Nicola Halloran

For my New Year’s resolution, I decided to start a paleo diet and take up CrossFit, not to do things by half ! It was an experiment, really. CrossFit is a mixture of gymnastics, cardio and weightlifting, so it’s all compound movements and can be quite intense. When I was researching about CrossFit, I learned that a lot of athletes who do CrossFit also live by paleo diets. So I had this dormant list online, called My Paleo Pantry, explaining what was or wasn’t paleo. I directed family and friends to it, because nobody could understand what I was eating.

I started adding one or two recipes to the My Paleo Pantry list, and, from that, my Instagram following grew. And I needed to come up with a name I could settle on. After a bit of brainstorming, my brother Keith made this off-the-cuff remark, suggesting I call it something stupid like The Wonky Spatula. In one sense, I can see it heading towards becoming The Wonky Cafe!

I was quite strict [paleo] for two to three years, meaning I ate no gluten, dairy, grains, or legumes. Then I took a step back and asked myself, ‘Can I see myself eating like this for the rest of my life?’ And in many ways I could, but there are so many other food groups that are amazing, and also really good for you, that I wanted to expand into. The way I eat now is a more balanced approach. I eat a little bit of everything. You just have to be mindful, I suppose.

I don’t see The Wonky Spatula as work, as I have a full-time job in advertising. The main perk for me, is if I can change or help one person, then there’s a reason for my blog to be there. I get messages on social media on a daily basis from people looking for advice.

I never put pressure on myself to grow my blog. Now there are people trying to get into blogging who have this idea of ‘I need to grow my following’, and sometimes that can make them miss the point. If you’re not into it and you don’t truly believe in it, then that will definitely come across, and I think getting into blogging for the idea of having loads of people following you is not necessarily the best thing. You need to add value. There are many types of bloggers, but the food-blogging industry will never be saturated. There are so many unique recipes, so there will always be room for everyone.

I have a happy medium at the moment. I’m in a comfortable position where I don’t need to make a living out of my blog, but, if I wanted to, I could put that pressure on myself. If my blog does go that way, I want it to happen naturally and organically.

I’ve been involved with creators.ie since the beginning, but I have only integrated into it recently. Since I don’t follow many bloggers, it’s really nice to go on and see what other people are doing. And it’s convenient to have it all in one place.