Before semaglutide injections and weight-loss fads took over group chats and dinner parties, there was keto. Michelle Areces is a major advocate of the high-fat, low-carb lifestyle—but she’s also living proof that it can heal from the inside out.
A former event producer who once orchestrated luxury
affairs for LVMH and Prince Albert, Areces never envisioned herself running a health-focused food empire. That changed after a devastating diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease left her bedridden, hopeless, and stripped of the life she once knew. “I went from producing 28 events in a week to not being able to walk to the bathroom unassisted,” she says.
Years of misdiagnosis, failed treatments, and a spiraling health crisis led her to a breaking point—and then, to bacon. “My husband had heard Tim Ferriss mention keto in passing as a tool for managing Lyme,” she recalls. Desperate and with nothing left to lose, she tried it. “That night, I ate bacon and cheese. The next morning, I walked to the bathroom on
my own. Slowly, yes. But it was something.”
The results were fast and life-altering. Within a week, Areces went from being nearly housebound to skiing in Colorado.The shift was so profound that she devoted herself to learning everything she could about the ketogenic diet, not just as a means for weight loss but as a holistic approach to healing chronic illness.
What began as preparing meals for herself turned into Keto Kitchen | 2GO—a curated meal delivery program focused on organic, unprocessed, macro-balanced dishes. Her clients, many battling conditions like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and HIV, have reported reductions in inflammation, stabilized blood markers, and increased energy. “This is not a fad diet,” she says. “It’s a metabolic strategy. And when done
properly, it can be transformational.”
Despite the success, Areces isn’t chasing trends or trying to glamorize deprivation. She understands the reality of food culture, especially in a place like Miami. “It’s hard to stick to any plan in a city that celebrates indulgence,” she says. Her strategy? Preparation. “Eat before going out. Be full and
nourished, so you’re not making hungry choices. And if you do indulge, hydrate and rest. That’s the difference between falling off and staying the course.”
With the rise of Keto Kitchen | 2GO came Totally Baked, her latest venture: a bakery specializing in keto breads and desserts so good, they’ve earned cult status. The offerings—cheesecakes, bagels, muffins—are carefully crafted with clean ingredients and natural sweeteners like monk fruit. “Everything is macro-calibrated to keep you in ketosis,” Areces
says. “No gimmicks. No compromise.”
Her next chapter includes plans for franchising and national expansion. While Keto Kitchen | 2GO remains local, Totally Baked now ships across the U.S. “Cheesecake is the only thing we haven’t figured out how to ship without ruining it,” she laughs. “But we’re working on it. The taste is worth the process. Clients love this dessert.”
Though her journey has been characterized by illness and career reinvention, Areces views every setback as divine redirection. “The universe wouldn’t allow me to return to my old life,” she says. “I wasn’t just meant to heal—I was meant to help others do the same.”
In case anyone was wondering, she’s not slowing down anytime soon. “I don’t think in terms of reaching some final version of success,” Areces adds. “My drive and vision come from making clean, healing food more accessible. The goal isn’t a longer life—it’s a better one.”
ketokitchen2go.com
