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.
Micki says
Hello Mellissa. I’ve been going to your site for years and have always appreciated the inspirational (and tasty!) meals you’ve provided. Your recipes have made a low-carb lifestyle much easier than I thought it would be and I thank you for that. Whatever works for you, I’m sure will be appreciated by most of us. You are trusted and creative and I wish you nothing but the best in whatever venture you’re into. I look forward to seeing what you come up with, while still continuing to enjoy most of the recipes you’ve already put out over the years.
Alma says
I’ve been a loyal follower from the very beginning, and your site has always been my go-to for Keto recipes. I’ve purchased your books, followed your plans, and I’m a dedicated lifer, you could say. Times are changing, though! Recently, I’ve been hunting for new recipes and was thrilled to find more high-protein, low-carb/keto options. Protein is where it’s at right now! I still keep it low-carb, but I’ve become a bit more lenient these days.
I’m super excited about your new recipes, fresh ideas, and this new adventure you’re embarking on. All I have to say is: I’m here for it! You’ve already proven your knack for creating delicious recipes, and I’m confident you’ll continue to impress, especially with this new spark ignited in you. Do what you do best, and I’ll be here to soak it all in. I’m sure many others will too.
Bring on the protein! And, a sourdough bread recipe wouldn’t hurt either—a treat for my husband, of course. 😉 *wink wink*
Kitty Roberts says
I love your new concept, and truly think I will ALWAYS be on board with your dietary thinking! Thank you for doing what you do!!!
Dee says
I have been a long-time follower and frankly, your humor and approach to your recipes (and life) kept me coming back. However, IMO there has been a universal shift about food and health focuses and I see many keto creators shifting, as well. Many I follow went more to a holistic ‘you do you’ approach and while there will criticism, I embraced these content creators. Life constantly evolves, as we do.
About a year go, I went back to my vegetarian ways (keto is brutal for me – I simply hate meat) and I’ve never been more happier and content. Keto afforded me weight loss and joint relief and while it worked, it is not sustainable for me (emotionally or physically). I actually feel joy again about eating.
You do you, Mellissa. We will still be here :)
Joni L. says
First, thank you for all your time and energy you put into each recipe. I’ve been here many years and even included in your Clean Keto book and I can honestly state I am excited for this change. I had to change over to a high protein diet and can’t wait to see your yummy recipes. By the way, your recipes has changed not just my life, but my husband’s. He stated to eat more than just meat and potatoes and loves only your recipe for cauliflower mash!
Karen says
Exactly 👍 excited to see healthy HP recipes!!!
Jess Martinez says
Came here for keto and will continue to stick around and glad I have your books in tow. It is impossible to fit everyone’s restrictions and dietary needs (and they constantly evolve too). We are all too different, but YOU have the capacity to present information an across your platform that resonates with many. You get it through that this is a great recipe, and provide options to tweak (or banter to illustrate uh a derp moment, cough cough EGG FAST). Success to you and yours, looking forward to what the future brings.
Belenda says
Melissa, I’ve followed you from the beginning when were all met in the FB groups for low carb, sugar free, gluten fee (LCSFGF) groups. I even followed you on your Roatan move and was actually quite worried about your safety since my sister and husband had lived there for several years and had to flee, literally for their lives. So, I’m very happy you have also made it back to the states! As for your future website and blog, I will certainly embrace it! I’ve moved on from the newer “Keto” way of living as it just wasn’t sustainable for a lifelong vegetarian. I am focusing on a healthy higher protein way of eating now and trying to incorporate all foods – well except sugar. And as a vegetarian, it’s a struggle to obtain high protein. I’m finding there are some awesome Vegan seitan recipes though that are really good! So, muddling through new foods. I’m still good with little to no sugar in my diet. That’s the one good thing that did stick from doing hCG and LCSFGF for all those years. Love you’re in an old farm house and cultivating flowers too! Can’t wait to see your new recipes! Maybe you’ll even venture into canning and gardening???
Juanita says
I’ve always loved your site and will continue to use it. I look forward to your new content and wish you all the luck with all your many new projects.
Thanks for a super and very inspirational website :)
Linda says
Congrats on the new place and the gorgeous flower business. Glad you are going to follow your heart. We too are transitioning more low carb, higher protein, moderate carbs. We like the whole food, natural sugars and still try to stick to less processed foods. Excited to see your new recipes.
Lisa C says
Hello there, like a lot of people I was initially drawn to your site due to a need to go low carb, I experimented with keto and low carb throughout two gestational diabetes pregnancies, then full keto a couple of years ago. Thank you for your amazing recipes during that time! Now I’m working on losing the weight (for the last time!), eating a lot more protein and vegetables and weightlifting three times a week, I was delighted to look at your prioritising protein plans and thrilled to learn about an upcoming recipe book!
I wish you well in all that you do, you’re very talented and I look forward to your new direction.