Women who inspire us: Rens Kroes
Can you tell us something about your background?
I grew up in a small village in Frisia with a population of 1500 people.When I turned 18 I moved to New York for a year of high school to gain experience. Coming back home, I decided to do a social study to learn the basics of human knowledge. I chose to study Social Pedagogical Aid, which I really enjoyed. I’ve learnt a lot in the field of aid and besides that, I’ve gained a lot of human knowledge. After that I worked as a coach in an obesity clinic.
In the meantime I started brewing and selling my own kombucha. This was about seven years ago. It went so well and I did this for quite some time. To promote the kombucha I started blogging. This became a big succes and I decided to continue writing about nutrition and how important it is. The actual process of making the kombucha was so much work, I just could’t make it bigger than it already was, so I let it go. I continued with blogging, making recipes and inspiring people in the field of nutrition.
In the meantime I studied nutrition and started my own business in helping people maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. I really loved doing this. In this same period I began writing and creating my own books. The last one was issued 1,5 years ago. I have created 1 lifestyle book and 4 cooking books, which luckily are still very successful.
So, this was my story haha and from there I started my own business, which is really challenging but also very satisfying.
Where did you learn to cook, write and run a business?
Running a business is something that I never really got to learn, I actually just dived into it.
Mainly because I run this business with my husband. He is an economist and entrepreneur in heart and soul and saw potential. So, we started our webshop Powerfoodies Market.
I thought it was a good match because I could really bring my creativity to new heights with it. That is basically what we are doing at this moment, so I really learn a lot about how to run things and learn new things everyday. My husband is in charge of the logistics and maintains contact with the suppliers, I do the marketing and product development. Customer service is something that we outsource.
I have learnt a lot from my grandparents and my mem (mom in Frisian) in terms of nutrition. My grandpa ran his own biological farm and my grandma had lots of knowledge about herbs. My mem is a nutritionist. During my childhood, I used to have my own piece of garden where I could grow my own fruit and vegetables. This is where I’ve learned a lot about food, the earth, the climate and I learned that if you give something a bit of your love, it will grow and flourish.
About the writing part, I’m not a star in writing I think. I did write my own diaries, poetry and music when I was young. I used to play in a band for a while, it was called ‘Kroescontrol’ and I wrote my own songs. I can really let it all out when I write, I love that! But even though I wrote 5 books, I don’t see myself as a good writer. That’s why we have an editor ;)
Can you tell us something about Powerfoodies Market?
Powerfoodies Market is a platform/webshop where we sell kitchen items and our own food product-line Gucot. These are products I fully believe in and developed myself.
We only sell online at the moment. This is because we can fully oversee everything. But who knows we will sell in supermarkets some day!
Why did you decide to write a lifestyle book ‘Rens - Mijn Lifestyle Guide’ instead of another cooking book? And can you tell something about this book?
I always wanted to write a book about the whole package. Healthy nutrition (powerfood) is very important to your wellbeing, but if you feel stress, your body doesn’t assimilate the nutrients. My book Rens - Mijn Lifestyle Guide is a basic guidance book in which I describe my lifestyle and want to inspire others with it. It just came a little later then planned ;)
Which of your 5 books is your favourite?
Oh, that’s a though one. I think my fourth book, The Party Edition. There are so many delicious recipes in it. Not only when you plan a party but also for during the week. You can celebrate each day I think!
But I am also very proud of my first book; ‘Powerfood’. The book where it all started and I am proud to say that a lot of Dutchies have this book on their kitchen shelf ;)
Did you always have a passion for nutrition and healthy food?
My parents have raised me very conscious, for instance with nutrition. Many questions were asked such as, what’s in the food we eat, is it healthy? How does it taste? Because of this I became aware of how important it is to feed yourself and not to stuff yourself with food.
What do you like most about your job?
Creating the complete picture. The proces of growth. Doing everything ourselves actually, from photography to cooking, product-development to sales. This growth gives me a lot of energy and I still really enjoy doing it.
How do you create your recipes?
Most of the time I choose some basic ingredients and experiment from there on. Or sometimes I see a recipe which can be either healthy or unhealthy and I give it my own twist.
Running your own business is hard work. What do you do to relax after a long day of work?
I am pregnant for 8 months now, and I can really enjoy chilling on the couch with a book (or Netflix), a facemask, a foot bath and some herbal tea. But I also love to eat with my friends and catch up.
How would you describe yourself?
Demanding, sweet (that’s mostly what other people tell me :)), openminded, goal orientated, caring, helpful and chaotic sometimes. This last aspect is because I find it difficult to let go of certain tasks so I take too much upon myself. But now that the baby is coming, I have to let go of those things and let somebody else do it, so that is going to be a challenge!
What does your perfect morning look like?
Alright, here it goes; I wake up around 7 AM. I start with oil pulling (20min), a way of cleaning your teeth. In the meantime I make my green juice and my apple-vinegar water. Then I take a shower (preferably cold). After that I drink the apple-vinegar water and the juice. I try to meditate or do some breathing exercises. Sometimes this works out, but sometimes it doesn’t. Then I make myself breakfast with a cup of coffee and I check my socials, and off to work. This changes from time to time. And there are times when I don’t feel like doing any of these things and I just start my day with a croissant, haha.
You stand for a balanced lifestyle. Do you have any tips for a better sleep?
Magnesium tablets, reduce your screen time after 8 o’clock and dim your lights. Salt lamps are very pleasant. Make your home smell nice by using some calming ethereal oil in your diffuser, like lavender. Take a warm shower and use a natural warming oil. And a fresh made comfy bed with nice bedlinen is important of course.
What are you most proud of?
My development. I try to constantly learn and keep innovating myself. Trial and error are a part of this. I try to face every aspect of life. Without fear. This takes effort but also gives me a lot of energy.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My mem is one of my sources of inspiration. She is the sweetest. She always gives me so much energy and immerses herself in stuff that I find very interesting, but sometimes can’t find the time for. She passes this information on to me so I can use it during my work for example.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Maybe somewhere in a foreign country? I actually don’t know. I try to live in the now at this moment. I already feel like a mother, but in five years time I am a mom of a 5 year old child for sure.
How do you prepare yourself for motherhood?
I read books, watch video’s of natural (bath) births and mostly listen to my own instinct. I have a Doula which is a big help with the preparation as well. And I try to let go of the ‘work’ as much as possible, this is something that I find quite hard.
Have you changed your eating pattern since your pregnancy?
I’ve learnt that maintaining your regular pattern is possible, but make sure you don’t eat any raw and animal source foods. Besides that, you can eat pretty much everything, (no alcohol of course and not too much coffee). I have more cravings for chips and fries, and I sometimes just give in on this.
What is something you would like to teach your child?
I think that I find it very important to let my child know that I will coach him or her in life, I won’t force anything. And that I will look at my child as an individual who is able to achieve something here on earth. I’m really looking forward to coach my child with my husband. To guide and help him or her with his or her needs. He or she has his/her own mission in life and I want to give the freedom to let him or her follow this path.
What do you dream of?
A garden full of vegetables, more fresh air and freedom. I live in the city now and love to go to Frisia every now and then, which is a perfect combination for me at this moment. But some day I would like to be more surrounded by nature.
Why did you choose Amsterdam?
When I was 21, I moved from New York to Amsterdam. I thought this was a nice place to keep growing and develop myself. It is a little smaller and more cosy! After a while I lived in New York again for two years, but Amsterdam is my homebase for now. Mainly because our company is located here.
What is your dream city?
New York really opened my eyes and I will always have so much love for that city. It has got an energy that I cannot describe. Times are tough over there right now, but it still is a very progressive city, where you can truly be yourself. Business-wise I notice that Amsterdam is still more committed to rules.
How would you describe your home?
Very cosy, warm and small.
What are your favourite places in the world?
My mem’s garden. My office-kitchen. My apartment. New York. The beach (east-side) of Sardinia.