A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

In the mood for better sex dreams? Change your sleeping position. [Via Women’s Health]

Want to impress at your next dinner party? Build your own picnic table to sit at.  [Via Curbly]

The Brooklyn food scene is hot, and what better way to explore it than with a full guide from an expert. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

To say that the Dalai Lama is a wise man would be an understatement. But he also gets social media. 10 gems from his Twitter feed. [Via Ecorazzi]

Cut expenses and toxic chemicals by making your own detergent; it’s easier than you might think. [Via Organic Authority]

An invisible bike helmet? Yes, you read that correctly. [Via MNN]

Hey Todd Akin: a woman is more than twice as likely to get pregnant during a rape than during consensual sex. [Via Popular Science]

If you have a thing for living walls, you’ll love Reykjavik’s City Hall. [Via Treehugger]

Just what do you need to know about Paul Ryan? His take on tax cuts, reductions in social programs and much much more. [Via LearnVest]

Got your eye on late summer glamping? Here are some tips from a pro. [Via CasaSugar]

Image: Jenny Kristina Nilsson

The post Link Love: How to Have Better Sex Dreams, Build a Picnic Table and Be as Wise as the Dalai Lama appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

Artisanal. Curated. Tweeps. All words we love to hate. Thankfully, someone curated compiled a whole list of them. [Via The Atlantic]

Are travel guidebooks bending over backwards to excuse the world’s “thuggish regimes?” One writer poses that we should think about what is written within the pages of some of the most well respected travel literature. [Via Foreign Policy]

Why we need to start embracing germs. [Via Slate]

A Saudi Arabian female athlete is called a “prostitute” for competing at the Olympics. And she’s only 16. [Via The Frisky]

Equalizing the gender employment gap? As it turns out, women lost fewer jobs during the recession. Maybe times are changing. [Via Wall Street Journal]

Omelette in bed? This and more for the morning after, including a spoonful of peanut butter. [Via How About We]

The “Daddy State”: a place where male politicians dictate how women care for our infants and decide what birth control is most suitable for us. [Via Huffington Post]

There’s still time to catch up on your summer reading! If you’re interested in food, start with this list. [Via Grist]

Just how would Paul Ryan as Vice President affect women’s health? Here are five reasons the answer is not looking good. [Via Think Progress]

Put the essence of summer in a jar: make your own sun-dried tomatoes. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Image: jwyg

The post Link Love: Words We Love to Hate, Foods for the Morning After and Reasons to Embrace Germs appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

Care for a vacation in Chernobyl? A new book explores the world by visiting some of the globe’s most polluted places. [Via Afar]

Does retail therapy really do anything to make us feel better? As it turns out, you might be better off “underindulging.” [Via LearnVest]

The main seven reasons why you’re unhappy and what you can do about them. [Via Pick the Brain]

What to do when your dream job isn’t so dreamy anymore. [Via The Daily Muse]

Liven up your house so that you’re truly celebrating the summer season. [Via CasaSugar]

You’re planning a dinner party and you just can’t bring yourself to do another taco buffet. Solution? Noodle bar party. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Ordering food online might seem to be a quick fix for the busy schedule, but it’s actually making you fat and broke. [Via NPR]

With summer in full swing, it might be high time to take on one of these 8 outdoor DIY projects. [Via Curbly]

Image: epSos.de

The post Link Love: Pollution Tourism, The Failure of Retail Therapy and the Next Big Thing in Dinner Parties appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now.

Did you know that the original fountain drink at McDonald’s was only a mere 7 ounces? A look at the history of soda sizes. [Via Mother Jones]

A handy guide to sorting out all the health statistics you should know, like how much your blood pressure should be and exactly how many drinks constitutes “in moderation.” [Via Greatist]

No need to lose faith in humanity when there are inspiring children making a global impact. [Via TakePart]

There are a lot of amazing women in the world. Here are 60 extra amazing ones. [Via Fast Company]

A trip through Spain, one tapas at a time. [Via Afar Magazine]

For those with a peanut butter obsession, you might not want to miss out on these Peanut Butter Meringues. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Overpriced bling is so overrated. Check out this quick DIY guide to colorful, gold tube bracelets. [Via HonestlyWTF]

Make a batch of no bake raw brownies and you just might make some new friends at the same time. [Via Girlie Girl Army]

Image: Keoni Cabral

The post Link Love: The History of Supersizing, Inspiring Women, and Eating Your Way Through Spain appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

Just in case you weren’t totally sure, being around people and things that are awesome does in fact make you a better human being. [Via Gizmodo]

But if you’re still looking to be better, keep in mind that money really doesn’t equal happiness, even the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says so. [Via LearnVest]

Speaking of money, everyone deserves the right to equal pay. Well, except for women of course. [Via TakePart]

If wild rice isn’t on your regular menu, you might want to reconsider. Start with this delicious recipe for Wild Rice with Crispy Mushrooms, Cherries and Toasted Almonds. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Some models just look good, others have a mission. [Via Well+Good NYC]

As creative human beings can we push ourselves, or do we need a team to inspire us to do better? [Via 99percent]

When food trucks hit Paris, things get “très Brooklyn” real quick. [Via New York Times]

Looking to clean up your neighborhood’s reputation? Plant a garden. [Via Yes Magazine]

Image: peasap

The post Link Love: You’ll Live Better if You Surround Yourself With Awesome People and Stop Worrying About Money appeared first on EcoSalon.

#sellingyoursoul
Whatever You Do, Do Not Go Into Advertising
by Hamilton Nolan at Gawker

#glossyluxury
Travel Magazines Target the 1%
by Dave Seminara at Gadling

#spicandspanspices
Spring Clean Your Spice Rack
by Big Girls Small Kitchen

#researchsaysso
Is Living Alone Really That Bad?
by Cassie Murdoch at Jezebel

#psychology
Why Women Can Make the Best Investors
by Libby Kane at LearnVest

The post Evil Advertising, Elitist Travel and Dangerous Solitude appeared first on EcoSalon.

A vegetarian version of a dinner classic. 

In need of some dinner inspiration? Today’s Sunday Recipe comes to us from Cara Eisenpress of Big Girls Small Kitchen, who makes this delicious vegetarian version of lasagna, perfect for serving to a family or at a gathering of friends.

Eggplant-Zucchini Lasagna with Fontina

Serves 4-6

I was inspired to use this 10-inch round skillet, which of course meant some breaking up of noodles and then fitting them together into the pan’s curves. You can also use a square or rectangular baking dish – you’ll want an 8 or 9-inch square pan. When the tomatoes aren’t fresh, you can simply use plum tomatoes from a can.

Ingredients

• About 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 large eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch-thick slices
• 2 large zucchini, cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Kosher salt
• 7 plum tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound no-boil lasagna noodles
• 12 ounces whole-milk ricotta
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 6 ounces Fontina, grated
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with 1 tablespoon olive oil and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until very brown. Remove and let cool. As soon as the zucchini is in the oven, use the same bowl to toss the eggplant with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt, making sure all slices are coated (you may need a little bit more). Place the eggplant in a single layer on another baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned. Set both vegetables aside.

Bring a small pot of water to the boil. Stick the tomatoes in for 1 minute, then remove with tongs and let cool on the counter top for about 5 minutes, until you can handle them. Trim them and pull off the skin (it should slide off easily; discard it), then use your fingers to break up the flesh. Place in a small bowl and combine with the minced garlic, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Taste the tomatoes: you want them to be very well seasoned, so add a bit more salt if necessary.

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta with oregano and 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir to mix.

In a 10-inch round skillet, pour about 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture. Layer with noodles, breaking them to fit the pan. Top with the eggplant in one layer, then spread on half of the ricotta. Sprinkle with a quarter of the Fontina and another 1/2 cup of sauce. Repeat this pattern once, using the zucchini instead of eggplant. (That is, noodles, zucchini, the rest of the ricotta, a quarter of the fontina, 1/2 cup of sauce.) Place another layer of noodles, then dice any leftover eggplant or zucchini and sprinkle on top. Spread with the remaining sauce, then top with the remaining half of the Fontina.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover, sprinkle with the Parmesan, and bake another 25 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Every month on Sunday Recipe, we bring you a new theme of recipes, perfect for whipping up on a Sunday. For March it’s all about revamping classics into healthier versions. Enjoy!

The post Sunday Recipe: Eggplant-Zucchini Lasagna with Fontina appeared first on EcoSalon.

Come on, pin a little.

There’s nothing quite like a good inspiration board pinned with memorable quotes, tears from magazines, friends’ recipes, and pictures, but we live in the digital age, where we’re constantly finding inspiration that we can’t physically put anywhere (well, not without printing paper). Which is why we’re Pinterest fans. The online pinboard allows us to find and share daily inspiration, across a variety of categories. You can see what we’re currently looking to for creative inspiration by following us.

Where do we go to find new designs, recipes or just a good daily quote? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Pinterest users and boards that the EcoSalon team follows for daily inspiration.

Fashion & Style

Crosby Noricks: Colorful, edgy and modern.

Fashion by Lisa in Love: A good eye out of Portland, Oregon.

Style Stalking by Melanie Bender: A collection of inspiring street style.

Dressed by Jessica Steeber: We would wear every single thing on here.

Jewelry by Erin Duffey: From simple to intricate.

Fashion by Elouise McGill: Classic and feminine styles.

Sasha Duerr: Textiles and colors that we can’t get enough of.

HonestlyWTF: Colorful and edgy designs, as well as some top notch DIY.

Tiger: Tiger is a blogger at Elle Decor Sweden, and she certainly has an eye for style.

sfgirlbybay: Bohemian modern style from San Francisco.

Shelter

Interiors by Arch Daily: A diverse selection of clean and modern spaces.

Habitats by nd+: All kinds of interiors and living spaces.

Smarchitecture by Myan Duong: Examples of smart design from around the world.

Frida Ramstedt: Frida runs the top Scandinavian decor blog Trendenser and has a great collection of everything Nordic.

Design Milk: A look into the inspiration behind one of our favorite design blogs.

Food

Big Girls Small Kitchen: BGSK is one of our favorite blogs, and it’s no surprise that their Pinterest page is just as inspiring for cooking a good meal.

Heidi Swanson: Author of 101cookbooks, Heidi keeps an excellent collection of everything that fuels her recipes.

Synapse: For any lover of food porn.

Food52: Simple, straightforward but beautiful food from a community of food lovers.

Gilt Taste: From the brains behind the online resource for gourmet and artisan goods.

Gastronomista: Films, infographics and art that all incorporate a culinary element.

A little of everything

Traveling Green: A wonderful collection of outdoor landscapes, nature photography and global pursuits.

Holstee: The conscious lifestyle goods brand has a great collection of quotes, gorgeous bicycles and images to fuel your wanderlust.

Caitlin Bristol: Green inspiration, from fashionable reusable bags to outdoor eating.

PortlandiaTV: What can we say? They’re good at “putting a bird on it.”

The post Daily Inspiration: 25 Pinterests We Love appeared first on EcoSalon.