Homemade Granola- what's not to love?

Are you a kitchen goddess? Well get your apron on... you're going to LOVE this recipe! Even if you're a man, let your inner-goddess shine, you have no excuse not to try this!

This granola recipe is one that all the family can get involved in (maybe not the animals - if you have any) 

Your ingredients -

125ml of maple syrup
2 tbsp of honey
1 tsp of vanilla extract
3 pots of coconut and date porridge oats
100g of flaked almonds or chopped 
100g of dried berries (find them in the baking aisle)


Method - 

First, make sure you preheat your oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2.
Then you should mix the maple syrup, honey and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Once they are fully mixed together- add the 3 pots of coconut and date porridge oats and mix well.

Add the granola to two baking trays and spread them evenly... bake these for 15 minutes. Then add the almonds and dried berries to the mix and bake for another 10-15 minutes. 
Once golden brown remove from the oven and leave on the tray to cool down. 


And voila, you have some delicious homemade granola!

Half Term Adventures!

Keeping the kids entertained over half term can be quite a struggle... especially as the weather has taken a downward spiral!

Don't let the rain stop you from heading on adventures - grab your wellies, coat and an umbrella and you're ready to head out into the great outdoors. Whether you're thinking of hiking up a hill, exploring the local countryside or visiting a farm... just get the kids outside and into the fresh air, just remember to keep your bellies full, as you don't want any angry/hungry kiddies throwing a tantrum. 

Take Grasshopper with you, our delicious soups will help keep you warm and fill you up when hunger calls! Our petite Hoppers are perfect to fit in your backpack without taking up too much space - remember to take along a flask of hot water so you can tuck in whenever you want!

Did you know... that porridge can improve your sex life!

That's right... porridge oats can boost libido by helping to re-balance testosterone and oestrogen in the body. Testosterone drives sexual desire in both sexes. Men with low testosterone levels go off sex!!

Have you had your oats today?!

The Fast Diet made easy!

By now everyone has head of the hot fasting diet, known as the 5:2.

As the name suggests, the diet itself follows a 5:2 regime that allows you to eat normally for five days (without over indulging!), and for the remaining two days you cut your calorie intake to 500 for women and 600 for men each day!

Read more about the fast diet online, www.thefastdiet.co.uk

But it's not easy finding foods with micro calories which taste good, fill you up and more importantly, are healthy. That's why Grasshopper is perfect... we understand the need to eat well and stay healthy, that's why out products contain only natural ingredients which are low in calories. Don't let that scare you though - our pots are full of delicious flavours.

So on your two fasting days you can take a your pick of Grasshopper's healthy, energy-providing and filling porridges, soups and noodles - they start at just 100 cal for a pot of Mushroom & Chive soup, up to 239 cal for the Coconut & Date porridge, so there's lots of choice.

Crunchy Granola!

What is it they say about the simple things in life being the best? In this case it's definitely true...

This happens to be the best granola you'll ever taste and the actual making is incredibly easy. You can have it with milk for breakfast; over yogurt; drizzled with honey late at night; or just grab a handful as you pass the jar for an on-the-go snack.

INGREDIENTS:
65g brazil nuts, crushed
35g whole almonds, crushed
25g macadamia nuts, crushed
25g hazelnuts, crushed
2 pots of Grasshopper Coconut & Date porridge
75g unrefined sugar
7 tbsp maple syrup
50g unsalted butter
6 tbsp hazelnut oil (from supermarkets)

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 160 C (fan - 140 C).
2. Crush each type of nut and roast on a baking tray separately until they turn golden. Do the same with the oats - bake until golden.
3. Turn the oven down to 120 C and mix the roasted ingredients in a bowl. Put the sugar, maple syrup, butter and hazelnut oil into a pan, melt and then add to the dry ingredients, mix well.
4. Place mixture back onto the backing tray and bake for 15-20 minutes.
5. All to cool, then break into large crunchy pieces.

And enjoy!

Ice Ice Baby

Image: essentialtravel.co.uk

The cold, frosty, wintery weather has definitely arrived and it doesn't look like it's going to change anytime soon. The best bit of winter... has to be all the ice skating rinks that have opened up and down the country! It's the perfect time to get those skate on and glide across the ice (or maybe fall)... depending on your skills. 

Ice skating is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy, also it's a great way to exercise and have fun - but all that whizzing around the rink can build up an appetite. So why not grab a pot of our tasty Grasshopper soups to help fill those empty stomachs! 

With three flavours to choose from, Tomato & Basil, Mushroom & Chives and Lentil & Coconut, there is something for everyone. 

Available from grasshopper-foods.com

Pimp Your Porridge!!

Grasshopper Pots are available online in a standard and hopper pot.

Porridge, it's a perfect way to warm up on a cold winters morning!

Whether you prefer something plain and simple, or maybe something fruity, or even some spice... it's the perfect breakfast for the whole family!

Here at Hopper Heads HQ, we want to know how you 'Pimp Your Porridge'... what ingredients do you add to make you're breakfast special? Simply leave a comment or send us a tweet - don't forget to use the hashtag #PimpYourPorridge

Time for lunch!

The Autumnal weather has definitely arrived - it's time to add on more layers, wrap up warm and cosy up in front of the fire... but in reality we all have things to do and places to be.

Research shows that most of us working Brits are eating lunch al desko, which is fine as we all have work to do, but as it's important to keep fueled throughout the afternoon, choosing junk food is not the best option. Our splendid Grasshopper soups are the perfect healthy option for lunch. Just add hot water, stir, rest for a couple of minutes and eat! Yummy. If you need a carb fix, then why not add a wholemeal bread roll to dip in.

As it's wild and woolly out there, and we want to fill you up... how about a case of our tasty soups for just £5. Enter code aldesko at checkout. Be quick, the offer is only on until November 6th 2013.

Head to our website now! 

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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