Super easy skinny veggie crockpot lasagna

Love this recipe by Pinch of Yum! 

This skinny Veggie Crockpot Lasagna? Packed with good-for-you veggies, super easy to make, and made with a handful of simple ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

• (2) 24 ounce jars or cans of Italian tomato sauce (see notes)

• 9 thick lasagna noodles with wavy edges (mine were called bronze cut)

• 24 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese OR cottage cheese

• 3-4 cups chopped vegetables of choice (I used kale)

• 2 cups shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese

• Parmesan cheese for topping

• fresh parsley for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Spread ½ cup tomato sauce to the bottom so the noodles don't stick.
2. Break noodles so that they fit and mostly cover the bottom. They will probably be awkward looking - not a big deal. Cover with about one third of the ricotta, veggies, sauce, cheese, and end with noodles. Repeat layers two more times for a total of three complete layers. End with a layer of noodles on top, covered with a thin layer of sauce and a little bit more shredded cheese.
3. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Turn the crockpot off completely and let the lasagna sit for at least one hour. This allows all the moisture to get soaked into the lasagna, and if you don't do this it will probably be more like lasagna soup - still good, but not pretty. Depending on how long you let it sit, you can either scoop pieces out or just cut with a knife like normal lasagna.

NOTES
I didn't use ALL the sauce in both jars - I probably used a total of 36 ounces (about one and a half jars), and it was really saucy. And also check out this super easy video.

How to look taller? ( Part 2)

Some handy tips to look taller and slimmer ... you can also read one of my previous posts.

1. Try flared jeans.

 Fitted jeans with a distinct flare at the bottom create the illusion of a longer leg— especially when the hem hits the top of your shoes (heels, of course!) The trick here is to keep the fit of the jean super-slim through the leg, and to make sure the waistband hits your natural waist—not any lower. For optimal height, be sure to pair your flares with a waist-length top, or a blouse you can tuck in.

2. Don’t discount maxi skirts!
11. Chop your hair.

4. If you’re going short, go short!

13. Be mindful of proportion.
14. Wear V-necks.

It’s common fashion folklore that small women simply cannot wear floor-grazing skirts and dresses, but luckily that’s been proven entirely false. In fact, a well-cut maxi skirt can actually give you the appearance of looking taller, as evidenced by petite gals like Rachel Bilson, Rachel Zoe, and Mary-Kate Olsen. Choose solid versions that skim the length of your body, which will create a long vertical line (forego anything with thick pleats or too many layers.) Be sure to keep your top fitted—a tucked-in T-shirt and a cropped leather jacket, for example—so as to not drown in fabric. Also, make sure the skirt’s hemline is as long as you can go without tripping, and add a pair of wedges or heels underneath.

3. Choose heels with a low-cut vamp.

 Here’s small trick that can change the way you shoe shop: Shoes that have a low-cut vamp instantely elongate your leg (and make them look slimmer, as well) when you’re wearing skirts, shorts, and dresses. What’s a vamp? It’s the portion of a show that cuts across your foot at the front. So, a low vamp cuts across the base of the toes, while high vamp can come up the foot and possibly up to the ankle. If you’re able to find a pair that matches your skintone, like the image above, that’s even better to give the illusion of mile-long legs.

 When you’re petite, it’s just a fact that—when it comes to skirts and dresses—you should either go super-long, or super-short (translation: avoid calf-length and knee-lengths). Mini-skirts show more skin, which creates the illusion of a longer leg. Here, petite It-girl Miroslava Duma pairs her mini-skirt with a matching top (see tip #6!) and sky-high platforms. While ankle straps typically aren’t ideal for short ladies (they cut off your leg), they can work with super-short skirts since more skin is being shown. Of course, if you’re wearing a mini, make sure it’s not offensively short—let’s keep it chic, ladies.

5. Rock a top knot!

Obvious, yes, but piling your hair on top of your head really does gives a taller impression, again creating a more vertical line. Same goes for hair that’s simply voluminous—it adds inches! Time to put away that flatiron, friends.

6. Wear all one color.

 Using color to enhance the illusion of height is a highly effective strategy, as it helps create a vertical line. While wearing head-to-toe black is the simplest—and eternally chicest—option, saturated hues work well, too (a look that’s incredibly now, as well.) The trick to monochrome dressing: Keep each silhouette crisp and tailored.

7. Say yes to high-waist bottoms!

 High-waist bottoms get a bad rap, possibly thanks to an unfortunate Jessica Simpson style mishap, but when worn correctly, they can trick the eye into thinking you’re taller by elongating your lower body. Whether you choose skirts, shorts or skinny jeans, be sure to make the elevated waist visible by tucking in a tailored blouse, or opting for a slightly cropped top.

8. Wear pointy flats.

 Since nobody can be expected to wear sky-high heels every day, petite gals should invest in a pair of pointy flats. Why? Because it’s a known fact that shoes with pointed toes lengthen your leg line.

9. Rock out with vertical stripes.

 It’s the oldest trick in the book for a reason: Vertical stripes create long lines, thus making you look, well, longer. Bonus: Stripes are one of spring’s biggest trends, so you’ll have absolutely no problem locating some cute striped options.

10. Ditch the gigantic shoulder bag!

 Keeping your accessories appropriately scaled to your body size is a smart move for petite girls, starting with that oversized bag. Here’s why: Every time you cause the eye to take in width, you reduce the amount of height it takes in. That means smaller cross-body bags, clutches, and small top-handle totes are your best bet.

 Long hair drags petite girls down, while shorter hair does the opposite. For the wary: A wavy lob (long bob) is the best option—it shows off your shoulders and your neckline, which makes you look taller (plus, it’s so chic!). Daring gals should go even shorter: a super-sleek chin-length bob or an elegant gamine-esque pixie.

12. Stick with skinny belts.

 When it comes to belts, short girls should always opt for a skinny version—it’ll define your natural waist in the most flattering way possible, but won’t cut you in half the way a super-thick belt can, which causes you to look shorter.

When you’re petite, it’s imperative to be sure all your clothes fit properly (a good tailor is key!). Wearing cropped skinny jeans? Make sure they’re not too cropped and that the hem hits the ankle area—small gals should avoid anything resembling capri pants, as they cut your leg awkwardly. With blazers and jackets, always make sure the seams sit perfectly at the bony tops of your shoulders and that the sleeves hit exactly at your wrist.

 Tops with plunging V necklines give the illusion of a longer, leaner torso, so keep that in mind when you’re shopping for new tops this season!

15. Nude colored pumps

Looking for an easy trick to make your bare legs look longer? Try nude-colored pumps. Dark shoes make your legs look shorter, but light-toned versions give the illusion that they extend a few extra inches.

How to look taller? ( Part 1)

How many of you just wish you were just a little bit taller and with it look a bit slimmer? Some great tips that instantly give you that extra inches...

A) Feel, Stand, Sit and Walk Tall

Posture is everything, so sit, walk and feel like a dancer/ ballerina and you will immediately look like you've grown a couple of inches.

B) A Matter of Proportions

Fashion, according to Coco Chanel, is the architecture; it is a matter of proportions. One of the most common reasons for looking shorter in clothes is bad balance. Bad balance reinforces body flaws, while good balance hides the body flaws.

Leah Feldon in her book, “Does this make me look fat?” writes that there is a real feeling of empowerment that comes from knowing what’s right for you and wearing clothes that perfectly suits your body. How you feel in clothes is as important as how you look in them. When you feel confident, you look confident. Most of us feel better about ourselves when we’re at our slimmest and know we look good to others. That’s when we feel and exude the most self-confidence.

C) Wardrobe

Every piece of clothing you put on your body is made up of four basic design elements: proportion, line, color, and texture. To look your slimmest and tallest, each of those four elements has to be right on target – and perfectly in sync with your body.

Some simple wardrobe tips:

1) Wear High Heels

No extra info is required, says it all :)

2) Get Your Pants Hemmed

If you’re truly a petite woman, chances are you’ve purchased petite pants that were still too long. Instead of putting up with it and having bunched up fabric at your ankles, pay to have the pants hemmed. It will cost around $8 per pair, but your pants will look much better and your legs will look longer. When your pants bunch up at the bottom, your body practically screams that you have short legs. However, when you pants are hemmed to the proper length, they look perfect and don’t point out the length of your legs. Or you can do the "French cuff" a chique and simple way to solve the problem. In this you just simply fold your jeans inward. Read more about the French cuff in Garance Doré's blog.

3) Wear Skinny Jeans, If You Have the Body for Them

Skinny jeans are a great way to make your legs appear longer. But be careful!! Not everyone is made to wear skinny jeans. In fact, they aren’t a flattering style for plus sized women. However, if you’re skinny enough to pull this look off, you certainly should. Skinny jeans can make the shortest of legs appear much longer. The reason is the jeans create thin lines. Just remember not to wear too long tops. Instead, pair your skinny jeans with a tucked in tank top or a shirt that is cut to fit a petite body shape.

4) Purchase Pointy Toed Shoes

One of the easiest things you can do to make your legs look longer is to wear pointy toed shoes. Granted, there are a lot of shoes out there that look fabulous and have blunt tips, but these will not do you any good. When the tip of the shoe is blunt, it creates an abrupt ending in the lines of your legs. In order to keep the line flowing, it’s best to wear pointy toed shoes, which will elongate the leg. If you have small feet, you may even want to look for styles that stretch out a inch or so beyond your toes.

5) Shop for Petite Tops

Pants aren’t the only clothing that come in petite lengths. When you shop in high quality department stores, you can also find tops that are cut to fit shorter people. What does this have to do with your legs? Believe it or not, too long of a top can make your legs appear shorter. This is because you’re cutting off the top third of your legs with your shirt. Instead of wearing tops that hit at mid thigh, opt for shirts that hit no further down than the tops of your pants pockets. If you’re worried about short tops showing your belly, you can stick with longer tops, just be sure to tuck them in.

6) Dark Neutrals

Dark neutral colors make you look thinner and taller. The secret behind the slimming power of darker colors is their ability to absorb light and recede into the background – rather than reflect light and pop out, as lighter and brighter colors do. Navy and black are perfect examples of dark neutral colors. The Darker the color, the better. Dark neutral colors are simply more appropriate for more occasions and have the added bonus of being very easy to dress up with accessories

Highlight vs. Lowlight?

How and where exactly to apply highlights and low-lights in your make up? Love this picture as it's a perfect tutorial. Needs no further explanation and shows you where and how to apply.

Skyn eye patches

Ok, this one I love! It actually works very well and is used by many models (for instance Karlie Kloss). Ideal when you've got a special something (special date, party, business presentation) ahead and you want to look that little bit more radiant.

In just ten minutes, this cooling transdermal gel patch infuses the eye area with concentrated doses of soothing ingredients to firm, tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides and botanicals improve blood flow and reduce puffiness while advanced antioxidants help prevent future damage. The patch, a cutting-edge delivery system, is easy to both apply and remove and is non-irritating.

Skyn Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, with Elastin and Peptides

Cooling under-eye gel patches to help firm, tone and de-puff delicate under-eye skin within ten minutes.

Perfect Hair Day

I just ordered The 'Perfect Hair Day' series from Living Proof. It is something I was curious about for some time now and I've heard great things about it.  It is without parabens, sulfates and phthalates and using the whole regimen including the styling treatment it's said to make the hair four and a half times stronger and reduce breakage by 78 percent.

Living Proof was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts by world-class biomedical scientists and leading hair stylists, with the purpose of applying advanced technology to solve beauty's toughest challenges. Oh and recently Jennifer Aniston joined Living Proof as co-owner and haircare spokesperson. I just  bought the following products @ Sephora.

A weightless, silicone- and oil-free nourishing conditioner that delivers the five benefits for beautiful, healthy hair—smoothness, volume, conditioning, strength, and polish. 

PHD Conditioner is powered by Living Proof’s patented molecule, OFPMA, which not only makes hair beautiful and healthy, but also keeps it cleaner, longer. The results are instant and get better over time. When used together, PHD Shampoo, Conditioner, and Styling Treatment revolutionize how you style and treat your hair.

A rich-lather, sulfate-, silicone-, and oil-free shampoo that delivers the five benefits for beautiful, healthy hair—smoothness, volume, conditioning, strength, and polish.

PHD Shampoo is powered by Living Proof’s patented molecule, OFPMA, which not only makes hair beautiful and healthy, but also keeps hair cleaner, longer. The results are instant and get better over time. When used together, PHD Shampoo, Conditioner, and Styling Treatment revolutionize how you style and treat your hair.

A hair serum free of oil and silicone that cuts styling time in half while providing superior smoothness, manageability, and natural movement.

A hair texturizer that amplifies volume with flexible hold.

Bring some life to your style. Get touchable texture plus amplified volume and flexible hold for that perfectly imperfect look. This texturizer works on dry hair so it’s instantly gratifying –and revivable for 48 hours. Bring instant life and energy to dry hair without the tradeoffs, and save time. 

Move that body (5)

10 Tips skinny people do

1. Eat breakfast. When we eat breakfast it jump starts our metabolism. When breakfast is skipped, we end up making up for the calories we skipped, and then some.

2. Stop eating early, and go to bed slightly hungry. I know this is boring, because it’s fun to snack in front of the TV in the evening, but these are just too many calories added to what we’ve already consumed throughout the day. If you want to snack, but don’t want the calories, snack on berries. It shouldn’t have any negative effect on the scale in the morning.

3. Drink lot’s of water. This helps your body, your skin, your energy levels. Reduces the amount of headaches you’ll get. The more water you drink, the less it needs to retain. Keeping your body hydrated is so important, especially while trying to lose weight.

4. Eat whole grains. These keep you full longer, and have more vitamins and nutrients that are vital to us being healthy. Plus they are packed with fiber. They help keep your blood sugar stable longer, without the spike and crash.

5. Eat until you’re satisfied, not full. This is when we go from the appropriate amount of calories, to too many in one sitting. Our body uses what it needs, then stores the rest as fat. It’s better to save the rest of the food, and eat it a few hours later, than it is to overeat in one sitting. Eating slowly can help you feel satisfied with eating less too.

6. Make exercise part of their daily schedule. First thing! If it doesn’t get done first thing in the morning, life usually gets in the way. Then when we do have a little free time in the evening, we’re tired!

7. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Have them around. Keep them on the counter. When you’re hungry, and you just want to grab the quickest easiest thing to eat, fruit is the perfect choice. Starting your day with a fruit and veggie smoothie can be a huge jump start to gettinh your 5 servings a day.

8. Buy clothes that are flattering to figure. This just accentuates what you have, and minimizes the trouble areas. Most people don’t feel like they have the perfect body, and putting a little effort into trying things on, and figuring out what looks good on you is a good way to feel good about how you look, and motivating to keep moving forward.

9. Weigh yourself daily. Knowing how what you eat effects the scale each day really helps you keep yourself in check and out of denial. Some people don’t like to do this daily, if you are that type of person, then just do it often. The more you do it, the easier it is to motivate yourself to stay on track.

10. Get enough sleep. This should probably be #1. It is really the foundation that we start each day on. When we don’t get enough sleep our body knows that we need something, and it sends signals to the brain to eat more. So, when we get enough sleep, we have a healthy frame of mind in our corner.

Move that body (4)

Beautiful things don't just happen

If you want something marvelous 

you've got to make something marvelous! 

Move that body (3)

Move that body (2)

Getting back to business (3)

Started this morning with a 10 min. rope jumping workout ... pff, but afterwords happy. It's simple, cheap, you can do it indoors or outdoors, but it's not that easy when you start out - but don't worry it gets easy pretty quick. So you might want to start jumping rope yourself, check out these tips by Kim from Ford Models.

5 Tip to make running feel easier

In order to burn calories and lose overall body fat, it's necessary to skip the walks, pick up the pace, and run instead. When you're first starting out, running feels so hard. Your muscles ache, your lungs burn, it's hard to breathe, and all you can think about is stopping. Here are five techniques to incorporate every week to help running feel like a breeze instead of a chore.

Pencil It In

In order for your body to become more accustomed to the demands running places on it, you have to run regularly. Instead of fitting in random runs whenever you can or when the weather is nice, it's imperative to stick with a weekly running schedule that includes running at least three or four times a week. Running often will strengthen the muscles in your lower body and core that are needed to make running feel easier, and it will also build your endurance. Ease into running regularly with shorter runs, and as it begins to feel easier, gradually increase the mileage per workout.

Slow Down

There's no need to start off running seven-minute miles. Slow down your speed enough so you're breathing faster than you would if just walking, but not huffing and puffing so much that your lungs hurt or you're gasping for each breath. Skip the interval training because even though it's great for targeting belly fat, running at a comfortable, consistent pace is easier than sprinting. Slowing down will allow you to focus on correct running form, which can alleviate common running aches, and you'll also be able to take in the scenery or have the energy to chat with your workout buddy, all of which can actually make you love going out for a run. As your body becomes stronger, your pace will increase naturally, and you can begin to challenge it with sprinting intervals.

Make It Fun

If you hate every second of your run, you're doing something wrong. Find ways to make it fun either by bringing your dog or best friend along, exploring running in new places, listening to your favorite tunes or a book on tape, splurging on new gear, tracking your run with an app, or running near water so after your run you can jump in to cool off.

Hills and Squats

Having strong leg muscles will make running feel like a breeze. One way is to incorporate leg-strengthening work into your runs by adding hills. Running uphill will feel incredibly challenging, but as soon as you get to the top and start running on a flat surface, you'll be amazed at how much easier running feels. Or you can focus on toning your lower bod when you're not out for a run, with moves like squats, lunges, or step-ups, or try this yoga sequence for runners.

Don't Just Run

Running regularly will train your body to make running feel easier, but if running is the only workout you do, boredom and repetitive stress injuries can make it unbearable. Mix up your cardio routine with biking, hiking, dancing, or swimming. Doing other types of cardio will strengthen your body in different ways, so every time you lace up your sneaks, it'll feel easier to head out for a run. But the best part about taking breaks from running is that it'll actually make you miss it, and if you're excited to get out for a run, it'll make it that much more enjoyable.

Getting back to business (2)

As I told you yesterday, I'm getting back to in to shape and starting living healthy again ;). So had a run this morning... :) ... although it did take some time before I stepped out the front door ;) :)

Move that body

Getting back to business

New Years resolutions, the last couple of years I have only one - and that is to try to live life to the fullest (without  regrets) enjoy everything I do, the people I meet and the things I see and learn.

But every year after Christmas, New Year and all the dinner & cocktail parties - I gained some pounds ... So it's not a resolution but still it has to go :). Thing is ... I am not getting younger, no really LOL, so I have to put a little more effort in it compared to when I was young. 

December is also a month in which my workout scedule somehow disappears, so I have to pick that up again... It consists of: 3 times a week to the gym (1 aerobics session, 2 cardio/ fitness sessions), 2 times a week power yoga and approx. 5 times a week riding my horse.

Eating ... I love it - So for me cutting down food is only possible if I replace it with something good :) Sizing down the portions is not a problem for me, if what I eat is good! So I've been browsing the net for some inspiration and came across some delicious recipes. I'll be sharing some of them with you the coming weeks.

First one are the spring rolls: 

Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls Recipe

Fresh basil, fresh mint or any herb will be a wonderful addition. For the crunch factor, you can add raw carrots, celery, bell peppers or cucumbers. In this recipe, I added pickled Vietnamese carrots and daikon that I always have on hand.


Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of boneless chicken
• 4 Tablespoons of grape seed or vegetable oil
• 2 medium cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce or fish sauce
• fresh basil, mint or other herbs
• fresh lettuce, chopped or torn in small pieces
• carrots, celery, cucumbers, daikon radish or bell peppers
• rice paper

For Garlic Soy dip:

• 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 medium clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil

1. For the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken, vegetable oil, sesame oil, garlic and soy sauce. Cover well and allow to marinade for about 20 minutes.
2. Heat frying pan and cook chicken. Slice in chicken in thin slices, about 1/4 inches for rolling.
3. Gather vegetables, rice paper, board surface to roll on and bowl of hot water.
4. For the Dip: combine all ingredients well.


For Rolls:

1. In large bowl, fill it with water and make it warm by adding hot water. Gently dip each rice paper wrapper in warm water for a few seconds till damp. Don’t over soak the rice paper. Place rice paper on plate, or working surface. As rice paper begins to absorb the water and become more soft and pliable (10-30 seconds, depending on wrappers and water temp.), begin to add the fillings.
2. On the 1/3 section of the rice paper wrapper closest to you, start layering your fillings of lettuce, herbs, chicken and vegetables.
3. Start rolling the wrapper over the fillings away from you, tucking and rolling the wrapper with your fingers, making sure all the fillings remain right and round within the rice paper wrapper.
4. Serve immediately with soy dip, or cover with plastic wrap to eat a few hours later.

How to clean your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning makeup brushes can be quite a hassle, when was the last time you cleaned them? But it is necessary for them to remain in shape and also because they can harbor lots of dirt and bacteria. So frequent washing keeps them - and your face - clean and healthy. Below some tips and pointers on how to keep your makeup brushes clean.

1. Run the bristles of the makeup brush under warm running water.

2. Apply a small amount of dishwashing soap to bristles and work into a light lather.

3. Rinse bristles thoroughly under running water. You will notice that the water leaving the brush is tinted from old makeup.

4. Continue rinsing until no color leaves the brush.

5. Then just set the brushes on a table or counter and let the brush heads hang off the side and allow them to air dry.

Note: Use dishwashing soap because it's designed to pull grease from hair (or synthetic hair!!). Don't use shampoo or face wash because those kinds of products usually contain moisturizers that will coat the bristles.

How to look good in pictures

Ok! This one you have to watch!! If you are like me: the more you try to look good in pictures the more you look like some sort of deer caught in the headlights. These two tutorials are blogposts by New York professional photographer, not bad looking either ;), Peter Hurley.

The first one is Squinch! You know the Tyra Banks expression smize ... if I do that ... pfff you don't want to know. But this one, it works!!!

Ok one more, for the perfect jawline (the one without the double chin, catching the light just right).

Discover your real beauty!

A really cool short video. Chances are, you'll take a second look in the mirror after you watch this!

   

 You are more beautiful than you think!

Get of your butt

Love this simple workout by Victoria's Secret angel Alessandra Ambrosio, to get your butt back in shape :)