AlphaGal Podcast

03/21/2026

🚨 TIME SENSITIVE 🚨

I’m looking for a few folks in the Southern Missouri area who may be willing to share their story about Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS).

A reporter from a major national publication will be flying into to Missouri, tomorrow through Wednesday, to work on a longer piece about how Alpha-Gal Syndrome is affecting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Because this issue is becoming more common across the Ozarks, they’re especially interested in hearing from local families—particularly farming and outdoor families—who are living with AGS.

For those unfamiliar, Alpha-Gal Syndrome is a tick-borne allergy that can cause people to become allergic to red meat and other mammal products after a bite from a lone star tick. It can dramatically change someone’s diet, work, and daily life, especially for folks who make their living outdoors.

If you or someone in your family has AGS and might be willing to talk with a reporter about your experience, please send me a private message with (1) your full legal name, (2) cell phone number, and (3) a physical address and I’ll forward it to the reporter and he will reach out and coordinate.

Stories from real families here in rural Missouri can help bring national awareness to an issue that’s affecting more and more people across our region. Missouri is at the epicenter of the issue, so let’s make sure we are a large part of the national conversation.

Please share with those who have AGS and maybe interested and have them PM me directly. Thank you!

‼️ Update: For those commenting or PM’ing me who are willing to share their story, I frequently receive media requests from reporters looking to speak with individuals about Alpha-Gal Syndrome. If you’re open to helping raise awareness, please fill out the form below so I can more easily keep a list of individuals interested in advocacy—based on your level of interest—which may include participating in media interviews when those requests come in. When appropriate, I can share your contact information so reporters can reach out directly.

Thank you all for the overwhelming response and willingness to get plugged into AGS advocacy.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/PRWSNFUjxZ

12/03/2025

With Dragon Lake Renaissance Festival – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 5 months in a row - on Facebook, and since we first heard about it!🎉 You can't not check it out! I'll see y'all there. I'll be in the wheelchair. ;p

12/01/2025

Cooking Ideas | feedod.net | "Vegan Cottage Pie"
Photo Credit: - August 15, 2025

Classic Vegan Cottage Pie is a hearty dish that makes you warm inside. It contains a filling that is mostly vegetables & is topped with mashed potatoes, sprinkled with cream. The vegan version is rich & has no addition of meat/dairy. Vegan Cottage Pie is ideal as a meal at family dinners/a weekend lunch. A lot of vegetables, lentils, & herbs fill the base. The topping is crumbly, golden & a little crispy. You may also freeze it down. The layers would produce a beautiful blend of tastes & textures. It is the age-old comfort food, but this menu is entirely vegetarian.

STATS
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: British, altered★
Course: Main Course
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Method: Baking
Diet: Vegan
Yield: 6 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Serving Size: 1 slice/

EQUIPMENT
Large skillet
A large pot for boiling potatoes
Baking dish (9×13 inch/similar)
Potato masher/electric mixer
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups & spoons

INGREDIENTS
Four cups of chopped & peeled potatoes
Two tablespoons of tomato paste
Slice one medium onion
Chop two garlic cloves
Dice two medium carrots
Half a cup of plant milk without sugar
One cup of cooked lentils, either brown/green
A cup of frozen peas
One cup of veggie broth
1 tablespoon of olive oil
A teaspoon of dried thyme
Two tablespoons of vegan butter
One cup of chopped mushrooms
Dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon
To taste, add salt
To taste, add black pepper

INGREDIENT NOTES
Potatoes:
Starchier potatoes, such as Yukon gold, make a smooth, creamy mash that is very naturally buttery tasting.

Plant Milk:
Go with unsweetened almond, soy/oat milk, preferably, to have a delicate flavor that will not overshadow the dish.

Vegan Butter:
adds richness & silky smooth texture to the mash. A lighter alternative, replacing olive oil, can be applied.

Lentils:
cook only till tender with a hearty bite- do not overcook/they lose their form.

Tomato Paste:
Tomato Paste is used to provide a dark, rich taste that has a hint of sweetness.

Herbs:
Fresh thyme & rosemary add a touch of the earthy, aromatic notes to the filling.
Vegetable Broth:
Low-sodium broth will only allow you to decide the amount of salt you want, but will still maintain the flavors in check.

INSTRUCTIONS
•Boil potatoes in prepared water with salt before they are tender, about 15 minutes.
•Add vegan melted butter, plant milk, salt, & pepper after draining & mashing. Put aside.
•Heat the olive oil in a pan over a low heat.
•Add the garlic & onion. Cook till aromatic & tender.
•Put the mushrooms & carrots & stir. Cook for five minutes.
•Add thyme, rosemary, tomato paste, broth, peas, lentils, salt, & pepper.
•Simmer till the liquid gradually decreases & the veggies are soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
•Preheat oven to 375°F.
•In the baking dish, evenly distribute the lentil-vegetable mixture.
•Mashed potatoes should be spooned over the contents. Using a fork/spoon, smooth.
•For a distinct texture, make ridges on top.
•Bake till brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
•Before serving, let it cool a little.

TIPS
Prepared mashed potatoes will free up time.
Use a pinch of smoked paprika to give warmth.
Add a twist by swapping lentils with ground meat substitutes.
Dish up some steamed greens to make a meal.

INFORMATION STORAGE
Fridge:
Maintain in your freezer, covered, for at least 4 days. You need to warm up again in the microwave/oven.

Freezer:
You can freeze portions for as long as two months. Frozen overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Go ahead:
Make the mash & filling separately. When ready, assemble and bake.

FAQs
Is sweet potato a substitute for white?
Yes. It will provide a more earthly, sweeter flavor.
Is it feasible to reverse it into gluten-free?
Yes. Everything is naturally gluten-free when you look at the labels of the broth and butter.

What if I lack mushrooms?
You may substitute with zucchini or additional carrots.
Can I put in more vegetables?
Yes. Any of these vegetables will do: spinach, corn/celery.

NUTRITION
Calories: 210
Sodium: 280mg
Protein: 7g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 5g
Carbs: 34g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Vitamin A: 80% DV
Vitamin C: 25% DV
Calcium: 4% DV
Iron: 15% DV

or, : recipe

11/02/2025

10/22/2025

A Wisconsin family is turning their heartbreak into advocacy after losing their son, Andrew Mueller, to an undiagnosed peanut allergy. When Andrew went into anaphylaxis, police were the first to arrive, but they didn’t have epinephrine on hand. His parents, Mark and Melissa Mueller, are now working with state lawmakers to pass a bill that would require all first responders in Wisconsin to carry and be trained to use ephinrephrine.
The Muellers have already raised funds to supply nearly every officer in Wood County with epinephrine, and one of their donated injectors has already saved a life. Their message is simple: every second counts, and every responder should have the tools to save a life.
Approximately one in 13 children has a food allergy, and epinephrine remains the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, it can be the difference between life and death. As legislators debate funding and logistics, the Muellers’ story underscores the urgency of making epinephrine accessible wherever emergencies happen. Read more here: https://bit.ly/47gssFz

10/18/2025

With Dragon Lake Renaissance Festival – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 3 months in a row. 🎉 Let's see how long we can keep it up!