About Pachavega
A School for Holistic Healing
and Lifestyle Integration
We are the change we wish to see in the world.
About Pachavega
A School for Holistic Healing and Lifestyle Integration
Pachavega Holistic Wellness Education is a school rooted in the understanding that healing is holistic, and food is the foundation from which everything expands.
A School for Holistic Healing and Lifestyle Integration
Pachavega Holistic Wellness Education is a school rooted in the understanding that healing is holistic, and food is the foundation from which everything expands.
We exist to support deep, sustainable transformation through plant based nourishment, daily habits, and lifestyle education that honors both the body and the earth. Guided by science, tradition, and lived experience, Pachavega offers structured learning for those seeking to heal themselves and, in time, support others on their path.
What began as a passion for living foods has evolved into a globally trusted school of holistic wellness, grounded in gratitude, connection to nature, and the belief that food can be both deeply nourishing and profoundly healing.
Our Philosophy
The name Pachavega brings together two essential elements. “Pacha,” drawn from the Quechua word Pachamama, honors Mother Earth and the living systems that sustain us. “Vega” reflects our devotion to plant based living and the quiet power of the vegetable.
At the heart of Pachavega is a simple philosophy: whole, nutrient dense, organically grown plant foods have the power to restore vitality, support the gut, and reconnect us to our innate wisdom. When paired with intentional habits, community, and lifestyle alignment, food becomes more than nourishment. It becomes medicine.
Our approach blends modern nutrition science with ancestral wisdom, culinary artistry, and real life integration. This is education designed not just to inform, but to transform.
What We Teach
Pachavega offers comprehensive education that goes far beyond recipes or techniques.
Through online programs, certifications, and in person experiences, students learn how to:
Restore gut health and energy
Build sustainable daily habits
Understand food as a healing tool
Integrate nourishment into real life
Step confidently into leadership within their homes and communities
From foundational gut health education to Raw Food Chef Certification pathways, Pachavega provides clear learning journeys for both personal healing and professional development.
With over 13 years of experience and thousands of students worldwide, our work is grounded in the understanding that true wellness is not only about what you eat, but how you live, move, breathe, and connect.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower individuals through holistic wellness education that supports the body, mind, and spirit.
Pachavega is committed to teaching practical, embodied tools for habit transformation, helping students take ownership of their daily choices and create rhythms that support long term health. Through food based education, lifestyle integration, and community connection, we aim to cultivate confidence, resilience, and self trust.
This is education designed to ripple outward, supporting not only personal healing, but collective well being.
Our Story
Pachavega grew from a deep love of food, freedom, and living close to the earth.
In its early years, the school was shaped by creativity and adaptability. Programs were hosted wherever space could be found, from borrowed kitchens to rented retreats, with equipment packed up and moved from place to place. For a time, life on the road made this possible, including winters spent in the Rockies, learning how to live simply, stay warm, and keep showing up with devotion and humor.
Those years were not about hardship. They were about choosing flexibility, prioritizing purpose, and finding unconventional ways to bring education to life. Each experience added to Pachavega’s foundation, shaping a school that understands real life, real bodies, and real rhythms.
As Pachavega evolved, so did its roots. A growing connection to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, brought a deeper relationship with land, community, and nature. This environment continues to influence the way Pachavega teaches nourishment, presence, and lifestyle integration.
A defining moment came when Danielle’s daughter survived a near drowning accident. Her recovery, supported through herbs, plant based supplementation, and nutrient dense foods, reaffirmed what Pachavega has always stood for: food matters, daily habits matter, and healing happens when we support the whole system.
Today, Pachavega stands as a school shaped by experience, grounded in practicality, and guided by trust in the body’s intelligence. The work continues to evolve, carrying forward the same values of nourishment, connection, and conscious living, while expanding into a more sustainable, shared educational model.
Our Founder
Danielle Arsenault
Danielle Arsenault is a globally recognized holistic wellness educator, raw food chef, and author of seven cookbooks. With more than a decade of experience teaching plant based nutrition and lifestyle integration, she is known for her grounded, compassionate approach to healing.
Danielle’s work centers on the belief that food is foundational, but healing requires a whole life approach. Through Pachavega, she has guided thousands of students worldwide to reconnect with their bodies, rebuild trust in themselves, and step into more vibrant, intentional living.
Her role today is rooted in vision, education, and mentorship, supporting Pachavega’s continued growth as a school while honoring its original values.
GIVING BACK AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pachavega is deeply committed to community and reciprocity.
We offer by donation education for local communities, supporting accessible health education and honoring cultural food traditions while offering simple, practical shifts toward greater well being. Through education, employment, and collaboration with local families, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the places we call home.
Rooted in Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, Pachavega continues to grow in relationship with land, people, and place. This connection informs our work and grounds our belief that healing is not individual. It is collective.
We invite you to learn with us, grow with us, and experience what becomes possible when nourishment, education, and community come together.
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.