Icy Hot
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! 
Tags: BioFreeze, Icy Hot, Oikos caramel
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs — July 29, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
I have never, everhad a massage….I bet it was amazing you lucky thing!!
Heather (Heather's Dish) — July 29, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
woohoo for tex mex tabouleh! yum
sorry you were freezing…that sounds amazing to me right now since it’s a billion degrees outside!
Bridget — July 29, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Thats the same groupon I bought!! (I think you forwarded it to me), I almost forgot about that thing! Hate to say it, but I’m so glad you posted about this before I went haha…note to self, say no to the Biofreeze! This reminds me I need a massage badly though
Janna (Janna's Keeping it Real) — July 29, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
what a strange massage experience! That Tex-Mex Tabbouleh looked and sounds delish! thanks for sharing the recipe!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete — July 29, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
I’ve had a weird massage experience as well. I had a coupon for a $25 massage, so I cashed it in and told the gal that my whole body needs help. She said that she will start massaging and if she is pressing too hard to let her know. She started and it hurt so bad! She was pressing way too hard on my knotted muscles. I told her that but she kept pressing just as hard! I told her a few more times to please not press so hard, but somehow she never changed anything…I won’t be going back there. I felt more sore LEAVING than I did arriving!
Your salad looks delicious and I’m sure you’re not “slobs”!
Jessica @ How Sweet — July 29, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
I’ve never had a massage… I’m so envious!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers — July 29, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
Haha yikes!!! BioFreeze feels great on sore muscles, but all of your body? Not so sure!!
Marilou @ Mostly Healthy — July 29, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
I used to love putting freeze gel antiflogistin on my back .. but after a wierd incident involving licking it (no questions) , I’m traumatized
Kelly — July 29, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
Haha I can’t imagine how weird that must feel! Icy Hot was my best friend during my field hockey days.
Anne P — July 29, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
BioFreeze sounds scary.
Nice water bottle
Kerri@Kerri B Turns Into a Zombie — July 29, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
LOL…definitely some mixed sensations. I don’t know if I could of made it through the whole massage.
Megan — July 29, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I am obbsessed with Groupon.. I buy stuff on it constantly.. Waiting for a massage to come in NYC for a while now haha
Marcie — July 29, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
I just used biofreeze for the first time today on a stiff neck! My coworker let me use it. I couldn’t imagine having that spread all over my back!
Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! — July 29, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
Argh, that massage sounds horrible! I am always cold, and the thought of having biofreeze rubbed into my body is shocking (not to mention the smell!). I’m sorry it was such a bummer! With Groupon you really “win” some and “lose” some…
sweetersalt — July 29, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
I’m always amazed by people who work in “therapeutic” fields who are anything but! at least you didn’t pay full price…
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) — July 29, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
That sounds like quite the strange massage!!!
Thanks for sharing that recipe…looks delcious!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) — July 29, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
I would love a massage about right now!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday — July 29, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
That’s not really funny at all. That kinda sucks actually! Too bad
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman — July 29, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
That sounds like a horrible massage! I’m always so cold during those so I make a point to say it beforehand. Not that this girl would have listened.
Stephanie — July 29, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
I can’t believe she used BioFreeze on your entire body. That’s not normal. It really is meant for localized treatment. If you are really fired up, you should complain to the company.
Wendy (Give Love Create Happiness) — July 29, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Good luck on your book edits Tina! You can do it!
Emily @ The Happy Home — July 29, 2010 @ 3:11 pm
yum! that salad looks heavenly right now. i love the idea of adding the tortellini. how did you keep them from drying out?
i got biofreeze from my chiropractor a few years ago… it’s definitely a pain-relieving gel! i can’t believe you got it all over! scary stuff.
Sarah for Real — July 29, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
Um… I’m pretty sure it’s unsafe to apply BioFreeze to your entire body. I know you can overdose on Icy Hot and there are a few actual reported deaths.
You should call and report that masseuse. You are healthy and young but if she did that to someone older or less healthy, she could do some real damage.
ashleigh — July 29, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
ive only had one massage but my experience was pretty similar. They didn’t put anything on me but I was FREEZING the whole time. Obviously the masseuse could tell considering every inch of my body was like ice, but I guess they were anti heat?
I love.love.love groupon but I am much too afraid to use it things like massages, salons, etc. I prefer to use it for food, gyms, grocery stores, etc.
Kacy — July 29, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
How strange that she would put it on your entire body. I’ve had some very unpleasant massages, but that’s just bizarre.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com — July 29, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
EEK! All over your body? That’s not safe!!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews — July 29, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
I love groupon! They have awesoe deals!
Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine — July 29, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
What an awful experience!
You should have really complained to the lady about spending the money on it, especially considering that biofreeze isn’t supposed to be used in huge amounts.
I would’ve probably been sooo upset.
At least you know not to visit the place again and are staying positive!
KatieTX — July 29, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
So biofreeze is a great product, but not for your whole body wow! It is unlike icyhot in that you cannot overdose from it!! It is made with slightly different ingredients. It is very popular with chiropractors. I am lucky to never have a bad massage, but yes that is very strange!!
Red Head, Yellow Dog — July 29, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
oh man my friend had an awful experience with getting a massage through groupon! this small salon had a groupon for $30 for a massage. Well about 1400 people bought it and the salon only had 2 part time masseurs. The lines were completely jammed with people calling. Long story short she got an appointment but her masseur was so bitter about the groupon because he got paid based on the cost of the massage and he never agreed to the reduced rate. Plus the salon was swamped so none of the regular customers could get an appointment. Basically, throughout her entire 60 minute massage this guy just complained about the whole situation. Not exactly relaxing!
Caren — July 29, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
Yes…. Biofreee makes me cold all day too!!!!
The Wife of a Dairyman — July 29, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
Out of all the massages I’ve received, I have never heard of that type of massage. And now I know to turn it down if it’s ever offered to me! Thanks!
Liz M — July 29, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
We had a sports medicine practice give us BioFreeze packets for a road race goodie bag once. I took a sample packet home and used it after a long run when I was training for a marathon. Man, I feel your pain, I could hardly stand it on just my knees!! I would definitely tell the company.
Alexa@Running the Road to Recovery — July 29, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
That masseuse sounds awfully unprofessional! I’ve never used Icy Hot or Biofreeze, but they sound really unpleasant. I’d rather just stretch and do a little cardio to relax my sore muscles.
stepfanie — July 29, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
I’m pretty sure that stuff is only meant to be used in small doses and in isolated areas. It can have side effects in large doses. Did she rub it all over your body? You should report that to the spa–and maybe even to the state board that regulates massage therapists.
Shanna @ shannalikebanana.wordpress.com — July 29, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
Bummer! That doesn’t sound relaxing at all!
However that salad looks good enough for me to tear through my computer screen to get to!
Christina — July 29, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
@Stephanie:
That’s what I was going to say! She should have LISTENED to you and not blown off the fact that you were shivering and clearly not enjoying the experience. A masseuse should make you feel comfortable and listen carefully to your requests.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) — July 29, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
What a horrible, horrible spa experience! But good for you for laughing it off.
cher — July 29, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
i’ve NEVER heard of someone using bioFreeze on a massage. i like the stuff, but NOT for that use! that sounds awful.
I’m all for Group On! i love it
stacey — July 29, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
I cannot imagine getting a massage with Biofreeze. It sounds painful. I once used it on my sore back muscles and it burned so much. I only use it for my legs and feet! Sorry that you did not have a good experience, but at least you did not pay full price for it:)
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) — July 29, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Bad massages are the worst!
stephanie@Avocado Nation — July 29, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
I totally just joined groupon! I am super excited about it. Hopefully my experience will be better than yours. Ouch!
Shari — July 29, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
That massage sounds pretty great! I love that you added the leftover tortellini to your salad. I read somewhere that replacing the usual croutons with pasta is a much better option and something I am a big fan of. I am new to the blog world and have really enjoyed your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly — July 29, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
umm WEIRD! definitely a good story though! I love Groupon but I think I would need a recommendation from someone for a massage, you just never know with something like that!
Heather — July 29, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
yum, caramel is my favorite!
too funny about the massage! I have never heard of anyone using that before on a massage…weird..
Cynthia (It All Changes) — July 29, 2010 @ 4:56 pm
Just a little bit of that stuff on my back or IT bands is almost too much. All over would feel like Antarctica. Yikes.
I wish we had groupon around here. I’m thinking about signing up for the Boston one since we are out there so often for work. Do you know if that is allowed if I technically live in Western MA?
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly — July 29, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
How strange…I can’t imagine having Bio Freeze all over my body. What a weird feeling!!
Megan (Braise The Roof) — July 29, 2010 @ 5:10 pm
I need to try those Oikos! I can’t remember- did you try/like the chocolate version?
Carla — July 29, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
Try the Elizabeth Grady School in Medford. You can have a student (under supervistion) for half the price of a regular massage.
Stacey @ Tipping the (Kitchen!) Scales — July 29, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
Too bad about the weird massage experience. I get really annoyed when I pay for things that are disappointing – I never complain though I just go home a bit miffed!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) — July 29, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Ugh that does not sound fun at all!
At least you had a tasty lunch to come home to!
renae — July 29, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
I had a horribly weird massage experience once – over 10 years ago – and haven’t had one since! That salad looks incredible!
Tina — July 29, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
@Megan (Braise The Roof): I did, but I don’t really like it.
Franziska (justalittlechocolate.com) — July 29, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
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!
Rachael — July 29, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
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!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ — July 29, 2010 @ 6:25 pm
What a strange massage. Cute water bottle.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) — July 29, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
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.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss — July 29, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Well at least you didn’t pay full price for that massage!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — July 29, 2010 @ 6:56 pm
i just had a groupon massage that HURT like hell. i guess there’s a reason why they need new customers!
Angela (ohsheglows) — July 29, 2010 @ 7:05 pm
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!
Paige @Running Around Normal — July 29, 2010 @ 7:39 pm
What a terrible massage experience! Bummer because usually it’s SO worth the time out of your day!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — July 29, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
I like your stainless Stonyfield H2O bottle : )
Emilyeatsclean — July 29, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
That is the strangest massage story ever!! BioFreeze all over….Brrr!
Callie — July 29, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Sorry about the bad massage experience.
I love your Stonyfield water bottle!
Jillian — July 29, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
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.
April @ Crazy Fabulous Life — July 29, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
Oh man, that sucks about your massage. It sounds like she wasn’t really paying attention.
Wei-Wei — July 29, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
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
meemsnyc — July 29, 2010 @ 10:32 pm
A freezing massage, yikes.
Sarah — July 29, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
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 :/
Christine — July 29, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
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!
Hannah — July 29, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
You poor thing! I *hate* being cold so would have been absolutely miserable to have paid for the privilege of being frozen. Awful!!
Mandiee — July 29, 2010 @ 11:15 pm
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
Amber K — July 30, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
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!