Meet the 2022 Blue Crew – A Group of Passionate, Blueberry Lovin’ Health & Wellness Experts

Dr. Kristamarie Collman is a double board-certified Family Medicine physician and author of “Glow Up Your Life: The Rx for Looking and Feeling Good from the Inside Out.” Leveraging her professional background in medicine and a natural flair for beauty and style, Dr. Kristamarie takes a holistic approach in helping women to enhance their lives while feeling empowered about their health. She is currently the founder and CEO at Prōse Medical and Wellness, a solo practice in Orlando, Florida, offering comprehensive primary care and wellness services.

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “As a child, I often enjoyed making blueberry muffins with my parents on the weekends. I remember tossing fresh blueberries into the batter and enjoying warm and delicious muffins!”

Dr. Sonali Ruder is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, trained chef, mom and cookbook author. She is a graduate of Brown University, Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Institute of Culinary Education. Dr. Ruder is a contributing writer, recipe developer, spokesperson and health and wellness expert for several national magazines, cookbooks, websites and companies. She is a frequent guest on national television, such as The Dr. Oz Show, as well as on local South Florida news, where she does regular healthy cooking segments. She is the founder of The Foodie Physician website and the author of several cookbooks.

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “When I was growing up, we would go to the farmers’ market on the weekends and buy delicious, fresh blueberries. I would eat them by the handful! Once we got home, we would usually make blueberry pancakes, which are still a favorite of mine!”

A media go-to for all things health and fitness, Joey was named the best trainer in Chicago in 2015 by the Chicago Sun Times and one of the top three favorite celebrity trainers by NewBeauty.com. He co-hosted the Facebook original series “Home Sweat Home” and has appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan, the TODAY Show, Tamron Hall, GMA, ABC News, CBS, WGN and FOX. He has also appeared on the pages of U.S. News and World Report, Women’s Health, People Magazine, Shape, Fitness and many more. Joey is a certified personal trainer (CPT), Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), Certified Sleep Science Coach (CSSC) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “I remember as a kid craving blueberry muffins that would come fresh out of the oven. Back then I covered them in frosting (don’t do that), but the craving for blueberries has stayed with me ever since. To this day I eat 3-5 pounds (yes, you read that right) of blueberries every single week – without the frosting, of course!”

Cara Harbstreet is a Kansas City-based Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian and nationally recognized food and nutrition expert. She’s passionate about helping people rediscover nourishing meals without restriction or fear. In 2016, Cara founded her private practice and began focusing on sports nutrition, intuitive eating and applying the Health At Every Size model for clients in the Kansas City area. Since then, she has expanded into virtual and telehealth services and serves as a consultant and nutrition communications expert. Cara is also an active volunteer in the dietetics field, serving as a multi-year Board Member for the Kansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN) Dietetic Practice Group. She currently volunteers through the Diversify Dietetics mentoring program. Cara is also the author of “Healthy Eating for Life: An Intuitive Eating Workbook.”

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “My hand-eye coordination is notoriously terrible, but once we were filming for a client and using blueberries in a recipe. I jokingly tossed up a blueberry and managed to successfully catch it in my mouth, and my rock star photographer got it on camera, so I have the proof! Blueberries are just such a fun ingredient – they always bring out some playfulness in the kitchen, and I’ve always loved that about them.”

Manuel Villacorta is an internationally recognized, award-winning registered dietitian-nutritionist with more than 18 years of experience. He is the author of six books and is the founder and owner of MV Nutrition, his San Francisco-based private practice. Manuel is one of the leading weight loss and nutrition experts in the country and the recipient of five ‘‘Best Bay Area Nutritionist’’ awards from the San Francisco Chronicle and ABC7 News. He was recognized as the “2019 Influencer of the Year” by the Produce for Better Health Foundation. His knowledge, charismatic talent and English/Spanish bilingual proficiency have made him an in-demand health and nutrition expert on local and national television as well as radio (National Geographic, the TODAY Show, Good Day New York, CNN, ABC7 Eyewitness News, Telemundo and Univision, among others). He also has been featured in print and online articles in both the general and Hispanic markets, including Woman’s World, Natural Solutions, Closer, MORE, Latina Magazine and Men’s Fitness. Manuel prides himself on empowering his clients and followers to make appropriate diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes for a longer and healthier life.

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “Growing up in Peru, I never ate a blueberry. I didn’t learn about blueberries until I moved to the United States. I remember my first encounter was at a breakfast place where I saw blueberry jam, and I asked my American friends, what is a blueberry? My first job in the U.S. was at Safeway where I worked as a bagger, and that is when I finally met a blueberry in the produce department. And from there the rest is history. I became a blueberry lover.”

Jordan is a food photographer and recipe developer. Her popular food and wellness blog, Prickly Fresh, provides tasty, clean recipes, wellness tips and non-toxic living solutions. She has a background in event management and hospitality, working in catering sales for 3 years. Jordan grew up in South Florida, where she was exposed to many different food influences. She was always trying new things and experimenting with different ingredients in the kitchen. She now enjoys creating recipes that nourish her body but are still delicious.

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “My dad was always way ahead of his time in the clean eating/health department and would try to sneak all sorts of things to my sister and me when we were younger. One of his favorites is blueberries – he used to warm them up with a little bit of water and maple syrup and put them over some vanilla ice cream. He still makes it to this day, and it’s so good!”