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Regardless of texture, colour or style, there’s one thing nearly everyone wants: hair that looks like it’s been through the hands of a salon professional every week. Well, achieving this is not beyond the bounds of possibility as after reading this article, you will get a step closer to your dream. So, here are some tips we have put together to help you and your hair look the best it can. You are what you eat Just like skin (we have a blog on this too, read here), the condition of your hair is an outward sign of inside health, your hair needs a variety of nutrients to be healthy and grow in fact, many nutritional deficiencies are linked to hair loss. Green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, eggs and chicken are a good source of protein that assists hair growth. Fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Your body can't make these healthy fats, so you have to get them from food or supplements. Food glorious food  Wait, you’ve just mentioned diet, yes, we have. But there are some things you can do externally to help keep your hair shiny, soft, and smooth too. Who doesn’t love taking some time out to relax? Although there are many hair masks on the high street, you can make homemade ones with ingredients found in your fridge. For example, this Whipped Avocado, Honey, and Olive Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Mask from Wholefully. All you need is 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons honey.  Blend all ingredients in a food processor or beat them in a stand mixer until smooth and lightened in colour. Spread the mask onto damp hair, focusing on the ends. Feel free to rub it in a bit. Use a clip to pull hair into a bun on top of your head, and put on a shower cap. Heat your hair by blow-drying for 15 minutes or sitting in the sun for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash hair as usual. Move things along We aren’t giving any new information when we say excessive heat damages your hair, however, we also know there is nothing better than a blowdry. So how can you get the best of both worlds? When drying your hair, don't start with soaking-wet hair. Before you even start, let your hair air-dry as much as possible, or wrap it in a towel while you're getting ready.  If your hair feels hot after you blow-dry or flatiron it, that means it's still frying. If you remove a steak from the grill, it still continues to cook, and it's the same thing with heat retention from a blow-dryer, flatiron, or curling iron. Hit the cold-shot button on your dryer. The Geepas compact hairdryer has 3 heat settings and a cool shot function for frizz-free shine and limited hair damage. So, say bye-bye to bad hair days with a healthy diet, hair mask treatments and a hairdryer from Geepas.  

Father's Day 2020 is just around the corner (Sunday, June 21 to be exact), and if you're still searching for the perfect gift for dad, then you've come to the right place. We've rounded up some fantastic Father's Day gift ideas that include something for everyone. Whether he's a fitness fanatic, a handyman, a music lover, or enjoys a good cup of coffee, we've got a device or appliance that's sure to make him smile from ear to ear.  Coffee lover? Does your dad love coffee? Well with the Geepas filter coffee maker he can brew the perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of his own home. Whether he needs a quick coffee to start the day or wants to brew a full batch to drink throughout the day. This coffee maker is the perfect gift. Handyman? Is he always tinkering about at home or in the garage? If that’s the case Geepas have a range of products that will make a great gift, at affordable prices too! Our DIY products are sure to put a smile on any face, but in case you can’t decide our Combination Tool Set & Case has a great selection of tools from screwdrivers and pliers to a torch and a tape measure, all in a handy, compact carry case. Not really looking for tools? That’s ok, we have a large range of portable lighting. Our bestselling LED works lights (pack of 2) are the perfect garage/mancave accessory. Using a panel of powerful LEDs, emitting around 150 lumens at its 'high' setting, the work light will brightly illuminate most spaces. A strong magnet and built-in hook mean it is ideal for under shelf lighting, lofts, sheds, cupboards and under car bonnets. Fitness Fanatic? Blenders, juicers and processors are perfect for any fitness fanatic and we stock a whole host. However, our travel blender is super easy to use, the one-touch action and stainless-steel blades make it ideal for making sports drinks, protein shakes and healthy smoothies. The portable mini blender also comes with 2 sports bottles with leak-proof travel lids. With the gyms closed and the uncertainty of when they will open again has your dad turned to working out at home or in the garage? Keep them cool while working out with a Geepas fan. Our rechargeable box fan now comes in 4 different colours! With 9 speed control and built power pack to charge most devices, this multifunctional fan is sure to be a hiit (get it). So whatever your dad loves, we are sure to be able to help this Father’s Day. And for extra peace of mind all Geepas products come with 2 years’ warranty when registered here.

If you don’t know your way around a paintbrush, giving your home a much-needed spruce-up can be daunting. But, it’s easier than you might think!The beauty of paint and decoration is that you have the chance to put your own stamp on a space, creating a look that’s entirely your own.Ready to bring your vision to life? We’re here to lend a helping hand by letting you in on our secrets. Soon, you’ll be mastering the basics in no time at all. Here are our decorating tips for beginners.   Pre-Painting Job Advice Don’t just start throwing paint on the walls at random. A little preparation and planning will help you achieve the best possible results.Unsure where to begin? Here’s a step-by-step guide… Clear the Room Whether it’s the living room or a bedroom you’re painting, you’ll want an empty space. Items such as the coffee table will only get in your way, or get splattered in paint.We recommend moving everything into a different room entirely. But, if this isn’t possible, try moving it all into the middle - as far away from the walls as possible. Check the Walls There’s no point trying to paint over walls with holes or large cracks. Once you’ve stripped whatever paint was there before, ensure you fix any damage before going further. Do Some Tests First Always do patch tests. You don’t want to have your heart set on a paint colour, only to find you don’t actually like it, or it doesn’t go with the room.Particularly if you’re new to interior design, this is a must! Choose Your Colour Wisely When choosing the colour, play close attention to the size and lighting of the room. Certain colours can make spaces feel smaller than they area.Narrow down your selection and test them in the light, and on paper.Remember, the colour should be different depending on what room you’re painting. Here’s a rough guide to help you decide: Bedrooms - keep tones soft and neutral Kids’ bedrooms - try to avoid colour clashing, don’t go too bold Kitchens - stick to classics, such as white or cream Formal rooms - neutral blues or greens Living rooms - neutral with pops of bold colours Protect Your Space Some things can’t always be removed, such as light switches and door frames. So, don’t forget to give them some protection from excess paint or drips.Masking tape is a good option, particularly for the skirting boards. Alternatively, you could use plastic bags or drop cloths. Have Everything to Hand Once you’ve starting painting the room, you don’t want to have to keep popping out for supplies every few minutes. So, before you begin, make sure you’ve collected everything you need so you have it to hand when you need it.From brushes to the paint roller, ensure you’ve got it all covered. This is where a tool box will come in handy!   House Painting Tips & Tricks Ready to get the job done? These handy hints and wall painting techniques will get you started… Mix paints into a big bucket - Even when using the same types of paint all over the walls, there can still be inconsistencies in colour. To avoid this, mix it all together into one Avoid lap marks - Lap marks are stripes caused by uneven layers of paint. To avoid them, create a wet edge. This makes sure each stroke overlaps with the last one  Roll the full height of the wall Don’t let the roller become dry Paint edges and areas around windows or doors first Use primer to remove inconsistencies Feather paint if wet edge isn’t possible Cut the masking tape loose once the paint is dry Sand trim between coats Furnishing Advice Decorating doesn’t stop with painting the walls! Here are some helping hints for choosing and arranging your furniture: Mix old and new decor Create a focal point Be clever with space Make use of natural light Don’t have too many empty walls Use a measuring tape at all times! Keep things personal e.g. photos and paintings Choose the right bulbs Don’t Be Afraid of DIY At Geepas, we’re here to help you make a house a home. From power tools to hand tools, we’ve got everything you need to keep your spaces in their best condition. It doesn’t all have to be about transforming a space. Sometimes, a few small changes can make all the difference. You’d be surprised at how much easier that can be with the right products at your disposal!Whether you’ve just moved in or your home simply needs a facelift, we can help. Browse our full range of DIY essentials for more.

Everyone knows that February is the month of love, this doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend hundreds of pounds on presents and extravagant meals. Sometimes little gestures at home mean the most. At Geepas we want to make things easier for you, so we have put together a few little tips to help you this Valentines Day. Breakfast Breakfast, the most important meal of the day and who doesn’t love breakfast in bed? Why not impress your love by making some blueberry and banana pancakes. They're super easy and quick to do: Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 2 cups buttermilk 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup blueberries 2 bananas, sliced lengthwise 2/3 inch thick and cut to fit the pancake Icing sugar and maple syrup, for serving Method Step 1     In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the buttermilk. Quickly stir in the flour mixture, then stir in the melted butter and blueberries. Step 2     Switch on your pancake maker and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle 1/4 cup of the batter per pancake onto the griddle, leaving room for the pancakes to spread. Gently lay one banana slice in the middle of each pancake and cook until bubbles appear on the surface, around 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the second side, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Generously dust the blueberry-banana pancakes with icing sugar and serve with maple syrup and a few blueberries.  Dinner Because nothing says I love you like a lovely 3-course meal, we have put together what we think is a simple yet very romantic menu, starting with oysters (of course) a seared duck main and finish off with an indulgent chocolate pudding. Yumm. Starter - cooked oysters with burnt butter Ingredients 8 rock oysters, scrubbed clean 800 g rock salt 40 g unsalted butter Tabasco sauce ½ a lemon Method Step 1 Preheat your oven to the highest it goes. Place the rock salt into an ovenproof frying pan, then pop in the oven to preheat for around 20 minutes, before carefully placing the oysters on top and returning to the oven for 10 minutes. Step 2 Meanwhile, melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it turns a deep golden colour and starts to sizzle. Add a few drops of Tabasco to taste, then remove from the heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice, swirling the pan until combined. Put the pan to one side. Step 3 Insert an oyster knife or a blunt knife into the oyster, then carefully lever it open – beware of the hot steam! Discard the oyster tops, then place the bottom shells with the oyster on a platter, drizzle over the burnt butter and serve straightaway. Main - seared duck with ginger mash Ingredients 25g fresh ginger 1 small orange, zested and the juice of half 340g duck breasts, skin removed and halved lengthways 160g sweet potatoes, peeled and thickly sliced 125g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 tsp rapeseed oil 1 onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 160g broccoli florets 160g Brussels sprouts, peeled 1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder few leaves fresh parsley or coriander (optional) Method Step 1 Cut 4 thin slices of the ginger and shred, then finely grate the remainder. Rub ¼ tsp each grated ginger and orange zest into the duck breasts, then grind over plenty of black pepper and set aside. Put both types of potato into a steamer and cook for 15 mins until tender. Transfer to a bowl and add the remaining grated ginger, then blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Cover and keep warm. Step 2 Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the onion, garlic and shredded ginger and fry for 5 mins until softened and starting to turn golden. Push the onions to one side, add the duck and cook for 8 mins, turning frequently and stirring the onions occasionally. Lift the duck out of the pan and put on a plate to rest. Step 3 Add the broccoli and sprouts into the steamer and cook for 8 mins until tender. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Add 150ml water, ½ tsp orange zest and the bouillon to the onion mixture and bubble to a sauce, then remove from the heat and add the orange juice. Step 4 Smear the ginger mash onto two warmed plates and top with the duck. Spoon over the onions and drizzle over the sauce. Scatter with the parsley or coriander, if using, and serve with the broccoli and sprouts. Dessert - indulgent chocolate pudding Ingredients 150g plain chocolate, broken into pieces 115g butter 2 large eggs 100g caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 25g plain flour Method Step 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Grease four ovenproof cups or ramekin dishes with softened butter. Step 2 Place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl (add a pinch of chilli here if you want a spicy chocolate middle) set over a pan of simmering water and leave until melted. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Step 3 Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl using an electric whisk until very thick and pale. Fold in the chocolate mixture. Sift over the flour and fold in gently. Step 4 Divide the mixture between the cups or ramekins. Place on a baking tray and bake for 12-15 mins until risen and almost set – the puds should still have a slight wobble to the touch. Serve immediately.  So get your apron on and impress your loved one, it is Valentines Day after all.

A few years ago, going vegan was associated with hemp clothing and making your own soap. However, with celebrities such as Beyoncé jumping on the vegan bandwagon, the vegan lifestyle has a fresh new look. And for good reason. A vegan diet has great health benefits, not to mention environmental kudos. If you’re thinking of going vegan but are worried about missing out on your favourite foods, there’s no need to fear!With minimal effort and a little creativity, you can easily create delicious vegan meals at home to set your taste buds tingling. Here’s how to go vegan, and stay vegan without feeling like you’re missing out. What is Veganism? Before we get started, what do vegans eat?A vegan lifestyle means cutting out any animal products from your diet and lifestyle habits. That means no meat, dairy products, honey, leather, wool or silk. Some people call themselves ethical vegans and avoid animal products due to animal cruelty concerns and factory farming, while others are in it for the health or environmental benefits. For more information on what exactly you can and can’t eat, the vegan society website should point you in the right direction. Find Vegan Alternatives to Your Favourites One of the biggest hurdles stopping people from going all the way is the fear of missing out on their favourite comfort foods. However, it’s getting increasingly easy to recreate your favourite treats at home. Here’s a few simple recipes to try: Fried Chicken and Chips Tofu makes a fantastic replacement for chicken as it has a satisfying texture and takes on flavour really well. Create a spice mix out of your favourite herbs and flavourings such as garlic, ginger, chilli, mustard and oregano to coat your tofu chicken pieces for that classic ‘finger lickin’ goodness!To get that perfect crispy coating, the trick is to coat the pieces in flour, panko bread crumbs and the spice mix before frying in a deep fat fryer. Chuck some potatoes into the fryer and whip up a quick vegan slaw for a vegan feast in no time! Top vegan tip: use a smidge of marmite to get that meaty flavour and a good dose of B12! Mexican Bean Chilli A simple swap from meat to black beans can result in a rewarding bowl of vegan chilli.This one is super easy; simply chop up your veg, whack it in a slow cooker with the beans, lentils and spices and leave it to work its magic.Serve with a healthy dollop of guacamole and steamed rice. Quick, healthy and kind on the wallet! Did you know black beans are a great source of protein and are a lot cheaper per gram than meat! Dairy-free Ice Cream Sometimes all you want is a sweet treat after dinner. The good news is, vegan desserts are easier to make than you might think. Take dairy-free ice cream for example, all you need is some fruit, sugar and dairy-free milk. Add it to an ice cream maker and it does the hard work for you!Here’s some flavour inspo: Mango and lime sorbet Banana, peanut butter and oat milk Vegan chocolate chip with Oreo crumble There’s now a whole range of dairy-free milk options to choose from. Pick from soya, oat, cashew, coconut, almond or hemp! Always Carry Emergency Snacks When hunger pangs strike and you find yourself far from home, it’s easy to give in and reach for the nearest chocolate bar.However, with a little preparation you can avoid this scenario altogether. Carrying nuts, seeds and fruit in your bag gives you something to munch on when the desire takes you.Another tasty vegan snack is popcorn. You can even make your own sweet or salty popcorn at home with a popcorn maker! Perfect for home-movie nights with friends. Pick the Restaurant Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up going out to eat. If all your friends or colleagues are out celebrating, staying home will make you miserable. If you’re worried about finding vegan friendly options on the menu, why not take charge and organise where you’re going. This means you can do some quick research beforehand and make sure there are some tasty vegan options on the menu. You’d be surprised at how many UK restaurant chains offer great vegan options; Pizza Express makes a pizza with vegan cheese and Wagamama’s have loads of vegan dishes to choose from. Try Something New If you’re going vegan for the first time, why not take this opportunity to try something new? The world of fruits and vegetables is vast and it’s likely there’s something out there that you’re yet to try. Visiting a world food market is a great place to discover new foods. Once you’re home with your stash, you can experiment by whipping up different smoothie combinations in a blender. Why not challenge yourself to a different flavour combo every morning for a week? A quick and healthy breakfast option to keep you on your toes. Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice The key to getting the maximum flavour out of vegan food is to be heavy handed with the seasoning. Fresh and dried herbs, spices, vinegar and vegan sauces can all add that special something to a simple dish. Get Creative in the Kitchen One of the biggest things that throw people off the vegan wagon is getting stuck in a food rut. Combat this by picking one night a week to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with flavours. This doesn’t have to be an expensive or laborious task. With the right kitchen tools, creating new vegan recipes is easy and fun. A multipurpose food processor can lend a hand in the kitchen by whipping up sauces, blitzing veg and making breadcrumbs in minutes. MasterChef eat your heart out. Stock Up on Vegan Basics Returning home from a long day at work to an empty cupboard is a disaster waiting to happen. When you’re tired, that’s when the cravings set in and you’re just a moment away from picking up the phone and ordering a giant cheesy pizza.That’s why it’s so important to keep a well-stocked cupboard with all the vegan basics to hand. Here’s a list of essential vegan items;   Marmite Nutritional yeast Beans of all varieties Tempeh Nuts Vegan stock Tahini Maple syrup Tofu Aquafaba Do it With Friends Creating new habits is easier with friends. Someone to share recipes with and keep you on track when late night cravings kick in can make transitioning to vegan a whole lot easier. Try out some vegan friendly restaurants together or invite them round for a home-cooked meal so you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out on social occasions. It’s All About Texture To make food satisfying, it’s all about that crunch. Creating foods with an interesting mix of textures is a simple way to make vegan food exciting. From crispy, deep fried cauliflower pops, to dehydrated vegetable crisps, a little bit of bite keeps things from getting bland. Don’t Scrimp on Calories Sitting down to a plate of lentils and a few sad lettuce leaves while everyone else tucks into a full roast dinner is no fun for anyone. But there’s no need to feel deprived! One of the great things about going vegan is that it means you can eat more food! Without calorie heavy meat and dairy, your body needs more of the good stuff to keep it ticking along. That means you can indulge in a few extra snacks throughout the day and say yes to that vegan chocolate cake for dessert! Focus on What you CAN Eat Instead of getting worked up over what you can’t eat, it’s best to focus on the massive list of tasty fruits, veg, pulses, beans and grains you can eat till your heart’s content.Vegan living should be about abundance not restriction!If you’re thinking about transitioning to a vegan diet, give yourself a helping hand in the kitchen by investing in a few hard-working gadgets that will help you stay on track.Geepas offers a great range of multipurpose kitchen appliances to make cooking delicious vegan food at home as easy as pie. To see how Geepas can help, explore the rest of the Geepas kitchen appliance range and get cooking!

With Christmas just around the corner we know how hard it can be to pick the perfect gift. But don’t worry, we are here to help! From the perfect family gifts to gifts that will make the lady in your life smile, we have them all.  Gifts for the Family Popcorn Maker - £19.99 What’s better than a family night in? We just love spending time with our loved ones, from game nights to movie nights. But of course, a must for any night in is snacks, our popcorn maker is a way to create delicious yet healthy snacks for everyone to make and enjoy! Smoothie Maker - £22.99  Great for both adults and children to enjoy some of their 5 day in a delicious drink, not only that the GEEPAS smoothie maker is simple to use, with adult supervision, children can make drinks too. Oh, and did you know smoothie makers make the best milkshakes. YUM! Gifts for him Combination Tool Set & Case - £40.99 Great for the DIY lover in the family (we all have one), this set comes with all the essential tools they will need for most household repairs and general fixing. With it’s own case to keep everything in order it will be sure to be a hit (no pun intended). Washable Electric Shaver for Wet & Dry Shaving - £17.99 Every mans’ perfect gift, great for a full shave or a quick trim before work. The GEEPAS electric shaver supports both wet & dry shaving, the cordless razor features a high-efficiency twin-blade cutting system with ultra-sharp blades for a fast, close and smooth shaving experience. Gifts for her Steam Hair Straightener - £33.99 What’s better than getting dressed up in the holiday season, why not treat that lady in your life to a new pair of straighteners. These straighteners offer very precise temperature control to evenly distribute the heat and straighten even thick and curly hair with ease. They also have an auto shut-off for peace of mind. 1000W Multifunction Stand Mixer - £89.99 Do you have a baker in your family? This time of year is perfect for baking and eating delicious treats, both sweet and savory. The Geepas multifunction stand mixer comes with five different attachments for beating, whisking and kneading dough. Perfect for any creation they want to make.   Still unsure? We hope we have given you some inspiration for the perfect gift, all of our products come with a 2 years warranty for peace of mind. However, if you still cannot decide why not get a GEEPAS gift card? So your friend/family can decide their own perfect gift!

This time of year, there are more pumpkins in the shops than anything else, we love carving out pumpkins as much as the next person, but did you know that more than 8 million pumpkins are expected to be binned uneaten this year. So, we have put together a couple of recipes to make you think twice when walking past the pumpkins. Pumpkin hummus  Ingredients 1 small pumpkin (about 500g) Olive oil 2 garlic cloves, peeled ½ lemon juiced 2 tbsp tahini paste 400g can chickpeas, drained 1 red pepper, deseeded, and sliced 1 yellow pepper, deseeded, and sliced mini breadsticks and pitta chips, to serve Method Cut the top off the pumpkin, about two-thirds of the way up. Remove the pumpkin seeds, then scoop the flesh out of the bottom and the lid. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the pumpkin flesh into pieces and put in a roasting tin with the garlic and a good amount of oil. Season, then bake for 45 mins until very tender. Leave to cool. Tip the pumpkin into a food processor with any juices from the roasting tin and the garlic. Add the lemon juice, tahini paste and chickpeas. Season with salt and blend to a paste – add a little more oil if it's too thick.  Scoop the hummus back into the pumpkin and serve with the peppers, breadsticks and pitta chips. Pumpkin pancakes Ingredients 200g plain flour ½ tsp baking powder 200ml milk 100g of pumpkin, mashed 1 egg, separated Method Tip the flour into a bowl and add the baking powder. Measure the milk into a jug and stir in the pumpkin followed by the egg yolk. Make a well in the centre of the flour and gradually add the milk mixture until you have a lump-free batter. Alternatively, tip everything into a blender and whizz it. Whisk the egg white until stiff, then fold it into the batter. Heat a non-stick pan and cook 1 large or 3 small pancakes at a time (if making small pancakes, use 1 tbsp for each). Wait until lots of bubbles have risen to the top and the surface has begun to dry out before turning them over, keep an eye on the base to make sure it doesn’t get too brown. No bake pumpkin cheese cake Ingredients 300g gingernut biscuits 350ml maple syrup (plus extra to serve) 350g full-fat cream cheese 300g pumpkin purée 300ml double cream Method Blitz 250g of the biscuits in a food processor with 125ml of the syrup until it resembles fine crumbs. Line a 20cm springform tin with baking parchment, then firmly push the crumbs into the base, transfer to the fridge and chill for 30 mins. Beat 100ml of the syrup with the cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Whip 200ml of the cream with 100ml of the syrup to soft peaks. Fold into the cream cheese mixture, then spoon over the base and level the top. Cover and freeze overnight. Lightly whip the remaining cream with the remaining syrup and dollop over the cheesecake. Crumble over the remaining biscuits and drizzle over some extra syrup. Leave to rest for 5 mins before serving. Who knew pumpkin could be so versatile and yummy! 

It’s that time of year again where the nights are longer, and air feels colder. But it’s not all doom and gloom, what’s better than a hot bowl of soup with a side of crusty bread? The GEEPAS soup maker is the ultimate autumn/winter kitchen must have, not only are homemade soups good for you they can save you money.  You can easily make a week’s worth of lunches from one batch, which saves you loads of money on those expensive trips out on your lunch break. Before we share 3 delicious soup recipes with you, we have a number of tips to help you make most out of your soup maker. 1. Use boiling water for your stock, or liquid addition. This helps any vegetables cook thoroughly. 2. If you plan to use anything frozen, make sure the ingredients are fully thawed first. 3. Make sure all meat that goes into the soup maker is pre-cooked. 4. Chop your ingredients into smallish pieces, especially potatoes, carrots and turnip, this allows the vegetables to fully cook. 5. Ensure the lid is fully closed or sealed. 6. To prevent burning, make sure you add your liquids before you insert the rest of the solid ingredients.    SOUP MAKER RECIPES   Creamy Moroccan Carrot Soup  12 large carrots1 large onion1 red pepper1 tbsp of honey1 can of coconut milk Minestrone Soup 6 large carrots2 medium mushrooms1 medium onionHandful of sprouts½ a bag of spinach3 fresh tomatoes1 can of tinned tomatoes1 can of kidney beans50g of frozen peas100g of pasta Chicken Noodle Soup 250g cooked chicken, shredded200g potatoes, peeled and cubed70g carrots, peeled and chopped100g egg noodles1 litre chicken stock

Today is international coffee day! And at GEEPAS, we are celebrating all things coffee. We have put together some tips for those looking to up their coffee game and truly appreciate the greatness of this delicious drink. So, to start what actually is coffee? Well, it’s a brewed drink prepared using roasted coffee beans which are taken from the berries of the Coffea plant. There are two main species of coffee beans which are the Arabica and Robusta, and depending on where they are grown, both the country and the altitude determines the flavour of the coffee. For example, Brazilian coffee usually has more chocolate and spice flavour compared to Ethiopian coffee which has a stronger, sweet berry flavour.  That being said, there are many ways to make the most out of your coffee beans and enjoy it even more than you already do.  When’s the best time to drink coffee? According to some research, there are certain times which are best for coffee consuming. This is all down to a hormone our body produces called cortisol. This is the hormone we produce when we’re stressed or feeling anxious. However, there are certain times of the day when cortisol levels peak for the average person: 8am – 9am 12pm – 1pm 5:30pm – 6:30pm Caffeine can trigger small amounts of cortisol, so it is best to avoid drinking it at these peak times.  You may not enjoy your coffee if you’re drinking on an empty stomach Another way to make the most out of your coffee is to not to drink it on an empty stomach. This means that unfortunately, it should not replace your breakfast in the morning. You should avoid this habit as it could damage your stomach lining, cause indigestion and heartburn if drank on an empty stomach. So, to enjoy this drink in the morning we recommend having your caffeine fix with a hearty breakfast. The best foods that go with coffee We couldn’t tell you not to drink your favourite beverage on an empty stomach without recommending the best food and coffee combinations. Sweet or savoury, there are plenty of ways to create some delicious pairings. Coffee cake – Too much coffee? There’s no such thing! Coffee cake is the perfect sweet treat which goes hand in hand. Pastries –Following a sweet theme, many of us enjoy our favourite beverage with a light, fluffy pastry, and there’s a reason for it… it’s delicious! A full English – A filter coffee and a full English breakfast, a pairing that is hard to beat. Cheese – There are so many ways to pair coffee with cheese. Try a deep, dark roast with a nutty, hard cheese such as parmesan or manchego. Or enjoy a lighter, sweeter blend with a soft cheese such as ricotta. Chocolate – A luxurious pairing that is a delightfully indulgent. Enjoy the wide array of drinks that coffee has to offer One of the best things about this magical drink is the diversity. There are countless ways to enjoy it, and the only way to find your favourite is to try them all! Here is a guide to help you navigate through the world of coffee: Espresso – A strong shot of coffee that has a thick consistency. Latte – A cup that contains one shot of espresso topped off with consistently smooth, silky, frothy milk. Cappuccino – Similar to a latte that it contains one shot of espresso, but the milk is less silky and frothier. Mocha – A latte but with the addition of chocolate. Americano – A shot of espresso topped off with hot water. Flat white – A shot of espresso topped with a little less steamed milk than a latte has but with no froth. Irish coffee – An americano that has a splash of Irish whiskey, brown sugar and cream on top. And of course the perfect cup of coffee can only come from the perfect coffee machine, take a look at our coffee collection and enjoy!