Cal Orey's Blog, page 68

Raw Edges--Review Answers from Co-Author of The Caged Bird Sings

By Cal Orey

Here are some of the questions I was asked by an insightful and amazing reporter for a newspaper article covering the new release The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man's Untold War Chronicles created by James Channing Shaw and co-author Cal Orey. Read on...

I finally have questions for you! I’m sure I’ll have more but here’s a few to get started. I loved the book!!! Such a great story.

1. You said that you started this project as a ghost writer but suggested first person writing, so you ended up getting more involved in the story writing. Is that the first time you’ve gone from ghost writer to a credited author?

1.     I tend to get too passionate as a ghostwriter. And yes, in the past I’ve been credited co-author. The creator of The Caged Bird Sings wowed me with his well-written historical story based in Rouen, France during WWII. However, I found a fatal flaw. It was originally penned in third person narrative. I thought, “It’s too dry. The protagonist Benjamin Cohen faces so much drama. I want to hear his feelings, get the real deal.” I channeled into the character and yes it was easy-peasy. I morphed into the teen and felt his erratic world spin out of control through his eyes.

2. Where did you get the inspiration for Benjamin? I know you said he helped you during the evacuation but when writing his experience, were there any personal experiences you pulled from?

     Benjamin is an introvert. His father, a doctor, wants him to be a doctor like his older brother. But this teen, not unlike I was at 13, is creative. He is a brilliant musician. So, he took another road (or two). He followed his heart and passion.

3. Also, I’ve also thought it would be difficult to write from a child or teenager’s point of view but you did it wonderfully. I could see his youth and naivete but I could feel him being forced to grow up. How were you able to put yourself in the mind of a 13 year old, without him being colored by your adult experiences? 

  It was easy. My “wonder years” on the surface were normal, growing up in “suburbia.” However, I did cope with the Viet Nam war and its effects. I still have scars of sibling rivalry, and a father with his vision for my career—a dental assistant. I grew up Catholic but I was open-minded, like Benjamin.  My family saw me as the “underdog” but like Benjamin I grew up fast during the rebellious post-hippie era and was on my own in many ways.  And I chose to write poetry in a journal -- a place I could go to to express my real feelings without being judged. It was  like Benjamin's diary or "word journal" that was his private space to give him comfort.

    .

4. What was your favorite part of working on this book?

 I confess. I brought in the bird. The bird may be seen as a young man’s best friend, especially in the end. As an animal lover since a kid I always had a dog or cat. Since I was shy it was easy for me to bond with a constant companion like Benjamin does with his parrot. Also, Benjamin falls in love with a nun-in-training. And, of course, this blossoming romance is close to me—an unconventional die-hard romantic.

5. What do you hope people will take from the book?

       During the evacuation of the Caldor Fire, this novel was in production. As an “evacuee” like thousands of Lake Tahoe residents who witnessed our town being threatened, I gained strength from both Benjamin and Emile. They do what they have to do to deal with the “invasion.”  When the family is separated and the brothers are on the run, their amazing courage is inspirational. Also, Benjamin’s creativity to help others paired with his resilience to be pro-active during uncertainty inspired me to deal with nature’s wrath and the possibility of loss of life, home, and our town. I hope readers are inspired like I am by the strength and growth of all the characters -- even the parrot! It's family ties and love that keep us grounded during the dark times in life.

6. Would you be interested in doing another project like this?

        In graduate school I wrote historical fiction. I penned a short story on the Viet Nam war. It was told from a young man's perspective. My professor submitted it to a national writing contest. It was heartfelt because I experienced our young men who came back --and those who did not. These types of projects are genuine and timeless; I love to infuse emotion into characters. The next project up is a romance novel but the setting is present-day. And yes, there is tragedy but a strong heroine in over her head. Ah, that’s my cup of tea!

Spice Up Autumn with Herbs & Spices Book Woman's World+ Approved!

  By Cal Orey

UPDATE: Newsmax is offering The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices as a GIFT BOOK. And it will debut in the July issue of Newsmax Magazine! Yes! It is in the issue...

Plus, The Healing Powers of  Herbs & #Spices: Timeless Treasures got the Best Seller banner on Walmart bookstore website.

This gem made its way through the news. On April 7, an article interviewing the author Cal Orey hit Huffington Post...and the piece was picked up by New York Daily, NY Daily Post, City Buzz, and even more online mags and newspapers! 

The new and timely release (yes, McCormick recently shared its Old Bay Seasoning is "hot"). People are still home-cooking more than ever! The reader-friendly book is now in more than 109 libraries worldwide (multiple copies, checked out); Woman's World Book Club approved Feb. 1 issue; reviewed by Booklist; 100% like it on Goodreads; major media outlet is on board carrying copies; Walmart gave it a Best Seller banner for 2 weeks; Best Seller in top 100 health books on Amazon this month; featured in magazines/newspapers...and the year is young. #9 (Series) The book that'll whisk you away!

Product ImageBest SellerProduct TitleThe Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices (Walmart website)Cal OreyISBN10: 0806540486ISBN: 9780806540481Format:Paperback


The mega-popular Healing Powers series from bestselling nutrition writer Cal Orey continues with its 9th installment, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices, exploring the many ways fresh herbs in your fridge and dried spices in your kitchen cupboard can provide medicinal powers, home cures, weight loss benefits, beauty treatments, and adventurous flavors and textures to enhance plant-based dishes. 
And during the pandemic there is a spice surge because of the home-cooking comeback! The key to vibrant health for all generations is in your kitchen...
Anise, bay leaf, garlic, parsley, turmeric, and more (I use a lot of the McCormick classic brand) --for thousands of years, herbs and spices have been praised for preserving and flavoring food, as well as preventing and curing illnesses. The latest research reveals that the seasonings already in your pantry--or easily found fresh in your supermarket or garden--can lower your risk for cancer, heart disease, and obesity. This A-to-Z guide catalogues the most popular and versatile herbs and spices, drawn from the Mediterranean Diet but suitable for any diet plan. You will learn how to harness herbalism to heal your body and mind.

Discover how to use nature's gifts including allspice, chives, fennel, oregano, pepper, tarragon, saffron, and special blends like Herbes de Provence to:

●Bring abundant zest to your table while lowering your cholesterol, balancing your blood sugar, and revving up your metabolism--at any age!
●Ward off colds and flu, banish a hacking cough, and even ease PMS or menopause woes, by adding tasty plant therapy to your favorite food or drink.
●Lessen your anxiety and boost your mood with aromatic natural ingredients found in dried and fresh flavorings.
●Soothe aches and pains without harmful side effects--and trigger feel-good endorphins--using sweet and savory garnishes, including edible flowers.
●Create in-home spa treatments using the same herbal potions featured at luxury spa resorts.
Caraway Breadsticks, anyone? How about Cilantro Lime Slaw, Herbal Greek Bean Soup, or Roasted Paprika Cornish Hens? With over 50 taste-tempting recipes, along with personal stories and fascinating historical anecdotes on medicinal uses dating back to biblical times, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices is your go-to guide to embracing limitless energy and healthy longevity while feasting on memorable meals full of aroma and deliciousness!

HONEY & VINEGAR BACK TO PRESS...15,000 COPIES + AUTHOR''S WORK UPDATE!

  By Cal Orey

UPDATE: While HONEY (mass market) and VINEGAR (paperback) have gone back to press (again), HERBS & SPICES has made its way into hundreds of libraries worldwide; HONEY (all three formats) has maintained its Best Seller banner for a month on the Walmart and Amazon websites -- it's even on the AOL Homepage!  SUPERFOODS AND ESSENTIAL OILS also recently back to press. TEA? Newsmax will be carrying my favorite book in the Healing Powers Series -- just in time for January, National Hot Tea Month.

The latest work? A CAGED BIRD SINGS:  A YOUNG MAN'S UNTOLD WAR CHRONICLES is a compelling historical WWII epistolary novel --  compassionate, thrilling, and witty. (I am the co-author; it is now available in three formats!). Reviews from the Tahoe Daily Tribune and Kirkus are in progress. 

Currently, I'm co-authoring an edgy science book about super amazing wonders of our Universe (not the boring stuff we were taught in high school). Next up? Ah, a contemporary romance novel based in the Golden State that'll keep the reader on edge every single page.

Drawing on the 21st century honey buzz, bestselling author Cal Orey reveals enlightening honey home remedies, straight from the book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature's Remarkable Nectar! (Kensington)
Here are common health ailments from A to Z and amazing at-home honey cures. These are tried-and-true folk remedies based on scientific studies, real-life stories, medical doctors, researchers, and beekeepers. But caution, consult your health-care practitioner before putting to work any honey cure.
1 ALLERGIES (Stop seasonal misery): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing is no picnic, thanks to seasonal 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.
2 ANXIETY (Beat the jitters monster): When anxiety hits (often worsened by stress) you know it like when an earthquake strikes. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your nervous system and up your odds of experiencing heart disease, stress eating, and other health problems.What Honey Rx to Use: If you're under pressure and feeling high anxiety or sense a stressful event is in the works, make a cup of chamomile tea. Put in 1 teaspoon of your favorite honey. Repeat twice a day as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  Honey--all hundreds of varietals--is touted by folk medicine healers for its calming effects. The natural superfood can help sooth your nerves rather than put you in higher anxiety mode. The relief if provides may be due to its multiple vitamin B content--anti-stress vitamins.
3  COUGH (Outfox irritating hacking):  A cough is another unwelcome visitor and can make you feel terrible. Let's face it, cough medicine can be pricey, doesn't taste good, and may or may not do its job.What Honey Rx to Use:  A teaspoon of buckwheat honey is recommended before bed. Or you can make syrup of 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Repeat each remedy as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  A group of Penn State College of Medicine researchers discovered that honey may be the cure. The findings showed that buckwheat honey at bedtime was more powerful for curing a cough in children than a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter medications. It is believed that honey will act as a sedative to the nervous system.
4 ENERGY DRAIN (Beat low energy): Getting your cough under control is a good thing, but then what if your energy plummets?  Liquid gold may be the answer again.What Honey Rx to Use: Each morning include a teaspoon of bee pollen in your breakfast. Go ahead and take it solo. Or try The Honey Association's Energy Drink recipe:  ¼ pint orange juice, ¼ pint natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons clear honey. Place all the ingredients in a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Serves two people.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed by the body. That means, you'll get a quick energy boost with long-lasting effects. Athletes include it in their daily diets. It was even used by runners at the Olympic Games in ancient Greece.
5 HEADACHE (Bye-bye, pain): Fatigue and headaches are not to be taken with a grain of salt, because it can hurt oh, so bad. There are different types of headaches, and some kinds may benefit from the honey bee's gift.What Honey Rx to Use:  One cup of tea with 1 teaspoon of honey (the darker the varietal the better) is the remedy. Repeat as needed. Also, drink plenty of water and relax.Why You'll Bee Happy:  "The way honey might work for tension headaches," says New York Headache Center's Alex Mauskop, M.D., "is by treating hypoglycemia, which can cause tension and migraines." He adds that some antioxidants can help prevent headaches, as can magnesium and vitamin B. So turning to antioxidant-rich honey may be a sweet remedy.
6 INSOMNIA  (Find sweet dreams): Getting rid of a headache is a challenge, but not getting adequate shut-eye can have long-term effects, too.What Rx to Use: Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of your favorite honey, especially before going to bed. Try sipping a cup of 2 percent low-fat milk with a dash of cinnamon. The tryptophan in milk will help to calm you.Why You'll Bee Happy:  It's a magic trick, according to The Honey Revolution author Ron Fessenden, M.D., providing needed glycogen to the liver so the brain doesn't go in search of extra fuel in the earl A.M. hours when you should be in Dreamland. "Consuming honey before bedtime also reduces the release of  adrenaline, a catecholamine that raises blood pressure and heart rate," adds the honey guru.
7 SORE THROAT (Take the sting away): Not sleeping is miserable, but a sore throat can drag you down, too, where don't feel like walking or talking. Honey has been used as a home for centuries to help sooth one of the symptoms associated with a common cold--namely, a killer sore throat.What Honey Rx to Use:  For relief of symptoms, take a spoonful of your buckwheat honey, as often as you need, to relieve irritation. In between, sip a cup of tea with honey. Also, try pure honeycomb and honey sticks. Don't forget all-natural honey-lemon lozenges, which also coat the throat for quick relief.Why You'll Bee Happy: One, honey will coat your sore throat, the symptom of the cause. Two, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties will help heal the culprit causing your pain. 8 WAIST WHITTLER (Blast belly fat): Twitches to tummy bulge... if you have a bulging tummy, you'd probably consider a sore throat is easier to get rid of. But wait; there are things you can do to get a flat tummy.What Honey Rx to Use:  Both morning and night, drink an 8-ounce glass or mug of tea (dandelion or parsley boasts diuretic effects), with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Team this potion with grazing and watch your fat and sugar intake.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey and apple cider vinegar contain the bloat-busting mineral potassium. Also, turning to honey will help you to eat fewer sugary treats and enjoy a flatter stomach.
          So go ahead and use the type of honey advised or your own preference; all-natural, raw honey, dark varietals are recommended for best results. (Warning: To avoid infant botulism, do not fee honey to an infant.)

HONEY BOOK BEST SELLER BANNER FOR MONTHS! COUNTLESS PRINT RUNS!

 By Cal Orey

Not only is The Healing Powers of Honey featured by the popular Newsmax outlet  (Manuka varietal gets attention) -- it's making its way to bestseller on Amazon to Walmart websites. Fall-Winter-Holiday Season is the time to discover what honey can do for you! 

The paperback, Ebook formats have worn the badge of best seller for weeks and weeks! This favorite book of mine in the Healing Powers Series has gone back to press many times in the past months...and now I'm writing blog posts (for a major honey and tea company) about nature's nectar!

Product Image  Best Seller

: The Healing Powers of Honey: The Healthy & Green ChoiceAverage Rating:(0.0)out of5starsProduct SpecAuthors:Cal OreyISBN10: 1496712544ISBN: 9781496712547Format:Paperback Discover Honey's Amazing Bee-Healthy Powers and Disease-Fighting Antioxidants for Immune and Heart HealthDid you know?... Known as Mother Nature's "nectar of the gods," honey was praised for its healing powers as far back as 5,000 years ago by Egyptians.
Drawing on the 21st century honey buzz, bestselling author Cal Orey reveals enlightening honey home remedies, straight from the book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature's Remarkable Nectar! (Kensington)
Here are common health ailments from A to Z and amazing at-home honey cures. These are tried-and-true folk remedies based on scientific studies, real-life stories, medical doctors, researchers, and beekeepers. But caution, consult your health-care practitioner before putting to work any honey cure.
1 ALLERGIES (Stop seasonal misery): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing is no picnic, thanks to seasonal 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.
2 ANXIETY (Beat the jitters monster): When anxiety hits (often worsened by stress) you know it like when an earthquake strikes. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your nervous system and up your odds of experiencing heart disease, stress eating, and other health problems.What Honey Rx to Use: If you're under pressure and feeling high anxiety or sense a stressful event is in the works, make a cup of chamomile tea. Put in 1 teaspoon of your favorite honey. Repeat twice a day as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  Honey--all hundreds of varietals--is touted by folk medicine healers for its calming effects. The natural superfood can help sooth your nerves rather than put you in higher anxiety mode. The relief if provides may be due to its multiple vitamin B content--anti-stress vitamins.
3  COUGH (Outfox irritating hacking):  A cough is another unwelcome visitor and can make you feel terrible. Let's face it, cough medicine can be pricey, doesn't taste good, and may or may not do its job.What Honey Rx to Use:  A teaspoon of buckwheat honey is recommended before bed. Or you can make syrup of 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Repeat each remedy as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  A group of Penn State College of Medicine researchers discovered that honey may be the cure. The findings showed that buckwheat honey at bedtime was more powerful for curing a cough in children than a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter medications. It is believed that honey will act as a sedative to the nervous system.
4 ENERGY DRAIN (Beat low energy): Getting your cough under control is a good thing, but then what if your energy plummets?  Liquid gold may be the answer again.What Honey Rx to Use: Each morning include a teaspoon of bee pollen in your breakfast. Go ahead and take it solo. Or try The Honey Association's Energy Drink recipe:  ¼ pint orange juice, ¼ pint natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons clear honey. Place all the ingredients in a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Serves two people.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed by the body. That means, you'll get a quick energy boost with long-lasting effects. Athletes include it in their daily diets. It was even used by runners at the Olympic Games in ancient Greece.
5 HEADACHE (Bye-bye, pain): Fatigue and headaches are not to be taken with a grain of salt, because it can hurt oh, so bad. There are different types of headaches, and some kinds may benefit from the honey bee's gift.What Honey Rx to Use:  One cup of tea with 1 teaspoon of honey (the darker the varietal the better) is the remedy. Repeat as needed. Also, drink plenty of water and relax.Why You'll Bee Happy:  "The way honey might work for tension headaches," says New York Headache Center's Alex Mauskop, M.D., "is by treating hypoglycemia, which can cause tension and migraines." He adds that some antioxidants can help prevent headaches, as can magnesium and vitamin B. So turning to antioxidant-rich honey may be a sweet remedy.
6 INSOMNIA  (Find sweet dreams): Getting rid of a headache is a challenge, but not getting adequate shut-eye can have long-term effects, too.What Rx to Use: Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of your favorite honey, especially before going to bed. Try sipping a cup of 2 percent low-fat milk with a dash of cinnamon. The tryptophan in milk will help to calm you.Why You'll Bee Happy:  It's a magic trick, according to The Honey Revolution author Ron Fessenden, M.D., providing needed glycogen to the liver so the brain doesn't go in search of extra fuel in the earl A.M. hours when you should be in Dreamland. "Consuming honey before bedtime also reduces the release of  adrenaline, a catecholamine that raises blood pressure and heart rate," adds the honey guru.
7 SORE THROAT (Take the sting away): Not sleeping is miserable, but a sore throat can drag you down, too, where don't feel like walking or talking. Honey has been used as a home for centuries to help sooth one of the symptoms associated with a common cold--namely, a killer sore throat.What Honey Rx to Use:  For relief of symptoms, take a spoonful of your buckwheat honey, as often as you need, to relieve irritation. In between, sip a cup of tea with honey. Also, try pure honeycomb and honey sticks. Don't forget all-natural honey-lemon lozenges, which also coat the throat for quick relief.Why You'll Bee Happy: One, honey will coat your sore throat, the symptom of the cause. Two, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties will help heal the culprit causing your pain. 8 WAIST WHITTLER (Blast belly fat): Twitches to tummy bulge... if you have a bulging tummy, you'd probably consider a sore throat is easier to get rid of. But wait; there are things you can do to get a flat tummy.What Honey Rx to Use:  Both morning and night, drink an 8-ounce glass or mug of tea (dandelion or parsley boasts diuretic effects), with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Team this potion with grazing and watch your fat and sugar intake.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey and apple cider vinegar contain the bloat-busting mineral potassium. Also, turning to honey will help you to eat fewer sugary treats and enjoy a flatter stomach.
          So go ahead and use the type of honey advised or your own preference; all-natural, raw honey, dark varietals are recommended for best results. (Warning: To avoid infant botulism, do not fee honey to an infant.

World War II Historical Novel -- A Very Private Diary That'll WOW You!

By Cal Orey
Watched a French Resistance film last night. Well done. Take a look at the novel I co-authored -- The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man's Untold War Chronicles by James Channing Shaw & Cal Orey (Ebook/paperback/hardcover) -- lots of similarities.  * Was #1 Bestselling New Release in Teen & Young Adult (Amazon)  Please read, review new release wherever you choose to get a copy at online bookstores. 

Our ability to traverse tragedy and painful struggles stems from many emotions and character traits. Strength, courage, and resilience all play a large role in the journey to overcome great struggles, but one emotion that works hard to keep us all together during these times is love. The love of a parent, of a friend, of a new romance, or of a sibling can keep us motivated and full of hope in times of darkness. As Marc Chagall once said, “In our life, there is a single color, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.”

In author James Channing Shaw & Cal Orey’s The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man’s Untold War Chronicles, the authors convey a unique coming of age story set during WWII. Living in war-torn and German-occupied France during the war, Benjamin Cohen is a thirteen-year-old boy who dreams of taking up the art of the carillon bells. A young Jewish boy with a fascination with an instrument in a Catholic Church, the young man pursues his passion, despite the concerns of his parents and the resistance of his siblings. Yet as he learns and grows in his skill, he must also grow as a person far quicker than most, as the horrors of the war reign down on him and his family, and the bonds and love he shares with his parents, his siblings, and a young woman in the church he grows fond of, begin to take on a much more impactful meaning than he thought possible.

A truly moving and strong story of facing injustice, the horrors of war, and having to discover who you are as a person amidst all that turmoil, this was a moving and engaging read. The authors perfectly layer the narrative with personal character growth and memorable familial bonds that will be both familiar and relatable to readers as they delve into this story. The approach to the narrative itself was so brilliantly creative, as the authors utilized a diary-epistolary format, where the protagonist’s narration came through journal entry style storytelling. The setting and tone of the narrative become just as much of a character in this story as the protagonist himself, the city, and the haunting nature of the German occupation filling the novel with dread and tension that perfectly captures the horrors of that war.

This is an absolutely perfect read for those who enjoy history, especially WWII history and want to see that incorporated more into coming of age and YA style genres of storytelling. As a fan of history and these genres, I found myself entertained and emotionally invested in these characters and their stories, and the tragic realities of what families faced in that war will have readers tearful while the hero’s journey that Benjamin goes on will leave them with a sense of hope many struggled to hold onto during that time.

A remarkable, thoughtful, and heartfelt read, authors James Channing Shaw and Cal Orey’s The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man’s Untold War Chronicles is a fantastic new take on the young adult, coming of age narrative with a historical fiction twist. The balance of tragedy and hope the authors infuse into this narrative are both haunting and realistic to the horrors experienced by the Jewish people during WWII, while the character’s growth is amazing to read throughout the emotional final pages of this book. -- Pacific Book Review

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The Healing Powers of Tea Does Good (Again)

  By Cal Orey

Then, it happened. A week ago, Newsmax made the decision to bring The Healing Powers of Tea on board to accompany my other books in the Healing Powers Series. Last year, November 11, the TEA book was again number 1... this past August 1 The Healing Powers of Tea was graced with the Best Seller banner on Amazon --  #1 again!
It's a perfect read for autumn and winter days... And don't forget, January is National Hot Tea Month. Tea, all varieties, is a must-have in winter months. Stock your pantry with black, white, green, and herbal types for well-being.  And there's more...
Last week, my favorite TEA book wore the Best Seller banner "badge" of book honor on the Amazon website. And it doesn't surprise me. This book -- one out of nine -- is one of my darlings. The stories are real, my travels are real, and the info is timeless.
Back on April 29, The Healing Powers of Tea was attracting readers on a variety of online bookseller websites, including amazon, barnes and noble, walmart, kobo, apple, and google. This book is #6 in the Healing Powers Series... 

Also, the popular, prestigious Fairmont Hotel in Victoria, B.C., Canada ordered both The Healing Powers of Tea and The Healing Powers of Honey for their tearoom gift shop. Foreign rights to Estonia! And a Publisher's Weekly Review! And I will never forget the wonder teas I tried, including ..

*The Healing Powers of Superfoods, Honey, Coffee, Vinegar, Chocolate, Essential Oils, Olive Oil will also soothe you this autumn; don't for the 2021 release The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices (complete with surprise travels). The only seasonings book infused with TLC of the Mediterranean herbs and spices for your nose and taste buds and imagination as I whisk you away around the globe!

The Healing Powers of Tea Kindle Edition(Amazon)by Cal Orey   (Author)4.9 out of 5 stars    14 customer reviews#1 Best Sellerin Coffee and Tea See all 2 formats and editions
Kindle 
$1.99Earn a 75% creditRead with Our Free App       Paperback 
$10.97 31 Used from $4.4154 New from $10.22

File Size: 1871 KBPrint Length: 321 pagesPublisher: Citadel (December 26, 2017)Publication Date: December 26, 2017Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher ServicesLanguage: EnglishASIN: B06XZQKD4FText-to-Speech: Enabled X-Ray:Not Enabled Word Wise: EnabledLending: Not EnabledEnhanced Typesetting: Enabled Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)#1 in Coffee Tea (Books)#1 in Coffee Tea (Kindle Store)#1 in Health Reference

INTERVIEW With A Non-Fiction and Fiction Author: Cal Orey Dishes Her Work Secrets

  By Cal Orey

As a native Californian, Cal Orey, M.A., is an accomplished author- journalist and fiction writer. She grew up in the post-hippie era. In her teens she rebelled against processed canned and frozen foods and meat. Blame it on she sensed a plant-based diet was the key to better health, staying lean, and keeping in balance with her mind and body. That is when she began to have an interest in health and natural living.  But that's not all. The author speaks out:
In 2021, I've spread my wings and entered the amazing wonderland of fiction writing. I've been a scientist on a trek to the North Pole and South Pole to fight climate change. Then, as a gifted entrepreneur I was an underdog who became a financial success in New York -- but paid the price. Not to forget my road trip/romantic getaway in Australia. And now, I'm a cerebral kid coping with mega challenges in the WWII era in France. And the year is young.   And yes, I still find time to market my Healing Powers series. HONEY has had the Bestseller banner on many bookseller websites for a month. Plus, my latest release HERBS AND SPICES continues to get noticed by major publications including Huffington Post, New York Daily, Newsmax magazine, and libraries worldwide. And I dish up weekly to monthly columns on food and Earth changes. Read on -- an interview about my timeless series.
Deliciously healing surprising…

Q: Sugar or Fat? Which one does a writer need more?

Fat. I used to be a sugar junkie. These days, when I incorporate real butter (no fake stuff for me) and oil(s) with superfoods, I’m satisfied and keep lean and fit. Sugar on occasion in natural ice cream and a homemade cookie or brownie finds its way to my life, but only in moderation.

Q: Your writing resumes are impressive. Two degrees in writing, three decades of articles and book experience. How did you end up as the Healing Powers Series author?

A: Before finishing grad school at San Francisco State University, I was a published magazine writer. I used to write countless articles for well-known national mags on topics from animals to men. I spun both fiction and non-fiction. Then, I moved over to women’s mags and wrote about every romance and relationship subject imaginable. Fast forward to 1999. I got my first real book deal from Kensington, a New York publisher. (I had penned dozens of diet-related mini mags found in grocery stores.) The Vinegar book #1 paved the way to a series. Many moons later, I was known as the Healing Powers author. I’ve written nine books on superfoods: vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, honey, coffee, tea, superfoods, essential oils, and herbs and spices. (Most of these books have been embraced by major book clubs including, One Spirit, Literary Guild, Quality Paperback, and Good Cook.)
Q: Your Healing Power series has also been translated in 20 plus languages; Congratulations! Tell us a little about the past and new updated and revised olive oil book.

A: When I started the vinegar book, red wine vinegar was supposed to be the new twist.  During my research, however, I discovered while it does contain some good for you compounds like resveratrol (found in red wine), I needed more information to honestly tout vinegar’s health benefits. I fell into the wide world of the Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle because it includes not only red wine but healthful olive oil—and that superfood led to the first and second edition—The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, A Complete Guide to Nature’s Liquid Gold, Revised and Updated. The first edition is my second best-selling book and now the third edition has been released--three formats. Vinegar has sold way more than 1/4 million copies.
Q:  Did you discover any real surprises while researching your books?

A: I found out that other oils, including coconut and canola, have healing perks. Combining olive oil with other oils can help fight fatigue, infections, and insomnia, and help you to fight fat and shape up! Tea? I'm still in love with chamomile (it keeps you young) and adore white tea! Superfoods? Ah, pizza, cheese, potatoes, ice cream? You betcha. The right kind in moderation, though. 

Q: What's an interesting fact about olive oil that most people don't know?

A:  Discovering the you can combine a variety of oils is becoming more commonplace in the kitchen; even seen on Food Network with its creative celeb chefs as well as every day folks are teaming these oils in entrees to desserts as well as home cures and beauty recipes.

Q: Did you learn something new that will shock readers?

Vinegar and Essential Oils for
American Heart Health MonthA: Bring on the butter —especially the right kind and right amount. When paired with oils, this twentieth-century “forbidden” saturated fat is a new twenty-first-century health food. I’ve learned that while I was sneaking butter into my recipes and diet that I was doing the right thing. Lose the margarine! And add herbs and spices for more flavor.

Q. Do you have a personal favorite dish that you use two oils instead of just olive oil?

A: Chocolate! I simply adore chocolate semi-homemade brownies. It makes my kitchen smell like I’ve soared to Chocolate Heaven and the taste and crunch with nuts and chewy coconut takes me away to a happy place.

Q. Bonus Question. What's new in your book collection?
A. The Healing Powers of Vinegar, gift size 3rd edition, The Healing Powers of Superfoods and The Healing Powers of Essential Oils are my newest additions. And my latest Healing Powers Series release? The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices--a spicy adventure that takes you around the world, past and present. All of the books have gone back to press. Amazingly, HONEY has made a sweet comeback and wears the Best Seller banner on many bookseller websites.

Powers of Herbs and Spices -- Woman's World/Huffington Post/NY Daily Post/Walmart-Approved

     By Cal Orey

UPDATE: #Herbs & #Spices: Timeless Treasures is making its way through the news. On April 7, an article interviewing the author Cal Orey hit Huffington Post...and the piece was picked up by New York Daily, NY Daily Post, City Buzz, and even more online mags and newspapers! 

The new and timely release (yes, McCormick recently shared its Old Bay Seasoning is "hot"). People are still home-cooking more than ever! The reader-friendly book is now in more than 108 libraries worldwide (multiple copies, checked out); Woman's World Book Club approved Feb. 1 issue; reviewed by Booklist; 100% like it on Goodreads; major media outlet is on board carrying copies; Walmart gave it a Best Seller banner for 2 weeks; Best Seller in top 100 health books on Amazon this month; featured in magazines/newspapers...and the year is young. #9 (Series) The book that'll whisk you away!

Product ImageBest SellerProduct TitleH The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices Cal OreyISBN10: 0806540486ISBN: 9780806540481Format:Paperback


The mega-popular Healing Powers series from bestselling nutrition writer Cal Orey continues with its 9th installment, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices, exploring the many ways fresh herbs in your fridge and dried spices in your kitchen cupboard can provide medicinal powers, home cures, weight loss benefits, beauty treatments, and adventurous flavors and textures to enhance plant-based dishes. 
And during the pandemic there is a spice surge because of the home-cooking comeback! The key to vibrant health for all generations is in your kitchen...
Anise, bay leaf, garlic, parsley, turmeric, and more (I use a lot of the McCormick classic brand) --for thousands of years, herbs and spices have been praised for preserving and flavoring food, as well as preventing and curing illnesses. The latest research reveals that the seasonings already in your pantry--or easily found fresh in your supermarket or garden--can lower your risk for cancer, heart disease, and obesity. This A-to-Z guide catalogues the most popular and versatile herbs and spices, drawn from the Mediterranean Diet but suitable for any diet plan. You will learn how to harness herbalism to heal your body and mind.

Discover how to use nature's gifts including allspice, chives, fennel, oregano, pepper, tarragon, saffron, and special blends like Herbes de Provence to:

●Bring abundant zest to your table while lowering your cholesterol, balancing your blood sugar, and revving up your metabolism--at any age!
●Ward off colds and flu, banish a hacking cough, and even ease PMS or menopause woes, by adding tasty plant therapy to your favorite food or drink.
●Lessen your anxiety and boost your mood with aromatic natural ingredients found in dried and fresh flavorings.
●Soothe aches and pains without harmful side effects--and trigger feel-good endorphins--using sweet and savory garnishes, including edible flowers.
●Create in-home spa treatments using the same herbal potions featured at luxury spa resorts.
Caraway Breadsticks, anyone? How about Cilantro Lime Slaw, Herbal Greek Bean Soup, or Roasted Paprika Cornish Hens? With over 50 taste-tempting recipes, along with personal stories and fascinating historical anecdotes on medicinal uses dating back to biblical times, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices is your go-to guide to embracing limitless energy and healthy longevity while feasting on memorable meals full of aroma and deliciousness!

Healing Powers Series Back to Press: Holiday Gift Books

 By Cal Orey

UPDATE: While HONEY (mass market) and VINEGAR (paperback) went back to press (again), HERBS & SPICES has made its way into hundreds of libraries worldwide; HONEY mass market format has maintained its Best Seller banner for weeks on Amazon and Walmart website. Plus, ESSENTIAL OILS and SUPERFOODS went back to press for third printings. The timeless series continues to attract readers (all ages).

SWEET AUTUMN

Drawing on the 21st century honey buzz, bestselling author Cal Orey reveals enlightening honey home remedies, straight from the book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature's Remarkable Nectar! (Kensington). Perfect for autumn/winter/holiday season into 2022.
Here are common health ailments from A to Z and amazing at-home honey cures. These are tried-and-true folk remedies based on scientific studies, real-life stories, medical doctors, researchers, and beekeepers. But caution, consult your health-care practitioner before putting to work any honey cure.
1 ALLERGIES (Stop seasonal misery): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing is no picnic, thanks to seasonal 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.
2 ANXIETY (Beat the jitters monster): When anxiety hits (often worsened by stress) you know it like when an earthquake strikes. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your nervous system and up your odds of experiencing heart disease, stress eating, and other health problems.What Honey Rx to Use: If you're under pressure and feeling high anxiety or sense a stressful event is in the works, make a cup of chamomile tea. Put in 1 teaspoon of your favorite honey. Repeat twice a day as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  Honey--all hundreds of varietals--is touted by folk medicine healers for its calming effects. The natural superfood can help sooth your nerves rather than put you in higher anxiety mode. The relief if provides may be due to its multiple vitamin B content--anti-stress vitamins.
3  COUGH (Outfox irritating hacking):  A cough is another unwelcome visitor and can make you feel terrible. Let's face it, cough medicine can be pricey, doesn't taste good, and may or may not do its job.What Honey Rx to Use:  A teaspoon of buckwheat honey is recommended before bed. Or you can make syrup of 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Repeat each remedy as needed.Why You'll Bee Happy:  A group of Penn State College of Medicine researchers discovered that honey may be the cure. The findings showed that buckwheat honey at bedtime was more powerful for curing a cough in children than a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter medications. It is believed that honey will act as a sedative to the nervous system.
4 ENERGY DRAIN (Beat low energy): Getting your cough under control is a good thing, but then what if your energy plummets?  Liquid gold may be the answer again.What Honey Rx to Use: Each morning include a teaspoon of bee pollen in your breakfast. Go ahead and take it solo. Or try The Honey Association's Energy Drink recipe:  ¼ pint orange juice, ¼ pint natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons clear honey. Place all the ingredients in a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Serves two people.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed by the body. That means, you'll get a quick energy boost with long-lasting effects. Athletes include it in their daily diets. It was even used by runners at the Olympic Games in ancient Greece.
5 HEADACHE (Bye-bye, pain): Fatigue and headaches are not to be taken with a grain of salt, because it can hurt oh, so bad. There are different types of headaches, and some kinds may benefit from the honey bee's gift.What Honey Rx to Use:  One cup of tea with 1 teaspoon of honey (the darker the varietal the better) is the remedy. Repeat as needed. Also, drink plenty of water and relax.Why You'll Bee Happy:  "The way honey might work for tension headaches," says New York Headache Center's Alex Mauskop, M.D., "is by treating hypoglycemia, which can cause tension and migraines." He adds that some antioxidants can help prevent headaches, as can magnesium and vitamin B. So turning to antioxidant-rich honey may be a sweet remedy.
6 INSOMNIA  (Find sweet dreams): Getting rid of a headache is a challenge, but not getting adequate shut-eye can have long-term effects, too.What Rx to Use: Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of your favorite honey, especially before going to bed. Try sipping a cup of 2 percent low-fat milk with a dash of cinnamon. The tryptophan in milk will help to calm you.Why You'll Bee Happy:  It's a magic trick, according to The Honey Revolution author Ron Fessenden, M.D., providing needed glycogen to the liver so the brain doesn't go in search of extra fuel in the earl A.M. hours when you should be in Dreamland. "Consuming honey before bedtime also reduces the release of  adrenaline, a catecholamine that raises blood pressure and heart rate," adds the honey guru.
7 SORE THROAT (Take the sting away): Not sleeping is miserable, but a sore throat can drag you down, too, where don't feel like walking or talking. Honey has been used as a home for centuries to help sooth one of the symptoms associated with a common cold--namely, a killer sore throat.What Honey Rx to Use:  For relief of symptoms, take a spoonful of your buckwheat honey, as often as you need, to relieve irritation. In between, sip a cup of tea with honey. Also, try pure honeycomb and honey sticks. Don't forget all-natural honey-lemon lozenges, which also coat the throat for quick relief.Why You'll Bee Happy: One, honey will coat your sore throat, the symptom of the cause. Two, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties will help heal the culprit causing your pain. 8 WAIST WHITTLER (Blast belly fat): Twitches to tummy bulge... if you have a bulging tummy, you'd probably consider a sore throat is easier to get rid of. But wait; there are things you can do to get a flat tummy.What Honey Rx to Use:  Both morning and night, drink an 8-ounce glass or mug of tea (dandelion or parsley boasts diuretic effects), with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Team this potion with grazing and watch your fat and sugar intake.Why You'll Bee Happy: Honey and apple cider vinegar contain the bloat-busting mineral potassium. Also, turning to honey will help you to eat fewer sugary treats and enjoy a flatter stomach.
          So go ahead and use the type of honey advised or your own preference; all-natural, raw honey, dark varietals are recommended for best results. (Warning: To avoid infant botulism, do not fee honey to an infant.)

New Gift Book -- The French Resistance Shown Through the Eyes of a Gifted Young Man

 By Cal Orey

Watched a French Resistance film last night. Well done. Take a look at the novel I co-authored -- The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man's Untold War Chronicles by James Channing Shaw & Cal Orey 
(Ebook/paperback/hardcover) -- lots of similarities.  * Was #1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult (Amazon)
Please read, review new release wherever you choose to get a copy at online bookstores. #1 on Amazon a few weeks ago.

Our ability to traverse tragedy and painful struggles stems from many emotions and character traits. Strength, courage, and resilience all play a large role in the journey to overcome great struggles, but one emotion that works hard to keep us all together during these times is love. The love of a parent, of a friend, of a new romance, or of a sibling can keep us motivated and full of hope in times of darkness. As Marc Chagall once said, “In our life, there is a single color, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.”

In author James Channing Shaw & Cal Orey’s The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man’s Untold War Chronicles, the authors convey a unique coming of age story set during WWII. Living in war-torn and German-occupied France during the war, Benjamin Cohen is a thirteen-year-old boy who dreams of taking up the art of the carillon bells. A young Jewish boy with a fascination with an instrument in a Catholic Church, the young man pursues his passion, despite the concerns of his parents and the resistance of his siblings. Yet as he learns and grows in his skill, he must also grow as a person far quicker than most, as the horrors of the war reign down on him and his family, and the bonds and love he shares with his parents, his siblings, and a young woman in the church he grows fond of, begin to take on a much more impactful meaning than he thought possible.

A truly moving and strong story of facing injustice, the horrors of war, and having to discover who you are as a person amidst all that turmoil, this was a moving and engaging read. The authors perfectly layer the narrative with personal character growth and memorable familial bonds that will be both familiar and relatable to readers as they delve into this story. The approach to the narrative itself was so brilliantly creative, as the authors utilized a diary-epistolary format, where the protagonist’s narration came through journal entry style storytelling. The setting and tone of the narrative become just as much of a character in this story as the protagonist himself, the city, and the haunting nature of the German occupation filling the novel with dread and tension that perfectly captures the horrors of that war.

This is an absolutely perfect read for those who enjoy history, especially WWII history and want to see that incorporated more into coming of age and YA style genres of storytelling. As a fan of history and these genres, I found myself entertained and emotionally invested in these characters and their stories, and the tragic realities of what families faced in that war will have readers tearful while the hero’s journey that Benjamin goes on will leave them with a sense of hope many struggled to hold onto during that time.

A remarkable, thoughtful, and heartfelt read, authors James Channing Shaw and Cal Orey’s The Caged Bird Sings: A Young Man’s Untold War Chronicles is a fantastic new take on the young adult, coming of age narrative with a historical fiction twist. The balance of tragedy and hope the authors infuse into this narrative are both haunting and realistic to the horrors experienced by the Jewish people during WWII, while the character’s growth is amazing to read throughout the emotional final pages of this book. -- Pacific Book Review

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