THE VEGAN 8 BLOG UPDATE
I have been wrestling with this decision for the past year or so and have finally made one. I’ve been blogging for nearly 9 years (started my first food blog June 2012) and have been running this vegan food blog, The Vegan 8, since October of 2013. I originally created The Vegan 8 because I realized just how many people wanted delicious, but simple and easy recipes that didn’t require a ton of ingredients. I’ve gone over this on my About page. But in short, my concept of 8 ingredients or less recipes (not counting the very basics of salt/pepper/water) began because the recipes that most readers were making were just that, 8 ingredients or less.
I knew that I wanted to reach and help as many people as I could. I knew that my idea was going to help so many, which it has. It has enabled for me to reach hundreds of thousands of people over the years and hear countless testimonies of how my recipes have helped your transition to a vegan lifestyle, get healthier and actually love vegan food.
I’m incredibly grateful to have connected with thousands of you over the years and become friends with several of you. It is a true honor and blessing.
I’ve reached a point now where I feel like my creativity wants to further flourish. A nudging that I can no longer ignore.
My blog has become known as a resource for a few specific niches.
- 8 ingredient concept
- Simple, easy, but incredibly delicious plant-based comfort food
- Oil-free recipes being a big one
- Resource for gluten-free recipes, but them being just as delicious as regular recipes made with traditional flour. This has been one major thing that I’ve heard from thousands-that my gluten-free baked recipes have made you love gluten-free food or helped your kids. Gluten-free baked goods are notoriously known for having awful textures. My years of experience as a baker and commitment to super high standards, has allowed me to create a blog resource for those wanting gluten-free recipes that will wow any eater. I never want people or children to feel like they can’t enjoy a delicious dessert because they cannot have gluten.
- Wholesome plant-based recipes that don’t rely heavily on processed ingredients like fake meats or cheeses. (that you’d buy from the store)
Where I’m at now. I have felt a burning for awhile now to venture out just a bit from my 8 ingredients concept. I receive recipe requests from readers weekly. Some I have to turn down simply because of that. My husband requests recipes as well. Some recipes simply cannot be done at 8 ingredients, without sacrificing my high standards of quality and taste.
For example: Gumbo, Tiramisu, Boston Cream Pie Donuts. These are just examples of requests I’ve received that I have not been able to post due to realizing that they would be impossible to do at 8 ingredients. A true gumbo would need 10-15 ingredients and a Boston cream pie donut has 3 components to it. A Tiramisu is my all-time favorite dessert. That is a multi-layered dessert that would require more than 8.
This doesn’t mean that hundreds of recipes can’t be done at 8, obviously, I’ve been doing it for years, haha. That is the whole reason I started this blog, because I knew I could do it. But this does mean, that certain recipes, cannot. And as I’ve grown over the years as a recipe developer, I want to venture out from time to time.
When I have posted pics of dinners I’ve thrown together, I’ve had requests for the recipe, which I then state it’s more than 8 ingredients, people reply “I don’t care, I want it!” That is a relief to me now.
GOING FORWARD
While I recognize that to many, it was my original 8 ingredient concept that stood out to so many, over the years of building a large reader base, it has been the quality of flavorful recipes that have kept you here. You’ve spread the goodness of your love of my recipes by word of mouth to so many of your friends, family, social media, etc.
So, my plan going forward is to allow myself a little bit extra with some of those recipes that will require a few more, sometimes maybe just 1, maybe 5, who knows, it will depend on the recipe. This way I can share my full creativity with you all. I don’t want to hold back myself any longer.
Plus, one thing that many people have told me over time is that they have followed and made my recipes for a long while and only recently realized the “8” in my blog name meant 8 ingredients and that they were just here for the yummy recipes! Haha.
So, that has made me realize that it is not just my 8 ingredient concept and wholesome ingredients, but the flavors and textures you love about my recipes. Because, let’s be honest, if the recipes were horrible, it wouldn’t matter if they were easy 8 ingredient recipes anyways, right?
DON’T WORRY!
Now, please, I don’t want anybody to panic and think going forward that all my recipes are going to be 10-15 ingredients! No, no, no, no. Most will still be 8 ingredients or less, not counting salt/pepper/water, like always! Because honestly I personally get anxiety over recipes with 10-15 ingredients. Too much work. I like simplicity and ease.
BUT, I have always made an exception to make a recipe with a few more if it’s a great recipe I really want to try. But it’s certainly not a daily thing for me, lol.
This would just be a sometime thing, so I am not changing my blog name or any crazy stuff like that.
I just felt that I wanted to share this with you all and get your thoughts. You readers are the most important thing to me when it comes to blogging.
Additionally, in my next book, I have these exact same thoughts. I will not be advertising my next book as “8 ingredient only” recipes. But rather, many 8 ingredients will be but several will not be. It is so unbelievably frustrating to get reviews on Amazon from people who failed to read the multiple places in the book where I noted that my recipes did not include salt/pepper/water in the 8 ingredients, or obviously anything listed as optional, because, well, it’s optional! Some left me awful reviews hurting my overall rating because they didn’t count properly or read. As an author and a person that works very hard and puts my whole soul into my work, it’s incredibly upsetting. I do not want to go through that again with another book.
MY PROMISE
This small progression of my recipes is simply because of my commitment to not only myself, but also to you because I care so much to give you what you want and ask for. If I didn’t care so much about providing all that I could, I wouldn’t even bother to change anything at all. But I feel sad when I have to turn down a recipe request because it’s not one that could be done at 8 ingredients of high quality.
My recipes will still all be vegan, mostly gluten-free and oil-free, like always. That is not changing. That is who I am and what I love creating. Just some once in a while will have a couple/few of extra ingredients, so I hope you are all okay with that. It will make me happier and feel more free to let my creativity flourish to share with you all. I need to be true to what my heart is tugging at for awhile now.
I feel like change is a must in life if we want to grow, and while this may seem like a small change or a big change to some of you, it has been weighing heavily on my mind since I’ve been writing 8 ingredient only recipes for, well, going into my 8th year now. And they will still almost always have that, but with some extra fancy ones thrown in the mix now!
Love you all so much and thank you for all the support you’ve shown me over the years. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
Fully support your decision and need for creativity! I know that all of your recipes are great no matter the number of ingredients required.
Can’t wait for a Tiramisu recipe! Thank you for all your hard work! Your recipes always go-to for me, doesn’t matter how many ingredients. When my husband complimented my dishes which I make by your recipes, I just say it’s my girl from Texas!!!
Awww that’s so sweet to hear!
Great idea … You must feel free to grow as you need to. I look forward to seeing some of the new record 😊
Super Brandi! Gluten free and less than 3 different products to make one dinner makes me happy— and no oil!
You go girl!
Rita
I’m looking forward to seeing what new things you’ll come up with 🙂
While I was first attracted to your recipes because they were dairy and oil free, I also liked that the recipes only required 8 ingredients. However, over the years of enjoying your recipes, it no longer mattered how many ingredients — they were all healthy and delicious! Your decision to expand and move forward couldn’t have come at a better time for both you and your adoring followers! Best Wishes for a safe and healthy 2021 and years to come!
I couldn’t have said it any better myself! That is exactly how I feel as well and am looking forward to TheVegan8 2.0!! Thank you for sharing your heart and your talents with us!
Haha, that is literally exactly what my husband said I should title my next book “The Vegan 8 2.0” that is so funny you said that! Thank you so much for your support Allison!
Your recipes are awesome. I don’t really care if you always adhere to 8 ingredients or less. And my parents are from New Orleans, AND I WANT TO TRY YOUR RECIPE FOR GUMBO!!!!!!!
I’ve enjoyed recipes from your blog and cookbook, and always know when I make something of yours it will be winner! I look forward to seeing where you go from here!!! Keep up the AMAZING work!
This is wonderful!! I suspected that the limitation might be holding you back in some cases. I think most people here would be fine with 9 or 10 or 15 or whatever. The fact that they’re plant-based and oil free is what keeps me (and probably most everyone else) coming back.
Congratulations! An honest realization and I look forward to your creativity unhampered !
I love this! Thank you for continuing to share with us and being TRUE to you.
Haters gonna hate, that’s all there is to it. You cannot let those people bother you. I love your blog as a resource but I’m not married to the 8 ingredient idea. Do I count the number of items in your recipes? No. Will I make a recipe with 9 ingredients? Of course. Keep up the great work, you are one of the few recipe email subscriptions I actually receive.
I am fine with you adding a few more ingredients. Your recipes are delicious and you’re an excellent baker. I have referred many people to your baking skills. I do love the fact that you try to keep it simple because that’s really hard with a lot of stuff that’s out there with 20 ingredients! Don’t beat yourself up to do a great job and I’ll be looking forward to whatever you put out.
You go girl. I’m sure your site will still be my favourite.
Thanks for letting us know regarding the 8 or less I for one am happy as long as your recipes continue to taste as good as they always have!!!
I admire you and your determination and will still consider you my FRIEND.
God bless you and your family
Keep up the great work for all of us.
Waiting for your next book.
Mary Jean
I follow you and make so many of your recipes because they are vegan and delicious, not because they are 8 ingredients or less! I’m looking forward to seeing new recipes in the future (and I can’t wait for another cookbook)!
That means the world Amy, thank you! I’ve received so many emails over the years from readers saying how much they love that my recipes are only 8 ingredients, so I’ve been so scared to do this, but I just felt it was time to allow myself to do just a bit more! Thank you for the support.
Go for it Brandi!
I am looking forward to what you post.
Thank you for sharing your creativity with
all of us!
Gayle
Awesome, good for you, my family loves your recipes because they are plant based and free of processed ingredients including oil…to us it doesn’t matter the exact number of ingredients. We appreciated what you share, have bought your cookbook and look forward to another in the future!!
Sounds great to me! The recipe of yours I make the most is your Mexican chili which was an early one and over 8 ingredients. I’m looking forward to what you come up with going forward.
Haha, yes, I actually meant to include that in the post and forgot. That is one of my most popular recipes and it’s like 11 ingredients, I think! Thank you so much Jenny!
I don’t care how many ingredients you use as long as you keep blogging and sharing your amazing creativity with us! You are a treasure!
Brandi, your recipes are so great that I’d still keep coming back even if they had five times the ingredients. It will be so fun to see what you come up with now that you have more flexibility! When I got your email, I was afraid you were going to say you were shutting down the blog. I’m SO GLAD that this tiny change is all you’re doing! Happy New Year, and thanks for all the great recipes you’ve shared already!
I love your recipes. When new plant based eaters ask me for recipes I always refer them to your site. Your recipes are delicious, simple to make, and don’t call for any ingredients that would turn off a newbie. I will continue to make your recipes no matter how many ingredients are in them.
Good for you!! Create what you want—we will stick by you!
Signed,
A Neighbor in Cypress
🙂
I’m with you 💯 and fully support your new endeavors and CAN’T WAIT to try the new recipes :). You have given us so many incredible recipes that I can adapt to my family with digestive issues and food allergies and I am grateful for that. Thanks for all you do!!
I love this idea. I’ve always wondered if you found the 8 ingredient concept somewhat limiting to your creativity. Good going and I look forward to your new level of creativity now that you can branch out a bit!
Thank you so much Debra for the support! I never will post something I don’t love, that is for certain. But there are many recipes that I have wanted to post and recreate, but didn’t because of that. I’ve been committed to that for so many years, which has been wonderful. But as I’ve grow over the years into a more experienced baker and recipe developer, I want to do just a bit more from time to time, but still keeping the recipes simple and 90% still being a short list of ingredients.
You amaze me! Thanks for your heartwarming words and I can’t wait for your next book! Of all recipes that I’ve made in the last year, yours is made 95 percent (or more) of the time!! Keep doing what you are doing and I’m grateful that you and your scrumptious recipes are in my life! Thank you, Brandi!! Virtual hug, Cindy
As long as you’re making food, I’m here for it!!! Expand your horizons so that ours can be expanded too!
If you’re not growing, you’re dying….or something really dramatic like that. 🙂
Keep it up and bring us along for the ride!