Pain Relief with CBDMEDIC

This post is sponsored by CBDMEDIC but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Today I want to chat about pain relief. You guys know I have always enjoyed working out and staying active! Not only is it an important part of the healthy lifestyle I strive to live, it also is the one thing I do to give myself the “me time” that I think we all need! Typically my workouts consist of weight training as well as cardio, but some days it’s simply taking Reggie for a long walk at our favorite park. I also work full-time in the healthcare field, which often means long hours on my feet (most days I get around 15,000 steps!!) as well as moving and ambulating patients. Due to both my workouts and career, my body is consistently sore….specifically my back and neck. Although I incorporate deep stretching and yoga into my daily routine, some days it’s just not enough and I’m still in pain.

I used to try and just “tough it out”. I’m not a big fan of taking pain medicine, but there are days when I just really needed pain relief. I started to look in natural options, and that’s when I came across CBDMEDIC™ ACTIVE SPORT™

Pain Relief with CBDMEDIC

One thing I love about these products is that they are formulated with high quality natural ingredients! CBDMEDIC™ ACTIVE SPORT™ Pain Relief Ointment uses menthol and camphor in a proprietary formulation designed to provide SAFE, FAST, and POWERFUL relief from muscle and joint pain. Menthol creates a cooling sensation and increases blood flow to areas of pain to help enable increased movement. I notice the cool sensation as soon as I start to rub the product onto the affected area, along with the fresh, minty smell. The other main ingredient used, camphor, is a pain-relieving and swelling reduction compound that is readily absorbed through the skin and produces a sensation of heat. Together, these two key ingredients help create fast and targeted pain relief. CBDMEDIC™ ACTIVE SPORT™ products can be applied before, during, and after workouts and comes in a traditional ointment form, and also a sport stick. I prefer the ointment so I can massage the area that is in pain for extra relief and I have been using it first thing in the morning, before my workouts. However, I’m thinking the sport stick would be a great option to take on-the-go for work and travel! Either way, I’m happy to have discovered a more natural option to tackle my pain.

Have you tried any of the CBDMEDIC™ products before? I’d love to know some of your favorite ways to relive work and CBDMEDIC™ products related pain in the comments below!

CBDMEDIC™ products are now available in select CVS Pharmacy locations, click HERE to find a location near you! Or visit the CBDMEDIC™ website HERE to learn more information.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by!

OUR FALL BUCKET LIST

Happy Fall! This is definitely our favorite time of the year! I absolutely love living in a place where we get to enjoy all the seasons, even if summer stuck around a little TOO long this year. Since it has began to cool down a bit, I finally feel like I’m getting in the Fall spirit. So Nathan and I sat down over the weekend and we made a list of our favorite Fall activities and made it our official bucket list. I think this is a great idea, because it really allows us to be intentional with our time together and make the most of this beautiful season!

THIS YEAR WE WANT TO:

• Go to a pumpkin patch

• Bake a pumpkin roll

• Decorate the back porch + front entryway

• Tour a new bourbon distillery

• Carve pumpkins

• Go on a fall hike

• Make Nathan’s Autumn Harvest soup

• Pick apples at an orchard and make a dessert using the fresh produce

• Go to an Ohio State Football game

• Host a fall-themed dinner

• Make pumpkin chili

• Buy Reggie a Halloween costume

• Go somewhere to see the fall foliage

• Send someone homemade fall goodies

• Go to the Fall Meet at Keenland

What do you have on your Fall Bucket List this year?

BUTTERNUT SQUASH + SAUSAGE SKILLET

I have to give credit, where credit is due, and this recipe is all thanks to Nathan. He put this together in the crockpot one night, and I swear when I came into the kitchen the following morning I was greeted with the best aroma ever. It was so good, I contemplated having some for breakfast! Ha! The ingredients may be simple, but the flavor is bold and its a great way to incorporate those end-of-summer vegetables at the local market or in your own garden. The savory sausage combined with the hearty and sweet butternut squash creates a dish that is perfect for fall. We enjoyed this dish over white rice because it really soaks up all the flavorful juice, but it could also be served over zucchini noodles, tofu noodles, or on its own for a low-carb option. Also, it should be noted, that Nathan prepared this entire dish in our crockpot because it has a non-stick aluminum insert with a browning feature (seriously, this crockpot is awesome and is one of our most used wedding gifts!!) . If you do not have a browning crockpot, you will need to cook your sausage in a skillet and then add to crockpot once browned. Either way, this recipe is super easy and full of fall flavor!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 2 Tbs. olive oil

• 2 Lbs. Italian sweet sausage

• 4 Tbsp. sage

• 1 Tsp. fennel seed

• 1/4 Tsp. ground cloves or ground allspice

• Coarsely ground black pepper

• 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 Tsp. crushed red pepper

• 1/4 Tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

• Salt

• 1/2 Cup chicken stock

WHAT TO DO:

1. Heat olive oil in your crock pot (this can only be done if you have THIS crock pot) if not, use a skillet

2. Once hot, add the sausage, breaking into large pieces

3. Add in sage, fennel seed and ground cloves

4. Cook sausage until browned

5. Add the squash, bell pepper, onion, garlic, crushed red pepper nutmeg, and salt & pepper to taste

6. Cook until vegetables soften, about 2-3 minutes

7. Add chicken stock and cover

8. Cook on low 2-3 hours, or until squash is tender

THE SIMPLE WAY TO KEEP YOUR FLOORS CLEAN

This post is sponsored by Bona but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Nathan and I both have a crazy work schedule, and with us working opposite shifts at the hospital, we have to take advantage of our time off together.  On my days off,  I don’t want to spend all day cleaning because who has time for that?! Not me!  So today I want to talk about tackling dirty floors.  Do you have floors that are often a challenge to keep clean? Or maybe you’ve made a commitment this year to keep your home more clean but don’t want to spend all day doing it?  Keep reading to see how I cut down on my cleaning time, and the simple way I keep my floors clean with the Bona Quick Clean System.  

Keeping a home clean can be a full time job.  I know that with a busy schedule, a dog, and a somewhat messy husband..I can stay busy all day trying to keep things clean and in order. I find that our entryway is one of the hardest areas of our home to keep clean.  It’s the door we use most often when coming and going, and between our shoes and Reggie’s dirty paws, it seems to always be dirty.    But let’s be real for a minute, by the time I get to the floors, after cleaning the rest of the house, the last thing I want to do is bring out the mop bucket and spend all that time scrubbing on my hands and knees.  I much rather spend that extra time enjoying quality moments with my boys! That is why I decided to make some goals this year to try to keep my home clean without spending hours every day doing it, and with the help of the Bona Quick Clean System , that goal is easily achievable.  

In the past, I have used so many products that left a streaky residue on my floors, which meant I would end up on my hands and knees cleaning it over again.  So, I really enjoy how the Bona Quick Clean System is steak-free and residue free!  That means I can clean the floors one time and be DONE!  Talk about cutting down on cleaning time! 

The Bona Premium Floor Mop is also super easy to put together, the instructions are right on the box and there’s only three steps.  Within minutes I am ready to mop! And with the entire Bona Quick Clean System ,  the products work perfectly together to make cleaning quick, easy and effective…. leaving me more time to enjoy spending the day with Nathan and Reggie. 

Things I love about  The Bona Quick Clean System :

Want to know why I think this cleaning system is the BEST cleaning solution, keep reading below for some of my favorite features!

• Huge mop head- at 16.75 inches it is easy to mop a room in no time. It also has rubberized corners to protect furniture and baseboards from damage.

• The Bona Microfiber Cleaning Pad features a unique design with dual zone cleaning action. Its blue fibers help break up grime and the light blue fibers help absorb 2.5 times more dirt and grime

• The Premium Floor Mop has a telescoping mop handle to clean corners and those hard to reach spaces with ease

• Easy assembly- I love how easy this Bona mop was to assemble. It literally took about 2 minutes to assemble and be ready to go.

• Washable cleaning pad. I love that I can simply throw the cleaning pad in the washer and reuse it the next day. It’s economical and environmentally responsible.

• My husband can use it! Anything that helps me trick Nathan into helping with the cleaning is a huge WIN in my book!

• The cleaning solution dries fast, and is streak-free and residue free. No more wet footprints/pawprints through my freshly cleaned floors. This is cleaning solution is fast-drying which means we can get about with our day without waiting for the floors to dry!

But what I love most about The Bona Quick Clean System is that the products are perfectly curated to speed up cleaning time so I can spend less time cleaning, and more time making memories with my little family.  

What are your favorite ways to cut down on cleaning time?  To learn more about how you can cut down on cleaning time with Bona click HERE.  As always, thank you for stopping by!

MOOD BOARD MONDAY : A WARM + NEUTRAL DINING ROOM

We are slowly starting to update the rooms in our house, and the dining room is the next on the list. I’ll admit, I have a bad habit of jumping from room to room when it comes to refreshing spaces. So I find that creating mood boards for each room helps keep me a little more focused. That way, as I’m out shopping or as stores have sales, I can reference these boards to see what items I am still needing to purchase in order to “complete” the room. I swear, there really is a method to my madness!

The first item we purchased for our dining room, is the gorgeous table referenced above. Previously, we owned a black round table that only had room for four and trust me, it was a tight squeeze at that! Nathan and I love to cook and entertain, and when our friends and family come to visit, it is important to us that we have the space to accommodate them! Especially at the dining room table since our gatherings tend to always revolve around food….shocker, I know! Anyway, I had been searching for this style of dining room table for the longest time and once I found this affordable option, I knew it was the one! I love the warm tones of the wood with the brushed finish, and the urn-shaped legs. Since this was the first item we purchased for the space, I’m really designing everything else around this piece.

Here’s how I’m hoping the rest of the dining room will eventually come together.

Stonewash Dining Room Table - Like I mentioned above, as soon as I saw this table, I knew it would be perfect! It was the exact style I had been looking at for months and is an awesome affordable option for some similiar higher end tables that I drew inspiration from. I also love the finish of this table, it’s a warm tone with a very slight brushed, whitewash finish. This is a great option because of it’s versatility in design as well. It’s traditional design lends itself to any home decor style, from classic to modern farmhouse or even rustic!

Stonewash Bench - so I have to give credit, where credit was due, this bench was actually Nathan’s idea! I’ll admit, I was against the bench idea at first, but once I saw the table with just the chairs, I agreed that the bench might add a little more fun and versatility to the dining room table. And now I love it! In fact, I’m sitting on it as I type this very post! I plan on styling it with textured throws for the changing seasons.

Black Dining Chair - I’m not a huge fan of “matchy matchy” sets (for lack of a better term) of furniture. So, although the chairs that go along with the dining room table are beautiful, I wanted to add in some variety by changing up the style of the chairs. I actually ended up finding ones I love off of Facebook Marketplace for a STEAL, and they are very similar to the one I have shown above. I think the black finish is a nice contrast to the warm finish of the table, and it also helps to tie in other pieces throughout our home.

Slipcovered Dining Chair - keeping with the variety of chairs theme, I think these cream slipcovered dining chairs are beautiful! I plan on getting 2 of them for the “head” table seats, but I also think using them all the way around the table (with the bench too, of course) would be a pretty option too! The fabric chairs will bring a cozy + warm element to the dining room.

Round Braided Rattan Tablemats - I love incorporating different textures into a design, and these rattan tablemats are an inexpensive way to do just that! Plus using tablemats while entertaining really elevates the overall look of your place setting!

Abstract Artwork - our dining room is open to the living room, but we do have one large blank wall that needs some help! Large scale art pieces help to create a strong focal point, and I love the idea of having both these pieces in this collection hanging side by side. I like these pieces in particular because they help to tie in all the colors we will be using.

Faux Olive Tree - if you know me, you know I LOVE plants…some may even call me a crazy plant lady, and thats ok by me! I love adding live greenery to every space in my home, it adds a nice natural element to the design plus it’s actually really good for the air in your home. Unfortunately, my dining room gets zero sunlight so I’m going to have to incorporate some faux plants instead! I’m currently obsessed with all things olive…olive brances, olive trees, olive oil, you get the point! Anyway, this faux olive tree is gorgeous and it will be beautiful in the darker corner of our dining room to add a little life!

Waffle Weave Throw Blanket - throw blankets are another great, budget friendly way to add texture to a space and they don’t have to strictly be used on your sofa either! I love the subtle pattern of this throw, and will be draping it over the dining table bench for styling and to add warmth to the space.

Glass Jug Vase - I know I mentioned my love for plants, and I love fresh blooms just as much! This large glass jug vase will not only bright a light and airy feel to your dining room, but will also display your favorite fresh flowers or stems in the most beautiful way!

Ceramic Centerpiece Vase - I like to make little centerpiece groupings, the varying heights of the objects bring life to the table and create a cool little focal vignette. This low-lying ceramic vase would be great on it’s own, with greenery, or even displaying some interesting round decorative objects. You can have a lot of fun styling this piece!

Faux Olive Branch - if you’re not hip on adding an entire tree to your dining room, at least add some faux greenery to a centerpiece vase. This is a super maintenance, inexpensive way to add color and life to your dining room without overdoing it. Plus, I’ve already made you aware of my recent olive obsession…although any faux stems will do!

Area Rug - an area rug is my absolute favorite way to bring warmth and texture to a space! Not only do rugs bring pattern, color, and character to your home, but they make everything more cozy! Even if your dining room is carpeted, don’t be afraid to add a rug to the space. It will not only serve as a soft and stylish place to rest your feet while enjoying a lovely meal, but it will also help to bring the entire room together! I love this cream colored area rug for its simple design and texture.

Canvas Pillow + Textured Pillow - pillows aren’t just for the sofa anymore! They can be displayed in baskets, sitting next to a console table, and yes, even in the dining room! Throw pillows are yet another budget-friendly way to add warmth to a space and can also easily be switched out with the seasons! I will be styling these pillows on the bench and maybe even one of the side chairs to add a little variety to the dining space!

Hopefully, even if you aren’t looking for a complete dining room refresh, you can gain inspiration and ideas from this! If you are currently working on updating any of the spaces in your home, I’m happy to advise, too! Happy Monday!