Tag Archives: meanvegan

Return of the deadly nightshades – living nightshade-free – & AIP friendly BBQ Sauce

23 Sep

And it happened again. I was exposed to nightshades. And not in an extreme way either. Typically this happens when I either neglect to ask for every single detail (including spices used) if eating food prepared by others. OR there are times when I have covered all of my bases. But somehow the ignorance about what nightshades are/aren’t ends up being the culprit. Meaning that if someone says they require a meal to be nightshade-free, this means NO nightshades in any form. Even if it was just a tsp of paprika or cayenne in the entire dish, this can and will still cause a reaction. Which to the person who is not familiar with the term, a tiny sprinkle of something likely seems so insignificant. But to the contrary, that little tiny bit triggers inflammation in my body; some of which can last for a few days after even just one bite of something that likely had just a speck of a powder spice form of a nightshade.

As I sit here in pain from swollen and tender joints, with unattractive skin eruptions (that also hurt) covering my face, feeling angry that a mistake of taking one bite of something that I thought only had black pepper on it could do this much damage, I also have a contrasting feeling of hope and contentment.

My happy place during this post nightshade exposure time is found courtesy of a local Kansas City company who makes gluten free, all natural, certified non-GMO BBQ Sauce. This company – KC Natural recently released a Feud With Food approved, nightshade free BBQ sauce called Mastodon Sauce. This is a huge deal for me since I have pretty much not consumed condiments at all since going gluten free. And once I realized that nightshades were an issue, the odds of finding anything in the condiment world that was safe were pretty unlikely.

This sauce is not only safe for me to eat. But it’s pretty flipping delicious, too. I actually think I might have a problem with now wanting to put it on absolutely everything. I am in love with this new found option of deliciousness. It tastes great on Hilary’s Eat Well Veggie Burgers, as well as on Mean Vegan ChickUn.

KC Natural will be at the Kansas City Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event on Sunday, September 27th, and I will be there singing their praises. For those who are not following an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol), or needing to be nightshade free, I still suggest trying not just the Mastodon Sauce. But please check out the other varieties as well. I would love to hear your feedback (since I sadly cannot taste the ones with tomatoes & peppers).

I will be writing more about this sauce, KC Natural, the GFAF Wellness Event, AND other allergen free topics again soon. So stay tuned.

Check out the Mastodon Sauce : KC Natural Mastodon BBQ Sauce

Join us at the Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event in Kansas City – Sunday 9/27

22 Sep

Check out some of the sponsors for the event Sunday, September 27th from 10am-3pm in Overland Park, KS (near Kansas City). This will be a great opportunity to connect, learn, and try gluten free products.  For more information:

Kansas City Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event Blog

Vida Vegan Con 2015 in Austin

28 May

If you are in Austin, TX or able to get there any time starting right now through this Sunday (5/28-5/31), you must check out some of the happenings surrounding the Vida Vegan Con 2015.

Thursday 5/28 from 3-6pm:  Unofficial (totally official) Meet & Greet at Buzzmill Coffee & Beer House

Friday 5/29 from Noon- 7pm:  Opening Day Vegan Bazaar at The Marchesa Hall & Theatre (open to the public)

For more information, follow Vida Vegan Con on social media. There will be vegan food trucks, tons of people in town, and even a scavenger hunt.

The official conference itself, which is being held at the AT&T Education & Conference Center – Vida Vegan Con III is sold out.

One of my favorite hometown plant based companies will be making their Austin debut at the conference and Vegan Bazaar. Mean Vegan out of Kansas City, MO loaded up a massive amount of tamales, and hit the road to Texas. Feud With Food had plans to be in attendance this year.  But some unfortunate autoimmune related flares surfaced this week, and the trip would prove to be too draining to attempt. I am quite sad to be missing this 3rd and final version of VVCIII.

I was in Portland during VVCII in 2013, and had a blast at the Vida Vegan Con Galarama at Staver Locomotives. A plethora of cheese plates courtesy of Miyoko, coupled with a build your own sundae bar from So Delicious made for a fantastic evening. And I topped it off with a root beer float, some dancing, and the photo booth.  I look forward to living vicariously through those lucky folks who are attending the VVCIII in Austin this year.  Please eat all of the cheese, and have so much fun FOR me.  And don’t forget to check out Mean Vegan at the Bazaar. They will have t-shirts for sale, too.

I want ALL of the vegan ice cream.  So Delicious made it easy with their sundae bar at VVCII in Portland.

I want ALL of the vegan ice cream. So Delicious made it easy with their sundae bar at VVCII in Portland.