Borden: Designer teaches 'upcycling' on show

Information on making papier mache caricatures, using shape cutters to make cuff bracelets and preparing flavorful desserts will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. and on Thursday at noon. (All times are Mountain.)

Artist and crafter Dana Pomroy has a unique line of animal caricatures made from papier mache. She will talk about the process of making and shaping the animals and then demonstrate how to paint the adorable creatures. Some are almost life size. Pomroy is from Albuquerque.

Marisa Pawelko is a licensed designer for Sizzix, and she’ll show how to create easy and fun custom cuff bracelets using the shape cutters from her collection. She’ll also show a wide variety of materials including Rowlux and adhesive rhinestone sheets by The Buckle Boutique. Pawelko lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Robert Del Grande represents the California Fig Advisory Board, and he will demonstrate how easy it is to create indulgent and flavorful desserts as well as create the perfect cheese platter to end any dinner party. Many of these recipes are ones he serves in his restaurant in Houston, Texas.

Information on recycling denim, the health benefits of probiotics and “up-cycling” clothes will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at noon and on Saturday at 2 p.m. (All times are Mountain.)

outgrown or outworn doesn't have to mean outdated. Barb Chauncey has written a book titled "Denim by Design," and she's going to show how to transform recycled denim into dynamic clothing items. Her company is A Barb Chauncey Design, and she’s from Carter, South Dakota.

Pat Baird is a registered dietitian and author, and she will talk about probiotics, and explain what they are and the role they play in health and nutrition. She represents Dannon, and lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Don't throw away those old ties or sweaters or jewelry! Barbara Crawford is going to demonstrate what she calls “up-cycling.” Crawford’s company is Crawford Designs and she lives in Katy, Texas.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms, usually lactic acid bacteria, that when consumed in sufficient numbers can provide health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. The benefits are due, in large part, to the effects of these so-called "friendly" bacteria on different intestinal functions. Daily consumption of probiotic foods, such as yogurt and cultured dairy drinks, may be beneficial in one of several ways. Some probiotics help strengthen your body's natural defenses by providing a regular source of "friendly" bacteria for the intestinal tract, some might provide a nutrient-rich source of calcium for people who are lactose-intolerant; and some may help correct an imbalance of good to bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. Several different types of probiotic cultures (L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, B. bifidum) are used in many dairy products around the world. Potential benefits may vary depending on the type of probiotic bacteria consumed.

Probiotics: Food vs Supplements

When you shop for probiotics, you have a choice of probiotic supplements, usually in the form of capsules, or probiotic foods, like yogurt or other fermented dairy drinks. While Europeans prefer to get their probiotics from foods, probiotic supplements are popular in the U.S. Sales of fermented dairy products in Europe are three times what they are in the U.S. There are several reasons why probiotic foods are the preferred choice for getting probiotic bacteria. If you choose a probiotic supplement, you're getting beneficial bacteria, but not necessarily some of the much-needed nutrients you might get from a probiotic conventional food or the beneficial compounds that the cultures produce during fermentation on the other hand, fermented dairy products, like yogurt, are sources of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, potassium and certain amino acids, all nutrients that are critical for good health. In addition, during the fermentation of dairy foods, new products such as functional peptides are formed, which research shows may have beneficial effects.

“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.