Cal Orey's Blog, page 39
April 13, 2023
Springtime Sniffles--Rx Naturally and Enjoy Pets, Trees, and the Great Outdoors!
GoodbyeSpringtime Allergies... Hello, Tea and Honey
‘Tis the season in the sierras when pesky allergenspay us a visit. Dander and dust, and tree pollen are“High” according to Accuweather… Rather than losing the dog or cat or moving tothe desert, home remedies come to the rescue. So if you’re wondering what to doto tame a scratchy-sore throat, cough, sniffles, and topped off with SAD due to the transition from cold to warm days and nights, you’ve come to theright place! It’s the time to turn to teas and honeys in your kitchen cabinet.
* SNEEZING (Stop the sniffling): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion is no picnic, thanks to seasonal tree pollen. But honey may come to your rescue.
What Honey Rx to Use: Try eating a tablespoon of locally produced honey. Proponents of honey tell me that your immune system will get used to the local pollen in it (it should be within a 50-mile radius from where you live).Why You’ll Bee Happy: By taking the honey cure, you may lose your allergy symptoms. It’s worth the effort and is less pricey than a visit to the doctor or an allergist. Honey may enhance the immune system to build up a better arsenal against airborne allergens—and help you breathe easier. Honeycomb may line the entire breathing tract.* COUGHS (Cease the tickle.) Coping with a cold can be annoying, butcoughing which can be caused by seasonal allergies, and that spells dander anddust. If you’ve got a pet or dust bunnies, think a scratchy throat and ahacking cough.
What Tea Rx to Use: Opt to brew 1 12-ounce cupof black or white tea. For an extra throat soother, add 1 teaspoon of honey.Repeat as necessary.
Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Tackling acough takes a bit of sleuth work to discover why you are coughing—and then it’stime to be proactive and deal with the problem with other tricks, too. Ifallergens are the issue, for instance, it’s time to get an air purifier, vacuumand dust more, and add tea with honey to your diet repertoire—soon you’ll bedoing the happy dance without stopping to cough.
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* SORE THROAT (Treat the pain.) Before a coldyou can get a telltale sore throat. Not to forget allergies with otherallergens. Rather than run to the doctor for an allergy medication, why nottake an alternative route and turn to tea?
What Tea Rx to Use: Chamomile is a goodpick. Put 1 teaspoon or tea bag of the herbal tea of your choice in 1 cup ofhot water. Steep for a few minutes, then strain. Add honey to taste.
Why You’ll Feel Tea—rrific: Chamomile canreduce swelling and inflammation, due to flavonoids. Also, honey boastsanti-inflammatory benefits, too. That means the less pain, and relief.
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SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (Blast theblues.) Now this isn’t an allergen but feeling down and sluggish withSAD, coined by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, is another monster to face. Since oursunshine is less than more right now, due to a long winter-ish season tea is onthe list come early spring.What Tea Rx to Use: Brew 1 cup of hot waterand use 1 teaspoon green tea leaves or tea bag. Steep for 3 minutes. Repeat 2times per day.
Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Green tea has 45milligrams of caffeine (which can give you a physical and mental burst ofenergy). But also, green tea contains L-theanine—a compound that enhances brainchemicals including serotonin and that can give you a calming sense ofwell-being. A bonus: It can rev up your metabolism, fill you up and not out.Read: Lose unwanted pounds and body fat to be healthier come May and into thesummer.
-- Cal Orey, M.A. Is an author and journalist. Her booksinclude the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey,Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, Essential Oils, Herbs and Spices) published byKensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cookbook Club.)Orey’s new book is Soulmates with Paws. Website http://www.calorey.com
April 12, 2023
Lighten Up with Lemon Pancakes, Honey and Tea
Sure, we’ve all enjoyed ‘em at pancake houses to coffee shops. But I’m talking about good home-style buttermilk pancakes changed up a bit. I learned how to make this traditional treat by living on the South Shore and listening to a neighbor’s advice.
A few years ago, one Tahoe local (a millennial) befriended me. She was a mom, wife, and taught me some ropes of living in the mountains. One day in her kitchen I told to her that I purchased pre-packaged pancakes (like those toaster waffles in the freezer aisle at the store). She laughed. Worse, I added that I also grabbed a budget-friendly store-bought syrup with a household name. She looked at me, shook her head, and then darted, “I love to cook. Why don’t you make your own hotcakes? You’ll taste the difference.” I was quiet, feeling a bit guilty for avoiding pots and pans.
During my anti-cooking phase, I blamed my pancakes in a box on too many deadlines and not enough time. In hindsight my kitchen-friendly friend was right. Homemade pancakes are easy and fun to create. As time passed, I’ve morphed into a pancake bakeress. I’ve put together varieties, using different flours, sweeteners, fruits and nuts. At last, I’ve created a sweet springtime buttermilk pancake with citrus notes and honey. It’s a perfect back to nature hotcake inspired by living in the sierras.
Lemon Pancakes withChamomile Tea and Honey
½ cup cake flour, whisk or sifted½ cup self-rising flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 large brown egg, organic½ cup low-fat buttermilk (premium brand)½ fresh lemon, juice1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 tablespoon European style butter, melted (save more for topping)Confectioners’ sugar (optional)Honey (for drizzling)Lemon slices and mint leaves (for garnish)
In a bowl combine flours, and baking powder. Add egg, buttermilk, juice, vanilla, and butter. Stir well until mixture is smooth. Use a 1/3 to ½ measuring cup for scooping the batter onto a nonstick pan. The art of making the perfect pancake includes: Do not use butter in a pan; warm up the pan slowly to medium heat. Turn over when the pancake bubbles. Sprinkle pancakes with sugar. Drizzle with organic honey, add a pat of butter. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves. Serves four to six. (Yes, you can double the recipe.)
So yes, it is worth the trouble whipping up light and fluffy pancakes in the comfort of your kitchen. Why? The first bite of home-style pancakes is hot; even better you can taste the layers of real ingredients. The texture? Fluffy like a Tahoe snow flurry in the spring. I will tell you that doing it yourself is the way we do in the mountains. It works.
April 11, 2023
Spring into Herbalism House Cleaning
Before the pandemic era hit home, I left for a trip to Victoria, Canada, my seventy-three-year-old South Shore cabin was cleaned—and I used whole herbs to do the job. While I kenneled the dog, leaving the cat to hold down the fort is one reason why I used nature’s cleaners –not stuff with chemicals...
I filled a jar halfway with sprigs of dried herbs: lavender flowers and thyme—two favorite herbs of springtime. Next, I added a half and half ratio of white vinegar and tap water to cover the mixture. Not only did it do the work of refreshing the bathroom and kitchen sink and floors, the fragrance in early spring was wonderful thanks to plant power.
Upon my return—it was a lingering aroma that welcomed me when I repeated “There’s no place like home.” And my Siamese kitty Zen greeted me with purrs, kneading my chest, and cuddling me to sleep after a long journey.
Using fresh or dried herbs for house cleaning is as good at it gets. Some herbs used for an eco-friendly way to freshen up a room and make it dirt-free and tidy include cloves, marjoram, and thyme. But other herbs can be used, too, such as cinnamon, citrus peel, lavender, rosemary, and sage. And mixing dried and fresh plant power with water and vinegar provide the perfect solution to clean it up with a scent.
Herbs provide antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. If you have used commercial cleaners, you know like I do, they work but the chemical residue smells bad and lingers. Plus, it can affect your nasal membranes and throat if you’re sensitive to certain chemicals. It’s better to feel good about freshening and cleaning your home with green stuff, rather than the chemical liquids and powders.
INDOORS SPRING FORMULAS TAHOE-STYLE
Here’s a checklist to get you started:
ü Kitchen: In a spray bottle, combine 2 tablespoons thyme, crushed or a couple of sprigs, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 cup water. This solution can be used to spritz on countertops, inside a microwave, refrigerator, and windows.
ü Living Room/Dining Room: In a spray bottle, combined ½ cup apple cider vinegar with 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and sprigs of fresh lavender. Add 1 cup water. Use a cotton cloth and dust wooden furniture with scratches and smudges. Wipe and buff.
ü Bedrooms: Add potpourri sachets in drawers of chests and nightstands. Use the springtime mix (recipe is below) for best results.
ü Bathroom: In a plastic container add ¼ cup baking soda, 2 teaspoons lavender, crushed, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Add ½ cup water. Mix well. Use as an abrasive cleanser for the shower or tub, sink, and toilet.
FRESHEN UP WITH SPRING SACHETS
Some folks believe potpourri is a trend from the seventies and sort of a thing of the past. Not so. Sure, it’s not found in every household bathroom, drawers, or bedroom on a nightstand. But potpourri still has its place in the household – and spring, a time of renewal is the perfect time to incorporate it inside your home. Do it the sachet way!
Recipe: In a sachet bag or two (available online) fill it up with spring dried herbs. Combine 2 teaspoons each dried lemon peels, parsley, and thyme. Add star anise for the presentation. Place in mason jar and pour the potpourri into sachets when you need to rejuvenate a room or more in your home. Put in a place where children and pets cannot reach the mixture. And note, enjoy nature’s herbal helpers to get and keep it clean in your mountain digs during the season of renewal. Sniff, ah. Springtime fresh!Adapted from The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures, Kensington
-- Cal Orey, M.A. Is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, Essential Oils, Herbs and Spices) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.) Her website is http://www.calorey.com.
April 8, 2023
Homeward Bound: How Do Lost Dogs and Cats Find Their Way Back Home?
By Cal Orey
(Excerpt from Soulmates with Paws)
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One spring day in a small town in Illinois, a black cat named Zephyr disappeared. “I was heartbroken, as was the rest of my family. He was truly my friend at that time,” recalls Cassandra Fink. Zephyr’s owners spend hours combining their one-and-a-half-acre yard and apple orchard looking for their beloved pet and fearing the worst. “We realized he must have run away.”
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Then one night the cat’s owners heard a soft meow outside and found Zephyr standing at the door looking well-muscled but extremely skinny. “The semi-trucks for the trucking company next door traveled back and forth to the city of Kankakee. We realized then that he had hopped aboard a flatbed semi and ended up there,” explains Fink. It had taken the cat two weeks to trek the 30 miles home!
Zephyr is like countless cats worldwide who find their way home—even when home is hundreds of miles away. Many cat owners have tales of incredible journeys, and most have no idea how their cats do it. A number of these cases come to the public’s attention when they are reported in newspapers, but many more go unreported and unstudied. Those that are studied teach us a lot about our feline companions but leave us with as many questions as answers.
AN AMAZING HOMING INSTINCT
Researchers really don’t know how these extraordinary cats find their way home. But they do have some idea about how some other legendary travelers navigate. Birds and bees seem to navigate by the sun, stars or moon. As for salmon, which swim all the way from the open ocean back to the very stream where they spawned, researchers think they smell their home waters. Other animals can orient themselves with the help of magnetized cells in the brain, which act like tiny compasses, and help them decide which way is north. Marine mammals may even use the sounds that rumble through the seas to get their bearings. “Cats may have similar abilities,” says renowned author and animal expert Michael Fox, Ph.D.
In a classic study done more 75 years ago, zoologist F.H. Herrick, of Cleveland, Ohio, took his own cat in a bag from his home to his office five miles away, traveling by streetcar. When he let the cat out of the bag, the cat fled. However, the cat returned home the same night, even though he had been left in an area he was unfamiliar with. Puzzled by this astonishing ability, Herrick put the cat in a closed container, took him various distances from his house—from one to three miles—and released him. The result: The cat came home in a variety of situations and from any point on the compass. How exactly do cats do that?
THE RADAR THAT GETS CATS HOME
Animal experts also say the sense cats use most often and that gives them the most information is scent. By sniffing bushes and buildings along their route, cats can use the information they glean to help find their way home.
“Cats have a very sensitive nose that equal dogs, and their eyesight is certainly better,” says Ted Cohn, DVM, at University Hills Hospital in Denver CO. “Certainly for short distances visual clues are very important.”
Cats also use physical cues from nature, such as the angle of the sun to find their way. “They may be able to use the sun as a compass, as well as sensing a time difference between their own internal circadian clock and the local time. But the father away they are from home base, the greater will be the discrepancy,” says Fox. Therefore, visual aids and memory don’t completely explain how lost cats find their way over long distances.
That’s why many researchers believe cats are sensitive to the earth’s magnetic fields. This sensitivity may enable them to find their way back home—even from hundreds of miles away. “A magnetic field can be described as a set of imaginary lines that indicates the direction a compass needle would point to at a particular spot,” explains Psychobiologist David Jay Brown of Ben Lomond, CA.
It’s also believed that cats possess a homing mechanism that is triggered by brain cells containing magnetized iron particles. As they do with other mammals, these cells act like built in compasses. So, some cats, like a wayward senior striped tabby named Alfie, may have been guided by the influence of earth’s magnetic fields.
Early one summer, Alfie’s owner, Elaine Hahn, moved to a new home in Palo Alto, CA, about five miles away from her old home. For the first few weeks after the move, Hahn received regular phone calls from her old neighbor, who told her, “Alfie is here. Do you want to come and pick him up?” For two weeks, Hahn got into her car and drove five miles to go pick up Alfie. He had not only hiked five miles each time to get back to his old house, he had crossed six lanes of traffic to do so!
Alluring as it is though, the magnetic field theory doesn’t entirely explain the homing instinct, according to Brown. “If you have a compass and you’re not in the middle of nowhere, you can’t figure out the direction of your destination unless you knew your position in a certain geographical area. So, it’s really a big mystery.”
April 6, 2023
Touched By an Angel--from Soulmates with Paws (Book 1)
PAWS Series: Excerpt from the New Non-Fiction Novel
(vintage published essays, articles and more from magazines and newspapers)
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Guiding, guarding, warning, comforting andteaching—are these cat angels? By Cal Orey
Best Sellers Rank: in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)#74 in Animal Care & Pet Essays
Image used in Cats Magazine with this storywww.michaelleu.com
Recently, Jude Balthis had a dream. Her cat Satie appeared on her bed, green eyes staring down at her owner. “It was clear that she had a message,” Balthis says. “She told me she knew I had done the best that I could to protect her.” The large calico had just died a month earlier. “I felt very guilty about her death,” Jude recalls. “In her later years, she wasn’t able to defend herself as well as when she was younger. I had secured the porch from other animals by installing gates, but it wasn’t enough.” One night, while Balthis and her family were away, raccoons broke into the barriers and killed Satie. Upon awakening from her dream, Balthis felt instantly that Satie had absolved her from blame. “I didn’t cry, even though I was on the verge of tears, because the dream allowed me to understand that she was in a safe place.” Companion animals bring us comfort and love, but are they also spiritual messengers who understand more than what seems possible? “An angel cat would be a messenger who would help you to know that love is all around you and that miracles are possible,” explains Linda Anderson, coeditor of Angel Animals, Exploring Our Spiritual Connection with Animals. Bernard Ward says in his book Angels: They’re All Around and They’re Watching Over Us, “Angels are here to guide us, warn us, comfort us, teach us or just be a friend and companion.”
ANGELS AMONG THE LIVING
Years ago, when Stephanie Laland was in her 20s, she was distraught about her life. She remembers sitting on her bed and crying. “Suddenly, my two-year-old calico cat Yoko jumped up on my lap and put her paws on my face and licked the tears away,” she says. And while some cats are deeply affectionate, Laland confesses, “this wasn’t the sort of action that my cat would normally do. At that moment she was my little angel.” Since then, Laland had turned her life around. She is the author of Peaceful Kingdom: Random Acts of Kindness by Animals and Animal Angels, and teaches workshops for people wishing to boost their bond with animals. She feels she knows firsthand how it feels to be touched by an animal angel. Many of the stories in her work suggest that the notion of animal angels isn’t merely whimsy. Take, for example, the story of Mrs. Sweeney, an elderly woman who had always welcomed animals in need into her home. One winter evening, she became ill and wasn’t able to move from her bed. As the fire from the stove went out, the house grew deathly cold. Too feeble and ill to move, she was sure she would freeze before daybreak. In the morning, when her neighbor came to check on her she discovered the freezing temperatures and raced to the old woman’s bed, fearing the worst. But Mrs. Sweeney was safe in bed, very much alive—and not cold at all. She was quite comfortable, with seven cats and a dog draped over her warm body like a fur blanket. Many near-death survivors have reported feeling a sensation of leaving their bodies—or traveling through tunnels of light. Some people report encounters with relatives or even family pets. During a down-and-out period, reports Anderson, Debi Reimann, a legal secretary from Lacey, Washington, felt herself floating through a gray mist. She recalled seeing light and feeling an overwhelming sense of love. She saw a vision that appeared old and wise. Even though the “being” told Reimann that it wasn’t time to die, she didn’t want to go back to her painful existence in life. The “being” turned her around, directing her toward the tunnel that would take her back to life. At the other end she saw her cat, Missey Kitten, waiting for her. “The cat was the one being on earth that could touch her heart, and Debi made a decision to come back,” recalls Anderson... (Reprinted with permission from Cats Magazine, December 1999 issue.)
April 5, 2023
Spring Fever: Tea & Honey Rx
Spring has sprung. But the question is, why is the flu and cold season not over? Often when April arrives the transition of cold and warmer temperatures can wreak havoc on your body and mind. We stay inside more than in the summertime. Unfortunately, people gather and viruses still contagious. Not to forget dust and dander linger in the air and windows are closed. Read on—discover how home cures with tea(s)—a superfood--from your kitchen may be just what the doctor would order to help beat allergens.
1. Colds: During late winter months, cold season can linger like an unwanted house guest. But, if you are under stress, a cold can pay you a visit year-round, especially if you’re traveling. If your immune system is under attack, a cold can be prevented or the severity lessened with tea.What Tea Rx to Use: Drink one 8-ounce cup of black tea (hot or iced) with or without 1 teaspoon honey two to three times per day while symptoms last.Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Tea researchers believe it’s the compound antigen (a molecule capable of inducing an immune response) in black tea that bolsters the body’s immune system and may help guard against colds. Known for being rich with antioxidants, tea also contains tannins which may help to stave off viruses like a cold.2. Coughs: Coping with a cold can be annoying but coughing (either from a cold or allergies) can be pesky and make your throat and chest ache.What Tea Rx to Use: Opt to brew one 12-ounce cup of black or white tea. For an extra throat soother, add 1 teaspoon of local honey is especially good for allergies!). Repeat as necessary.
Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Tackling a cough takes a bit of sleuth work to discover why you are coughing. If allergens are the issue, for instance, it’s time to get an air purifier, vacuum and dust more, and add tea with local honey to your diet repertoire.3. Flu: Catching the flu, just when you thought flu season was over, which can come on suddenly, drags you down and into bed. Viruses come in all forms and can give you anything from a 24-hour bug to a stubborn virus that’ll hang on for weeks.What Tea Rx to Use: Take 2 cups of tea (black, green, or white) and 1 cup of your favorite vitamin C-enhanced herbal tea– such as hibiscus.Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: It’s no surprise that tea is chock-full of antioxidants—the good guys that can keep your immune system healthy and stave off germs you could encounter. By drinking tea and a vitamin-rich tisane teamed with a nutrient-dense diet, you’ll be keeping your immune system strong.4. Seasonal Affective Disorder: Feeling down and sluggish with SAD? Seasonal depression is yet is another monster to face in the colder months. I have tackled the symptoms with an arsenal of remedies—and tea is on the list come late fall through early spring.What Tea Rx to Use: Brew 1 cup of green tea. Steep for 3 minutes. Repeat 2 times per day.Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Green tea has 45 milligrams of caffeine (which can give you a physical and mental burst of energy). But also, green tea contains L-theanine—a compound that enhances brain chemicals including serotonin and that can give you a calming sense of well-being.
5. Sore Throat: A sore throat is a telltale sign that a cold or allergies (blame it on dander and dust) are looming, so rather than run to the pharmacy for medication every time, why not take an alternative route and turn to tea first?What Tea Rx to Use: Dried oolong leaves combined with rose hips or hibiscus can be a perfect pairing. Put 1 teaspoon of tea leaves and 1 teaspoon of the herbal tea of your choice in 1 cup of hot water. Steep for a few minutes, then strain. Add honey to taste.Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Oolong tea may reduce swelling and inflammation, due to flavonoids. Also,local honey boasts anti-inflammatory benefits and contains pollen to help balance allergies.
Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Ginger and lemon go together like salt and pepper—two of nature’s finest superfoods with an immunity booster and detoxifying that can keep you healthy this spring and all year-long. Plus, drinking this potion can help fill you up not out to help drop unwanted pounds for spring!
2 cups water 10 thin slices ginger root, fresh 1 lemon sliced 3 tablespoons honey 1/3 cup lemon juice Bring water, ginger root, and lemon slices to a boil for 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from heat, steep 10 minutes, strain. Stir in honey and lemon juice. You can also add apple peel, a piece of onion, and one or two tablespoons of chamomile.(Courtesy: Gemma Sanita Sciabica)
April 3, 2023
Springtime Sniffles--Honey Allergies Rx (The Healing Powers of Honey Audiobook)
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Title: The Healing Powers of Honey
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Narrated by: Tara Marie Kirk
Pages: Audiobook
Genre: Health / Natural Food / Alternative Therapies
Length: 8 hours and 26 minutes
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
It is impossible to listen to this narration of The Healing Powers of Honey by author Cal Orey on audiobook without going to the cupboard and pouring a cup of hot tea, and of course, adding a heaping teaspoon of honey into it. The soothing taste and coating of honey is talked about in so many ways, thus while listening and sipping the tea, it makes for an amazing multi-dimensional learning scenario, having both your brain and body absorbing the true nectar of the gods. What’s more than revealing the facts is the way Cal Orey interleaves her own life’s adventures into describing her quest of gaining the background information to compile the facts about honey into this highly specialized enlightening guide.
The story begins with the author taking on the project of doing a book about honey by the request of her publisher. Listeners are brought to the planning stage of how Cal Orey organized her research to achieve what she is known for; as being a down-to-Earth presenter of health benefits of various food substances. Honey follows her repertoire as she has demonstrated with vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, and other healing books. Nobody is born with honey knowledge, so she first acquired every book she could find on the subject, then arranged for meetings with bee keepers in Fresno, Reno, and other places. So as a listener, I found the tome of the narration as having a quality of discovery, as new factoids are learned and shared, making this story a journey of discovery.
“A Hippy Chick,” as she often referrers to herself as being, due to her expert knowledge of organic health foods, understanding their therapeutic effects having antioxidants, allowing for stress relieving, blood pressure control, diabetes cure, heart fortitude, and even helping lower the risk of cancer, honey fits right in at the top of God’s gifts to humanity – or should I say the Bee’s gift. Her ‘textbook’ parts of the book when she is educating listeners (readers) on the many types of honey, their relative histories and specialized qualities, and somewhat magical powers are explained with describing each varieties’ color, taste, and even how best to pair it up with other food items. Then, of course, she adds her own commentary to each of the about 30 variations of honey – that’s when I began to google the online stores to buy my own bouquet of flavors.
Some diversion to the author’s factual narration on the honey subject was most sentimentally touched upon with the stories of her dog(s). At one point she talks about traveling all around the USA from California to Key West with her K-9 companion, and even smuggling the dog into Canada because she didn’t have the correct documents at the border – now that’s “chutzpah!” She then talks about having a 6th sense when someone commented, “Nice dog” to her, only to find the dog missing after she tied it up outside a building for only a few minutes. The sadness, crying, and sensation of loss was contagious. A few months later she was “rescued” by a lab with sympathetic eyes in San Diego, and life with a dog partner took a happier path.
Honey is amazing. The antibacterial properties makes it ideal for fighting off any bacterial infection, both inside and outside the body, as it is known for enhancing and protecting the skin and healing wounds. Forget Pepto-Bismol, eat honey to cure suffering from diarrhea. Heart healthy, even helping diabetics (which seems odd due to honey’s sweetness) as well as hypertension, lowering cholesterol and even aiding longevity, plus weight loss and libido enhancement are all benefits of this golden nectar. Thank you, bees.
I must admit I did not know the vast variety of types of honey; yes, Clover is popular, and Van Morrison introduced me to Tupelo Honey, but Cal talks about Alfalfa Honey being native to Northern Nevada, and Buckwheat Honey being very powerful with antioxidants. She thought Fireweed Honey might have been bitter yet was pleasantly surprised by its flavor. I never would have thought Avocado Honey existed, and Dandelion, nor Eucalyptus – I guess I need to walk down the health-food isles in Whole Foods a bit more slowly next time.
It may seem as if I am making light of the subject, but that is how I perceived Cal Orey takes the sting out of being a dry educational presentation, and embellishes her work with her humble wisdom and incredible stories which she has gained on so many other subjects. Just like blending honey into bakery items, combined it with cinnamon for holistic healing, or dissolving it in a tea, smoothie or drink, honey’s versatility and benefits are un-bee-livable.
Reviewer’s footnote: Having the audiobook version of this bestselling book, the narration by Tara Marie Kirk was very clear and fluid, not missing a beat with those 5-syllable Latin names of the specific varieties, however as a personal preference I played it back at 1.25 speed, slightly picking up the pace for my listening pleasure, and cutting the play-time from just over 8 hours to about 6 hours.
BUY ON AMAZON AUDIBLEVISIT AUTHOR’S WEBSITEHealth & Fitness, Latest Reviews, Non Fiction
April 2, 2023
Spice It Up for Springtime!
Homecooking is Hot...During plague lockdowns to inflation DIY meals are the thing to do and spicing it up makes any dish more flavorful... Meanwhile, Old Bay Seasoning is always in demand as it was during COVID when homecooking was hot and even now when the R word is making us think outside of the can or box!
Back in 2019, according to McCormick: Lawrence Kurzius, McCormick's chairman and CEO, that's one product that the company has had to work to keep on supermarket shelves. "Oh my gosh, the demand for Old Bay has been extraordinary, and we've been hard-pressed to keep up with it," Kurzius told Yahoo Finance Live." Discover all the spices in Old Bay Seasoning, different blends, and how to make your own! Paprika, pepper, and so many others! Also, check out the recipes in The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures. Yes, McCormick spices are included!
In the past, The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices author's words made an appearance in Huffington Post -- dishing on the wonders of the flavor and versatility of bay leaves! The story was picked up by NY Post, NY Daily News, Citibuzz, and many, many more publications! Recently graced with the Bestseller banner for the book on Walmart's website, today in the top 100 bestsellers (health genres) on Amazon; in hundreds of libraries (multiple branches, books on hold or checked out) worldwide! Still on page 1 of bestselling herbs and spices books on Barnes and Noble... Newsworthy, popular Newsmax is on board with the fresh book, #9! and purchased hundreds of copies (newsmax.com/herbs)! Covered in newspapers to online magazines... And the year is still young!
...we're thrilled about the new offering in the Healing Powers series from bestselling author Cal Orey featuring 50 recipes and A-to-Z guide cataloguing most versatile herbs and spices for flavoring food, as well as preventing and curing illness." -- Woman's World magazine, Book Club: Nonfiction
As in her previous bestselling books, Cal Orey combines groundbreaking research into all these health and weight loss benefits with home cures, cosmetic uses, household hints, dozens of heart-healthy Mediterranean style recipes, legends, nutritional charts, and heartwarming anecdotes. --Tathaastu Magazine, book review
Not only is the book a guide for people who love to cook and bake, but it offers a fun way to learn through legends, stories and many of Orey's experiences derived from both childhood and present times. -- Tahoe Daily Tribune, book review
The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices: A Complete Guide to Nature's Timeless Treasures. The ninth installment of the Healing Powers series from nutrition writer Orey explores how herbs and dried spices can provide home cures, weight loss benefits, and beauty treatments. -- Publishers Weekly
... Orey's ninth title in her Healing Powers series is part cookbook, part healthy living reference...After the educational parts and charts, most pages are devoted to nearly 80 recipes for almost every possible eating occasion: jumbo anise biscotti, cayenne spicy salsa, saffron baked custard, spicy meatless shepherd's pie.... An herb a day just might keep the doctor at bay. Includes glossary and resources. --Booklist
Herbal medicines can be helpful in treating many medical concerns as well as be used to support our health. These natural healing modalities discussed in Orey's refreshing book for the 21st century well-being have been part of my integrative family practice for nearly 50 years. -- Elson Haas, MD (ElsonHaasMD.com) is the author of 11 books including Staying Healthy with the Seasons and Staying Healthy with NEW Medicine.I loved the complexity of it: there are personal stories from the author which bring flavor to the pages, there are a lot of details about the chemistry and the history of the spices and, of course, their benefits for health...
There are folk types of advice mixed in, beauty and home benefits from using herbs and a lot of recipes. -- Reviewer NetGalley
It's very refreshing to come across a book packed with solid, helpful information on healing and wellness that doesn't try to discredit modern medicine. There is absolutely a place for both in our lives, and crucial information is being lost in the delirium of "internet research." -- Reviewer NetGalley
March 30, 2023
Soulmates with Paws Nonfiction Novel Hits #39 Bestseller in Animal Essays in March!
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*Shocking Paranormal Stories
*Incredible Homeward Bound Tales
*Uncanny 9 Lives Phenomenon
One thing is absolutely clear; that is Cal Orey is a pet lover extraordinaire. She sums up the theme of her book in her final sentence, “Soulmates with Paws is a tribute to the four-leggers in my life, past and present, and throughout the nation and around the globe. It’s the human-companion animal bond that is universal and one that connects us as whole unity on the planet.”
As a renown award-winning author, Cal Orey’s reputation of tackling subjects with an abundance of facts and insights proceeds this book in many ways. It was my pleasure to enjoy the vast details of her personal accounts, the array of scientific facts, and surprising spiritual aspects of dog and cat relationships within a diverse style of original writing, published article reprints, blogpost excerpts, and a forward by Stanley Coren, Ph.D., author of The Intelligence of Dogs and How to Speak Dog.
As for spiritual relationships, she writes, “After a cat dies, they have a telepathic reunion with their owner, according to telepathic animal communicator Raphaela Pope of Berkeley, Calif. That means cat owners may have direct communication beyond what’s normal with their cats.” Here, I thought it was only me that experienced this when my cat died.
Pet owners who understand their furry-friends all have seen remarkable situations of the animal’s awareness alerting their owner to some impending threat; whether it be a fire, an earthquake, or even the malintent of other people posing danger. The ability for dogs and cats to “find their way home” after being lost or when traveling tends to hint of high-sensory awareness of sight and smell and beyond, to some perception of the Earth’s magnetic fields, as was discovered in bees and birds, plus other mammals, where their brain cells contain magnetized iron particles which cells act like built-in compasses.
Although peppered with extraordinary facts about dogs and cats, Cal Orey’s main thrust is in her storytelling. There are many stories of people and pets, doing amazing things. These stories make up the icing on the factual content of the book. Written in a friendly “fireside” fashion, readers will love each of the many tales throughout this book where she tells of her exploits, her pet loves and losses, and get to know her as a person with a heart, seeking ways to unselfishly help others.
A section about homeless people caring for pets points out an interesting observation by Richard Avanzino, president of the San Francisco SPCA. “Because homeless people have this unique bond and special relationship, in many cases, the animals are better cared for than they take care of themselves. And that’s because the animal has stood by their side when society and the world and human beings have discarded them.”
The book contains a dozen quizzes for readers, each enabling them to determine aspects of their own personality, such as being a dog-person or a cat-person, and which breed of dog best suits their personality. Each chapter has appropriate quotes from famous people. And talking about famous people, a chapter is dedicated to many stories of actors, celebrities and authors with their pets. For example, Doris Day started an animal rescue charity and of course, John Steinbeck’s many books referencing his animal companions.
As a whole, Soulmates with paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails is a book that should be promoted on all fronts, especially in mental and physical well-being practices, as powerfully illustrated through personal experiences and relatable concepts. It is without doubt one of those texts that beg to be read time and again, to dig up the nuances you may have missed during the first reading.
BUY ON AMAZONAUTHOR’S WEBSITELatest Reviews, Non Fiction, PetsMarch 29, 2023
2023 Forecasts: Golden State "Rain, Flooding, Mudslides"
2023 Forecasts: Golden State "Rain, Flooding, Mudslides"
Update: Newsworthy flooding, SAF tremors, quakes near Anchorage, Italy, Japan...flu, colds, and some cases of COVID have been happening. Talk of nuclear weapons to migration is happening. Regarding wildfires? Burned out regions to fresh growth of trees and plants will serve as fuel. Yes, this year has turned out to be challenging and it's not half over. Be ready for anything but remember each even will run its course and pass.
2023 Forecasts
The year of 2022 will go down in history books as a rough ride around the world. We had action and adventure. There were quakes, twisters, hurricanes, wildfires causing dangerous air and lake quality. Extreme climate change effects to man-made disasters will happen again in 2023. Count on it...
As the New Year rolls in we unfortunately will be in Mercury Retrograde until mid-month. Some famous prophets predicted this year would frightening—and it may feel that way since some happenings may get worse.
The drought, air quality, toxic waterways, famine, challenges of crops and inflation affecting our food will not go away.
It will be a New Year and new thinking is going to help us get through it, one day at a time. So, dear readers, it is again a time of resourcefulness. Put together a healthy emergency pantry and a go bag for people and pets in case you have to escape or live with nature’s wrath, whether you’re near the coast, mountains, cities, or countryside. Yes, it’s going to be another year of living on the edge of the unknown chock-full of twists and turns like a roller coaster.
Tremors and More Tremors
* Okay, the San Andreas fault zone did move like I predicted it would. In the fall, there was a notable 5.1 earthquake that rattled nerves for folks in the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, there’s been quite a few minor but noteworthy shakers in both the East and South Bay. But no Big One yet. However, due to the rain and snow in the fall (we’re still in a drought on the West Coast) it could help trigger more stronger earthquakes.
* Looking at hazardous regions on a USGS map the normal earthquake areas are shaded risky. These places include up and down the West Coast, Sierra Nevada, the New Madrid Zone, southern Alaska, and The Big Island, Hawaii.
*Alaska, especially near Anchorage, may experience a major earthquake as it did a few years ago. Since this state is noteworthy of its earthquakes it wouldn’t be shocking.
*In 2022, on November 21, a 5.5 in Greece triggered tsunami fears. It’s possible Italy is up next to rock and roll in 2023 and a great earthquake could happen.
*Indeed the Pacific Ring of Fire was on a roll last year and will likely be the region where at least one great earthquake occurs in 2023. Japan could have a repeat of March 2011which included a fatal tsunami.
Northern California ShakeAlert! This Is Not a Drill! On December 20 when most people were in bed at 2:34 A.M. Tuesday, a 6.4 strong earthquake near Ferndale shook parts of Northern California. The shaker was about 15 to 20 seconds—
frightening to many people who reported the event. The end result: At least two deaths, at least a dozen people injured, and more than 70,000 folks were left without power. There was infrastructure damage, a road closure, and plenty of objects fell and broke…A news headline read “Humboldt earthquake alert warned 3M people in California, Oregon”. The ShakeAlert on cell phones say five warning words “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and gave people about 10 seconds to prepare for the Earth to move. Dozens of aftershocks followed and there is a chance it was a foreshock. The Northern California earthquake is in both The Ring of Fire and Cascadian Subduction Zone known for deadly earthquakes.
Rain and Snow
As Earth changes continue to shock us, in 2023, according to the experts, a drought in the West and Southwest is not over. In mid-December the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California announced a drought emergency. And dams, reservoirs, and rivers are drying up. Ironically, in December 2022, the northern and southern regions of the Golden State got rain, flash floods, flooding, and mudslides. The Sierra Nevada did enjoy several feet of snow—but the snowpack, report experts, is a “drop in the bucket.” In 2023 water rationing will continue. The lack of water, especially in Southern California, will be a challenge as it will be in central California—the place where our crops are grown and used to be plentiful. UPDATE: Miss on snowfall in the Golden State. It turned out to be an epic snow year--from 15 ft. berms, snowed-in in San Bernadino, roof collapses in South Lake Tahoe (grocery stores! closed)...California is no longer in a severe drought. A few regions moderate drought lakes, river, reservoirs are full to the brim. Warning: If springmelt is too quick destructive flooding will happen and affect Central California and crops (even more than it has already). That means higher prices or lack of produce supply for the U.S.
Still, talk of a Sacramento mega flood, like in the 1800s, continues and people are warned to keep their flood insurance. If the temperatures warm up throughout the West Coast there could be some flash floods and flooding in January and the springtime. If this occurs Washington, Oregon, and California will experience coastal erosion, lost homes, and past wildfire burn regions are vulnerable.
Speaking of rain, the Deep South states will face flooding and tornadoes. The states most affected may include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida. Coastal regions and their people should be prepared.
Hurricanes and Wildfires
Hurricanes will happen and in 2023 history may repeat itself. One of the Hawaiian Islands could be in danger as well as Florida and the Gulf States. The Atlantic seaboard folks may be boarding up and hunkering down. The Carolinas may be two states facing action and adventure.
Wildfire season is now an annual happening – and unhealthy air quality is affecting all of the West. Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and California are coping with smoky skies especially during summertime. In the winter, prescribed burns, and fireplace smoke causes more toxic skies. People in these regions are getting used to fleeing for a wildfire vacation to find clean air and/or living indoors with air purifiers.
Climate Change and Immune System
Not unlike 2022, climate change and immune system challenges will be ongoing. During the winter masking up will be recommended to stay well—but it will not be mandated. As we try and find normalcy since COVID-19, new culprits will lurk around us wherever we go.
During the end of 2022, the “tripledemic” (flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID) is wreaking havoc on our hospitals and people. While we thought the pandemic was over now, we’re dealing with other bugs. And yes, traveling like we did in 2019 but now in cramped airplanes and other transportation can help spread contagious illnesses. What’s more, due to climate change and strange weather we can expect more not less turbulence on flights.
Both illness and extreme weather affects health, the workplace and our food chain and will continue to rise prices. Some produce will be less than more, and some foods will be difficult if not impossible to get.
The good news is people will be forced to be more thoughtful with their diet. Buying nutrient-dense fare, fortified cereals to milk, will help people to get nutrients to stay healthier and leaner. This, in turn, means we can boost our immune system, naturally with a better lifestyle.
Because of climate change a plant-based diet will become more popular but more difficult to get because the cost will be pricey. It will take thought and resourcefulness to get fresh fruit and vegetables. People who can grow their own gardens will be blessed. Those people who can afford to pay ten dollars for a few apples will be lucky. And then there are some of us who have the time to forage for apples and oranges at different stores and may score healthy superfoods.
Pesky Planets
So, to add craziness to this New Year, don’t forget Mercury Retrograde. It happens three times in 2023. Be mindful during these periods. Consider not making travel plans, big changes during these periods. Mercury Retrograde times aren’t always a terrible curse, but it can be.
The planet Mercury Retrograde dates to mark on your 2023 are: 29 December 2022 – 18 January 2023 in Capricorn; April 21. 2023 – 14 May 2023 in Taurus; August 23, 2023 – September 15, 2023, in Virgo; and December 13, 2023 – January 1. 2024 in Sagittarius.
Often arguments, high stress, and anxiety during moving or new jobs can happen during Mercury Retrograde--but not always. If you’ve planned on something big and you absolutely cannot change the time it happens it’s a time to be aware and stay safe as possible.
Soulmates with Paws for 2023
Without doubt, people in Ukraine to America and around the globe will be cuddling up to four-leggers. The global pandemic and lockdowns of 2020 resulted in an upsurge of animal adoptions… people were seeking the emotional support and affection that a companion animal can bring.
Homeless pets and their people are a timeless phenomenon. Due to inflation (and recession), displaced families facing financial and physical disasters, will feel scared and lonely. But our companion animals will help us stay strong and survive during the worst of times.
It’s the year of inhaling and exhaling because more challenges are coming. Some folks believe the end days are near, others choose to live life in the moment and tune out the media hype. Learning to go with the flow in 2023—and being prepared for anything is going to be the name of the game. Your mantra: Stay safe.
Nostradamus’ 2023 Sci-Fi Visions
What did the French astrologer Nostradamus see for the New Year? Well, some visions in the prophet’s quatrains are scary. On the upside, “Nosty” has been wrong. .Epidemics will increase. I agree with epidemics continuing as we experience viruses mutating, a flu bug spreading, and other contagious diseases affecting people of all ages. Famine may soar. Due to factories and farms being affected by shutdowns and exportation due to illness, inflation, and climate change, lack of food is happening.· Detonation of a nuclear weapon. It is possible a weapon of destruction may be used and affect some European countries that will make climate change and resources worse.· Migratory problems. People all over the world are moving due to terrorism, war, famine, and climate change. People in Mexico, Ukrainians, Europeans, and the West Coast locals of California to Washington are relocating to survive.
SUBMITTED TO ORACLE 20/20 MAGAZINE DEC. 20, 2022
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