Raspberries, Cream and Oats… YUM

We thought we would treat you with a deliciously indulgent desert, but there is a healthy element in there too… the raspberries. 

All you need are the following ingredients:

Half a pot of Cane Sugar porridge

A good sprinkle of light brown sugar

250ml double cream

Tbps of honey

1 punnet of fresh raspberries

All you need to do is the following:

Make sure you pre-heat the grill to a high heat. Scatter equal amounts of the porridge oats onto a backing tray. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the oats to help crisp, place under the grill for 3-4 minutes. Make sure you watch them carefully though as they can burn easily. Remove then when crisp and leave to cool slightly.

In a bowl whisky the double cream, then add the honey by gently beating it into the cream. You should then fold two-thirds of the warms oats through them cream.

When you are serving these divide half of the raspberries between two serving glasses, then you should top them cream and add the remaining raspberries. Finish with the reaming oats and a drizzle of honey if you fancy.  

It's a very berry thing.

Why not change your morning routine, leave your cereal in the cupboard, it's time you became adventurous.

This oat berry smoothie is so simple you can't go wrong. All you need is plain yogurt, mixed with 1/3 of a punnet of berries, with a handful of oats, splash of milk and one small banana.

Add all of these into your blender and mix well, and that's it, done.
Let us know how you get on!

What do you have planned this week?

Why is it that every half term we always seem to spend a fortune on activities? Whether it's a trip to the cinema, zoo or swimming we're always looking for a way to entertain the children.

Well, we have a few tips that might come in handy. 

Go to the local park… if the children are under 10 years old then this isn't a problem, however, if they are over 10, they seem to go through the stage where being seen with your parents "totally isn't cool". But if they are under 10 then this is perfect, take some outdoor toys with you i.e. ball, or even a blanket with a flask of hot chocolate, take advantage of the fact that it's not to cold.

Bake, bake and bake some more. Wether it's flapjacks or homemade ice cream, for some reason kids can't get enough of baking. Maybe it's the anticipation of licking the bowl or just making the biggest  mess imaginable, who knows? 

A movie marathon. So people say that it's not healthy for children to watch endless amounts of television, movies or play on computer games for hours on end, but surely a Disney marathon doesn't count in this? or Dreamworks? Who doesn't love Sherk? 

Team up, why not invite another parent and their child or children over for the afternoon? You can sit and relax whilst the children entrain themselves, although we do advise to maybe check on them every once in a while, you don't want their bedroom to turn into some sort of toy jungle. Don't fancy inviting them over? Then why not take a picnic to the park?

If you've tried all these and still find yourself spending endless amount on day trips, be thankful that this half term is one week and not two, your little angles will return to school in now time! 

One For The Sweet In Your Life

Whether it's your partner, family or even yourself why not indulge this weekend with these homemade treats? 
Honey and Apple Cranach 


All you need is the following key ingredients:


1kg baking apples, make sure you peel, core and cube them


3tbsp running honey

2 pots Cane Sugar porridge

2-3 tbsp demerara sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)


240ml double cream

150ml natural yoghurt

What to do:

Start by cooking the apples in a very small amount of water until they are soft and you're able to mash them until smooth with the honey, then allow to cool.  

Then gently toast the oats in a dry frying pan until they are a golden colour. Allow them to cool and then mix them with the demerara sugar, once mix, then whip the cream until it is thick and fold in the yoghurt. 

In a large glass dish or whatever you would like to serve them in, layer some of the apples into the bottom of the glass and sprinkle some of the oats over them, then spoon in some of the cream mixture. You should repeat this in layers until all of the mixture had been used, finishing with a layer of cream. 

Before you should serve these allow them to cool, then sprinkle over a little more of the demerara sugar. And the added bonus? There isn't even that much washing up to do! 

Help For The Homeless

We are asking for your help!

As the weather appears to be getting even colder, our thought's turn to the homeless. The people who spend every minute of every day on the streets.

We want to help, we are asking you to get in touch with us, to tell us about any homeless shelters or charities that you may know. We are happy to donate some of our delicious soup to a charity dedicated to helping the homeless. It's only small gesture but hopefully it will get them through, or help them to get through a cold and bitter night. Of course, each pot needs hot water adding to it which is why this would suit a soup kitchen or any shelter that has kitchen fascities. We are asking for your help because even if we check online they don't always give you this information.

Any thoughts anyone?

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

The snow has both its ups and its downs, of course the ups being the kids can have hours of outdoor fun making their very own Olaf. And the downs, well the fact that it literally does take hours… in the freezing cold. Can you think of anything worse than a standing in the cold with numb fingers and toes? We can… and that's standing in the cold and being hungry! Well… that is why we are here to help, whilst the little ones are off making snow angles and maybe your partners are too, why not indulge yourself with a warm pot of Tomato and Basil soup whilst you supervise. It'll keep the hunger at bay as well as warming your hands. No need to thanks us, that what we are here for.

Is It Still A New You?

Of course, we all say "New year, new me"  and do something completely ridiculous like decide we would like to climb the tallest mountain or give up shopping (of course, if you are a women or in fact know any women, you know this is the most ridiculous suggestion that has possibly ever been made, it will never happen).
We'd love to know what your new years resolutions were and if you have stuck to them or, well, given in.

Maybe...Porridge Is The Answer To A Longer Life?

It is said that if you start your day with a bowl of porridge or even a a slice of brown toast it is quite possible that you could be eating your way to a healthier and LONGER life!

We question it too… but just a small amount of wholegrain food in your daily diet will lower the risk of you dying, to put it bluntly - especially from heart decease.  Research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health In Boston, US, is believe to be the first to institute to look into whether eating wholegrain foods including brown rice, corn and quinoa has an impact on a longer life spam. Are you thinking how? Well, apparently they can reduce the risk of heart disease by a compound called avenantramide, which can stop fat from forming in the arteries.

It sounds good doesn't it? Eat porridge. Live longer. Why wouldn't you? So check out our delicious AND healthily porridge range here!

The Count Down Begins...

It's officially on it's way, with songs on the radio and the decorations in full force, we can't hide from the Father Christmas… especially if you have children. Christmas is here!

BUT… you don't need to be afraid, we are here to help! We are giving you these best and easiest recipes that one could ever wish for! Don't believe me? Check this out…

A few weeks ago we gave you Parsnip soup, this week we are giving you… Buttery Biscuits. They're perfect for a homemade present or a tasty treat for yourself!

All you need is;

100g unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
00g caster sugar
1 free-ange egg (lightly beaten)
275g plain flour
1tsp vanilla extract

and to decorate;
400g icing sugar
3-4 tbsp water
2-3 drops of your choice of food colouring
and Edible glitter of your choice

What to do;

First, start by preheating your oven to 190C and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Then cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy.

Then you should beat in the egg and vanilla extract, only a little at a time until it is well combined.

Stir in the flour until the mixtures comes together as a dough form. Once you have done this, you should then roll the dough out on a lightly floured work top surface to a thickness of around 1cm.

Using a biscuit cutter of your choice, cut all of the biscuits out of the dough and then place carefully onto the baking try.

You should bake the biscuits for around 8-10 minutes, or until alight golden brown.

Before decorating you should allow to cool. For the icing, sift the icing sugar and then mix it with water until it creates a smooth mixture, you should then add your chosen food colour.

Decorate to your own preference, and allow the icing sugar to harden before you sit back, relax and enjoy your tasty butter biscuits!

P.S We'd love you to send us a picture of what your biscuits look like! 

Out With The Pumpkin, In With The Parsnip!

Ok, we know that pumpkins are still in season, but it made a great title! With winter fast approaching and the temperatures dropping, we thought w'd share with you on of our favrouite recopies… our winer warming parsnip and chestnut soup!   

What you need;

100g unsalted butter

600g of roasted parsnips, chopping into small pieces

1 small leek, make sure you trim and chop it

150ml white wine

200g cooked chestnuts 

1.5liters vegetable stock

You should add the salt and pepper to your own taste preference. 

What to do;

Start by melting half of the b utter into a large saucepan over a gentle heat, make sure the butter does not colour on the heat. Add the parsnips and leek into the pan and gently fry them for about 4 minutes or until the parsnips are soft.

Then add the wine and chestnuts and again gently fry them for a further 7 or 8 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste.

You should then add the stock to the saucepan and bring to a gentle boil and then leave it to simmer for 6-8minutes. Take the pan of the heat and blend with an immersion blender or a food processor until the soup is smooth. Once smooth you should then pass the soup through a fine sieve.

All that’s left to do is the washing up… 

Don't Miss Out!

It's so secret that we are holding the best competition ever! With two prizes to give away, why wouldn't you want to win? 

It's so simple, all we are asking is that you send us a picture of you and your Hopper pot, you can be riding a bike or dusting your front room! We want to see how adventurous you can be! We've already had Hoppers climb mountains, sunbathe on the beach, and even take to the waves but like we said "we want know where you would take them!"

So what are you waiting for? Don't miss out on the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend on Grasshopper products! 

You can enter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too. Make sure you tag us in your picture and don't forget to follows us too!

My,My, My Fibre

Well what can we say, we keep telling you that fibre is the way forward... and this is why. There are two main types of fibre which are Soluble Fibre and Insoluble Fibre. Not to man people no the difference between the two and that is why we are here to help! Lets start with soluble fibre, it's mostly found in fruit, veg and of course OATS! The benefits of this are that it will form a gel in the intestines that is thought to slow down the digestion which will allow it to absorbs the carbohydrates.  Where as insoluble fibres are found in wholemeal flour and bread ect. This type of fibre is vital for a healthy digestive system. Well there you go, lesson one in fibre!

Oat Crunchies...

By the time you have finished reading this blog post, you will 100% want to make these little a squares of joy! There is no need in buying sweets this year for the trick-or-treaters just hand out these... although we can't guarantee that they won't come back for more! 

All you need is... 

180g hopper pot cane sugar porridge

250g dark or milk chocolate 

100g unsalted butter - cut them into small cubes

150g digestive biscuits 

1.  Break the chocolate into small pieces, put them in a heat proof bowl and add the butter. Melt gently over a pan of hot water, making sure to stir it now and then. Once the chocolate mixture is completely smooth, carefully lift the bowl off the pan and place the heatproof bowl onto a safe surface. 
2. Put the biscuits into a plastic food bag and use the rolling pin to break the biscuits, no smaller than you thumbnail, add the oats to the bashed biscuits. Then add both the biscuits and the oats to the melted chocolate and mix well so all the oats and chunks of biscuits are covered well. 
3. scoop all of the mixture into a greased tin and spread evenly. Cover with cling film and the leave to chill in the fridge for about 2 hours. Then cut them into equal size squares. Then sit back, relax and enjoy!! 

Do You Want A Healthy Heart?

Well... Did you know that oats are key to having a healthy heart?
It is said that if you have a daily heaping of fibre that is found in oats, particularly our porridge oats... it can help to prevent diabetes and also cut down your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
What can we say... everyone here at Hopper HQ has healthy ticker, they eat their porridge!

Could You Be Our Winner?

Have you entered our competition to win a one of  two £50 vouchers to spend on Grasshopper products...? 

You'd be silly not to, it's so simple all you need to do is take a selfie of you with your hopper pot. You can be in the office or out on a horse back ride... anywhere you want. The more adventurous, the better.  We've already had Hopper Pots climb mountains, sunbathes on the beach, and even surfs but we want know where you would take them! 

So.. why don't you get involved and who knows you could be our lucky winner! You can enter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too. Make sure you tag us in your picture and don't forget to follows us too!

Santa is on his way...

As the autumn leaves fall, are you wondering where the year has gone?... we are too. And we known that this only means one thing is around the is on it's way... Christmas! With 64 sleeps left, why not treat your family to some delicious home cooked food.

So here is one of the traditional favourites... the mighty apple crumble.

All you need is..

300g plain flour, make sure you sieve it and add a pinch of salt
1 pot of cane sugar porridge oats, or 60g plain oats
175g unrefined brown sugar
200g unsalted butter and a knob of butter to grease the ovenproof bowl


450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces
50g unrefined brown sugar
1tbsp plain flour

What to do...

You should start by preheating the oven to 18C/350F/Gas 4.

Then place the flour, oats and sugar into a bowl and mix well. Take a few cubes of butte at a time and rub them into the mixture. Use the tips of your fingers to mix together, you should keep rubbing until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Then you should place the fruit into a large bowl and sprinkle over the sugar and flour. Make sure you stir well but be careful not to break the fruit.

Use the knob of butter to grease a medium size ovenproof bowl, spoon the fruit mixture into the bottom of the bowl, then you should sprinkle the crumble mixture on the top.

Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the crumble topping is a golden brown and you can see the fruit mixture bubbling. Of course, I don't need to say what's next but just incase.. serve with custard and watch the family enjoy!

Weekend Tips Worth Trying!

As you all loved the pervious post about the healthy bake off, we have decided to give you a few more healthy tips that you can try out this weekend!

Here we go...

1. If you add mashed bananas and/or berries to your cookie recipe you can add colour, texture and even flavour which means you can replace the sugar in your recipe.
2. Im sure you know that peanut butter is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat compared with butter, so why not us peanut butter instead?

So this weekend you have no excuse not to try these healthy substitutes. 

The Healthy Bake Off

As we have already established many a times, baking doesn't have to just be unhealthy. We have a few tips that can turn your baking into healthy baking.

1. Possibly the most important tip of all... switch your flour for oats. Or you could even mix the both together to boost your fibre intake and lower the glycaemic index, which means that it will release the energy slowly through out the day.

2. you can also replace sugar by adding bits of dried fruit rather than sugar to your recipe  it will help you to increaseyoyur levels of fibre, vitamins ans also minerals.

3. Last but by no means least, to cut down fat and calories you should use cocoa powder if you are making a chocolate based recipe.

We are sure that these healthy tips will come in handy at some point, and if you think of it like this then you can eat more and not feel as guilty, sounds go hey!

Do You Love Jelly

Do you have lots of empty Hopper Pots? Well... don't throw them away, we have so many different ways to recycle them and our favourite is... the D.I.Y jelly mould. It’s so simple. All you need is a packet of flavoured jelly and some delicious fruit and, of course a empty Hopper Pot. Make the jelly as per the instructions the packet... allow to cool slightly before adding fresh fruit. Our favourite is pineapple and blueberry, but any combination is going to be delicious and healthy.

 Stir gently to ensure that the fruit is evenly distributed. Place into the fridge to set. If you pop the lid back on, you can put it in your child’s lunch box and send them to school with a healthy treat - guaranteed to make the teachers love you! What do you think? Good tip hey?

Spook-Tacular Tips

October holds cold nights and the one thing that adults look forward to more than the kids... Halloween!

So we thought we'd give you a few of our favourite top tips for all-out Halloween fun!

1. Here at Hopper HQ we live by the rule "You are never to old to go trick-or-treating" 

What do you have to lose? 

2. Make sure you buy an extra bag of sweets to give to all the trick-or-treaters, the more that's left, the more you have all to yourself! 

3. Don't throw away your seeds - If you are a regular pumpkin carver that throws away their pumpkin seeds but keeps the flesh then you need to STOP! 

Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein and fiber and not to mention that they are very tasty, you can gently toast them in a frying pan or even in the oven and you have a healthy salad topping or even a light snack. 

We'd love to know if you have any other spook-tacular tips...