Creative Living: Flower arranging tips featured on show

I nformation on choosing all natural, whole foods and flower arranging will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and noon on Thursday. (All times are Mountain.)

Michelle Dudash is a registered dietitian, chef and author as well as the spokesperson for The California Raisin Marketing Board in Sacramento, Calif. The new USDA dietary guidelines recommend that half of our plate include fruits and vegetables, and Dudash will show how to "keep it real" by choosing all natural, whole foods and eliminating extra sugar.

Casey Schwartz co-owns the Flower Duet, and she is going to demonstrate how to bundle flowers together to keep them organized when working with a tall vase. She'll also show how to create a grid atop the vase opening. She's from Redondo Beach, Calif.

Information on selecting vases for floral arrangements and using canned and frozen cherries will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" noon on Tuesday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. (All times are Mountain.)

Jill Slater, spokesperson for the California Cut Flower Comm. in Watsonville, Calif., will compare choosing the perfect vase for flowers to finding the perfect picture frame for a cherished photograph. She'll talk about the four classic styles of vases for floral arrangements.

Dietitian and author, Pat Baird represents the Northwest Cherry Growers, and she will demonstrate some great recipes and talk about the nutritional benefits of using canned and frozen cherries year 'round. She lives in Greenwich, Conn.

Jane's Favorite Tri-colored Salad

• 8 ounces orzo
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 3/4 cup feta cheese
• 1 cup California raisins
• 12 fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain and turn into large serving bowl; drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat well. Set aside to cool. Add remaining ingredients to bowl; toss to combine well. Serve at room temperature. Makes 8 servings.

Nutty Raisin Nibbles

• 1 cup California raisins
• 1 cup California golden raisins
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 2 teaspoons melted butter or vegetable oil; used sparingly
• Seasoned salt; used sparingly

Combine raisins, almonds and melted butter in shallow baking pan. Bake at 325° F for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lightly sprinkle with seasoned salt. Yields 2 1/2 cups or 20 servings.

"Creative Living" is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations in the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico and is distributed by Westlink, Albuquerque.