My Personal CBD Journey

By Rachel Crawford

April 3rd, 2018..... My personal Independence Day. Forgive me, I am no author, but to keep a very long story short, here are the facts in a condensed version.

  • I have scoliosis and have struggled with chronic pain since adolescence. Years ago I was prescribed narcotics to manage the pain. They never really worked to relieve the pain, and the longer I took them the more it seemed like my pain was actually getting worse.

  • I visited a pain “doctor” in search of alternative pain control. I thought surely there had been advancements in pain control since I was first prescribed narcotics. I was met with the words “I can not help you” in one breath and then offered the “alternatives” Morphine, Suboxone, Methadone, and Fentanyl and told that since they were longer acting they were a better and safer alternative to Hydrocodone and Tramadol. At that moment I lost all of the faith I had ever had in the medical systems ability and desire to not only help people with actual chronic pain by offering more than pharmaceutical treatments, but also to gain any sort of control on the opiate epidemic in this country. I wondered how many other people had sought out help to gain freedom from narcotics and were met with the same infuriating “solution”.

  • I made the decision that day I would not take another pill, and I would find some other way to control my pain on my own. My husband went and purchased my first bottle of CBD, and quite literally the rest is history. I have not taken another narcotic since that day.
  • Within the 1st 15 minutes I realized that my anxiety had decreased & my shoulders had relaxed. A week later I realized that I no longer had a constant stream of pain in my back and it was better than it had been in years. A few weeks later I was asked by a nurse I worked with what I would rate my pain at and I teared up when I was able to answer zero for the first time ever. A month later I decided to try and quit my ADD, and GERD medications.


Today I no longer rely on prescription medications. I have completely quit them all. The only things I take on a daily basis now are: my CBD, a multi vitamin, & extra vitamin B complex. In the spirit of full disclosure I do still occasionally need a couple of ibuprofen (typically when I have over done it), and when I eat something that I know might cause acid reflux I will take an acid reducer.

CBD has quite literally changed the course of my life. As I was monitoring the positive changes this amazing plant medicine was making in my body, I made a drastic decision.... I told my husband “If this is what CBD does for people, then this is what I want to do”, and CBD of Lee’s Summit was born. I’m so excited to see and experience with you the difference CBD will make in your life. :-)

Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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