Aug. 10, 2008 Creative Living

Information on easy-to-make gift ideas, making “lite” desserts, and exercise and diabetes will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at noon on Tuesday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Connie Moyers, New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, will demonstrate some easy-to-make gift ideas using fabric — and many don’t even require sewing. She lives in Clovis.

Janel Franklin, cookbook author, will demonstrate some desserts that use “lite” ingredients and can be frozen for later use. Her company is Jan-Su Publications, and she’s from Tahoka, Texas.

Fitness expert, Catherine Carrigan, will talk about exercise and diabetes.  She’ll also go over some yoga moves that can help people balance their hormonal levels. Her business is called Total Fitness in Atlanta, Ga.

Information on speed cleaning tips, making mini scrapbooks and doing wax painting will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and at noon on Thursday.

Author and cleaning expert, Laura Dellutri, will talk about Speed Cleaning 101, and share solutions to five common problems when it comes to cleaning. Her company is Healthy Housekeeper, Inc. and she lives in Overland Pass, Kan.

Maria Nerius says that mini scrapbooks are hot, since they are less intimidating to make than a huge 12”x12” scrapbook.  She will show how to make a themed mini scrapbook for special events and celebrations. She is the Creativity Expert for createforless.com in Portland, Ore.

Artist and author, Helen Hajjar will show how to create beautiful pictures of landscapes, flowers and abstracts using a travel iron and wax. Other techniques include dribbling the wax and using hot air blowing to create interesting designs. Her book is titled “Encaustic Art” and she lives in Boynton Beach, Fla.

“RITZY” BITS OF BRICKLE PIE

18 Ritz crackers, crushed

3 egg whites, beaten

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

1/2 tsp. almond flavoring

1/2 cup Bits of Brickle

2 cups Whipped Topping

Beat egg whites and then combine sugar and baking powder, adding a spoonful at a time to the egg whites. Fold in pecans and flavorings. Spoon into a well-greased and floured 8-inch pie pan.  Bake at 350° F. oven for 30 minutes. Cool completely. Mix Bits of Brickle with whipped topping and spread on pie. Sprinkle with more Bits of Brickle.

 “LITE” COOKIE PIZZA

Slice refrigerator sugar cookie dough into approximately 30 slices. Place on pizza pan, spray with Pam. Use hands to spread dough until pan is completely covered. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes. Completely cool crust. Wash, stem, slice in half 1 quart of strawberries. At lowest speed on mixer, beat 1 box (1.4 oz.) sugar free instant vanilla pudding and 3 cups skim milk for 2 minutes. Add 8 oz. lite cream cheese (room temperature) and beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cookie crust. Garnish with halved strawberries and lite whipped topping.

“Creative Living” is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations including KENW-TV in Portales. E-mail her at:

sheryl.borden@enmu.edu