Spend a week at Carl's House to jumpstart keto?

(carl) #1

I’m just throwing this out to the universe to guage the interest.

I had the crazy idea to offer a 7 day keto retreat at my house for a very small group. Science, research, shopping, cooking, eating, and local fun. We have 2 rooms with queens and one room with a double, so we could accommodate 2 couples and a single. It wouldn’t be cheap, but there are those who need personal guidance and 24/7 support in order to get through the most difficult period of going keto. It would be a unique experience, that’s for sure.

Thoughts?

(Karl Bork) #2

interesting. I’ve thought about a Keto style restaurant but I doubt there is a market for it.

#3

Don’t think it’s crazy at all. Think there would be lots of folks that would love to partake. And if you are as fun in person (as I’m sure you are) a week of good food, advice and music (there has to be music) sounds fabulous.

#4

In my area there are more and more vegan restaurants - would love to see a keto restaurant in the middle of them if for no other reason to shake things up :smiling_imp:. But seriously - would be nice to not have to adapt meal orders and know that everything served was keto friendly.

(Brian) #5

It sounds like it could almost be a “vacation” of sorts for some people, not that you’d be waiting on them hand and foot, 24/7. But I can see how people might want to spend some time with someone who’s living a lifestyle they are wanting to live, seeing how it’s done. So much the better than you’re thinking about cooking and shopping and those practical kinds of things. You could set up a daily schedule as a guideline. It could include some free time where people can explore on their own if they want to. (Not sure what some of your local attractions might be.) Cooking / meal prep demos, meals together, maybe a few sessions about the science, maybe some exercise demos if you’re into that kind of thing, even just some basic stuff, time at the local stores, time at local parks or recreation types of places if applicable, and some private time where they might be able to watch some YouTube videos (Phinney, Niaman, Taubes, Hallberg, etc.) or spend some time in a comfortable place reading through some good books.

It would get pretty intense trying to be there 24/7 but considering the level of work you’re considering putting in to this, it might be worth your while. Hey, a decent motel will run around $100/night. A meal out would cost $20 - $30 per person in a lot of places. So charging like $1000/person for a week wouldn’t be that big of a stretch (and that night be cheap). And if you like that kind of thing, it wouldn’t be a bad paycheck, either.

Just thinkin’ outloud. :slight_smile:

Where are you located, Carl?

#6

Doesn’t sound like something I’d be interested in, seeing as we both just strangers on the internet, but theoretically it sounds like it could be beneficial for those who would be down with partaking in something like that.

(Consensus is Politics) #7

Not much different that a Bed and Breakfast, but with a theme. Isn’t there an app for that? AirBnB I think?

Doing it through the app might be [emphisis on might] mght be a little less scary. That is, if AirBnB does like Lyft and Über do with background checks (guessing).

I for one would like to see it as a Netflix Original. “Keto with Carl” (if they go with that name I want 5%:wink:)

(Mike W.) #8

What do you think he’s going to do chop you up and eat you? It’s Carl! Not some random guy from Craigslist asking you to come stay with him for a week :joy:

(Zack F) #9

Sounds kind of like Paul Jaminet’s Perfect Health Retreats. Fabulous idea. The episode about where you flew across country and helped that gentleman and his family go keto was among the most endearing. Best wishes on the endeavor.

(Zack F) #10

Human flesh is probably Keto friendly.

#11

That could provide some excellent mentoring and community support for folks without having to go on a low carb cruise on shark-filled waters!!!

Sounds like a generous & personalized idea for newbies who can afford it and who are interested in couples/co-ed retreats (I’m not - but I bet there are plenty of retired folks/elders who are newbies at keto who may certainly be). “Road Scholar Keto” - Keto Hostel - Jumpstart Keto B & B.

The vetting and hosting sounds like a heckuva lot of work tho.

(Madge Boldt) #12

It’s a great idea. I’d go for it myself but already have a vacation booked, so most likely can’t afford the time off. But please let us know when you offer it, if you do. I would definitely encourage friends to go.
Your keto retreat guests will be lucky to learn to cook from one of the best!

Check out these prices for biggest loser weight loss retreats. Yours would be so much better than that! I read about someone’s expereience at one. 6 hours of exercise per day on 1500 calories. By the end she was smuggling food into her room. No thanks! Carl’s keto retreat for the win!

(Brian) #13

Thinking further, I can see how it could be a real pain for you, Carl.

Suppose you had a group of people show up. One will ONLY eat vegan. One will ONLY eat vegetarian. Two will ONLY eat kosher. One will eat ONLY meat. And the other two think the rest are totally crazy and will eat anything you set in front of them. How in the world would you deal with a group like that and keep your sanity??

You might have to lay out the rules and the menu for individual sessions and plan the accordingly and highly “encourage” people who lean towards the vegan/vegetarian/plant based diets to go to a certain session while the heavy carnivores/zero carb types are highly “encouraged” towards a different seminar. Sounds like a pain, but might could avoid some difficulties.

Or maybe you just do YOUR thing and if someone doesn’t like it, tough… so long as you have made it known what they should expect.

Just stuff that came to mind.

:slight_smile:

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #14

Yoga retreats work, why wouldn’t keto retreats work?

Heck, I could see these being customized, maybe for weekends not full weeks, TOFI retreat, fasting retreat, adjust your blood work retreat, show me the science retreat.

Throw it out and see what sticks :wink:

(Becky) #15

This made me laugh outloud! And speaking for this human flesh, absolutely fatty! Laughing!

I’ve done food-plan retreats in a person’s home before. I think the host has more to worry about then the visitors.

I only did 3 days and it was intense. People are so attached to their food and detoxing is never pretty. When I did it, the host was a bit of a dragon lady which was a little off-putting at first, but quickly became reassuring as I watched the other guests go through picky, pettiness over food, preparation, bickering with each other, not wanting to clean-up behind themselves, etc.

So I agree, a schedule, ground rules and community expectations set in advance are very useful. I would include short and long term goal setting, creating grocery lists and meal plans and daily writing or some sort of reflective activity.

When I did it, we made our own beds upon arrival, were expected to launder and put away linens upon departure, set the table, do dishes, clean the kitchen and dining room, attend X number of mandatory activities each day, etc. I wasn’t expecting the chores but quickly saw the usefulness in being productively busy as a way to keep my mind off food.

#16

Here’s why this is an excellent idea based upon my personal experience. I get terrible carb cravings and habit cravings at home at the same precise time of day (10:30pm) no matter what I eat during the dat. However, whenever I’m in vacation or in Disney World (yes, indeed), I can get into ketosis in days with no carb cravings. For some reason, I don’t get the same cravings I do at home. Totally weird.

I’m infamous for kickstarting a keto period while on vacation because I don’t have those home/comfort signalings. So, once I get back home while in deep ketosis, I can defeat the cravings/urges. I’m sure there’s science behind this, so this reason alone is why I think Carl’s idea is an excellent one. Keto-fy your house before you leave (remove junk, stock freezer, etc.), go to Carl’s, and come back in ketosis with reduced cravings. I can definitely see the wisdom in this for the right person.

#17

This sounds like a GREAT idea ! Whereabouts are you located ? I don’t feel that I “need” this myself as I am by now quite well “adapted” - but fm an entrepreneural standpoint, you are ringing bells here ha ha.

The Airbnb idea might be real good if you feel their organizational support might be helpful and worth the profit share with them. I’m a real fan and regular user - have noticed that they are putting out “experiences” now as well as lodging.

I’m part time locums doc and beginning the think abt how I might add this sort of thing to my medical practice (medical weight mngmnt strongly using keto) / not sure I will since a lot of work to build a new practice and I’ve got other fun things going. If you are in the Pacific Northwest, we might some day conceivably collaborate or something - who knows.

Good luck with this !

Ati

(carl) #18

My original thought was to only have one couple at a time. They would receive all my attention. Also, I believe I could charge more for the exclusive experience. I really didn’t think of it like “camp” where there is a strict schedule, chores, etc. I literally look at it like having a house guest for a week and doing everything with them for the week. Of course, there will be a schedule, but it would be pretty loose and adaptable. Also, I would make it clear that I’m not vegetarian or vegan. Meat will be prepared. Also, I’d have to make sure the guests have no medical issues (medications, etc) and food allergies.

#19

Another possible selling point…can/will they be able to watch you record the podcast? :smiley:

The AirBnB model/approach is intriguing, especially now that I think of the potential insurance/liability issues. I’m not sure a standard homeowners’ policy would cover a “commercial” venture in home such as this. Just something to consider if you haven’t already.

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #20

I’m just here to say I stayed at Carl’s house last July and he’s a fabulous cook! Of course I already knew that from Breckenridge last February.
A fabulously large house in a beautiful neighborhood with a back porch to die for, giant kitchen, wonderful family, cute little town.
There’s plenty of motorcycle parking too. LOL