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.
Norma says
Good for you taking on the new adventure of your house and cut flower business as well as revamping your blog!
I have struggled to define our style of eating; it’s not keto and it’s not quite low carb either but closer to that. We eat a lot of protein with quite a few veggies. We don’t often eat pasta but will occasionally have rice or sometimes beans. Main thing is we try to keep our protein/carb ratio no more than 1:1 as we have found that to be best for reasonable weight management, feeling satiated (so important!), and just plain feeling good with adequate energy. We got tired of all the cream cheese in so many Keto recipes and while I enjoy cauliflower rice and your wonderful mashed cauliflower recipes have found we don’t want it often plus its seems cauliflower has gotten rather expensive.
Look forward to your new content! Wishing you all the best!
Steve says
Like others, I support you 100%. Thank you for sharing your plans.
Judy Howson says
Just so Thrilled to see you bringing Prioritizing Protein on onboard! For past 1 1/2 years have been mostly Carnivore (love the simplicity) with one or 2 meals in my week being Ketovore (20 Total Carbs or less) if I so choose.
I found the Ketogenic lifestyle in 2018 thru Dr Eric Westman’s “white coat” YouTube video & thru a few documentaries that were available at that time. Along the way you Melissa came into my life with amazing cookbooks (own All your cookbooks ..Paperback & Kindle ❤️👍 and your exceptional website with so much of yourself given freely to us that just astounded me…..you Melissa have an amazing, unselfish compassionate heart to help others. Have done the Squeaky Clean Challenges at least 3 or 4 times…with great success I might add!
Can’t wait to purchase your Prioritizing Protein Cookbook …of course in Paperback & Kindle…got to keep you close😁
Blessings on your New Journey of I Breath I’m Hungry….just know I’ll be there with all the others Cheering you to Sucess👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. You Melissa in my book are PRICELESS 🙏🥰
Judy in Kentucky
Jojo says
I’d do whatever makes you happy and inspires you! I don’t follow keto anymore since I didn’t see any benefits from it but I always followed your page after that. I am excited to try your new recipes. I eat a lot of fruit and lot new recipes with fruit!
Good luck with you new flower business, too!!
A.D. says
Jojo: “No benefits”??! For millions of dedicated people, Keto has shown them how to deflame, lose dozens of pounds, get off of meds, feel amazing for the first time in decades, etc., etc., etc., all while eating real, natural, traditional foods.
But jack-squat for you, eh? Just another dumb fad for fools…??!
Mellissa Sevigny says
A.D. we get it, you love keto and want to keep doing it. Nobody here is saying it’s a fad or doesn’t have tons of benefits for those that it works for and who are able to stay on it long term. She literally only said she didn’t see any benefits personally – and like it or not, it’s true that keto doesn’t work for every body. So if you want to stick around, stop looking for a fight where there isn’t one. All of my keto content is staying because I know it’s helping people, and just because I’m not on keto now doesn’t mean I won’t get back on it at some point. Fanatically banging the keto drum here and attacking people who aren’t doing it anymore isn’t helping your cause, it just makes you look bad.
Myrna E says
What was that post about unicorn tears? I laugh just remembering it. Your recipes have been a staple for me for years because they turn out well and are flavorful. Your writing is the other half of the enjoyment of your site. Going to still be hanging around. I still have e books from you that I use. Thanks for everything before and to come!
Claudia says
Amazing! We seem to be following similar paths. IBIH is my go-to for low carb recipes, but as I get older, I feel a need to focus on getting enough protein as well. I’m completely onboard with your new direction, and excited to follow where you take IBIH.
Mary says
Life is constantly changing, and sometimes that means we have to adjust the course we’re on. Nothing wrong with that! I will continue to use your recipes & check out your content. This has been your baby…you do what you feel is right for YOU! There’s plenty of content here for everyone in their different stages of life with more on the way! You go, girl! And congratulations on your next chapter! I’m looking forward to it!
Jackie says
I’ve always been here for the gluten free content anyway, subbing in sugar occasionally. As long as I have some gf options, I’m still in! You do you and it will all work out.
Robyn says
Great article, Mellissa! And congratulations on your new adventures – such gorgeous flowers! While my husband and I try to stick to grass-fed protein, organic chicken, wild-caught fish and organic vegetables and fruit, we do fall off the wagon a lot. Honestly, I feel my best when I leave the gluten full food behind, it really brings me down and the weight up. Healthy is definitely the way to go, regardless of a few potatoes here and there, some pasta and rice, and the occasional slice of birthday cake, (although I do feel guilty with every bite). Can’t wait to see what you create next, Mellissa. You go, Girl! Best wishes to you from Canada! Cheers! 💕 P.S. Hope the term, e-transfer, is now part of your business strategy 😉
Pebbles says
I have been following IBIH for a little over 5 years and have loved every one of your recipes that I’ve tried. No way will I stop following due to a course change. I expect you’ll be posting amazing content and I look forward to trying them.
Romy says
I’m looking forward to your new journey and will be trying your new recipes too!
Thank you :)