EndorphinStew.com is best described as a food/wellness blog that encourages positivity through healthy eating. It doesn’t advocate a certain type of diet and includes a nice variety of recipes to suit everyone from vegans to pescatarians to chocoholics. Endorphin Stew’s main aim is to drive home the message that fuelling our bodies the right way is as much about maintaining a healthy mind as it is about keeping in physical shape.
Who are you and what do you do?
Ryan Mangan is the name and I live in Tuam, Co. Galway. I’m currently studying a full-time science degree in NUIG. I love blogging and working away at other things on the side and I’m constantly striving to be a happier and prouder person.
Why do you do what you do?
Discovering the strong correlation between a healthy diet and a happy mind is something that gradually came about as I got older. When I was younger and found it more difficult to tackle my mental issues, eating well was my secret way of coping sometimes. Since representing Ireland over at Brave New Voices in Atlanta last year, I gained some confidence and a voice around emotional wellbeing which naturally lead on to the blog. By creating, logging and sharing nutritious recipes, I hope to help others out there reap the same benefits I once – and am currently – experiencing, and in a straightforward way too!
Describe your audience.
Endorphin Stew is aimed at anybody interested in discovering healthier alternatives to the tinned and packaged foods that we can all pick up at our convenience. Since I don't advocate any strict diets, I feel the blog is very versatile and could come in handy for somebody looking for a quick protein-fix after a workout or it may even help trigger some ideas for a tasty dinner party with some friends. I've gotten great feedback from people in all walks of life about the blog, and no age-range takes any preference over the other for me.
What’s your media diet?
I don't think I'm officially awake in the mornings until I have a nice scroll through my social media accounts. Being engrossed in the online world is a very important part of being a blogger, however, overdoing it can take its toll sometimes and balance is something I'm slowly aiming to perfect. In more productive terms, I like immersing myself in books about nutrition and food and I'm delighted the end of exams season has left me a little more time for this.
Three people you respect?
In terms of food blogging - definitely my Mam. Not because she'd kill me for not saying that but because a lot of my knowledge about cooking comes from her; she is one of the few people I trust to tell me how it is and she'll never let my head get too big either. The guys at SpunOut.ie have a big role to play in my blog whether they know it or not; feeling comfortable contributing to their incredible youth-driven platforms is one of the reasons I began food blogging. Lastly, and like any other food blogger in Ireland probably, The Happy Pear - these guys inspire me big time and their positivity is infectious.
What excites you right now and Why?
The fact that I would never really have cooked for anybody else a couple years ago, to now being somebody who confidently posts new recipes online each week, says a lot about what hard work, confidence and passion can bring about. I know the next few years will be tough in terms of juggling degree years in college with consistently managing a blog, but as they say, the world is my oyster at this age and I'm so ecstatic about driving this journey with food even further, meeting the people I might meet along the way and the stories I might learn and share - it's all so exciting.
Proudest post? Finest moment to date? Most embarrassing moment to date?
My proudest and most daring post was entitled 'My Plan for Endorphin Stew.' I wrote it just after I finished my summer exams in college and it was about how I wanted to give up my consistently positive façade when it came to blogging. I went into it all so afraid of what people may have thought if I wasn't constantly perfect and happy, but after considering everything, I now strive to be myself and true to my readers. Truth be told, I am happy most of the time, but if admitting that I've had one too many cheat days during the week and felt down in terms of my mental health means less followers, so be it - I'd much rather attract fewer genuine readers by being authentic.
My finest moment was doing a takeover with Lidl Ireland, when the lovely Eimear from head office got in touch about it my heart raced - she saw my potential at such an early stage and I will never forget that. My most embarrassing moment in the kitchen is probably not being able to distinguish turkey from chicken a lot of the time.
What channels are your fav?
Instagram is my favourite channel by a long shot. I think it's a genius app that really suits my brand as the blog has a lot to do with visuals. The support and engagement I've received by my followers on Instagram from day one is incredible and I find Instagram is a very useful way of directing people to my blog posts and also growing other social media platforms.
Tell us a secret - something we should know about you?
I used to write a lot of poetry - my first poem, 'Nursing Home' was published by The Irish Times when I was 18. Food blogging is my main passion right now, but I wouldn't rule out writing more poetry and fiction again in the future.
What’s the dream?
As cliché as it sounds, I just want to look back at my life and see it as a happy and fulfilling one. Right now, food blogging and being health conscious is what I love doing. However, if things were to change down the line for me to maintain happiness - I'd be cool with that; in this moment though, I'm delighted with how things are going and what I'm doing with myself.
Where do we find you?
You can find my blog on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or you can find me personally on my own Instagram or Twitter!
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