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.

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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