Welcome to
Pachavega Living Foods Education
We're Building Something Big
For 11 years, I’ve dreamed of creating a community kitchen—a physical space where Pachavega’s mission can fully thrive. This permanent home marks a pivotal evolution, providing a dedicated environment to teach, inspire, and transform lives through the power of plant-based living.
At Pachavega, we welcome guests from around the world to our nourishing retreats and life-changing courses. But our commitment goes beyond our global reach; we’re deeply invested in our local community. We educate and employ our neighbors, ensuring that Pachavega’s impact benefits everyone. We foster a sense of community and promote well-being, creating a supportive space where everyone can flourish together. The Pachavega Community Kitchen is more than just a kitchen; it’s a hub for connection, education, and empowerment.
Help us make this dream a reality!
Join Our Global Movement to Build Pachavega's Community Kitchen on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Contributing to Community | Giving Back Made Simple
Help me build Pachavega’s Plant-Based Culinary School in Nicaragua, and let’s create a world where everyone has the ability to nourish themselves and feel vibrant.
How You Can Help
Provide a ONE-TIME donation and help build the Kitchen as a Steward, brick-by-brick.
Make a MONTHLY donation (for one year) to help build the Kitchen.
Helps construct the kitchen and sponsor a local woman for our year-long Programa De Salud Integral & Cocina Vegana.
Our Real-Time Progress!
Be A Steward
Become a Steward for Pachavega’s “Buy a Brick” campaign! Each $25 donation helps us reach our goal of 7,000 bricks. Your ONE-TIME contribution will help us build our plant-based culinary school. Join us in building a healthier future. One brick at a time. You can contribute $25, $50, $75 or any amount.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“When you take care of yourself, you’re taking care of the world. Healthy people make a healthy world.”
– Dr. Michael Greger
Be A Supporter
Make a commitment to donate monthly for a year. Monthly supporters will enjoy exclusive perks as our token of appreciation. By joining our global movement to build Pachavega’s Community Kitchen, your donations help lay the foundation, brick by brick, for our mission to empower both local and global communities through a whole-food plant-based lifestyle. Additionally, your name will be shared in our monthly newsletter as a valued supporter.
Be A Sponsor
Join our global movement to build Pachavega’s Community Kitchen on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua! Your $1000 donation helps construct the kitchen and sponsors a local woman for our year-long Programa De Salud Integral & Cocina Vegana. Each participant contributes $150, ensuring strong commitment. Together, we’re making a significant impact on health and well-being in our community.
“The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”
~ Ann Wigmore
Be A Spokesperson
If you’re on a budget but still want to make a difference, you can help by sharing our project with your friends, talking about Pachavega’s mission, and spreading the word by putting up posters in your local café or community board.
Global Reach = Local Empowerment
Provide a ONE-TIME donation and help build the Kitchen as a Steward, brick-by-brick.
Make a MONTHLY donation (for one year) to help build the Kitchen.
Helps construct the kitchen and sponsor a local woman for our year-long Programa De Salud Integral & Cocina Vegana.
The Community Kitchen Project
How We Got Here & Why We Do It
To make Pachavega a reality, I lived in a van and later upgraded to an RV for over four years. This lifestyle was free-spirited but challenging, like hauling water that froze overnight while managing campgrounds during Rocky Mountain winters. By avoiding rent and unnecessary expenses, I could afford to rent resorts, Airbnbs, and other spaces for Pachavega’s programs. I’ve relied on renting fancy places and borrowing kitchens (thanks, Mom and Dad!) to keep Pachavega going for the last 11 years. Moving a truckload of equipment and supplies to each new venue has been a journey in itself (those who’ve taken my programs have witnessed the chaos!). Despite these hurdles, my commitment to plant-based living remains strong. When my daughter nearly drowned, her recovery through herbs, vegan supplements, and nutrient-rich food deepened my resolve to live vibrantly and inspire others to do the same.
Pachavega’s courses offer more than culinary skills; they’re a gateway to a healthier, more fulfilling life. We teach locals by donation, helping them tweak traditional diets to improve health. Many in our community suffer from kidney problems and diabetes, often due to their diet. These classes aim to make a real difference, helping them heal and live vibrantly.
Through Pachavega, I’ve found the perfect blend of health and deliciousness through a plant-based diet. Our programs, both online and in-person, guide you in transforming daily habits while nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. My goal is to ignite a passion in you — not only to revolutionize your life but to share this wisdom with others.
Every day, I’m inspired by the vision of a world where everyone thrives through mindful eating and compassionate living. We’re all fortunate to be alive, and with every nourishing bite, we can choose a life of vitality over mediocrity. It’s never too late to transform yourself! Building the Pachavega Community Kitchen on Ometepe Island will enable me to continue this mission.
Why Ometepe Island?
In 2016, my South to Central American backpacking adventure led me to the enchanting island of Ometepe, nestled in Lake Colcibolca, the largest freshwater lake in Central America. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the island’s twin volcanoes, lush landscapes, and the warmth of its people. I spent weeks hiking trails, swimming in pristine waters, and immersing myself in the vibrant culture. The more time I spent here, the deeper my connection to this island and its incredible community grew. Even years later, many of the friendships I made during my first travels remain strong.
The name Ometepe comes from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs, with “ome” meaning two and “tepetl” meaning mountain. The island’s two volcanoes form the largest island in Lake Nicaragua, historically known as Cocibolca. Stretching nearly 20 miles long and up to six miles wide, Ometepe has been inhabited since 2000 BC. It’s a place where birds sing, monkeys play, insects invade your personal space, and fireflies sparkle amid occasional lightning strikes that illuminate the night sky.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve had the privilege of living on Ometepe intermittently for the past six years. During this time, I’ve built deep connections with the islanders and witnessed the challenges they face firsthand.
Driven by my passion for plant-based nutrition, I saw an opportunity to introduce nutrient-dense, local ingredients into the diet and educate the community on their benefits. Plants like moringa, katuk, turmeric, ginger, beans, and sweet potatoes, which grow abundantly here but are often overlooked, hold the potential to significantly enhance health.
Over the years, my deepening relationship with the islanders has allowed me to share my knowledge and learn from them in return. Their resilience and dedication to their culture have been a constant source of inspiration. Through workshops, cooking classes, and community events, I’ve aimed to promote wellness and show that healthy eating can be both enjoyable and accessible.
I’ve chosen to root down in Ometepe and commit to this incredible island and its people. I want to invite you to experience this magic firsthand, to see and feel the transformative power of this place for yourself.
Love,
Danielle
Founder,
Pachavega Living Foods Education
Our Mission
Pachavega Living Foods Education stands as a beacon of transformative education in the realm of plant-based culinary arts. Beyond chef training, our mission resonates with a deeper purpose: to empower you on a profound journey toward health and well-being through the alchemy of a plant-based lifestyle. We are dedicated to guiding you through the art of habit transformation, urging you to take control of your daily choices and craft habits that resonate with your higher self. Our courses are a gateway to understanding the profound impact of plants on the body, mind, and spirit, igniting a passion within you, not only to revolutionize your own life but also to share this wisdom with those close to your heart.
