Theo is in the business of making real food. He is the co-founder of Theo's Plant-based and the mastermind behind Theo's BEET Jerky. That's right, beet jerky. Made from beets grown on organic, regenerative farms.

In this episode we talk about a broader perspective on what a eating real food looks like, the playful kitchen hijinks that led to the creation of their product, and cultivating a society that prioritizes living well. We cover his long journey, from family farm-hand to studying in a Michelin-star kitchen, from burned out and lost to building a beet business with his best friend Aaron.

Theo would rather you go to your local farmers market and buy real beets. He'll give you the recipe to recreating his delicious product. (Literally, he said it in the episode. I swear.) If you still want to support him after cooking your own beet jerky, or just don't have the time or patience, you can find Theo's BEET Jerky at every Whole Foods in the Midwest region and online. It comes in 3 flavors: Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, Seasme & Ginger Teriyaki, and Savory BBQ.

You can also meet Theo, Aaron and their team at the Green City Farmer's Market in Lincoln Park during their weekend markets in Chicago through the market season. Follow them on IG to stay up to date on where the team is and where you can find their products.

Links!

Website: https://www.theosplantbased.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theosplantbased/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos-plant-based/

From filmmaker to founder, building a cold brew coffee brand with all the flavor and none of the jitters. A journey not for the faint of heart.

We talk about

About the brand: Loud Brew ready to drink cold brew coffees are infused with L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea that balances out the negative side effects of caffeine. We have three delicious flavors. Our extra smooth black cold brew coffee plus L-theanine and our plant based horchata and mocha oat milk lattes also infused with L-theanine. 

Links!

Website: ⁠https://drinkloudbrew.com/⁠

Socials: @drinkloudbrew (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)

LinkedIn: Zachary Rudd

Dimas the Psychedelic Logo Artist: @restless__wavess | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/restless__wavess/

Where to buy:

Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/Loud-Brew-Original-Infused-L-Theanine/dp/B09HLB115L/

Mariano's | https://www.marianos.com/stores/search

Pete's Market | https://www.petesfresh.com/stores

In this episode we talk about digestive health, FODMAP diets (wut?), building a brand to make eating fun for the gluten intolerant, and the depths of an entrepreneur's soul after hand-making thousands upon thousands of sourdough crackers.

Unbothered Foods is a Chicago-based sourdough CPG company on a mission to create more room at the table for the digestive health community. They just launched their first product - Sourdough Sea Salt & Flax Crackers. Using traditional sourdough methods, the dough is fermented for at least 24 hours before being baked, making it easier to digest than other commercial wheat products, and giving them a tangy flavor you'll love. Additional flavors of the sourdough crackers will be released early summer 2023.

Morgan Murdock - the founder of Unbothered Foods - is a registered dietitian that specializes in digestive health. She has seen hundreds of patients with a number of different chronic digestive conditions and saw the need for more gut-friendly products with delicious flavor that her patients could trust. With a science background, experience with patients and a love for yummy, high quality food products, Morgan is determined to create a true gut-friendly brand that makes eating fun again for those with a digestive condition.

Website: unbotheredfoods.com (Sign up for the Sour Squad Newsletter here)

Instagram: @unbotheredfoods

Brand Designer: Rylie Swain of Swain Studio

Unbothered Foods naming genius: Patrick Yovanov of Jingleheimer

Buy Sourdough Crackers Online: Here Here Market

Info on FODMAP diets: Hopkins Medicine - FODMAP Diet: What You Need to Know

In our inaugural episode we chat with Oh Mungood, a Swedish plant-based food brand making magic out of mung beans. Caroline, founder & CEO, shares the story of her favorite hometown treat, where a seed was planted that would sprout into an international plant-based product. Lisa, co-founder and brand manager, chats the challenges of balancing sustainability as a brand promise with consumer tastes and industry realities. Wolf drools imagining the taste of organic, additive-free mungbean bits on a winter salad. Together we explore broader food culture, strategies for growing a brand through expert partnerships, and why becoming an Entrepreneur is the least logical thing someone can do.

Oh Mungood aims to make a product that is delicious in it's own right, so that you reach for plant-based not because you need to, but because you want to. They have just expanded their product line from patties and bits (or nuggets), to include minces. Currently only available in Sweden, they are working to expand their unique product into international markets in the coming months. Their recipe comes loaded with spices and flavor, making it a quick and easy protein in salads, fajitas, vegan burgers, and many other preparations. For the faithful vegan as much as the curious explorer, their team crafts food to excite the taste buds and win the hearts of conscious consumers.

Website: https://ohmungood.com/en/ (English) | https://ohmungood.com/ (Swedish)