6 Day Plant-Based Wellness and Cooking Retreat on Lake Michigan

Jill Keb is a certified food educator and yoga instructor with a B.A. in Psychology, and a recovered food addict who has lived free from cravings for years. She teaches the Food for Life curriculum from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, so the nutrition education here is grounded in real science. Her partner Kathy Taylor, a former HR director, joined Jill after attending her Lunch and Learn series at work and has been a plant-based cook ever since. Together they've built a retreat that's less about lectures and more about getting you into the kitchen.

Each day starts with tea or coffee and fruit, then a walk to the lighthouse (about 3 miles round trip, with shorter options). Mornings are for cooking classes at the big kitchen island, where the sun streams in and everyone gets to handle the food—no demonstrations where you just watch. After lunch, the afternoon is mostly yours: walk on the beach, stroll into town, bike the trails, or just hang out. Yoga, meditation, and an inner-work series are offered but totally optional.

The retreat space is in South Haven, a classic Midwest beach town with a red lighthouse, a river walk, quirky shops, and art galleries. You're about an hour from either Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids or South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana, and the Amtrak Pere Marquette line stops in Bangor, a 10-minute drive away. No car is needed once you're here. The town has 50 miles of bike trails right out the back door, and a large park nearby.

What makes this retreat different is the depth of the food education. Over six days, you'll sample more than 70 recipes, learn how to make plant-based cheeses and sauces that actually hold up, and get a course manual to keep. The goal is to send you home with skills, not just inspiration. Guests frequently report losing weight, getting off medications, and continuing to cook this way months later.

What's included

- Daily walks on our nationally ranked, soft, sandy beach of Lake Michigan - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks lovingly prepared to cleanse and detox (no oil, mostly dates to sweeten) - Limited group size (6-10 people) for maximum privacy and quiet time - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Action plan to continue realizing personal health goals - Meditation, yoga, or pranayama (breathing exercises) offered based on group interest - Daily yoga classes - Walking distance to town; bikes available for 50 miles of bike trails; huge park out back - Group excursions/activities - Course manual - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Small group cooking classes including game-changer recipes for non-dairy cheeses, sauces, dressings, snacks, and more - Parking - Wi-Fi connection

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Additional activities not included in itinerary - Personal expenses - Accommodation