Cal Orey's Blog, page 74

BOOK GOES GLOBAL! Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures Hit Major News Publications!

    By Cal Orey 

UPDATE: #9 Healing Powers Series 

Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures

Today, the bay leaves interview including my favorite new Herbs & Spices book (in the Huffington Post) has made its way into other national online news publications: American Global News, NYC Daily Post, New York Daily, and City Buzz News. On April 7, The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices author's words made a big  appearance in Huffington Post -- dishing on the wonders of flavor and versatility of timeless bay leaves! 

This week like in the recent past, the new book was graced in the top 100 bestseller on Amazon.com; recently, it got the badge of honor with the  Bestseller banner for the book on Walmart's website. As of yesterday it is in 87  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! 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. These benefits are represented in many forms, each spices has a dedicated page, but here are also charts and several health issues that have suggested herbs that can alleviate these issues. 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

The Healing Powers of Tea -- #1 Bestseller Many Times

 By Cal Orey

Did you know? The Healing Powers of Tea is a popular book? It ranked #1 bestseller in the past; has hit #1 on amazon, kobo, walmart, and barnes and noble online bookstores... It attracts during wintertime and now just in time for June--National Iced Tea Month! And since we're in pre-summer a cuppa or two can help immune and heart health as we are spreading our wings during almost post-COVID days in the U.S... Don't forget The Healing Powers of Honey and The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices -- super companions.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#1 in Alternative Therapies#1 in Coffee & Tea (Books)#1 in Health Reference
So, I am surprised. Working day and night on the Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices #9 book (waiting for #8 Essential Oils to be released) I took a break to surf the Net...
I stumbled upon this Books Category Bestsellers list.  Wow.  My favorite book, The Healing Powers of Tea was #16 on the Apple Books US Bestseller List--05/05/19--Health, Mind, Body.  Gosh, I never knew. 
Lately, I've been mumbling, "Dad was right. I should have been a dental assistant." Well, I love this book, #6 (my lucky number). This finding makes me happy. I sense my father is smiling, too. 
* In April, The Healing Powers of Tea hit #1 in many categories on amazon, kobo, and barnes and noble bookseller websites.




PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COMApple Books Category Bestsellers, May 5, 2019
The bestselling Apple Books in fiction and literature, mysteries and thrillers, health, mind & body, and more for the week ended May 5, 2019.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/79998-apple-books-category-bestsellers-may-5-2019.html

Apple Books US Bestseller List - 05/05/19 - Health, Mind, Body
1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson - 9780062457738 - (Harper)
2. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis - 9781400201662 - (Thomas Nelson)
3. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis - 9781400209613 - (HarperCollins Leadership)
4. Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - 9780399588389 - (Random House Publishing Group)
5. Money: A User’s Guide by Laura Whateley - 9780008308322 - (Fourth Estate)
6. You Are a Badass® by Jen Sincero - 9780762448319 - (Running Press)
7. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown - 9781592859894 - (Hazelden Publishing)
8. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz & Janet Mills - 9781934408018 - (Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc.)
9. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown - 9781101594995 - (Penguin Publishing Group)
10. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - 9781577313113 - (New World Library)
11. Sacred Woman by Queen Afua - 9780307559517 - (Random House Publishing Group)
12. The End of Back Pain by M.D. & Patrick Roth - 9780062197771 - (HarperOne)
13. How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie - 9781451621716 - (Simon & Schuster)
14. The Irresistible Introvert by Michaela Chung - 9781510704794 - (Skyhorse)
15. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson - 9780345816047 - (Random House of Canada)
16. The Healing Powers of Tea by Cal Orey - 9780806538273 - (Kensington)
17. The 48 Laws of Power by Joost Elffers & Robert Greene - 9781101042458 - (Penguin Publishing Group)
18. How to win friends & influence people by Dale Carnegie - 9789352613939 - (Diamond Pocket Books)
19. The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida - 9781622038336 - (Sounds True)
20. KetoFast by Dr. Joseph Mercola - 9781401956806 - (Hay House)

Healing Powers of Superfoods -- Eggs Are 1 -- Discover 19 More!

 By Cal Orey

[image error] Hello quiche. This French dish uses eggs and rich milk or cream mixed up and put in a pastry like a pie. Recipes can include ham, bacon – and vegetables. As a kid, my mom first introduced to me this sophisticated European-inspired gooey yellow mixed pie. My ten-year-old palate preferred scrambled eggs. Once in my twenties, I re-discovered quiche at artsy cafes in San Francisco. Also, vegetarian versions grabbed my attention.

Last December when I traveled to Anchorage, I recall the sobering awakening to the fancy hotel breakfast menu. I couldn’t get past the Reindeer Skillet. Now the Crustless Quiche seemed doable (but I was afraid a piece of Bambi could be in it) so I settled for buttermilk pancakes. I should have taken a chance on the egg dish. To this day I swear the rubbery flat short stack was from a frozen batch – not fresh. And the syrup wasn’t the maple kind I fell in love with when in Quebec. (Yes, I am suffering from cabin fever and foreign adventures.)

As I sit in the cabin ready to book a late fall trip to Fairbanks for those northern lights I must see – I wait to see if it’s safe to go due to the new normal in our world. While an Alaskan quiche without crust seems romantic – I made it here at home, my way. This herby quiche is inspired by a friendly herb-savvy store man who I spoke with on the phone but didn’t get to meet due to the erratic weather (icy roads paired with surreal fog).

Herby Spinach Quiche

1 cup organic half-and-half

3 organic brown eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon red onion, diced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

A dash each of ground pepper, nutmeg, sea salt

1 (9-inch) premium store-bought refrigerated pie crust

1 egg white

1 cup all natural, premium organic mozzarella, shredded (save ¼ cup for top)

½ cup white cheddar cheese, shredded

3/4 cup spinach, baby, chopped

1 tablespoon European style butter

Eggs and Vegetables -- SuperfoodsIn a mixing bowl combine half-and-half and eggs. Add onion, thyme, and spices. Set aside. Bake pie crust covered in foil for 10 minutes in a 400-degree oven. Brush with a mixture of egg white and 1 tablespoon water. (This keeps it flaky.)  Chill in freezer for about 15 minutes. Remove. Top pie crust bottom with cheeses, spinach (rinse, dry well), and pour milk and egg mixture on top. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Stir lightly so it's even. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes or till firm and crust is light golden brown. Do not over bake. Cool for at least 30 minutes. You can serve warm or chilled. Makes 6-8 servings.

For some reason, like pizza, quiche can taste better cold than hot. The flavors have time to blend and the texture is amazing. I did have a slice in the early evening – but I knew it would be my breakfast. Go ahead – try it both ways. Sure, crustless quiche could be simply delish in Alaska but it’s welcoming on the home front at south shore, too. I give credit to the flavorful herbs and spices.

— Cal Orey, M.A., is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, and Essential Oils) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.)  Her website is www.calorey.com . 

TEA FOR SUMMER BLUES

By Cal Orey

It’s no secret. June is National Iced Tea Month. But you may not know that tea offers cool home cures, including beating sleepiness, and it can also keep you calmer than java. It turns out when I was in the TSA line at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, I was asked by the agent: “Have you ever been searched?” I answered: “No,” and I was led into a booth and searched. I was told it was the metal on my boots that got me into this compromising position. And so I survived the early morning adventure with the greatest of ease, sort of... 

But I was thankful for the tea I drank en route because coffee may might have had made me edgy or sarcastic. It was the green tea, no coffee that helped me stay chill. Read:  I had the right complacent attitude and made the flight out of the Sierra and into Salt Lake City—two airports known for turbulent flights. 

Welcome to summertime...It's a time for travel, stress, skin woes, and even "I shouldn't have eaten that!" dog day afternoons that tea can be a blessing.  I’ll describe four common health ailments and provide why there is a growing trendabout of at-home tea cures that’ll wow you with their potential healing powers. I sprinkled in tea wisdom from tried-and-true folk remedies.

1 JET LAG (Snag some energy.) Sleepy or not?

What Tea Rx to Use: Drink 1 cup of green tea before an early morning flight. Chase it later in the day with 1 cup of black for the extra caffeine buzz. Repeat as necessary.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Drinking green tea in the early morning hours is better on your system than a cup of joe or black tea because the latter has less caffeine but enough to wake you up so you’ll be alert. Savoring a stronger cup of tea later in the day can help you feel awake and energized but not as much as coffee, which can leave you feeling jittery.

2. SUMMER STRESS (Snap out of it.) Summer can affect serotonin levels, making you feel down, especially if you live in a region when the heat soars. Or if you live in a tourist town and the quietude is suddenly changed to a hectic environment with loud noises, traffic, and crowded stores, it can wreak havoc on your nerves.

What Tea Rx to Use: Opt to try a blend of black and white or green and white tea. Use 1 teaspoon of each or 1 bag of each and 2 cups of water. Heat to almost a boil, steep for 3 minutes. Drain. Serve with calming citrus slices.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Both white and green tea have less caffeine than black tea—but all three teas boast calming effects. Drinking a hot cup of tea in the morning or night or iced tea throughout the day can also beat stress and calm your frazzled nerves.

3. SUNBURN  (Treat your skin.) Summer can be a drag for some people, especially fair-skinned winter lovers who detest getting burned by the sun. My sibling, blue-eyed with a light Irish complexion like my father, for instance, traveled to Cabo, Mexico, a place touted for its warm climate. He went fishing and enjoyed the water and sun all day long on a chartered boat. Unwittingly, his legs and feet were not covered with a sunscreen. The damage was second- degree burns that sent him to a general practitioner once he arrived back home to South Shore.

What Tea Rx to Use: Cool a strong infusion of white tea, use it to soak a sponge or soft cloth, and then gently pat onto sunburned skin. Infused tea can also be added to a spray bottle or atomizer to apply without touching painful burns.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: If Whether you are away or at home, tea is an inexpensive, soothing treatment that can offer immediate relief as well as continue working to work to soothe the pain, redness, and inflammation of a sunburn, thanks to its the compounds found in antioxidant-rich white tea—often used in beauty skin products.

4. TUMMY TROUBLES (Soothe the queasiness.) A stomachache can be triggered by a variety of factors including eating something that doesn’t agree with you, motion sickness (car, boat, or plane) or even a bout of eating the wrong food from raw fish to salad gone bad.  You’ll want a remedy ASAP to beat feeling nauseated.

What Tea Rx to Use:  Tummy Soothing Chamomile-Ginger Tea: Combine 1 teaspoon ginger tea and 1 teaspoon chamomile tea (tea bag or leaves). Heat 2 cups tap water in a tea kettle. Add tea in strainer for 3–-5 minutes. Add a slice of orange and honey to taste. This is an easy,all-natural rescue remedy. Makes 2 servings.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Both chamomile and ginger contain properties that can help stave off tummy distress. Calming chamomile can stave off anxiety (stomach distress is a symptom) and ginger is touted for its compounds to beat the queasies.    So, is tea a cure-all? for tummy trouble due to an outdoor picnic food gone wrong moment? Nah. But the right tea can help you cope with summertime ups and downs.

Adapted from The Healing Powers of Tea (published by 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.

SEASONINGS ABOARD -- Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices: Timeless Treasures

 By Cal Orey

You don't have to hit the high seas to get the lowdown on Mediterranean herbs and spices for this summer...  Foreword 
SEASONINGS ABOARD
This is not a memory or a dream. I documented my real-life sea journeys before setting sail. New countries, new cuisines, and exciting herbs and spices were part of the plan. This is one of my journal entries. It is penned in past tense: words from the heart. These are my true feelings about our daring voyage--me, my beloved wife, and chief mate,Dottie--before we embarked on one of many sailing adventures . . .
I made the food on my 46-foot boat ,the sailing vessel Amari. I was very particular about having cinnamon at the ready for an ocean passage squash soup, tarragon for a quick tuna salad lunch, and fennel for that impromptu marinara for pasta. These seasonings area bsolute necessities aboard, whether we were in water in the eastern Caribbean islands or en route to Spain. We were prepping her, a ship to go 3,600 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and into the Mediterranean for five months.
Just ashore in Brewers Bay was a local food vendor who had set up shop just down from the University of the Virgin Islands. Walking downwind of his place, I caught a scent that had me sniffing like a puppy, eager to investigate immediately.
This man had a bright face, a ready smile, and was selling Spicy Jamaican Patties, which are very traditional to these islands. They're basically a fold-over of dough with filling. I know. It sounds a bit boring. But oh my, after biting into one the flavors exploded in my mouth.
A CARNIVAL OF DELICIOUS SPICES
Because I'm a science geek, I made it my mission to reverse engineer the patties so I could make something similar back on the boat. But I couldn't dissect it. What I got from this simple patty was a carnival of delectable spices, a love-in of perhaps allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and/or cloves. Not to forget fresh garlic and thyme. I tried to figure out what was in there, but it was just too much. I gave up and looked up at him like he was Gandalf or Dumbledore and pleaded with him to tell me, "How did you do this?"
He laughed and then told me what I was eating wasn't his, but his mastery of spice balance came to him from his mother and hers before him. The spices that define his culture of food and flavor stretch back, he said, to the first days of the Carib. Unwritten recipes of understanding that came to define the flavors of these islands. They became the flavors of their food, family, and lives, woven into the threads of their cultural tapestry.
We will arrive in the Mediterranean to sample the food cultures that spill out of this region, so famous for its food and also its health. Just as in the Caribbean, the rich culture of spices, herbs, and flavors not only defines the residents' food, but also who they are.
CRUISING TO THE MEDITERRANEAN FLAVORS
After moving through the Azores and landing in Lagos, Portugal, it would be time to explore the flavors of this amazing region. By the time we'd make landfall, I expected to be so grateful to reach port. We'll be keying into the herbs and spices that make the local food magical: the sweet paprika, cinnamon, and bay leaf...

 Other cultures learned about herbs and spices through centuries of experience, building their cultural knowledge over generations. But now through Cal Orey's most recent work, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices, you can understand these same simple-yet-potent plants in away that gives you access to them in your home and daily life.  his book provides direct access tot his understanding, so you can get to know the spices, learn the herbs, and understand how to apply them to your health and hearth every day.
--Will Clower, Ph.D.
CEO, Mediterranean Wellness
Author of The Fat Fallacy and The French Don't Diet Plan

Herbs and Spices: Timeless Treasures Attracts Readers Worldwide

  By Cal Orey

Product ImageBest SellerProduct TitleH The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices : A Complete Guide toTimeless Treasures (Series #9) (Paperback)Average Rating:(5.0)out of5stars1ratings, based on1reviewsProduct SpecAuthors: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!

Berries for the Born to Be Wild

 By Cal Orey

At age twelve, I was an adventurous kid drawn to nature’s superfoods and the great outdoors... 

One cloudy afternoon, a girlfriend and I hiked into the Los Gatos foothills, where grass wasn’t manicured and horses ran free. Trespassing on pristine grounds and picking wild berries off plants was an exciting novelty until it began to pour down rain.  But once we were home the escapade hadn’t even started.

I took a hot shower and cleaned off the mud on my body. Later, at night, I scratched my cheek, arms, and legs because for some unknown reason they itched. By morning when I awoke, red bumps and blisters were visible from head to toe. “Poison oak,” my mother announced after I told her where I had gone the day before. By dinnertime my face was red and one of my puffy and painful eyelids was swollen shut. My two siblings chanted, “Cyclops,” insinuating I looked like the spooky one-eyed creature in mythology. I ran into my bedroom, onto the bed, and hid underneath the covers.

Later, my mom consoled me. She sat on the bed and said, “Ignore your brother and sister.” She handed be a bowl of homemade blueberry crumble. But the berries were store-bought. The comfort food dessert was warm as she told me a story about the Greeks and Romans. Evidently, they used wild berries for medicinal powers. I savored the berry treat, believing the bumps would heal in time. And they did.

This recipe is inspired by my mom’s gift of baking and nurturing during the best and worst of times.

Blueberry Crumble

1 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed and chopped or sliced (or use blackberries, strawberries)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ cup white granulated sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Crumble Topping

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup European style butter, salted, melted

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup oats (optional)

Granulated white sugar and cinnamon (to taste)

½ cup nuts, chopped (I used lightly salted cashews when crumble is baked)

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

Honey (to taste) (I used local honey to help fight seasonal allergies)

Basil or mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

In a bowl place berries. (Blot dry first.) Add juice, sugar, flour, and spice. Set aside. In another bowl combine flour, butter, sugar, and oats. Put fruit mix in ramekins. I filled two to the rim. Top fruit with crumble topping. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Place in a shallow pan and fill with water a few inches the way you do with custard. Bake about 40 to 50 minutes. It’s done when topping is golden brown and fruit is tender and bubbly. Best served warm in the morning or night. Serves 2 to 4. It is best topped with plain Greek yogurt mixed with honey (to taste). Or use a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla gelato (if the weather warms up). Garnish with basil or mint.

So, is this yummy, nostalgic berry crumble as exciting as chasing wild horses and picking wild berries? Nah, probably not. But it is sweet and savory, not to forget blueberries are nutrient-dense. There is no need for you to forage berries in the wilderness. Just go to your favorite local supermarket and grab a container of blueberries. Then, whip up this recipe with its sweet and juicy berries from Mother Nature.

Anecdote adapted from The Healing Powers of Superfoods (read more by Newsmax (it's offered as a gift book!)

-- 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 .

Tea and Honey for June--National Iced Tea Month

Tea(s) with Your Honey

By Cal Orey

          For centuries, people all around the world have enjoyed the simple, soothing pleasures of a good cup of tea with a good teaspoon of honey, and nowadays there is more reason to so do. Tea(s)—all kinds--especially with honey, but together they pack a punch of nutritional and health benefits.             Medical doctors, nutritionists, scientists and beekeepers are now confirming what healers have been saying for since biblical times—teas and honeys have a variety of healing powers.

             Here are my favorite tea and honey marriages—but there are infinite combinations for both you and me to try. There is no right or wrong combination and what’s sweet to you makes honey-tea beverages a sweet sip. 1. Black Tea:  The first tea I was introduced to was basic black tea—which does contain caffeine—and I have enjoyed it plain but realized it did need a sweet flavor boost to it.  Also, Earl Grey and English breakfast teas (perfect for an Irish breakfast, complete with fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and scones) are part of the Black Tea group.

Best Honey Matches:  Basswood has a distinct flavor that I’ve used in plain yogurt for a rich flavor and it can give black tea a kick, too. Sourwood boasts a caramel taste that can make a common black tea come to life with taste. Earl Grey teams well with avocado, blueberry, and eucalyptus honeys, too. It’s more exotic and exciting than just a simple all-purpose clover honey that comes without pleasant surprises.

2. Green Tea:  Touted for its wide array of health virtues, this Asian tea does contain caffeine, like black tea, but not as much. It’s an acquired taste and that’s where honey comes into play so you can get the best of taste and nutritional benefits. 

Best Honey Matches:  Blueberry honey has a fruity taste which can give a nice kick to green tea, not the most flavorful tea.  Sage honey is mild, a California favorite of mine that brings out the best of green tea.

3.  Fruit Tea—Welcome to lemon, orange, rose hips, and apple teas. These fruity teas are sweet and sometimes tart, which call for a honey sidekick.

Best Honey Matches:  Mild flavored honeys such as sage and alfalfa brings out the best in fruit teas because it doesn’t overpower the fruity taste but maintains the integrity of the fruit flavor.

 4. Herbal Tea—Herbal teas come from a variety of plants other than the tea plant. They are made from the leaves, berries, flowers, fruits and bark of herbs and spices.
Although most herbal teas do not contain the antioxidant properties of real tea, they do possess other good-for-you compounds that can enhance your health and well-being. There is a wide range of herbal teas, including ginseng, cinnamon, licorice, and mint.

Rooibos (roy-boss) is the “new” herbal tea on the block—that is often called “Red Tea.” Like green and black teas, this tea contains antioxidants that make it heart-healthy and immune-enhancing—and it’s caffeine free.

Best Honey Matches: Teaming earthy and warm herbal teas go well with a mild alfalfa, clover, orange blossom, and sage honeys—common honeys that complement distinct herbal flavors. 

5. Oolong Tea—This tea, popular in Asian countries, contains health perks of both black and green teas. A robust flavored-tea that can have a sweet taste lends to different honeys. 

Best Honey Matches: Oolong, not a tea familiar to me, was easy to try with a friendly California orange blossom honey with its citrusy sweet taste. Another oolong mate is tupelo honey its light amber color and herbal, fruity flavors.

6. White Tea—And last but not least welcome to this pale tea. Found in China it is believed to rank number one for its antioxidants. It’s a bit sweet and mellow. It’s the new tea on the block for tea lovers.

Best Honey Matches:  Fireweed honey is light colored and smooth, like white tea—the two complement each other. Wildflower, one of my favorite mild honeys also goes nicely with white tea.

            As a devout tea drinker, I believe your choice of honey and tea is a personal choice—like pairing dark chocolate with different fruits, herbs and spices. The selection also depends on the season to your mood. But popular and friendly honeys, such as clover and orange blossom are suitable any time, any place because they are not too strong and will not overpower teas—all types—and you can’t go wrong for yourself or if you’re serving other people.Excerpt: From The Healing Powers of Honey and Tea books by Cal Orey, published by Kensington Books, mass market format 2018. All rights reserved.

Hello Alaska, an Herb Expert Misses You!

 By Cal Orey

UPDATE:  As noted in a past blog post, I did it! I booked a first-class flight to Anchorage. (I had flight miles saved.) So, in November, off season, I'll bundle up, and hopefully flying, hotels, and nature tour(s) will be a bit more normal-ish. An outing to see the northern lights (praying for no cloud cover this time around) is number one...and perhaps, a glacier event. The flight routes are doable with less than more layovers. And, it's just meant to be... North to Alaska is calling like "The Call of the Wild."   Herbs and spices play a big role in my life and well-being in California.  In December 2019, pre-pandemic era, my solo expedition en route from Lake Tahoe to Alaska aka “The Last Frontier” finally happened.  As I traveled through hurricane-force winds, an almost flight diversion to Fairbanks, I anticipated fresh and exciting seasonings, northern lights, and a moose sighting. Sometimes, fantasies are healthier than real life...

In Anchorage at 9:00 a.m., I sat in my hotel room bed on the seventeenth floor overlooking downtown, and Chugach Mountains—but it was dark. The city was shut down due to icy roads, no snow. It was the warmest day since 1952.

I called room service. No freshly squeezed orange juice with fresh mint sprigs or coffee lattes with fresh spices. You will not likely find garden-fresh herbal treasures in December. Blame it on the lack of sunlight. Fresh food is expensive if it’s imported. And that’s not all . . . 

The last night I was nursing a sore throat. Blame it on frigid air blowing down on my bed in a pricey suite. I went with the flow… ordered a Greek pizza. It had chunks of real garlic! Another herbal highlight of the Alaska adventure was finding an artisan chocolate shop. I bought a peri-cayenne pepper truffle, caramelized pear saffron chocolate, and a white square of chocolate with pink peppercorn. The cayenne and dark chocolate gave me the gift of those feel-good endorphins and soothed my raw throat that hurt when swallowing. Both garlic and cayenne made me feel better.

 

Inside My Seasoned Cabin for One Year

           These days, I’m dreaming about revisiting Alaska. Ironically, it was going to be Fairbanks (I still can switch the flight plan) to view the green and blue colored sky also known as the aurora borealis. And dried herbs, such as the parsley, pepper, and paprika will suffice. It took an adventurous trip through a hurricane-force storm up to Alaska for me to appreciate fresh seasonings year-round that I have right at home inside my cabin. But dried herbs and spices are fine. You can’t always get what you want but you get what you need. 

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 .

Did the author go to Alaska? Find out in the NEW book on Herbs and Spices! + A New Surprise!

 By Cal Orey UPDATE: This morning I did it. I booked a flight to go to Anchorage, Alaska. Yep, this November if we get more of a sense of normalcy I'm spreading my wings and going north to Alaska. How many times can I watch "The Call of the Wild"? I will miss my Australian Shepherd and Siamese kitty but the Northern Lights, a moose, and tour (hopefully for one) is calling out to me...
 Did I go to Anchorage? Did I taste Alaskan salmon with fresh thyme?   Find out in the adventurous stories behind that trip (and Dr. Will Clower's tales about sailing around the world and savoring seasonings) in my new book release (December, ready for release). 
I penned this blog post a few years ago. Funny, how things don't always go to plan. I canceled the Alaska trip twice: Once was due to the 100 mph rare storm; second a 7.0 earthquake. So, booked again. I did end up going to Ontario, Canada and it was a bumpy ride which I'll touch on in the new book I'm completing. 
Today, I am home with my family. It's a low-key celebration. Plenty of B-day wishes on FB that make me feel, uh, appreciated.  Baking apple spice scones. Working on book #9 (Healing Powers Series). And cuddling with my beloved Aussie and Zen cat makes me happy. I have Alaska to look forward to (a gift from the airline)--and a new book release coming up in December. Gratitude. 
For the past few years, as the Healing Powers series author traveling for research (for new stories to share) to book signings, I've had a love affair with Eastern and Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. With some flight miles saved I knew I was going to go somewhere in the early fall for a getaway, my birthday, and to celebrate the completion of my book on tea. 
At first, it looked like Cleveland and Ontario, Canada was the destination. But then it just didn't seem to be my fantasy because it would take light years and small aircraft to get across the border.  And I waited...

I sent a message to the Barnes and Noble bookstore manager in Anchorage, Alaska, mentioning my the release of my new book The Healing Powers of Vinegar, 3rd edition. After all, it was my sibling who said: "Why don't you go somewhere cool, different--like Alaska?" I waited for a response. But the days turned into a week, two weeks. I assumed it was a no go. 


Then, one day while retrieving e-mails, there was one message--not the Barnes and Noble from Cleveland (I passed) with the words in the subject title "Anchorage, Alaska." I opened it like a Christmas present. The rest is history. I accepted the invitation for a book signing. I booked a flight. I booked a hotel room. I booked a nature tour. But it tanked due to the superstorm and superquake. 

The bottom line: Third attempt. I am booked again for Alaska this year.  It's one dream ready to come true. But the question remains: Who is going to break the news to my Aussie.