Who are we?
gema de patricio casas b2yroots cofounder
I am a Marine Scientist by training and originally from Spain.
Self-taught in many fields my curiosity takes me to. I like to describe myself as a jack of all trades, master of none".
From 2017-2020 I cruised with my family from Maine to Washington via Hawaii and noticed how people on their traditional diets all over the Caribbean that eat fresh homemade food are a lot healthier than the average American.
I am a certified GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) coach, Master Gardener and Nature lover.
As many of us, I got interested in learning about nutrition after my son developed chronic eczema almost 20 years ago.
Cooking is also my passion and I have taught small groups in public settings and cooked for small parties of 8-10 as a personal chef.
I am the cofounder of B2YROOTS, Vuelve a tus raíces the main purpose of which is to serve members of the community, to change eating habits to achieve better health.
Marisol Rodriguez Blanco B2YROOTS cofounder
I am from Venezuelan and Spanish origins, love reinventing myself to serve others. I got my way of thinking and organization skills from my electronic engineering degree and my skills to put myself in the shoes of the ones I serve from my MBA. I have lived with my family of five in four different countries wearing different hats. I worked as a telecommunications engineer and later as a Pension plans advisor in Venezuela, a certified Natural Family planning practitioner in Austin, Texas, a certified Play Worker in Northwich, England and since 2017, I have been a certified Spanish medical interpreter in Whatcom County, Washington. Here, I mostly take appointments related to diabetes, nutrition, GI, cancer pulmonary and cardiovascular health and have been touched by all the chronic diseases suffered by our Hispanic population.
I also love to cook and nourish my family with the best food recipes I have learned over 30 years of home cooking from a vast variety of multicultural cuisines. And, during the last 7 years I have introduced many nutritional changes in my family’s habits that have led to improvements and/or reversed chronic disease symptoms. My own experience at home and my firsthand experience as a medical interpreter has motivated me to help others to improve their overall health through acquiring better nutritional habits.
As the foundational skills for that endeavor, I got the GAPS coach certification and co-founded B2YROOTS, Vuelve a Tus Raices as the means to implement it.
2026 we reshape our project srhs and form new partnerships
We are applying for more grants in collaboration with PNW Plateful
In May we start talking with this impactful local non-profit based in Bellingham, WA, to collaborate and further offer SRHS to other groups of underserved citizens in other locations in Whatcom County.
We recieve $10000 from Chuckanut Health Foundation
In April 2026 we were granted almost enough funds to work with one cohort after the summer through A Watered Garden in Everson, WA.
We reshape our program
Being able to put an idea into practice through 2025 and with feedback from the first 10 families we worked with, we decided to change some things so our program Strong Roots, Healthy Shoots (SRHS) can be easily replicated as a model. We have condensed it to 5 months, 4 families, 1 coach and 1 intern (selected from our first group) and call it a COHORT.
Each cohort will participate in:
- An introductory meeting
- First home visit to get to know each family
- 3 home visit (cooking together in their homes)
- 2 cohort educational meetings (educational presentation and cooking together in a community building)
- 2 market visits
- An end of the program celebration/impact survey analisys with participants
in 2025 we begin the project: strong roots, healthy shoots
Our dream comes true
Just as B2YROOTS envisioned it, we have started a year long project working with 10 Hispanic families in the community of Everson. Customized education with 5 individual home visits and 2 group gatherings empowering families to eat more nutritious meals and educating them on the dangers of ultra-processed food.
The partnership that made it possible
A watered garden, a local non profit in Everson, long time serving the community, helped us to write a grant to fund and develop the project.
The sponsor
Arcora foundation gracefully granted us the funds to help educate the families in nutrition aspects that would also benefit their oral health.
In 2023 we enrolled in gaps training
We are certified Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) coaches.
A comprehensive protocol that challenges the root of your health issues.
Are you tired of feeling tired? Do you struggle with chronic health issues that make it hard to enjoy life? At B2YROOTS, Vuelve a tus raices Health Coaching, we specialize in helping clients overcome health challenges and achieve optimal well-being. We provide personalized plans that address your unique needs and goals. We "walk" with you through the protocol created by Dr Natasha Campbell McBride. Let us help you transform your health and reclaim your vitality!