Hey there, I’m Kandice! 

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Mom to three awesome girls, one very cool baby boy (born in 2024), bonus mom to two more incredible girls and wife to an endlessly patient husband. I had my last baby recently (yes, I’ve said that before), and this one was by far the most challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically.  

 

Life is beautifully full, loud, and often chaotic in the best way.

 

Let’s rewind a bit—six months before I found out I was pregnant, I was seriously struggling. My attention span was shot. My motivation had disappeared. And while I didn’t have a name for it back then, I knew something had been off for years—fifteen, to be exact. I was constantly overwhelmed, spinning in mental chaos, and feeling like I was getting absolutely nothing done. But I kept quiet because I feared the usual brush-off: “You’re a mom of three, wife, work full time, etc etc etc—of course you’re exhausted.”

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But this was more than that. My brain wouldn’t shut up. I’d have intense conversations in my head, so obvious that my husband would just stop and wait for me to finish before speaking. It became impossible to ignore. Finally, at 38, I reached out for help.

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And guess what? ADHD.

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Freaking finally. I’d suspected it all along, and when the diagnosis came, it was both a relief and a gut-punch. I started on Adderall, and just like that, boom, I was on fire. For the first time in forever, I felt clear, focused, and productive. I was finishing reports, checking off to-dos, and truly thriving.

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Then, plot twist, I found out I was pregnant again. That reaction? Definitely a story for another time.

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Suddenly I was back at square one because I choose to stop Adderall (I also listened to my doctor). Pregnant, raising a teenager and two energetic little girls, trying not to lose my cool with my husband, and wondering how I was going to stay sane through it all.

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As 2025 rolled in, I hit that “almost 40” reflection point. I realized something had to change. Using alcohol to take the edge off wasn’t helping. If anything, it made the anxiety, frustration, and fog even worse. I wanted something better for my body, my mind, and my family.

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So I did what I do best when I get curious: went down a full-blown research rabbit hole.

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That’s when I discovered the booze-free world and it blew my mind.

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Enter: Kava. Thank you, internet.

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I tried it, loved it, and haven’t looked back since. I even attended the first-ever Kavacon in Florida, where I met amazing people and tasted some incredible plant-based beverages. That experience was a turning point.

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I realized I prefer a plant-based buzz over the drunk, foggy, hungover mess. I like feeling present, connected, and at peace. I like remembering the night before.  But more than that, this journey made me reflect deeply on why I’m here.

 

My husband came into my life 15 years ago, and while I didn’t know it then, our path together would include some deep pain—especially around alcohol. Alcohol has had a tragic effect on people we love. One day, I’ll share more. For now, just know that it’s the fuel behind my fire.

 

Instead of standing on the sidelines, I’ve chosen to be part of the solution.

 

Kava Cantina is my way of offering an alternative. A place where you don’t have to give up the social experience just because you’re skipping the booze. Where plant power replaces hangovers. And where healing, joy, and community come together.

 

Also, can we talk about how weird it is that you have to walk into a liquor store to buy non-alcoholic drinks? That part just doesn’t sit right with me. But I’ll save that rant for another day.

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If you’ve read this far, thank you!  I’m so excited to help bring more alcohol-free, third-space options to San Antonio. And most of all, I can’t wait to meet you in real life.

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Let’s raise a shell together. 🌺