We recently did a whitepaper on how foods can support both health and external beauty. So, I thought it was timely to interview Kroma Wellness founder, Lisa Odenweller to get the backstory on her brand and the four must-have superfoods that she suggests that boost immunity, calm inflammation, and support healthy digestion so people can look and feel their best from the inside out.
"I wholeheartedly believe that food is medicine. The journey to founding Kroma began years ago as I was experiencing my own health and hormone challenges in my late 30s, while simultaneously helping my daughter navigate her ADHD diagnosis," she tells me. "As I began to make simple dietary changes for both my daughter and I, the results were life changing. After only a few weeks my daughter was off all medication, and I looked and felt better than I ever had before.
Nutrition has always been a passion of Odenweller, who is also an integrative nutritionist who studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York.
"Nutrition has always been a passion point for me and I was able to turn it into a career in 2011 by founding Beaming Wellness - an organic superfood, grab-and-go style café with several locations across Southern California. After much success building a great brand, I left in 2018 to pursue my next adventure," shares Odenweller. "I wanted to evolve all the good Beaming was doing through our cafes and bring it into the home by launching a direct-to-consumer brand focused on non-perishable, functional nutrition products that required little to no prep time while being portable and extremely easy to incorporate into your every-day life. I spent the next couple years formulating 14 unique products along with a first-of-its-kind 5 Day Whole Body Reset that we launched in Beta during the Covid pandemic in 2020." In late July of 2021, Odenweller launched Kroma Wellness.
Kroma was founded on the principle of flipping the "toxic diet culture’s" script and offers both products for daily use as well as "reset" options, including their 5-Day Reset, to get the body and mind back on track.
"Our goal is to make eating well a stress-free, enjoyable experience without complication or deprivation. Each of our products are carefully curated with the purist, highest integrity superfoods and adaptogens sourced from around the world. We believe healthy should and must taste amazing which is why we spent over 2 years formulating each of our products along with our 5 Day Reset," she explains. "Our newly launched Limited Edition 5-Day Reset *with Chocolate* is not only extremely easy and enjoyable and incredibly effective, but the addition of a delicious, meticulously crafted pure dark chocolate bar is designed to remind us that the greatest pleasures in life should be enjoyed and savored…mindfully. Kroma is about changing the mindset (for women especially) that we don’t have to starve ourselves to look and feel good in our bodies."
So, what ingredients play prominently in Kroma’s formulations and are on Odenweller’s list for full-body benefits including skin?
Matcha
Matcha is high in antioxidants, which help the body’s cells fight off damage from free radicals. Matcha also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful in calming skin conditions like rosacea and dermatitis. It is also rich in catechins, which are compounds known for helping with the skin’s firmness and elasticity.
Odenweller tells me, "I am obsessed with matcha because it changed my life years ago when I transitioned away from coffee. Not only did I feel better immediately, it took away all of the jitters, anxiety, and irritability I was experiencing from coffee such that I felt more calm and balanced overall. Because it is loaded with antioxidants and l’theanine, it has even helped with improving my mental clarity and mood."
Functional Mushrooms
Mushrooms have both internal and external benefits to the skin including anti-inflammatory properties and improved tolerance to environmental irritants. One study published in the Archives of Dermatological Research found that phenolic veratric acid, a compound found in mushrooms known to have antioxidants that helps improve the look of wrinkles.
"Many of our products are enhanced with functional mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps for example, which are some of the most effective adaptogens in the world - each with different benefits from improving mental cognition, increasing energy naturally, building immunity, balancing hormones and lowering stress to name a few benefits," explains Odenweller.
Chocho
"I was on a mission to find a non-isolate, non-lectin plant protein that was easier on your digestion than pea protein and some of the others that almost all plant-based products are made from," Odenweller tells me. "After searching for years, I found chocho which is grown above 10k feet in Ecuador and is the most complete plant protein and it has nine out of nine essential amino acids and is loaded with magnesium and calcium. We use it in our Veggie Broths, Super Porridge, OMG Cookie Butter, and all of our Smoothie blends."
Bone Broth
While bone broth is not a superfood per se, it definitely makes Odenweller’s cut as a must-have for gut health, which is at the cornerstone of all of Kroma’s products.
"The benefits of bone broth for healing your gut and improving your digestion have been studied for years in addition to how bone broth can support your joints, skin, hair, nails, and immunity," shares Odenweller. "I love bone broth and especially ours because it is not only insanely delicious but all you need is hot water for the perfect cup of broth. It honestly doesn’t get any easier AND it is an appetite suppressant so anytime I feel the need to snack or munch on something in between meals, our bone broth is my go-to. You can literally feel how good it is for you."
Conclusion
Kroma Wellness founder Lisa Odenweller is passionate about making healthy eating simple and enjoyable for everyone. By incorporating these four superfoods, Matcha, Functional Mushrooms, Chocho, and Bone Broth, into your daily routine, you can support your body's immunity, calm inflammation, and improve digestion, ultimately leading to healthier, glowing skin.
Kroma Wellness' focus on functional nutrition, combined with Lisa's expertise and commitment to excellence, makes it a brand worth trying for anyone looking to improve their overall wellness.
