Cal Orey's Blog, page 17

Snowball Cookies and Tea Christmas Memories

 By Cal Orey

Christmas Cookies with a Cuppa Tea for Holidays

As one of my favorite memories go, in early wintertime I was living in Eugene, Oregon with a small group of nomadic friends. One cold day with a bit of snow on the ground and slippery black ice (foreign to a San Francisco native), I stayed indoors and baked cookies. There wasn’t a single cookbook or baking tools in the kitchen, so I had to rough it and make do with the few food items I found in the cupboards and fridge. I recalled my mom’s recipe for Snowball or Butterball Cookies. Five ingredients, a bowl, spoon, cookie sheet is about all you need--and black tea while you bake--and chamomile to get you through the ordeal. In hindsight, the scene was funny. Once the cookies were baked and good to go, I was boxing them up to mail to relatives for Christmas—but my six down-to-earth looking roomies (and two dogs) in a tiny, spartan kitchen were eating the white butter nut balls faster than I could box the goodies and I felt flustered because it was a lost battle. The cookie monsters won. This easy-to-make recipe is inspired by post-hippie snow days on the road in December.

Snowball Cookies

1 stick European style butter, softened

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar (about ½ cup extra for rolling after baked)

1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

1 capful pure vanilla extract

¼-1/2 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans), chopped

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add flour and mix until creamy. Stir in vanilla. Fold in nuts. Place cookie dough on a floured cutting board and roll into a ball. Put onto a sheet of foil and into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.  Use a small ice cream scoop (about 1/8 cup size) and scoop dough into balls. Roll into a ball shape and place on nonstick cookie sheet or lined with parchment paper. Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes or until bottom of cookies are light brown. Do not over bake. Place in balls into sugar immediately. After cooled repeat. Makes 8-10. You can double the recipe as well as freeze the cookies in an airtight container. Note: Simple is elegant like silver balls on a Christmas tree. However, if you to be more festive, add 1-2 teaspoons orange rind to cookie dough and/or sprinkle cinnamon on top after the cookies are rolled in sugar to give it a snickerdoodle taste.

There are dozens and dozens of holiday cookies to make. This quick, easy recipe is a super way to begin, though. Sometimes, less is more.  Not only are they affordable, ingredients are likely in your kitchen, but they are small. Also, two will fill you up and not out. Pair with a cup of tea for a morning or afternoon energizing snack to after dinner delight--and it's perfect wherever you are and what the weather gods are doing with their magic.

— Cal Orey, M.A., is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, and Tea) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.)  TEA was picked up by Newsmax--and is available in their online shop. It is also available at kobo, amazon, barnesandnoble, walmart, target, and other stores.

Guard Against Old Man Winter--Colds, Flu, Viruses

Protect yourself from winter woes

By Cal  Orey

As a busy author and one of the many "worried well" I am on guard against pesky colds and flu during  winter. Back in the summer of 1999, I arrived at Tahoe. I finished my first Healing Powers book on vinegar. Then, I penned books such as Doctors' Orders: What 101 Doctors Do to Stay Healthy, and it was followed by the Healing Powers series, nine timeless books on how to put nature’s foods to work to keep healthy mind, body, and spirit. I know too well that good nutrition with a healthful lifestyle is a plan to bolster the immune system. The glitch is, people with a healthy immune system are not immune—but by using chill out secrets they may heal faster if hit with a cold, flu, Covid, or winter allergies and viruses.  So, here are ten natural bug-busters that Southern California-based Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., recommended to his patients to keep from getting influenza, straight from my book Doctors' Orders. 

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water, herbal teas, and vitamin C-rich liquids (I like fortified OJ with calcium and vitamin D) can flush out any toxins that you accumulate.

2. Wash your hands frequently. Viruses can be transmitted by shaking someone's hand and then touching your face, nose or mouth. (This is probably the most important strategy. Doctors will tell you too wash with soap and water for about 20 seconds. Yep, I have been doing it.)

3. Eat right.  Medical researchers will tell you there are many disease-fighting antioxidants that have antiviral and antibacterial activity. So eating nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables daily will help keep your immune system strong. Don’t forget fish (I love Alaskan salmon which I get once a week from our butcher at the local Safeway), whole grains (such as oatmeal and fortified cereal like Total), onions and garlic which help stave off winter woes, too.

4. Treat yourself well. "I try to minimize junk food,” said Dr. Sahelian, “but I do succumb to chocolate [the dark stuff contains heart-healthy magnesium) or calcium-rich ice cream once or twice a week," he says. "It's possible that lots of sugar can interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system."

5. Take vitamin C. Most of the research says that it improves the immune system. Personally, I prefer to get the much needed vitamin in a glass of OJ or a whole orange.

6. Take echinacea. This herb is touted to have both antibiotic and immune-stimulating properties. But note, it's best used as a preventive measure before you get the flu.

7. Zinc yourself well... "Zinc lozenges are the most powerful," he says. Zinc is a potent virus-fighters that can cut the time you spend in misery.

8. Drink herbal teas. "Warm liquids help loosen mucus," explains Dr. Sahelian. I recall his story about going to Alaska and he was on a nature tour with a group of people in a van. He did catch a cold. However, drinking green tea helped the good doctor heal fast.

9. Exercise, exercise, exercise. "It helps me sleep more deeply at night. Deep sleep is a time when the immune system has a chance to regroup itself and get revitalized," notes Dr. Sahelian. I agree. So far this winter I haven’t caught the sniffles. I give credit to the endorphin high from my rowing machine and lifting weights.

10. Chill out. By keeping your stress levels down, you can keep your immune system up and healthy. Chillaxing is a challenge for this Type-A author. Recently, I’ve been listening to tunes more to practicing being mindful. I have discovered if I don’t worry about the past or the future and stay in the present it’s a calming place to be.

Germ-Fighting Four Thieves Rx

In the Middle Ages, four robbers in France stole belongings from sufferers of the Black Plague. The thieves’ timeless antidote for survival was the herbal solution they used during looting. In a spray bottle, combine 48 ounces apple cider vinegar, 2 drops eucalyptus oil, 2 drops lavender oil, 2 drops lemon oil, and 3 cloves garlic. Vinegar, essential oils, and herbs contain antibacterial and antiviral compounds. Wipe surfaces to destroy germs.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, history, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the Healing Powers series. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

Happy Superfoods to Beat SAD

 7 HAPPY FOODS TOBEAT TAHOE’S WINTER BLUES

 

By Cal Orey, M.A.

As a long-timeresident of Lake Tahoe, in the late spring to fall I tend to my yellow aspensand red maples, bask in the warm sunshine on the deck, and walk my Aussie alongscenic trails. But as Old Man Winter rolls in, the first storms hit, andsuddenly, the sun is nowhere to be found. The slain piles up, and with it comesa wave of melancholy for sunny days. I realize how much I miss those happy daysin the gardens with pots of wild lavender plants; and the lack of sunlight beginsto affect my mood.

Welcome to SeasonalAffective Disorder (SAD), a type of blues that hits during early winter whendaylight hours are shorter. In places like Tahoe, where snowfall can block outsunlight, you, too, may feel waves of gloom and doom…

 

So, can happy foods come to the rescue? Sure,superfoods like these seven can help boost feel-good brain chemicals--dopamine,endorphins, and serotonin-- during darker months in Tahoe, and might indeed brightenyour day!

 

1. Fatty Fish:  Salmon (Atlantic type is availablehere) is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to boost serotonin levelsin the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood and higher levels can lead tofeelings of happiness and well-being. Try: Add seasons like rosemary, thyme,parsley (fresh or dried) and lemon slices for flavor.

2. Walnuts. Nuts are high in magnesium, which play a rolein regulating serotonin production. A deficiency in magnesium has been linkedto anxiety and the blues. Try: Munch on 1/4 cup walnuts mixed with 1/4 cupraisins as a quick snack.

3. Kale and Spinach. These green veggies are packed with aB-vitamin that helps make dopamine—that brain chemical linked to pleasure.Higher dopamine levels can improve mood and motivation. Try: A ready-made kalemix or raw spinach salad and add fresh tomatoes with a splash of red winevinegar and olive oil.

4. Whole Grains. Think fortified whole grain cereal likeoatmeal that help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can prevent mood swings. Wholegrains also promote serotonin due to their fiber content, leading to improvedmood. Try: Eat a bowl fortified whole grain cereal (I like Total) and add freshfruit, and the fortified sunshine vitamin D and calcium-fortified organiclow-fat milk.

5. Berries. Blueberries and strawberries are rich inantioxidants that fight oxidative stress in the brain, lowering symptoms ofwinter blues. They support overall brain health, contributing to better mood.Try: Savor 1/2 cup fresh berries plain or mix into 1 cup of low sugar yogurt.

6. Coffee. Ah, java can boost mood by boosting dopaminelevels due to caffeine's stimulating effects on the nervous system. Moderationis key. Lose sugar, cream, and whip...Try: Brew a cup of premium blend and adda splash of vitamin D-fortified organic low-fat milk.

7. Potatoes: Taters contain carbs that help increaseserotonin; they also provide vitamin B6, which is essential for a calmingfeel-good effect which can boost mood and help sleep. Try: Bake a russet potatoand flavor with chives, black pepper, and a sprinkle of Parm shavings.

 

So, I, and you, too,may dread SAD during Tahoe's winters due to reduced sunlight from cloud cover,but embracing happy foods can boost your overall mood and well-being untilspringtime rolls in.

 

 LIGHTEN UP!

·        Get outdoors in the sunshine on warmerdays.

·        Exercise will make you feel better.

·        Open all blinds during the daytime.

·        Place cozy throws on furniture, warmcomforters on beds.

·        Live in rooms full of light andamusement.

·        Layer clothing.

·        Stay hydrated with water and herbalteas.

 CAL O

REY, M.A., is abestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health,romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree inEnglish (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her booksinclude the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws.(Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fiseries--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her websiteis www.calorey.com

January 2025 is National Hot Tea Month - Celebrate with The Healing Powers of Tea GIFT BOOK

 Courtesy author Cal Orey--GIFT BOOK

Disease-Fighting Antioxidants —  Tea’s 

Healing Powers Are Remarkable 

Dear Reader,

What if I told you just by sipping the delicious “medieval miracle” you could . . . 

Relieve throbbing back pain . . . Drop 7 pounds of fat and flab in 3 days . . . Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer . . . Stave off viruses, colds, and superbugs . . . Curb insatiable sweet cravings . . . Shrink painful hemorrhoids . . . Relieve aching joint discomfort . . . And much more . . . 

With this powerful healing elixir — backed by 3,000 modern-day studies — you could . . . 

Finally end the frenzy of buying a mountain of assorted pills, needless ointments, serums, and syrups.

Odds are you already have it in your kitchen cupboard.

I’m talking about tea. YES, TEA — grandma’s favorite beverage is today’s red-hot superfood!

Right now, you can get dozens of tea remedies that really work in Cal Orey’s book, The Healing Powers of Tea. And you don’t have to buy it . . . 

Newsmax is giving you The Healing Powers of Tea — a 292-page book — absolutely FREE!

Inside this blockbuster book you’ll discover 50 tea “cures” for everything from anxiety and constipation to dermatitis, coughs, depression, warts, insect bites, sinusitis, memory lapses, cavities, digestive troubles, diarrhea, and so much more.

There are also do-it-yourself beauty recipes . . .  household remedies to detox, clean, polish, even “destink” your home of dog . . .  and dozens of delicious tea-infused recipes from breakfast to dessert!

But not just any tea will do . . . 

While it’s packed with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, you can’t just pour a cup, sip it down and expect it to work.

It all boils down to this . . . 

There’s a special secret to making the “medieval miracle” work to transform your health and your home . . . 

To bring out its magical healing powers, you need to know which variety of tea to drink and which special ingredients you need to mix with your tea.

And it’s not just the wildly popular black, green, and herbal teas as you’ll discover here.

The good news is you don’t have to guess or work your way through a sea of endless tea boxes and canisters!

Everything you need to know for finding the right tea and the right combination, steeped at the right time, is inside The Healing Powers of Tea.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover which tea banishes belly bloat, heartburn, and gas . . .  helps you empty your bowels easily again . . .  staves off hunger pangs . . .  boosts energy . . .  keeps skin looking younger and more beautiful . . .  lowers artery-clogging cholesterol . . .  helps you get a good night’s, sleep and more.

One more thing . . . 

Be sure to look for the simple tea plan to help you lose up to 7 pounds in 3 days! 

Early Sneak Peek at 2025 Earth Changes Forecasts

 EARTH CHANGES 2025—What Will the New Year Bring?

By Cal Orey

As I predicted for 2024... West Coast Earthquakes, Strange twisters, Southeast Hurricanes and Mega Blackouts to Northern Lights and NortheastFlooding! And now, for 2025 the year of The Snake--look forward to transformation, renewal--some good some bad. Most of all, be prepared mind, body, and spirit.

It’s here! The New Year promises political changes andEarth moves. Looking ahead to 2025, there will be Earth changes and human-causeddisasters. Activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and industrialprocesses will contribute to environment woes and may lead to more frequentnatural disasters.

Astrologically speaking, periods such as MercuryRetrograde—there are four this year—come linked with communication disruptionsto mega blackouts. Also, events like Full Moons and New Moons can influencehuman behavior and environmental conditions.

So, the combo of wildfires, increasing earthquakes,potential surprise disasters (such as oil spills to quakes on hidden faults),may create chaos and challenges for the nation. But there is an upside:  environmental management, disasterpreparedness, and looking at scientific data can help provide you with peace ofmind even though you can’t control Old Man Winter and Mother Nature.

 

WEATHER WATCH

 

·      West Coast: The NOAA forecast for theWest Coast in 2025 shows a higher change of above-average snowfall in theSierra Nevada region. Blame it on La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperatureanomaly) which triggers more precipitation during winter months. The Farmer’sAlmanac supports this outlook, predicting a snowy winter for the West Coast…Caveat: Snowfall forecasts for the winter 2025 suggest that while higherelevations will see above-average snowfall due to La Nina (Pacific Ocean coolertemperature anomaly), lower elevations around Reno-Tahoe areprojected to experience below-average precipitation and potentially drierconditions. This controversy arises from warmer temperatures that can lead to morerain and less snow at these altitudes, particularly during critical stormevents.

·        South: For the Southern United States,forecasts suggest a mix of normal to slightly above-average temperatures withpotential for drought in some regions. The NOAA claims some regions mayexperience below-average rainfall, with dry spells.

·        Northeast: The Northeast is projectedto have a colder-then-average winter with increased odds of snowstorms. BothNOAA and the Farmer’s Almanac show that this region may see snowfall eventsthroughout the winter months.

·        Midwest: In the Midwest, forecastspredict a variable winter with periods of cold and snow and milder weather. Thepotential for severe weather such as ice storms are noted by both forecastingagencies.

SHOCKING SHAKERS

·       TheWest Coast was on rock and roll during the latter part of 2024.  In December, an offshore Northern California7.0 with a tsunami warning happened; a strong and shallow 5.8 temblor hitYerington, Nevada and was felt in the sierras, Sacramento to the SF Bay Area;and tremors hit Southern California throughout the year.

·       TheSan Andreas Fault Zone continues to be linked to northern Californiaearthquakes and is overdue for the Big One. A 7.5 or greater is likely tohappen in 2025. Regions likely to be the epicenter include Offshore NorthernCalifornia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California.

·       Northeastquakes despite being smaller magnitudes than the West Coast are often felt moreand farther. Expect at least two noteworthy shakers…

·       …Andthe New Madrid Zone may be hit by a strong jolt with aftershocks that’ll rattlenerves and make international news. Ditto with the Southern states, notexcluding Texas or Oklahoma.

 

HURRICANES, TWISTERS, OH MY!

·       HURRICANES:Superstorms (including blackouts) will happen and in the Gulf States like theydid in 2024. While that year Texas and the Carolinas were ground zero, in 2025Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida are in the line of destruction.

·       TWISTERS:will come with hurricanes in these regions but also the Midwest and even the WestCoast; it got its first tornado alert ever on Friday the 13th, December2024. On the 14th in the afternoon, Scotts Valley, NorthernCalifornia was struck by a twister like a disaster film.

·       WILDFIRES:up and down the West Coast will continue to wreak havoc on people, pets, infrastructure,and the environment. Not only do the flames threaten lives but the poor airquality will become more of a reality. Staying indoors to using air purifiers will become even more common forhealth’s sake.

 

ON THE FRINGE

Yes, more solar events(solar flares to solar storms) like in 2024 will happen and come with theNorthern Lights in unlikely states. But remember, these light shows come withblackouts, communication disruptions, and delays in flights and road travelcausing inconvenience to woes depending on the severity of the happening.

As the United Statesfaces unpredictable political changes and discord, Earth changes will encouragepeople to work together to survive severe weather and earthmoving events.Political parties will be a moot point (like it is on a small island in Alaskawhere people band together during shake-ups to maintain shelter and foragefood). It will be survival and helping your neighbors first—unifying us to beone. The end results? We will be a happier, healthier and safer nation.

SHAKING IT UP

While the West Coast (Hawaii, Alaska,California, and Nevada) is more apt to experience tremors, the New Madrid Zone,East Coast, and even the South are not immune to shaking. As fracking will becontinued around the nation, it’s time to prepare. Here’s a checklist:

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

ü  Sign up forearthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too! —soyou’ll know when a quake may be coming.)

ü Makean Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishablesnacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.

ü DoPet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash,and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in theenvironment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

ü  Drop, Cover, HoldOn:  When the shaking starts, drop toyour hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glassor heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture ifavailable or use your arms to protect yourself.

ü  Think Pet Safety:If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothingvoice.

ü  Chill Out: Don’tlog onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and youare safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

ü ExploreYour Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and dooccur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe tomove around.

ü Hydrate& Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if youfeel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of anearthquake.

ü TuneIn Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family;sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

By following these health tips before,during, and after an earthquake, you’ll be better prepared to handle tremors.(Find out more about earthquake preparedness and animals sensing oncomingearthquakes in The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, by Cal Orey, publishedby Sentient.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is abestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health,romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree inEnglish (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her booksinclude the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws.(Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series--TheGhost Ships to be released this winter. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

January 2025 is National Hot Tea Month--Celebrate with a copy of The Healing Powers of Tea

  Courtesy author Cal Orey

Disease-Fighting Antioxidants —  Tea’s 

Healing Powers Are Remarkable 

Dear Reader,

What if I told you just by sipping the delicious “medieval miracle” you could . . . 

Relieve throbbing back pain . . . Drop 7 pounds of fat and flab in 3 days . . . Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer . . . Stave off viruses, colds, and superbugs . . . Curb insatiable sweet cravings . . . Shrink painful hemorrhoids . . . Relieve aching joint discomfort . . . And much more . . . 

With this powerful healing elixir — backed by 3,000 modern-day studies — you could . . . 

Finally end the frenzy of buying a mountain of assorted pills, needless ointments, serums, and syrups.

Odds are you already have it in your kitchen cupboard.

I’m talking about tea. YES, TEA — grandma’s favorite beverage is today’s red-hot superfood!

Right now, you can get dozens of tea remedies that really work in Cal Orey’s book, The Healing Powers of Tea. And you don’t have to buy it . . . 

Newsmax is giving you The Healing Powers of Tea — a 292-page book — absolutely FREE!

Inside this blockbuster book you’ll discover 50 tea “cures” for everything from anxiety and constipation to dermatitis, coughs, depression, warts, insect bites, sinusitis, memory lapses, cavities, digestive troubles, diarrhea, and so much more.

There are also do-it-yourself beauty recipes . . .  household remedies to detox, clean, polish, even “destink” your home of dog . . .  and dozens of delicious tea-infused recipes from breakfast to dessert!

But not just any tea will do . . . 

While it’s packed with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, you can’t just pour a cup, sip it down and expect it to work.

It all boils down to this . . . 

There’s a special secret to making the “medieval miracle” work to transform your health and your home . . . 

To bring out its magical healing powers, you need to know which variety of tea to drink and which special ingredients you need to mix with your tea.

And it’s not just the wildly popular black, green, and herbal teas as you’ll discover here.

The good news is you don’t have to guess or work your way through a sea of endless tea boxes and canisters!

Everything you need to know for finding the right tea and the right combination, steeped at the right time, is inside The Healing Powers of Tea.

Your FREE BOOK is waiting. Click here.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover which tea banishes belly bloat, heartburn, and gas . . .  helps you empty your bowels easily again . . .  staves off hunger pangs . . .  boosts energy . . .  keeps skin looking younger and more beautiful . . .  lowers artery-clogging cholesterol . . .  helps you get a good night’s, sleep and more.

One more thing . . . 

Be sure to look for the simple tea plan to help you lose up to 7 pounds in 3 days! Click here to claim your FREE BOOK now.

Honey for the Cold and Flu Season? The Healing Powers of Honey

 

Dear Reader,

If you have nature’s “golden nectar” in your kitchen you may be missing out on its more than 50 amazing healing remedies.

Not just for tea and toast or sore throats and colds, this ancient healer could lower your blood sugar, crush sweet cravings, end the strain of constipation, relieve pain all over, and much more.

You can count on this natural healer to ease inflammation and get you through flu season or days where you just don’t feel well and need energy.

Stop shelling out big money for drugstore remedies that don’t work. You have exactly what you need in your kitchen cupboard. Just add your FREE COPY of Cal Orey’s blockbuster book, The Healing Powers of Honey.

You’ll get more than 50 kitchen cures . . . beauty treatments . . . PLUS 50 Delicious Heart-Healthy Recipes . . . Try Them All FREE!

Apple Spice MuffinsHoney Custard French ToastWhole Wheat Cinnamon Apple PancakesItalian Croissants With Honey Pecan FillingAsian Honey-Tea Grilled PrawnsGrilled Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With OnionsHoney Mustard Chicken TendersHoneybee BrowniesApple Honey PieCoconut MacaroonsHoney Oatmeal CookiesAnd dozens more!

Plus, inside this big book of healing you’ll discover how you can use honey, the remarkable “nectar of the Gods,” to:

Prevent blood sugar swingsStop insomniaImprove regularity — no constipationHeal cuts and scrapesEase asthma and allergiesFight wrinklesAnd much more

Prized by Egyptian physicians and pharaohs, this golden goddess of health and healing is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants. But, in order to experience its healing powers, you must know the 3 simple secrets . . .

. . . which variety of healing honey to use, how much to use, and when to use it. Discover it all in your FREE BOOK, The Healing Powers of Honey. Claim your FREE BOOK here.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover the sweet truth about the golden healer — including how to use it to flatten your tummy in 3 days!

Nancy Reynolds
Newsmax Health

P.S. Normally you’d pay $14 full retail for this book, but Newsmax is giving it to you FREE just for being a loyal Newsmax reader. We care about you and your good health. Get your FREE BOOK OF HEALING here.

Earthquake! What Kitty Knows or Sixth Sense?

 Shaking Up Health: Tahoe’s Tremors’ PrepGuide

By Cal Orey, M.A.

My Orange Tabby is Seismically Sensitive!  He Sensed the Reno-Tahoe Imminent Shaker!

It was a typical afternoon on December 9th,2024, when my big orange tabby decided that the closet was the most fascinatingplace in my cabin. As I watched him paw at the door in the hallway withintensity, my phone rang. It was by sibling calling to chat, I thought. Just asI picked up the cell phone it vibrated violently on the chair. The ShakeAlertnotification blared ominously: an earthquake was imminent! In that splitsecond, I had to plan. I quickly set my laptap down on the floor, far away fromthe bottled water, and bolted toward the dining room where my study woodentable stood like a fortress against nature’s whims.

I dropped to the floor and covered my headwith my arms, heart pounding like a solo at a rock concert. The shakingbegan—strong rolling waves that made me feel like I was on a rough boat ride inthe Lake. Forget seasick; I felt like I was auditioning for a part in Titanic.As the tremor stopped and silence returned (aside from barking dogs outdoors andmy racing heartbeat), I took a moment to breathe deeply and regain composure.

Once it felt safe to emerge from under thetable, I logged onto my computer to see be welcomed by the data: a 5.8 atYerington, Nevada; and reports were rolling in that the shallow quake had beenfelt in Reno, Sacramento, and Lake Tahoe… I gathered myself and decided itwould be wise to prepare an ER Go Bag and checklist for peace of mind. Afterall, Lake Tahoe, known for its natural beauty, is also situated in aseismically active region. Here, take a look at health-savvy earthquakepreparedness safety tips…

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

ü  Sign up forearthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too!—soyou’ll know when a quake may be coming.)

ü Makean Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishablesnacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.

ü DoPet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash,and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in theenvironment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

ü  Drop, Cover, HoldOn:  When the shaking starts, drop toyour hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glassor heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture ifavailable or use your arms to protect yourself.

ü  Think Pet Safety:If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothingvoice.

ü  Chill Out: Don’tlog onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and youare safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

ü ExploreYour Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and dooccur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe tomove around.

ü Hydrate& Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if youfeel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of anearthquake.

ü TuneIn Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family;sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

By following these health tips before,during, and after an earthquake, you’ll be better prepared to handle MotherNature’s moves. (Find out more about earthquake preparedness and animalssensing oncoming earthquakes in The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, by CalOrey, published by Sentient.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is abestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health,romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree inEnglish (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her booksinclude the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws.(Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fiseries--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her websiteis www.calorey.com

Healing Powers of Tea Gift Book for the Holidays

  TEA is the Super Gift Book for Winter

 

 Disease-Fighting Antioxidants —  Tea’s Healing Powers Are Remarkable

Dear Reader,

What if I told you just by sipping the delicious “medieval miracle” you could . . . 

Relieve throbbing back pain . . . Drop 7 pounds of fat and flab in 3 days . . . Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer . . . Stave off viruses, colds, and superbugs . . . Curb insatiable sweet cravings . . . Shrink painful hemorrhoids . . . Relieve aching joint discomfort . . . And much more . . . 

With this powerful healing elixir — backed by 3,000 modern-day studies — you could . . . 

Finally end the frenzy of buying a mountain of assorted pills, needless ointments, serums, and syrups.

Odds are you already have it in your kitchen cupboard.

I’m talking about tea. YES, TEA — grandma’s favorite beverage is today’s red-hot superfood!

Right now, you can get dozens of tea remedies that really work in Cal Orey’s book, The Healing Powers of Tea. And you don’t have to buy it . . . 

Newsmax is giving you The Healing Powers of Tea — a 292-page book — absolutely FREE!

Inside this blockbuster book you’ll discover 50 tea “cures” for everything from anxiety and constipation to dermatitis, coughs, depression, warts, insect bites, sinusitis, memory lapses, cavities, digestive troubles, diarrhea, and so much more.

There are also do-it-yourself beauty recipes . . .  household remedies to detox, clean, polish, even “destink” your home of dog . . .  and dozens of delicious tea-infused recipes from breakfast to dessert!

But not just any tea will do . . . 

While it’s packed with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, you can’t just pour a cup, sip it down and expect it to work.

It all boils down to this . . . 

There’s a special secret to making the “medieval miracle” work to transform your health and your home . . . 

To bring out its magical healing powers, you need to know which variety of tea to drink and which special ingredients you need to mix with your tea.

And it’s not just the wildly popular black, green, and herbal teas as you’ll discover here.

The good news is you don’t have to guess or work your way through a sea of endless tea boxes and canisters!

Everything you need to know for finding the right tea and the right combination, steeped at the right time, is inside The Healing Powers of Tea.

Your FREE BOOK is waiting. Click here.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover which tea banishes belly bloat, heartburn, and gas . . .  helps you empty your bowels easily again . . .  staves off hunger pangs . . .  boosts energy . . .  keeps skin looking younger and more beautiful . . .  lowers artery-clogging cholesterol . . .  helps you get a good night’s, sleep and more.

One more thing . . . 

Be sure to look for the simple tea plan to help you lose up to 7 pounds in 3 days! Click here to claim your FREE BOOK now.

COURAGE WITH PAWS--Amazon Best Seller (Author's Up Close & Personal Heartfelt INTERVIEW

COURAGE WITH PAWS:  AMAZON BEST SELLER 


 BOOK REVIEW EXCERPT and INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CAL OREY

In her new book, Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, Cal Orey shares a tale about a cat who battles an unexpected heart adventure. Cal Orey tells this story vicariously through the eyes of her Siamese-mix Cat, given the most royal name of Sir Whiskers McPurrington.  Living in the high country of Lake Tahoe, one sunny afternoon Sir Whiskers felt odd – short of breath – and his heart began racing.  “Rushed to the animal hospital things got serious quickly,” the narration explained.  The story goes into an NDE, near-death-experience, telling how Dr. Furryheart saved Sir Whiskers.  The doctor recommended surgery saying, “Time is running out, Mr. Whiskers. Your heart is very, very weak.”  But “No” said Sir Whiskers, relying on his sixth sense cat-intuition to avoid further risks... 

Courage with Paws combines many elements showcasing Cal Orey's finesse of creative writing. Artfully interleaved with excellent illustrations to highlight the theme of the story, along with photographs bringing in credibility of this being a true story, plus with the icing on the cake of having whimsical character names in the genre of Dr. Seuss, the book congeals into an art form with a stern message; that being to understand heart-health.   -- Pacific Book Review

 

Here, Orey sits down for a little heart to heart Q&A, where she shares insights and tips on how a cardiac event can wake up your wellness routine, helping you to not only stay heart healthy, but also reduce your risk of heart disease--even substantially lowering your risk of a heart attack even if the genetic factor plays a role in your life.

 

Q: Did you, a healthy woman and health author for decades, experience a cardiac arrest? 

Yes. In the Spring of 2023 I thought my little cough was allergies due to pet dander and pollen. Then, one day I called the paramedics and I said, “I think something is wrong. It’s difficult for me to breathe.” Fifteen minutes later, I was at the ER room in our local hospital. I was anxious. Then, I don’t recall anything. Blackness.

Q: What happened at the local hospital?

One and a half years later, a South Lake Tahoe nurse told me she recalled the unforgettable event. “You didn’t have a pulse. I called out ‘Code Blue!’ CPR was done.” She said I was put on a ventilator. My sibling was asked about my DNR wishes. I still only recall fragments of my time in ICUs; those memories still haunt me like ghosts.

 Q: One day later after the cardiac arrest, you were transported to another hospital and told you had severe coronary artery disease despite your overall good health; and needed open heart surgery. What did you do?

A surgeon spoke to me after an angiogram. He told me seventy percent of my severe heart disease was due to genes--not because of comorbidities. Also, the compassionate doctor was the only one who advised against open heart surgery. He said it was likely my healthy lifestyle allowed me to live a healthy life for decades. And the doctor suggested taking medication for heart disease. Other doctors and nurses disagreed. I was told I would never walk again. I was told I would die in one day if I didn't say yes to major surgery with up to six months recovery time--and no guarantees of making it through the ordeal. 

Despite the dire warnings I followed my instincts and was feisty. I declined. I discharged myself from the hospital. As the days passed, I continued to say no to going under the knife. My sixth sense kicked in and I didn’t feel major surgery was right for me.

Q: During the summer of 2023 did you regain your health?

No way. My condition got worse. I was put on statins which made me tired, nauseated, took my memory, and made me frail. So, I once the lean, active health author was now in a wheelchair! My weak heart affected my overall health and well-being. I had swelling of the legs, coughing, and fatigue. Enter: congestive heart failure.

Q:  Were you scared? 

I knew I was getting worse. My sibling who took care of me (he is Barkley, the loyal Australian shepherd in my book Courage with Paws) was scared I was going to die (again). Then, a local cardiologist (when he looked at my angiogram his jaw dropped like the kind in the film Home Alone when he saw my clogged arteries) referred me to a gifted cardiologist and professor at UC Davis. He offered to perform a risky Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for my complex case, a minimally invasive procedure to open blocked heart arteries--angioplasty and stents.

Q: Were you scared before the high-tech procedure?

No. I put my trust and faith in the heart doctor's skill set for accepting complex cases. I knew that we both were taking a risk, but it was one that felt right to me. It was meant to be and scheduled on October 20, 2023. Five days later after the hospital stay, I was back home. One week later, my life changed drastically. No cough. No swelling. No brain fog. My energy levels—mind and body—was off the charts! I was back. Every day was like a Christmas present. I felt wonderful!

Q: One year later: It is December 2024. What is the outcome of your heart adventure?

The PCI was very successful. As one nurse recently said, “You reversed your heart disease!” I am no longer in heart failure. My ejection fraction (EF) is near normal. My blood work is back to normal. A chest x-ray, EKG, and echocardiogram all show good results and show my heart is functioning well. Yes, I still have coronary heart disease. I have stents like one well-known cardiologist I know from Newsmax (the media outlet promotes our health books), and even actor Susan Lucci. 

I continue to make healthy lifestyle and diet choices. Translation: I take a blood thinner and one baby aspirin every day, and a few other meds—but no statins for me (they do not work well for everyone). I maintain my ideal weight, BMI, eat a strict Mediterranean diet (fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil—repeat), exercise daily, and live like a health-conscious nun. But my life is normal. I have been cleared to do anything!

The bottom line: I feel blessed to have gone on a heart journey and survive despite some medical naysayers who predicted an opposite outcome. Not everyone is as lucky as I have been. While luck may have played a role in my comeback so did having a brave heart surgeon (with the heart of a “Wizardly lion like Professor Pawsworth”) in my book Courage with Paws. And my survival instinct, like a feline who falls out of a high-rise window but has a righting mechanism that allows it to land on its feet, helped me make a remarkable recovery.

Praise for Courage with Paws:

"I love cats, and I love this book. It's clever and heartwarming, and a charming and unforgettable tale. You will love Sir Whiskers, and his story will make you appreciate your kitties even more. Cal Orey deserves many treats!" --Stephen Spignesi, popular author of The Cat Book of Lists

"A cat's eye view of a comeback from a crisis with the help of a companion dog and many human helpers that are difficult for a cat to fully understand. A gentle, multileveled and enjoyable story." --Stanley Coren, Ph.D., bestselling author of The Intelligence of Dogs

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, the Rescue Me! trilogy, Soulmates with Paws, and the new book Courage with Paws, and is currently completing Book 1: The Ghost Ships series. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com