The 2023 Blue Crew: Health & Wellness Experts Here to Give You a Boost!

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, 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!”

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.”

Mackenzie Burgess is a registered dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices. She focuses on customizable recipes with ingredients “of your choice.” Mackenzie is passionate about improving people’s cooking confidence through easy meals and kitchen hacks. Mackenzie also offers a virtual program where she provides nutrition coaching and personalized cooking classes to help busy professionals gain kitchen confidence. You can connect her with on Instagram @cheerfulchoices or on her website at cheerfulchoices.com.

Favorite Blueberry Memory: “As a kid, I always remember playing a game with friends where we would throw blueberries up in the air and compete to try and catch as many as we could in our mouths. We would go through a carton so fast!”