Founder Dedication

The original research that inspired this work is dedicated to my son, Dylan, who was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease involving his entire gastrointestinal tract at just eight years old. His medical struggles began years before his formal diagnosis, with many clues suggesting that certain foods were contributing to his symptoms. Despite our best efforts to provide a wholesome diet, Dylan suffered greatly during the first years of his illness.

Throughout that time, I carefully documented which foods triggered his symptoms and which he could tolerate. It soon became apparent that something in the grain supply was particularly problematic. Eating certain grains triggered severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever, regardless of his medication regimen. His growth was also markedly stunted. Initially, I suspected gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, but Celiac was eventually ruled out. We also discovered that other foods, including dairy products, produced similar reactions.

Then, while researching dietary approaches to pediatric Crohn’s disease, I encountered a word that would change the direction of my work: vomitoxin.

Officially known as deoxynivalenol (DON), this trichothecene mycotoxin is produced by fungi commonly found in the environment and agricultural supply. Research has linked DON exposure to gastrointestinal symptoms—including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea—as well as potential neurological, immunological, and developmental effects. The connection between the literature and Dylan’s symptoms compelled me to investigate further. I began researching where these toxins occurred in our food supply and what their presence might mean for human health. My graduate thesis marked the beginning of that journey.

As I began testing foods for mycotoxins and developing recipes using carefully selected ingredients, Dylan went into remission. Many of his medications were discontinued or reduced, and, most importantly, he began to grow again. After years of watching him struggle, we finally saw meaningful, lasting improvements in his health. As I had suspected, his symptoms appeared particularly associated with foods frequently susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, including certain grains and even grain-free flours. This reinforced my determination to better understand the potential role of dietary mycotoxin exposure in gastrointestinal health.

However, our work was far from over. Mycotoxin contamination is unpredictable and varies considerably between food batches. Weather conditions, harvesting practices, storage, transportation, and processing all influence mold growth and toxin production. Because these contaminants are invisible to consumers, exposure is hard to avoid. Continued vigilance, appropriate food testing, and greater transparency are essential to making informed food choices.

My book, The Fungus Among Us: Science and Recipes for a Cleaner Diet, grew directly out of this personal experience. More than a cookbook, it shares our journey, the science behind dietary mycotoxin exposure, and practical strategies for selecting cleaner ingredients. The recipes reflect the foods that became part of our everyday lives, alongside ongoing efforts to identify quality companies committed to responsible sourcing and food safety.

While the original research was dedicated to Dylan, the work that continues today at Clean Food Solutions Research Institute is dedicated to all children—yours and mine. It is dedicated to the families searching for answers to unexplained symptoms and to those affected by chronic dietary exposure to mycotoxins.

No parent should have to become a food scientist just to understand what might be making their child sick. Families deserve transparency, children deserve protection, and consumers deserve to know what is in their food.

As a mother, I know the fear of watching a child suffer without understanding why. As a researcher and healthcare professional, I recognize the importance of asking difficult questions, following the science, and pursuing answers that improve public health. With your support, we can work toward a safer food supply and a healthier future—one bite at a time.