Vanessa Marquez is the Spanish Outreach Coordinator for the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. Vanessa was born in Caracas, Venezuela and has spent more than 15 years traveling and exploring different cultures around the world. Nine years ago, driven by her hypothyroidism diagnosis, she made the decision to adopt a plant-based diet. Vanessa is dedicated to educating the community about the importance of nurturing our bodies from the inside out and leaving a positive footprint on our planet. Motivated by her experience raising her son Dylan, Vanessa has created a virtual space where she shares easy recipes for the whole family including ideas for healthy lunch boxes. Vanessa also offers online cooking workshops and coaching. She is a graduate of the CNS and eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Kale Avocado Pesto
Kale Avocado Pesto

The kale gives this dish a freshness that’s perfect for complementing the traditional pesto flavors, which you’ll get from the basil, walnuts, and lemon juice. Adding avocado guarantees an extra creamy texture.


Tempeh With Ginger Marinade
Tempeh With Ginger Marinade

The secret to making a really good marinade is finding the right balance between sweet, savory, and acidic elements. In this dish, the brightness of the orange and the ginger work really well together, and adding the slightest bit of sweetener brings out their flavors even more.


Mango Ceviche With Kale
Mango Ceviche With Kale

Ceviche is a raw fish dish traditionally prepared in countries like Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile. This plant-based ceviche is an easy and refreshing recipe that is great during warmer months. Even with very few ingredients, its flavor is exquisite!


Vegan Caramel Sauce
Vegan Caramel Sauce

This plant-based caramel sauce is easy to make and perfect for topping non-dairy ice cream, waffles, or apples! It comes together in just 5 minutes.


Healthy Vegan Banana Split Sundae
Healthy Vegan Banana Split Sundae

This healthy, fruity treat feels decadent and is fun and easy to make! You can dress up these sundaes with your favorite toppings and customize as you like. This is a great recipe to prepare with kids.


Easy Buckwheat Waffles
Easy Buckwheat Waffles

These naturally gluten-free waffles are light, crispy, nutritious, and so easy to make. Double or triple the batch and freeze extras for a healthy breakfast on the go.


Carrot Cake Oatmeal Pancakes
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Pancakes

These pancakes are healthy, hearty, and delicious: the perfect combination to get you going in the morning and keep you going. It’s like having carrot cake for breakfast!


Venezuelan Corn Arepas
Venezuelan Corn Arepas

Arepas are small, round patties made from precooked ground cornmeal or flour. They are a typical component of Venezuelan and Colombian gastronomy. Traditionally, they are deep fried, baked, or pan fried and filled with meat and/or beans.


Jackfruit “Mechada” Stuffed Arepas
Jackfruit “Mechada” Stuffed Arepas

In Venezuela, a meal is not complete without arepas. These delicious cornmeal patties are typically stuffed with meat and prepared in different ways, depending on the region.


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