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.
I am thrilled, I think your new plan will be much better for my cooking style, looking forward to it!
Brandi, I’ve shared your book & recipes with MANY since your first cookbook came out. You’ve done amazing work & I hope you never feel defeated for negative reviews. I look forward to your recipe expansion, what an exciting challenge! And just like I pre-ordered your first book, count me in on your second!
Plant based and oil free are my two main requirements…..other than tht use as any ingredients as you need. If don’t want salt, I can leave it out. Looking forward!
Regardless of how many ingredients, we will continue to love your recipes.
How incredibly sweet of you to check in with us and get our opinion, Brandi! Seriously, you are an inspiration. When it comes down to it, this is YOUR blog that you created out of that beautiful gracious heart of yours, and if that same heart is telling you it’s time to grow and flourish, then that is exactly what you should do!
As I’ve mentioned before, I came to your site in 2013 when my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac. Before we ever went vegan we needed gluten-free recipes that were easy to make. We didn’t even care if they tasted good. WOW were we surprised and delighted! They tasted fabulous, the ingredients were clean, the detailed directions were super easy to understand and follow, and the best part was the person writing the blog and sharing her art was clearly doing this to help others without expecting anything in return. In 8 years that has never changed.
Brandi, I have shared your recipes with SO many people and never, ever was the fact that there were 8 ingredients even mentioned. It’s ALWAYS about how fantastic they are, and how wonderful it is to find recipes that are a healthier version of comfort food.
We love you. We are so incredibly thankful for you. We are thrilled for any changes that bring happiness to your heart. And we’ll be here enjoying old favorites, delighting in new creations, and cheering you on every step of the way.
Hi Brandi! I don’t care how many ingredients you use because I know the recipe will be thoughtfully created and come out perfect. I’m sorry mean girls left uninformed reviews about your fantastic cookbook. Must be so frustrating! I’m just thrilled you will keep creating wonderful food! Love you!
I’m in!
Love your recipes!
Love your kindness!
Love your talent!
Love that you are sharing your true self with the world!
Looking forward to the new recipes!
Thank you so much!
Aww this was sooo sweet, I appreciate you so much Shari, thank you!
Fabulous! Looking forward to trying new and exciting recipes (8, 10 or 14 ingredients alike)!
Thank you so much Kathleen!
I guess you can see by now that support for your new creative expansion is overwhelming! Bring on the 8+ recipes – we can’t wait!!
Yes, I’m so very grateful to have such amazing readers and support! I was so worried sending out this email, but you’ve all made my decision feel so right and I’m so thankful! Thank you Sue for being here!
Hi. I understand why you feel the need to sometimes remove the limitation that eight ingredients places on you. One reason I go to you for recipes is because you don’t add unnecessary ingredients. I am a chef and a baker and gave up on Pinterest a long time ago because I felt that there were many instances when the author would add ingredients to differentiate themselves from an earlier post so they can declare the recipe their own.. This is one of the reasons why I no longer use Pinterest. I look forward to your posts, whether the ingredients are numbered at eight or sometimes more.
Wonderful news! The more (ingredients) the merrier/tastier. So happy you will be continuing on, and look forward to making your delectable recipes well into the future.
This is great news! Thanks for all the yummy recipes!!!
Can’t wait and look forward to it!! I love a more complex recipe sometimes, a fun day of cooking on the weekend! I adore your blog!
I do too! Thank you!
Whew! I thought you were ending my favorite blog! I don’t see where this is an issue. I will continue to try the recipes that look good and easy and just skip through those that may have more ingredients than I have time to prepare. Thank you for the heads up.
Aww thank you Luci! Yes, judging by the comments, many of y’all thought I was ending the blog, haha, oops! Nope! Thanks for the support so much!
Nothing can keep me away from the Vegan 8 delicious recipes!! I’m so glad you are expanding and being true to your passion. I’m still grateful to you and your ‘best pumpkin pie’ recipe!! It’s still the holiday favorite in my house!! Looking forward to your new creations. God bless! XO
Aww thank you Vickie!!
Good for you, Brandi! 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 — I don’t care. Follow your heart and instincts. You have my 100 percent support!
You’re the best Steve, I appreciate that so much!
Brandi, even if your recipes had 20 ingredients, I’d still try them as I know they’ll turn out great! 🙂 Change is a great thing and I’m looking forward to you creating more recipes for all of us to try, I don’t care how many ingredients you decide to add!
As a GF/vegan, and the mom to a daughter with food sensitivities, I have enjoyed countless recipes from your cookbook and your site.
Best of luck to you and thank you so much for sharing your creativity! Gluten free/vegan life wouldn’t be the same without you! I’m looking forward to what more ingredients bring!
Your blog so your call! And I am all for increasing your creativity! Your recipes are loved not only by the plant based but also the carnivores we cook for to! Thanks so much fir sharing your gifts!
I love your recipes and look forward to more delicious creations you come up with, regardless of how many ingredients! 🙂
I am a fan of your recipes! Even if they have 20 ingredients, please keep them coming. Thank you for all your hard work!
Can’t wait to see what other yummy things to share with us! You’ve always got all of our support! 🙂
Amen to that!!!!
Hi Brandi,
I love your creamy mozzarella cheese but can’t make it for my grand-daughter who is allergic to all but almonds. I would love to see nut free cheese recipes in your next 8+ book. Thanks for the delicious recipes you work so hard to produce.
Hi Lydia! Yes, I do plan to have more nut-free choices in my next book as much as possible. It is a challenge since I do oil-free and need the fat for richness, but I will do my best!
Love your recipes. I have your cookbook and look forward to the next one.
Since it took me an hour 😉 to get to the bottom of the commet section I think you have the support you wanted. I like others thought you were going to quit as I read your letter. I’m glad your not & will continue to make your recipes no matter how many ingredients you put in them. You should always follow your heart!!! Thanx for all the hard work you do in creating these recipes!!
Haha, I’m overwhelmed in a wonderful way by all of these responses! I was full of anxiety before I sent the email out but you all have made me feel so much relief and free to move forward. I’m so happy that you all enjoy my recipes so much that you supper this change, thank you Bonnie!
Awesome!! Excited for all your recipes, as many ingredients as you need!