When I first started this blog, it wasn’t actually meant to be a blog—it was a place for me to collect the things that I was learning on my own personal journey, and resources that were helping me get the work done. It was supposed to be a space where I could always return to remind myself of something if I felt I as straying too far from what made me successful. It was supposed to be less of a blog, and more of a journal, a la the 90s blogging days.
But make no mistake about it—after well over a decade, this is definitely a blog. And some things just don’t make sense anymore.
Like, for example, the YouTube video section where I shared videos of others who filmed themselves doing exercises. Does it make sense to have this, even as the bulk of those content creators have erased their own videos? Or should I simply commit to creating my own instructional videos, especially now that I have several certifications under my belt?
And, a more glaring example, what about the recipe archive—does it make sense to save the work of others on my blog, when I am ultimately capable of creating my own? Most importantly, is there an ethics concern there? I know that lots of people loved it in the beginning, but as someone who also creates this kind of work professionally, what starts out as being helpful ultimately becomes unethical and harmful.
It is for this reason, that I have elected to take down the recipe archive that specifically pulled recipes from other websites, and instead recommit to uploading my own recipes and the work I create on my website. I’m blessed to be able to write and create content professionally, and that requires honoring and respecting the work of those who are in this world alongside me. I do this with full apology for those who were disturbed (at best) or disgusted (at worst) by it, and vow to ensure that there will always be full credit to and appreciation for the original creator’s work.
Below, I will share the websites that were the original sources for the recipes I saved, and encourage those looking for specifics to search their archives to find them. I’ll also encourage everyone to, instead, search for content creators across social media who run their own websites or social media accounts—creating your own work is an incredibly difficult task, and going straight to the source to give them the clicks, views, and love is always the best move.
Here are the websites who were the original source of the archive:
If I were being completely honest, these websites taught me technique, but taught me little to nothing about how to flavor or season things to my liking—that work had to come through conversation with my community. I am grateful to them for the way they expanded my understanding of what it means to work in the kitchen, but it was my responsibility—and yours, too—to do the work of exposing myself to what it means to not just eat, but to feed myself and feel good about it.
Moving forward, it is my hope to continue that work and make you and myself proud—proud and, of course, well fed and healthy.