COUNTRY LOVES: RACHEL MENGE FLANAGAN

Originally from a small town near the Wisconsin/Minnesota border, RACHEL MENGE FLANAGAN moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University Chicago. While there, she majored in psychology and obtained her Master of Social Work degree. After graduation, Rachel followed her nowspouse Brian Flanagan to Michigan for several years while he completed his orthopedic surgery residency and fellowship. Rachel and Brian moved to Barrington in 2017 when Brian joined the orthopedic surgery team at Northwestern Medicine. Since moving to Barrington, the couple has grown their family adding an adorable poodle (Winston), a lovely 5-year-old daughter (Claire), and a sweet 6-month-old baby boy (James). Rachel is proud to be the owner of Mind Made Well Counseling PLLC, a private practice that offers both general and perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) mental health and therapy services. Devoted to community service, she is the president of Barrington Junior Women’s Club and was a past board member of BStrong Together and the Illinois Chapter of Postpartum Support International.

RACHEL LOVES

Gadget: I’m a big fan of my Apple Watch. I use it to track my workouts, add items to my shopping list, and most importantly, ping my iPhone, which I lose constantly. Scent: Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom is my everyday. Barrington spot: How do you choose when there are so many wonderful options? My husband and I love gigi Wine Bar & Bistro and Region Kitchen + Bar for date nights. I also can’t say enough good things about Life Time in Lake Zurich. Hostess gift to receive: I am honestly grateful for whatever, but I especially love flowers. They just brighten everything up. Gift to give: I love to bring a bouquet of hand-arranged flowers. In the summer, I cut them myself from our garden (I grow cutting flowers for this reason), and when that’s not possible, you’ll find me with a cart full of blooms at Trader Joe’s.

What actress would play you in a movie? This is such a tough question, but I’ve often been told I look like Zooey Deschanel (dark hair, bangs, blue eyes) minus the height (I’m quite tall!). I also love how kind, warmhearted, and wholesome she is—all the things I aspire to be as well. Who from history would you want to travel with? This one is easy for me! Aaron Beck, aka the father of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As a therapist, I regularly use CBT methods in my practice and meeting someone whose work has benefited so many would be a wonderful experience. I am sure he’d make an interesting travel buddy as well. Where do you look for inspiration? I look to the people around me, especially those I admire and who have shaped my life. The list is long, but I would put my parents and my in-laws at the top of the list, as well as my husband, who has been a logical, stabilizing force in my life since we met almost 15 years ago. I love to learn about how these people have achieved the things they have so that I can try to duplicate that in my own life. Favorite book? I am not sure I have a favorite, but I’ve recently read and enjoyed Think Again by Adam Grant. It’s about learning to challenge your perspective and the value of being open to being wrong. I’ve used these techniques in both my personal and professional life. I also love a good suspense novel with a twist and historical fiction. Most beloved cookbook? Most of my recipes are saved in my favorites or on my Pinterest board. My favorites to make are some sentimental recipes that have been passed down—a lasagna from my husband’s side, and banana bread that my grandma used to make. Best dinner party hack? I got my best dinner party hack from a former Country Loves—prep everything you can before, set it all out staged, and then use Post-its to label how long the dish needs to cook and at what oven temperature. I’ve used this trick to host several holiday affairs, and it works like a charm for low-stress hosting! What’s in your bag right now? As a mom of two, I rock a classic mom bag. I switch out it often, but I can guarantee you’ll find baby wipes, one to two broken crayons, and a healthy assortment of Goldfish®crumbs.