Ever wonder what it feels like to have your entire body massaged with Icy Hot? Me either. But, now I do! 
After a hot and humid 5-mile run, I quickly showered and got dressed before driving up to Medford for a massage. I scored a 60-minute Swedish massage for just $30 through Groupon, so I decided to cash it in today. (Groupon rules, by the way! 
)
My massage started out like any other massage– quiet, relaxing, a dim-lit room with soothing music and essential oils. (I chose lavender for my essential oil since I’ve been obsessed with it ever since my visit to Sonoma last fall.)
But, then things went down hill. 
After some quick pleasantries, the masseuse got right to work. She didn’t even ask me about sore/tight areas that she should work on during the massage. She just got right to it!
Within a couple of minutes, the masseuse asked if she could use some BioFreeze on me, which she explained was sort of like Icy Hot. I had just run 5 miles, so I figured my tired legs and tight IT bands would benefit from it. I agreed and asked her to focus on my legs. Well, apparently, we had a little miscommunication because the masseuse used the BioFreeze ALL over my body! She used it on my legs, arms, hands, back, chest, neck… so, not surprisingly, I was freezing cold by the end of the massage. At one point, I was shivering! I told the masseuse that I was cold, but she sort of blew it off. She apologized and claimed it never happened to anyone else. Umm…
I was kind of annoyed during the massage since I essentially spent $30 to freeze my ass off, which was not at all relaxing. But, now that I am recounting what happened, it’s actually kind of funny! What an experience! 
Lunch
By the time I got home, it was definitely lunchtime. My stomach was grumbling on my drive home, so I broke into the leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza from last night as soon as I walked in the door. Delicious.
Then, I took another shower to wash off the BioFreeze, which was no longer making me cold, but was slimy and greasy. I assume it probably stopped working by then too.
Once clean, I whipped up a big salad for lunch.
In the mix: lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, celery, leftover cheese tortellini, and feta.
Tasty and satisfying.
After lunch, I satisfied by sweet tooth with a caramel Oikos. These things are heavenly.
And, as promised, here’s my coworker’s Tex-Mex Tabbouleh recipe! Enjoy! 
I’m finishing up my book edits for the day, taking Murphy for a walk, and then cleaning our apartment. We’re slobs.
See ya! 
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Ugh that does not sound fun at all!
At least you had a tasty lunch to come home to!
I had a horribly weird massage experience once – over 10 years ago – and haven’t had one since! That salad looks incredible!
@Megan (Braise The Roof): I did, but I don’t really like it.
so sorry about your message! I hate, hate being cold during things like that – I am cold as is so trying to relax when you are cold is near impossible. I do not get messages but get acupuncture treatments for my neck (car accident years ago) and luckily the acupuncturist is great and knows to always cover me!
Too bad about the massage – it’s ironic when the things which are supposed to relax us most inspire tension and just plain being uncomfortable!
I’ve had four massages in my life, three were negative, but the one that was good was divine – I really connected with the woman (who, interestingly, was blind). I cried and remember feeling elated for days!
What a strange massage. Cute water bottle.
Oh boo! I’m sorry to hear that your masseuse was lame. I probably would have been beyond irritated if something like that happened to me due to the fact that I RARELY treat myself to massages, so when I get them I want them to be of a certain quality and have a masseuse that actually listens.
I really, really want to find that caramel Oikos flavor. I’ve yet to come across them in any grocery store near me.
Well at least you didn’t pay full price for that massage!
i just had a groupon massage that HURT like hell. i guess there’s a reason why they need new customers!
UGh what a dud that masseuse was! Sorry you went through that. One of my pet peeves when getting a message is a cold room so I can only imagine how you felt with that stuff all over you!
What a terrible massage experience! Bummer because usually it’s SO worth the time out of your day!
I like your stainless Stonyfield H2O bottle : )
That is the strangest massage story ever!! BioFreeze all over….Brrr!
Sorry about the bad massage experience.
I love your Stonyfield water bottle!
I’ve had many weird massages
I’ve had some neck and shoulder problems for the past couple of years, so I go fairly regularly for that but I still get the full-body ones. Sometimes if it’s a man, it’s just awkward! Anyway, I think more people should go for massage- esp considering the response I always get (which I’m sure you have, too) – people act like it’s something *they* can’t do, like it’s just a luxury. I budget for it because it’s for my health! Anyone with muscle issues or injuries understands that, though.
Oh man, that sucks about your massage. It sounds like she wasn’t really paying attention.
Eh, that’s rather awkward… the first (and last) time I had a massage, the masseuse did this weird facial thing which involved icy balls of glass, on my face. I guess it’s a summer thing??
Wei-Wei
A freezing massage, yikes.
I once had a massage from Massage Envy and the lady had long fake fingernails and chewed gum the whole time. Oh, and she told me that I had an extra bone in my shoulder :/
I just want to say thank you, Tina. I’ve never really realized the impact that reading blogs like yours has had on me until tonight. I’ve always had a relatively unstable relationship with food that has gotten much better over the years. Tonight, I was at a women’s event for work at a fabulous sushi restaurant with an amazing sushi and sake dinner and was SHOCKED to hear pretty much everyone talked about calories ALL NIGHT. I guess it wasn’t until I heard it that I realized how I really, truly don’t think like that anymore. I eat in moderation and enjoy life and food and don’t deprive myself. Tonight, the food was good but I certainly didn’t overdue it and it was just such a wake up call to how horrible it is when women focus solely on negative and forget to enjoy life … so, thank you!
You poor thing! I *hate* being cold so would have been absolutely miserable to have paid for the privilege of being frozen. Awful!!
The teacher that is running my yoga teacher training is actually a certified message therapist. She usually comes around to give us a little massage at the end of a hard practice and uses a similar product. I think the reaction depends on your body. Mine does the exact same thing! Last time she used it, I felt there were ice crystals on my neck and snow falling. Talk about an experience! Either way, I’m happy you had a good time; your muscles will thank you!
Have a lovely day!
xox
I have never had an actual full professional massage before. But that definitely does not sound relaxing! Hopefully you can score another deal and go somewhere else!
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