UPDATE: I just want to say that I am humbled by your overwhelming support in the comments (with a few notable exceptions 😅) and I promise I will respond to them soon! Thank you so much for sticking with me on this new path! 💕
There are going to be some changes around here on I Breathe I’m Hungry, and since many of you have been here for years and years, I feel I owe you an explanation as to what and why.
When I started IBIH back in 2011, it was just a hobby and a place to connect with friends and give a home to the recipes I’d created over the years. By 2012 I had gained some followers and discovered that people were searching for low carb recipes that tasted good and helped them reach their goals – and there weren’t a lot of websites focusing on that at the time.
So I leaned into that niche and I Breathe I’m Hungry became a destination for people looking for delicious low carb, gluten free, and keto recipes. Eventually I created the free 3 Day Keto Kickstart and 12 weeks of keto menu plans – and then came the egg fast plan, the keto soup diet, and more recently the Squeaky Clean Keto plan and 30 day challenge.
I was so committed to keto recipes that I published two books on the subject – Keto for Life, and Squeaky Clean Keto, which were both well received.
Things were going great. So great that thousands of people and companies started creating keto recipes – some good, some not so much. Traffic to my website started to decline, but we were doing ok and there were plenty of people who were still coming to IBIH for keto recipes.
And then the pandemic hit.
Suddenly nobody wanted keto recipes anymore, and everyone was baking banana bread and crafting their own sourdough starters. Even my family went down the rabbit hole of baking and cooking elaborate non keto meals because what else were we going to do stuck at home for months at a time?
And so after publishing new keto recipes to the sound of crickets, I eventually put the website on autopilot and started pursuing other interests.
Since then we moved back to NY from Honduras, and bought an old 1870’s colonial estate that needed a lot of work. So we’ve been restoring that for the last 3 years, while renovating and launching 2 new short term rental properties, and more recently I’ve been building a micro flower farm on the property to sell specialty cut flowers locally here in the Hudson Valley.
It’s been very busy, but also very rewarding – and we are exhausted. Which hasn’t left a lot of time for making new recipe content here on the website.
Is I Breathe I’m Hungry Finished?
No. But…
While I want to get back to creating recipes, I honestly haven’t done keto in several years (though my closet is telling me I probably should be) and there has been a sharp decline in searches for keto recipes, so it feels like a waste of time to create more.
Also, ironically my house is huge with rooms I don’t need upstairs (and no closet space, WHY? 😭), but my kitchen is tiny, which is a constant source of frustration and has stifled my creativity and desire to work on cooking and photographing new recipes. So I need to be really inspired if I’m going to push through, and I haven’t felt inspired by keto in a long time.
In spite of those challenges, I have been feeling itchy to cook and get back to work doing what I love, and I need a direction to go in.
If you’ve been around the last few months you know that I have talked a lot about higher protein recipes, and I even started a new meal plan called Prioritizing Protein.
I also posted on social media that I was under contract with my publisher for a new high protein cookbook that was going to release in December. I am still publishing the cookbook, but I have delayed it to put my energy into rebuilding I Breathe I’m Hungry.
But what does that even look like?
Finally, She Gets to the Point
I’ve toyed with the idea of posting non keto recipes here on I Breathe I’m Hungry for years, but I’ve watched others go down that path in the past and get raked over the coals by their followers so I never did it, even when I lost my passion for keto.
Now that so many people have moved on from keto, and I have stepped away from the blog for an extended time, I’ve decided if I’m going to return and do my best work creating new recipes, then I have to do what inspires and excites me.
I also need to be posting recipes that resonate with people’s needs today, so that blog traffic will recover and I can continue to afford to put time into creating new content. Because without that income, I can’t justify the time it takes to keep working on it.
So while all of the existing keto content will stay on the website, and I will occasionally be posting new keto recipes as inspiration strikes, moving forward I Breathe I’m Hungry will no longer be primarily a keto recipe destination.
That may be tough for some of you loyal followers from the early days to accept, and please know that I don’t make this decision lightly. I have appreciated you being here and commenting and making this website and the Facebook pages into a thriving community. I hope you will stick around and see what’s next, but if IBIH is no longer for you then I totally understand.
Based on my polls and research though, many of you came for keto and kept following even though you don’t do keto anymore. You will hopefully love the new content. If you liked and trusted my keto recipes, then you will be as excited as I am that unrestricted by a need for non traditional keto ingredients, I will be able to bring delicious new recipes that are more accessible and seasonal.
That doesn’t mean I will be posting overly indulgent and unhealthy recipes here either though.
I’m currently inspired by higher protein recipes, that are moderate in carbs and fat – which is a healthy trend that I can get behind, and that many are finding a lot more sustainable than keto for the long term.
I will also be getting back to the Prioritizing Protein Meal Plans in the coming weeks, with the goal of having at least 6 weeks of meal plans available by the end of the year.
In a Nutshell aka. TLDR (too long didn’t read)
I Breathe I’m Hungry will maintain the keto and gluten free recipes and meal plans that are currently on the site, but moving forward I will be posting a variety of recipes that may or may not be keto. I am currently focused on healthy higher protein recipes that may include natural sugars, fruits, starches like potatoes and rice, and even sometimes *gasp* gluten.
Where possible, I will include modifications for those who are keeping to a low carbohydrate diet, or even gluten free or dairy free if applicable. I will also continue to provide nutrition information for the new recipes.
It will take some time to build up a catalog of the new high protein recipes, so meanwhile I will still be sharing existing keto recipes on social media and by email, so don’t be surprised if you see keto recipes still popping up.
As I release them, I will tag the new recipes and meal plans with “new” in the email title and social media description so keep an eye out for those coming soon.
If you are not already subscribed to my newsletter, now would be a great time to do so! You can find the subscribe box at the bottom of the post or on the front page of the website.
Melanie says
Hi Melissa. First, let me say that I’ve enjoyed reading and learning about your recipes. I’ve also read this email three times because I am blown away by your honesty in acknowledging your need to seek new directions that INSPIRE YOU and MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!!! It takes a lot of courage to open up about yourself as you’ve done, and I SINCERLY APPLAUD you. I truly look forward to receiving updates on the Prioritizing Protein (PP – I giggled also when you said that). Cheers to your new endeavors!!!
Stephanie W says
Totally in for this change! I have your two cookbooks and I have made many of your meals. I started with Keto. It has helped me lose 70 pounds over a two year period and I thank you for your help in that. I like how you will be providing more balance on the site now. I don’t do keto but still tend to keep many meals lower carb. However I no longer restrict my food choices like I had done in the past. I am looking forward to the new content!
Lynne Lopes says
I’ve been following you for years & will continue, because I truly think you’re amazing (have cookbooks too). However if there’s any gluten in recipes, I’ll ignore those (like I already do with any recipe using vital wheat gluten for example). Since I am Celiac, not eating gluten isn’t a “gasp” choice. It’s a medical necessity. I was a bit perturbed by that “gasp” remark. I must say.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Sorry if you were offended by the gasp Lynne, it truly wasn’t a dig at people who are gluten free, but more of a “even I’m shocked” that I’m considering adding recipes containing gluten because I have been making things gluten free for over 20 years – even before I was doing low carb and keto. I know that there are many (including celiac friends of mine) who don’t have a choice and I would never ever minimize how hard it is to avoid gluten and how truly damaging it is if you accidentally ingest some.💕
Janet Smith says
Love this site and I often come back for recipes. I am an Australian and live in Aus and not strictly keto but eat low carb foods so will still come back for your recipes. Thanks for sharing your inspirational recipes.
Jen L says
I appreciate your natural progression and think that if you tag your content keto/gf, etc, readers will be able to figure it out.
I was concerned with the recent release of research showing the effect of sugar alcohols on veins and arteries (hardening) that keto sites may start to disappear. Pivoting to protein forward diet is such a whole body health path, I love it. I will be staying.
My best to you!
Pamela says
I’ve stepped away from keto and totally support your move to more protein. Thank you. I’ve been here a few years and will continue to remain! Wishing you all the best in your endeavors.
Peace & Blessings
Clarissa says
I did find you because of keto and you are my go-to for recipes in that area. Thank you for that! However, much like you, I stepped away from it and my closet agrees with your closet. 🙄 😬
I can’t wait to see what you come up with next and am excited for you to be excited about cooking again. I know I needed a break more from just the constant “make everything from scratch” that keto is. Thank you for all you’ve shared so far and congratulations on a new chapter!
Deb says
I’m on board!
Starla says
I came back today to read the general consensus from the comments…and have to admit you seem to have nailed the situation with precision.
Thank you for all your previous work and all the wonderful low carb recipes I get to keep. Your recipes are some of the best-tasting (and most cooked) in our household. Best of luck with your new endeavors.
With gratitude,
Starla
Quilter says
You go, girl!! Do what works for you…. Like many others, I came for the keto, and stayed for the humor, honesty, and creativity! (And whoever the lurker, AD, is, please shut up. Your negativity is a real waste of time.)
Looking forward to your posts, IBIH, and will cautiously enjoy your new offerings as they fit in. I’m more locarb now, anyway, so proteins will be a wonderful focus!!
Jennifer P says
I have followed you for years and have always loved your content. You helped me lose 150lbs! I loved that your recipes were easy, but different than the typical recipes out and about. Your keto recipes were not boring. The ingredients were easy to find.
I’m excited for your new higher protein journey. I think we all grow and explore healthy ways to eat, especially as we get older (I’m not saying your old, I definitely am 🤣) but things evolve and I’m excited to be a part of this journey with you. I’ve gained quite a bit of weight back in the last two years so I’m recommitting to getting healthy and lose this weight once and for all. I’m still here! I’m not.gping anywhere and I’m glad you’re still here!
Rebecca Calaway says
First, thank you for the wonderful recipes you have created to help so many with their journey on Keto. You have certainly made my life easier and my husband happier, plus I have received an education in cooking.
I’m happy that your new ventures are making YOU happy. Happiness is important. I have your newsletter, tons of your recipes saved on Pinterest, and your books, so I think I can get by without any new ideas.
I have been looking at carnivore groups myself so this added protein you are working on is perfect for me. Good luck and much success!