Ed van Tegelen
Ed van Tegelen
About the Teacher
Why study with them?
After completing my nutrition studies in the Netherlands in 2015 and starting an online nutritional advice practice, my wife Debby and I ventured to Asia. Our 18-month journey included engaging in various cooking classes and learning traditional Thai massage together. Returning to Europe in October 2016, we became part of Moinhos Velhos, a juice detox retreat located at the southwestern tip of continental Europe. Over seven years, I contributed as a retreat host, nutritionist, and chef for the detox programs, helping hundreds each year to embrace a healthier lifestyle and diet. In 2020, we launched one-week healthy plant-based eating retreats at Moinhos Velhos, where I prepared meals, led cooking workshops, and gave nutrition lectures.
My experience at Moinhos Velhos consistently showed that even small shifts towards a more plant-based diet can significantly improve health. Recognizing that many guests found it challenging to sustain these habits at home, I developed online wellness programs to offer ongoing support and guidance. These programs integrate personalized nutrition plans with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and fitness exercises, customized to individual preferences and objectives.
In 2023, I published my first book, Nutrition in the Kitchen — a guide to understanding the science behind nutrition while experiencing the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Drawing from years of questions from retreat guests (such as "What is a truly healthy diet?", "What about fasting or protein needs?", and "How do our food choices impact the planet?"), the book combines evidence-based insights with practical whole-food vegan recipes and tips for flavorful, everyday cooking. It's a culmination of my exploration into nutrition science, spices, and sustainable eating, aimed at helping readers make informed, joyful changes.
In 2025, after an enriching chapter at Moinhos Velhos, we decided to step into our next adventure: leaving to host our own self-designed retreats at Quinta Lua Branca in Portalegre, Portugal. Nestled in the serene countryside of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, this beautiful quinta offers the perfect setting for deeper immersion in nature, mindful living, and transformative wellness experiences. Here, Debby and I now lead intimate, fully curated retreats — blending juice fasting, spiced plant-based cuisine, daily yoga flows, mindfulness practices, nature walks, and soulful community connections — all designed to help participants reset, reconnect, and integrate lasting healthy habits with joy and flavor.
Drawing from the latest evidence-based nutritional research, I provide practical tips for integrating healthier choices into everyday meals. With experience in a plant-based restaurant and years of creating flavorful dishes, I am especially passionate about using spices for both their taste and health benefits.
I am committed to helping you make those vital, incremental changes to your diet and lifestyle. Consider the online services, my book Nutrition in the Kitchen, and in-person retreats at Quinta Lua Branca for your journey towards better health.
Qualifications and further studies:
Licensed weight loss consultant - CIVAS academy
Natural nutrition expert (Higher Applied Education) - CIVAS academy
Herbal medicine - CIVAS academy
Nutrition & Health, The human microbiome - Wageningen University
Science & Cooking - Harvard University
Traditional Thai massage (150 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
Reflexology foot massage (60 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
Swedish massage course (60 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
My experience at Moinhos Velhos consistently showed that even small shifts towards a more plant-based diet can significantly improve health. Recognizing that many guests found it challenging to sustain these habits at home, I developed online wellness programs to offer ongoing support and guidance. These programs integrate personalized nutrition plans with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and fitness exercises, customized to individual preferences and objectives.
In 2023, I published my first book, Nutrition in the Kitchen — a guide to understanding the science behind nutrition while experiencing the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Drawing from years of questions from retreat guests (such as "What is a truly healthy diet?", "What about fasting or protein needs?", and "How do our food choices impact the planet?"), the book combines evidence-based insights with practical whole-food vegan recipes and tips for flavorful, everyday cooking. It's a culmination of my exploration into nutrition science, spices, and sustainable eating, aimed at helping readers make informed, joyful changes.
In 2025, after an enriching chapter at Moinhos Velhos, we decided to step into our next adventure: leaving to host our own self-designed retreats at Quinta Lua Branca in Portalegre, Portugal. Nestled in the serene countryside of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, this beautiful quinta offers the perfect setting for deeper immersion in nature, mindful living, and transformative wellness experiences. Here, Debby and I now lead intimate, fully curated retreats — blending juice fasting, spiced plant-based cuisine, daily yoga flows, mindfulness practices, nature walks, and soulful community connections — all designed to help participants reset, reconnect, and integrate lasting healthy habits with joy and flavor.
Drawing from the latest evidence-based nutritional research, I provide practical tips for integrating healthier choices into everyday meals. With experience in a plant-based restaurant and years of creating flavorful dishes, I am especially passionate about using spices for both their taste and health benefits.
I am committed to helping you make those vital, incremental changes to your diet and lifestyle. Consider the online services, my book Nutrition in the Kitchen, and in-person retreats at Quinta Lua Branca for your journey towards better health.
Qualifications and further studies:
Licensed weight loss consultant - CIVAS academy
Natural nutrition expert (Higher Applied Education) - CIVAS academy
Herbal medicine - CIVAS academy
Nutrition & Health, The human microbiome - Wageningen University
Science & Cooking - Harvard University
Traditional Thai massage (150 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
Reflexology foot massage (60 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
Swedish massage course (60 hours) - Thai Spa Burapa Trat
