meals, can anyone take on this cook book, or should only cooks who regularly cook purchase your book?

Teresa: It’s a great book for ANYONE.  I’ve had countless parents come up to me and say that their college daughters use this book in school.  So many people who never thought they could or would be able to cook, are picking up my new book and saying they are amazed at how easy the meals are and how they never thought they would be able to cook something so good!

PGC: You have three book signings coming up in the Philadelphia area; while you’ve been on the road have you had any interesting stories about your travels during your signing?  Any crazy fans or anything like that?

Teresa: It’s funny because I want everyone to be happy and be themselves.  I’ve had so many people come up to me crying from being so nervous, or they were so scared they couldn’t take a picture with me.  If you want to come to my signings, please don’t be scared, I’m there to have a good time and meet my fans, not intimidate anyone!

PGC: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans today?

Teresa: Yes, live to be happy.  If you want something, go for it.  Do what makes you happy.  My daughters and husband make me happy and therefore I love spending time with them.  Don’t let anyone get under your skin, it’s something I learned long ago and I want you all to remember that too.

PGC: Well Teresa on behalf of PhillyGayCalendar, the Philly community, and of course myself, we are all huge fans and we thank you for taking the time to speak today!  I’m sure many of us will see you at one of your three signing locations this month!

If you want to meet Teresa Giudice in person.  Be sure to visit one of her three book signings this week:

June 13, 2012: 6:00 p.m. signing at UPenn Bookstore
Signing 3601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Thursday, June 14 : 7:00 p.m. signing at Chester County Book & Music Company
975 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380

Friday, June 15: 7:00 p.m. signing at Barnes & Noble Fairless Hills
210 Commerce Blvd
Fairless Hills, PA 19030