The next big thing

Are you warmed up for the Big Chill? All set for Glastonbury?  Whether you’re a festival virgin or mud-stained regular, music and mayhem calls for festival food that is space-efficient and deliciously healthy. This year’s festivals sees a brand new act on the line-up; Hopper Pots. 

There are more festivals in the summer months than there are bands to play at them and if like us, a central topic of conversation is which festies you’re off to this summer then get prepared with all the food you’ll need (minus the space it takes up) as we introduce you to Grasshopper Foods and their absolutely unique pop-up pots that are designed with the space-and-time conscious in mind. 

They come in three variations - porridge, soup and noodles each in three scrumptious flavours, and a quirky packaging that would just go perfectly with your boho look. These little pots fit literally anywhere, even pockets and are 100% natural and really good for you. Put down the burger and pick up a Hopper Pot. 

You’ll also be happy to know that porridge is the go-to food for hangovers. We’re not implying you’ll need it... but it is good to know. Alcohol depletes sugar levels and the slow release of energy will restore them back to their normal levels

Go on...embrace the festival spirit. The world won’t end if you can’t maintain your five-a-day healthy eating regime or you’ve forgotten to pack your Chanel moisturiser. Wear your grass stains with pride, forget where you’ve pitched your tent, buy a drink for a complete stranger and be serious about having fun. It’s what festivals are all about.  

And remember - what happens at festivals, stays at festivals.

Porridge 'cuts childhood obesity'

Eating a healthy breakfast could help tackle childhood obesity, researchers say.

They found a breakfast with a low glycemic index - such as bran, porridge or muesli - is better than sugary cereals or white bread.

It means children eat less for lunch and tend not to snack between meals.

The researchers, from Oxford Brookes University, say the findings could help dieticians devise the most effective diets to combat child obesity.The researchers studied 37 children aged nine to 12 to see what effect eating different foods for breakfast had on their hunger levels during the day.One group had a low GI breakfast of porridge, a second group had a low GI breakfast with added sugar, and a third group was given a high GI breakfast of white bread, a cereal such as cornflakes or a chocolate-flavoured cereal.

Each child ate each type of breakfast for three days in a row with about five weeks between testing. The researchers found eating a low GI breakfast meant children ate significantly less for lunch than those who had a high GI meal for breakfast.They were also less likely to feel hungry between meals.

Porridge is also proven highly beneficial for anyone on a low cholesterol diet, mums-to-be and athletes, to name a few. With Grasshopper’s three delicious flavours, you won’t be short of options too, all you have to do is add some boiling water and voila! 100% natural oats mixed with delicious raisin, cinnamon, date or coconut - breakfast perfection!

The study is published in the US journal Pediatrics. 

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Things you never knew about soup

Soup is an all-time classic, whatever the weather. Some might even say it’s the best meal in the world, but did you know all these little facts about the ultimate warm-you-up-and-hit-the-spot food?

The word soup is of Sanskrit origin. 

It is derived from the su and po, which means good nutrition... 

No arguing there! 

Thin soups became all the rage in Europe during the 17th century, because the spoon was invented. (Before spoons they drank soup straight from the bowl - classy!) 

The spoon was invented to accommodate the giant ruffles that people wore around their necks at that time. The spoon made having soup much easier.

Steam is a real benefit. Sipping the hot soup and breathing in the steam helps clear congestion.

Soups are great as fillers when you are on a diet. Don’t want to stuff yourself at dinner? Have a pot of soup just before. It also makes for a smart low-cal snack. Simply pick up an undeniable classic like our Tomato & Herb to make sure you keep calories low and taste high. Have it with a slice of wholegrain toast for a tasty and healthy meal. 

Do you often cringe at the sight of vegetables? The perfect way to incorporate vegetables in your diet is soup - not only is it nutritious but it’s very tasty too. Go for creamy Mushroom & Chives, the mushrooms provide critical Vitamin D while chives boost your 

immune system.

Get this: One pot of Grasshopper’s delicious soup is only around 100 calories... Also low on fats, sodium, saturated fats and sugar, our soup will keep hunger at bay while you get all the nutrition your body needs. Try our Lentil & Coconut as lentil is a great source of cholesterol-lowering fibre and coconut is a special source of energy - and its taste... spicy goodness!

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Oats for radiant skin

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If your skin is feeling dull and you’re looking for a quick and easy pick-me-up beauty  treat, look no further than your kitchen. The list of benefits oats have, not only to your health, but to your  skin goes on and on. From tightening your pores to absorbing excess oil - you will surely make your skin  radiant with these easy-to-make Grasshopper porridge home-made face masks. Warning: they are so delicious that you’ll find it hard to resist a nibble.

One for Oily Skin

To prepare an easy facial mask with porridge, take pot of Simply Porridge with Cane Sugar, gently add boiling water and mix with a tea spoon of honey until you form a thick paste. Wait for it to cool down and spread the mixture on the face evenly. Leave it for 15 mins and rinse off with cold water. The milk  and honey will nourish and smooth your skin, while  the oats will quickly absorb unwanted oils leaving you with a luxurious winter glow.

One for Dry Skin

Not only does this mask leave your skin moisturised  and soft but it is also an excellent face scrub as it  exfoliates and flushes out dead skin cells. Take a ripe  banana and smash it. Place it into a bowl and add a  pot of Simply Porridge with Cane Sugar. Add some  boiling water and stir it thoroughly to make a smooth  facial mask. wait for it to cool down, apply over the  face and leave it for 15 minutes. wet your hands and  gently massage the mask into skin for the perfect to  exfoliation. Rinse it off with cold water and apply  moisturiser - pure winter perfection!  

One to bust those spots

If you’re suffering from outbreaks of spots then this  one is for you. Take five drops of almond oil, juice  of half lemon, an egg white and a tablespoon of  Grasshopper’s Simply Porridge. Mix all the ingredients  in a bowl to make a smooth paste and add some warm  water if it is very thick. Apply it on the face and let it  stay for 15–20 minutes. Do this regularly followed by  moisturiser and see your skin visibly improve and gain  its healthy look back.