Kia Ora, I'm Marjolein (aka MJ), and I am passionate about growing and eating delicious and nutritious food. My love for growing edibles kick-started when we moved from suburban Wellington to a rural lifestyle block in beautiful Pauatahanui. During the years of raising our now 2 primary school kids, the greenhouse, orchards, and vegetable gardens became my happy places. ​I am most content if I can spend my whole day outside being physically active around the property thereby supplying my family with organic homegrown fruit and vegetables year round.

​I've always had a keen interest in hands on jobs, and am a big believer in following your passions. Throuhgout my high school years in the Netherlands I had a part time job in a fruit & vegetable store (I have always had a huge interest in eating healthily) for 7 years. Then during my university years in Groningen, I had a part time job in a running store (following my passion of running which I had gotten into). And whilst doing my masters degree exchange program in exercise physiology here in NZ for a year, I realised that the sedentary lifestyle that comes with doing research (mostly typing and re-typing behind a computer) wasn't for me.
Especially in a country as beautiful as NZ, where the outdoors are calling, and adventures are awaiting. The decision to move here indefinitely was quickly made when I met my kiwi boy... 

​​My newly acquired passions of mountain running and mountain biking  (actual hills remain a novelty for the Dutchy in me) led me into a handful of different jobs over the years, such as a job in a bike shop, a job at Sport Wellington, followed by my own coaching business and organising sporting events.
Then becoming a full time mum and raising two beautiful kids on our lifestyle property, I discovered this new passion of growing all things edible, and guess where that led me?  I'm very excited about this new venture and hope to get you hooked on these vibrant and mighty greens too! ​​