Julie Rake Integrative Medicine

04/01/2026

EASTER CARROT CAKE COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
* 1cup salted butter, softened
* 1 cup light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs, at room temperature
* 2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 Tbsp. cinnamon & 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
* 1 tsp. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 2 1/2 cups finely grated fresh carrot (from about 6 medium carrots), patted dry
* 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
FROSTING:
* 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 1 lb. powdered sugar
* 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
* Orange sprinkles or chopped toasted walnuts, for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS:
* Preheat oven to 350°F with oven racks in upper & lower thirds of oven. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
* In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, & granulated sugar on medium until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until combined, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl, as needed.
* In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture with the mixer on low. Beat until well combined, about 1 minute. Stir in the carrots and walnuts.
* Using a 1 3/4-in. cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls (1 1/2 tbsp. each) of dough onto baking sheets, spaced 2 in. apart. Bake 2 pans at a time, rotating halfway through cooking, until the cookies are lightly browned around edges, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool cookies for 3 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool, (30 minutes). Repeat with remaining cookies.
* Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat cream cheese & butter on medium until smooth, 3 minutes. With mixer on low, add powdered sugar & vanilla, beating until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
* Dollop a spoonful of frosting on top of each cookie & spread over top. Sprinkle with orange sprinkles or chopped walnuts, if you like. Recipe by, “The Pioneer Woman.”

04/01/2026

Tonight we’ll see the Full Pink Moon! 🌕 The name comes from the spring bloom of wildflowers 🌸 native to eastern North America in April.

Spring is a nudge to sow seeds of joy, and love in the fertile soil of your heart. It’s a time for creativity, poems, art, & ideas. The seeds we plant today bloom into the fruits tomorrow. 🌕

03/31/2026

Tuesday smile….. 😊

03/31/2026

Turn off “Breaking News” and watch the birds. It’s a happier place. 🥰

03/30/2026

QUICK & EASY THAI PEANUT NOODLES
INGREDIENTS:
* 8 oz spaghetti (makes 4 servings)
* 1 large english cucumber - julienned
* 2 medium carrots - julienned
* Store bought Thai peanut sauce
* handful of cilantro
DIRECTIONS:
* Boil noodles according to the directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
* In a large bowl, toss together the cooked noodles, peanut sauce, cucumber, carrots, and cilantro. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Recipe by, “Drive Me Hungry.”

03/30/2026

✨ The largest spring wildflower bloom in a decade is happening in Death Valley National Park. As the hottest place in North America, with little water and scorching temperatures, this unusual bloom is proof that nature is resilient.

✨ In 1980, US river otter populations were locally extinct in 11 states, and lost significant population in 9 other states. Today, Great Lakes Otter populations are flourishing in the US and Ontario.

✨ What began as a chair volleyball game at a senior living community in Belton, Texas, has blossomed into intergenerational friendships. The seniors regularly host chair volleyball matches with members of the High School volleyball team. The games have become a highlight for everyone, filling the community with energy, and joy.

✨ A group of North Texas dads raised money for a new car for a school crossing guard, Ms. Trecia Crawford. She’s described as protective of every child and who knows more parents on a first-name basis than most of the school employees.

Bad news makes the headlines. But don’t forget the good news that weaves through every day. Photo and stories from “Good News Network.” 😊

03/30/2026

Monday is our launchpad! Click on the coffee and shine. ✨ Let's make it a great week!

If no one sent you a good morning wish, I’ve got you covered! Rise and shine, good morning and have a Magnificent Monday. ✨💛

03/29/2026

Years ago I watched a movie that stuck with me. It was “The Ice Storm,” with Elijah Wood, (Paul) a disillusioned high school student who aspires to be a writer. He comes from a deeply dysfunctional family in 1973. Paul envies "traditional” families, and wishes desperately for what he perceives to be a “normal” family.

The story builds through a Thanksgiving holiday of family tensions and a tragic accident during an ice storm. Near the end, Paul has a huge epiphany embracing his family's brokenness. He reflects on life and accepts dysfunction as inherent to humanity. His perspective shifts, “Families, man, they're like ice storms—beautiful, destructive, and impossible to predict," revealing his newfound wisdom and growth.

Past generations often painted perfect family pictures—no hint of alcoholism, addiction, or hidden dysfunction. Everything was glossed over, perpetuating the myth of the 'perfect' family.

Some kids attend Saturday soccer. Others? Cruising I-17 after sneaking into an off-limits Northern Arizona ghost town—sharing a cigar with Dad and sis on a warm summer day.

I am a proponent of embracing the beautiful totality—scars and all. In the mosaic of our existence, these stories create our authenticity, raw and human. Wear them like tattoos. It is in our imperfections that our lives breathe with individuality ~ each like distinctive poems. Photo taken by sis, ☺️ an old Kodak Camera 📸 and dad driving. Happy Sunday! 💛

03/21/2026

Saturday smile…. 😊

03/20/2026

APPLE HONEY GRILLED CHEESE
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 slices sourdough bread
* 2 tablespoons salted butter
* ¼ ounce brie cheese
* 2 tablespoons honey
* ½ large green apple
* 1 handful rosemary for garnish(optional)
DIRECTIONS:
* Generously spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over so buttered side is facing down.
* Remove brine from brie and spread it across the unbuttered side of one slice of bread
* Spread honey evenly over the brie.
* Core apple & thinly slice one-half, spreading slices across the top of the honey.
* Add the second slice of bread to the top with the buttered side up.
* Get a frying pan fit with a lid hot over medium heat, place sandwich in center of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes covered over medium heat, until bread is golden brown.
* Remove the lid, flip and replace the lid. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until both slices of bread are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Slice in half, garnish with fresh rosemary (optional), and enjoy hot. Recipe by, “Marley’s Menu.”

03/20/2026

🌸 Happy First Day of Spring! 🌸 This is my favorite time of year. It’s a glorious season. Here’s a Spring Gratitude list if you need a little lift. ✨.

Spring reminds us of returning light, blooming flowers, nature’s rebirth, warming days, orange blossoms, fresh green leaves, sweet birdsongs, picnics, longer evenings, cherry blossoms, tulips, bees buzzing, 🐝 farmers markets, kites flying, strawberries 🍓 in season, meadows of wildflowers, and renewed hope.

Wishing everyone peace of mind, happiness, and good health. Happy first day of spring. 🌼

03/19/2026