UNVEILED TALES BEHIND THE HEALING POWERS OF HONEY, REVISED: INTERVIEW

 Shared By Cal Orey (SECRETS TOLD TO ANN LOUISE GITTLEMAN, PH.D.)

 UNTOLD TALES Behind the new book The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised (Penguin Random House). The First Lady of Nutrition welcomes back Cal Orey, author of The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated, to talk about why this ancient, powerful nectar still belongs in a modern kitchen. The new edition brings fresh research, heart-healthy recipes, honey bee data, and home cures to Cal’s bestselling book.

Together, they cover honey’s long history — from Egyptian “nectar of the gods” to a plague-era remedy for coughs, sore throats, and flagging energy — and why raw honey is a different food from table sugar. Cal explains what sets Manuka and other varieties apart among more than 300 kinds of honey, why hospitals once reached for it for wounds and burns, and how the other gifts of the hive — propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen — earned their stellar reputations.

Ann Louise and Cal also compare honey with sugar and maple syrup, talk about honey after illness — including Cal’s view that raw honey’s antioxidants can support the immune system at a time when extra sugar does the opposite — and take on the vanishing-honeybee question. In addition, Cal shares the near-death heart crisis that earned her the nickname “Miracle Girl.”

To learn more about Cal Orey and her Healing Powers series, explore The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated. http://penguinrandomhouse.com/.../the-healing-powers-of.../

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Autumn Fare for Nature Lovers

 Tahoe Daily Tribune, By Cal Orey

Hello sweet fall.  As we cope with Mother Nature’s unpredictable twists and turns (and eagerly anticipate our clean mountain air and clear blue skies), there are plenty of super wonders to embrace in the new season right now!

[OCTOBER HONEYFEST: Grab a fresh copy of the NEW paperback right here--Penguin Random House offers ALL the booksellers!]

Here, take a peek at some of your favorite foods — you can enjoy without a lot of cooking or baking. More good news: You’ll enhance your immune system and heart health to stay healthy and strong. Also, some of these picks will keep you from packing on more pandemic pounds. And, other choices will boost your physical energy and mood. Read on – stock up your fridge and pantry.

Fresh Seasonal Fruit: Apples (Honeycrisp), oranges and berries (yes, strawberries are still available). Research shows that diets high in fiber help keep you full. Low-fat, fiber-rich fruit also promotes regularity. The result: A flatter tummy. Try a decadent and healthful warm cobbler teamed with a scoop of calcium-rich all-natural vanilla yogurt with autumn fresh fruit, and drizzle sweet balsamic vinegar on top. 

Potassium-Rich Foods: Bananas, dried apricots and cranberries are high in potassium and used in baking during fall. They act as natural diuretics, which may reduce bloating. These are good plain or put into all-natural healthful nut breads and muffins that you make and bake.

Cheese: Don’t skip good cheese because it’s a good source of calcium and other nutrients such as protein and vitamin A — and it’s creamy and tasty in veggie pastas and hot, toasty sandwiches. But think moderation and real cheese (no fake stuff). Sharp cheddar, feta, provolone are good to get satisfaction from a small amount.

Olive Oil: Adding a little extra virgin olive oil to your cooking and baking — like cheese — can help stave off unhealthy food cravings. Not to forget olive oil is a monounsaturated fat which is proven to be heart healthy, may stave off cancer, and help you to keep your weight in check.

Nuts: Almonds (as are other nuts) used in cooking and baking are a great godsend. They’re high in zinc, rich in antioxidant E, contain some B vitamins, and sodium is very low. The crunchy texture is great in a fall salad or nutrient-dense chewy cookie without chemicals and preservatives and chock-full of those dried fruits.

Chocolate: Not just a fall holiday food–it’s a year-round health food. Dark chocolate sea salt cashews, for instance, contain protein and iron. Nine scrumptious nuts contain about 200 calories, zero cholesterol, only 60 mg sodium–and its compounds can give you that feel-good boost for your mind, body, and spirit. Count on it. Chocolate is oh so versatile — it’s not just a dessert. And yep, it can help you cut craving for fattening sweet foods.

H20: It’s more of a challenge to drink water (not a food exactly but essential for survival) than eat chocolate in the colder months but it can be done. Yeah, I’m doing it now. Try adding a twist of orange, lemon or orange to bottled water. If you purchase water, you’ll feel more obligated to drink up. It’s good for you from head to toe…

Herbal Tea: Speaking of water, sipping a cup (or two) of a hot, steaming and healing herbal teas (such as vitamin C-rich rose hips and chamomile) can help you to fight colds and flu; relieve stress and anxiety (so you won’t be tempted to overeat). Black and green teas are chock-full of disease-fighting antioxidants. One cup of green tea has no fat, sodium, sugar, or calories.

Tomatoes: These little wonders, hot or cold-are rich in the antioxidant lycopen, a cancer fighter and wonder for filling whole grain rice dishes for dinner to healthy and fresh salads. One cup of chopped tomatoes has just 35 calories. Because of this, tomatoes are a fat-free, nutrient-rich, and versatile fall filler in many hearty meals.

Pumpkin: The alpha carotene in pumpkin (like sweet potatoes), a fall favorite, makes this superfood a nutritional bonanza, rich in heart-healthy carotenoids, potassium, magnesium, and folate, all of which may protect you from heart disease. This comfort food has only 25 calories per half cup and no fat. During the colder days, a warming and healthful dessert is a slice of pumpkin pie (store bought or homemade) teamed with a steaming cup of hot coffee.

Bonus, a Cup of Cocoa: Don’t forget savoring a cup of hot chocolate made with low-fat milk or water for that European touch — and it will nurture your spirit and warm your soul.

(Excerpt adapted from The Healing Powers of Superfoods)

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.) 

Earthquake October 2: My Cat Stayed with Me (Again) During the Shaker!

 Shaking up health: Tahoe’s Tremors’ Prep Guide

Earthquake Sensitives Orey and Gatsby Weathered

the South Lake Tahoe Autumn Quake Oct. 2, 2026

News| Dec 15, 2024 

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Cal Orey

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

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

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

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

• Sign up for earthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too!—so you’ll know when a quake may be coming.)
• Make an Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishable snacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.
• Do Pet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash, and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in the environment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

• Drop, Cover, Hold On: When the shaking starts, drop to your hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glass or heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture if available or use your arms to protect yourself.
• Think Pet Safety: If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothing voice.
• Chill Out: Don’t log onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and you are safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

• Explore Your Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and do occur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe to move around.
• Hydrate & Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if you feel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of an earthquake.
• Tune In Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family; sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

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

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and the new edition The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised & Updated. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

California Dreaming for Fall 2026 or Super El Nino Nightmare?

  Tahoe Health Check: Surviving the Super El Niño This Fall…

By Cal Orey, M.A.

There is a buzz about super El Niño coming to us this fall and winter. The word is, it may be super catastrophic like a Noah’s Ark sequel in our Golden State--especially on the coast. I’ve weathered storms with neighbors canoeing down flooded streets—so hold on, because here is what’s next for Lake Tahoe.

Researchers note the October–December anomaly are the criteria for a “strong” to a El Niño event. El Niño’s bold winter effects peak January through March 2027.  Simply put, El Ninio is a naturally occurring climate pattern known for its odd warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, caused by weakening trade winds. It can trigger high tides, severe rain and floods, notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Don't forget mudslides and coastal erosion as chunks of California slip and slide into the sea...And it is starting in coastal regions right now.

Here Comes the “Snain” 

Brace yourself for unwelcome “snain”—a combo of snow and rain falling simultaneously, often creating slushy conditions to create the El Niño effect, bringing severe winter storms to the Sierra Nevada. These rapid temperature shifts in weather and rugged conditions can take a toll on both body and mind. Here are 5 easy ways to grounded during an adventurous El Niño event:

1. Combat Seasonal Isolation: Heavy Sierra snowstorms can cause power outages, and cabin fever. If roads are closed, follow a daily routine, and enjoy indoor hobbies to manage the mental stress of prolonged confinement during severe weather events.

2. Do Safe Physical Activity Indoors and Out: While El Niño can dump snow at higher elevations, big storms and avalanche risks often make venturing outside dangerous. Shift to indoor exercises, during severe storm warnings to keep your body active, cardio-healthy, and beat stress without risking exposure or injury.

3. Boost Immune Health Through Good Nutrition: Colder, stormy weather often drives people indoors, revving up the spread of seasonal germs. Focus on eating nutrient-dense whole foods and staying clear of processed junk food. Don’t forget anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory raw honey in teas and sip water to stave off colds and superbugs. Note: Wash your hands more than less!  The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated by Cal Orey: 9780806545721 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

4. Guard Respiratory Health: El Niño years can affect mountain homes, leading to indoor mold growth. Get good home ventilation, avoid drafts, use dehumidifiers and air purifiers for safety’s sake. Get Regular Shut-Eye: High winds, heavy rain, with passing El Niño storms can disrupt sleep patterns. 

5. Prepare Now: Stock up on foods with a stable shelf life, water, pet food, and medicines. Keep the shove, rain gear, and ice scraper close at hand. This winter, you may need all three.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Currently, her new release The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised is available at all bookstores. Her website is http://www.calorey.com. 

UNTOLD TALES BEHIND THE HEALING POWERS OF HONEY, REVISED: INTERVIEW

Shared By Cal Orey (HEARTFELT INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND ANN LOUISE GITTLEMAN, PH.D.)

 UNTOLD TALES Behind the new book The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised (Penguin Random House). The First Lady of Nutrition welcomes back Cal Orey, author of The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated, to talk about why this ancient, powerful nectar still belongs in a modern kitchen. The new edition brings fresh research, heart-healthy recipes, honey bee data, and home cures to Cal’s bestselling book.

Together, they cover honey’s long history — from Egyptian “nectar of the gods” to a plague-era remedy for coughs, sore throats, and flagging energy — and why raw honey is a different food from table sugar. Cal explains what sets Manuka and other varieties apart among more than 300 kinds of honey, why hospitals once reached for it for wounds and burns, and how the other gifts of the hive — propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen — earned their stellar reputations.

Ann Louise and Cal also compare honey with sugar and maple syrup, talk about honey after illness — including Cal’s view that raw honey’s antioxidants can support the immune system at a time when extra sugar does the opposite — and take on the vanishing-honeybee question. In addition, Cal shares the near-death heart crisis that earned her the nickname “Miracle Girl.”

To learn more about Cal Orey and her Healing Powers series, explore The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated. http://penguinrandomhouse.com/.../the-healing-powers-of.../

See less

The Healing Powers of Honey 2 is an Edgy, Apocalyptic, and Human Survival Book

  Courtesy Cal Orey 

Kensington Publishing Announces Sequel of The Healing Powers of Honey 

Pinion Newswire

NEW YORK,USA, July 14, 2026 (PinionNewswire) —Cal Orey’s augmented book returns with new honeybee research, personal survival stories, a new foreword, climate-focused reporting and honey-based recipes

Kensington Publishing is announcing the sequel and updated edition of The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated by Cal Orey, an expanded release that explores honey, honeybees, food traditions, environmental change, recipes and personal storytelling.

The sequel will be available worldwide on Aug. 25, 2026, through Kensington Publishing’s Citadel imprint. The book expands Orey’s long-running work on honey with new research, reporting and reflections on the role honey continues to hold in kitchens, food history and cultural traditions.

The updated book examines honey at a time when many readers are paying closer attention to shelf-stable foods, traditional ingredients and minimally processed alternatives to refined sugar. Orey also discusses honey’s long-standing reputation among some beekeepers and consumers as a durable pantry staple with deep historical and cultural significance.

A major focus of the sequel edition is the relationship between honeybees, environmental stress and the human food chain. Orey looks at how extreme weather, wildfires, shifting seasonal patterns and climate-related pressures may affect honeybee survival, pollination and foods that depend on bee-pollinated crops, including fruits, nuts and other agricultural products.

The augmented edition also includes a more personal narrative layer. Orey shares stories connected to rare blizzard conditions in Tahoe, a NASCAR-related life-threatening event, wildfire danger, a race against time and a near-death experience that influenced her renewed focus on resilience, food choices and Mediterranean-style living.

“This expanded edition allowed me to return to honey through the lens of food, survival, honeybees, climate, recipes and personal experience,” said Cal Orey. “The book reflects my continued interest in how one natural ingredient can connect history, culture, kitchens and the environment.”

The book also includes new honey-based recipes, including Hot Honey Glazed Turkey Loaf and Turmeric Honey Booster. Orey also explores food trends such as Manuka honey, hot honey and honey’s continued place in contemporary kitchens.

The sequel features a new foreword by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated blends food writing, honeybee reporting, recipes, research and first-person storytelling for readers interested in natural foods, honey traditions, environmental issues and the changing role of honey in modern life.

Health and Wellness Information Notice

This release is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical, nutritional, dietary, therapeutic or health advice. The book discusses honey, honeybees, recipes, wellness traditions, research, food history and personal experiences for general educational purposes.

No statement in this release should be interpreted as a claim that honey, honeybees, recipes or any food product can diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or manage disease, viruses, infections, medical conditions or health conditions. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals before making health, dietary or wellness decisions.

About the Book

Title: The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated
Subtitle: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Remarkable Nectar
Author: Cal Orey
Foreword: Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth
Publisher: Kensington Publishing, Citadel
Series: Healing Powers #4
Publication Date: Aug. 25, 2026
ISBN: 9780806545721
Pages: 352
Category: Health & Fitness / Naturopathy
Book Page: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/shop/the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated/?v=0b3b97fa6688

About Cal Orey

Cal Orey, M.A., is a journalist, author and on-air personality known for the Healing Powers series. She holds a master’s degree in English from San Francisco State University and has written for national and international publications for more than three decades, with work focused on health, nutrition, food and science.

Media Contact

Cal Orey
Phone: 530-416-8376

Website: Cal Orey Homepage

The post Kensington Publishing Announces Sequel of The Healing Powers of Honey first appeared on USA Today News. 

HONEY POWERS: New & Revised 2nd Edition is the must-have for fall, winter, the holidays and beyond!

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated

 

New foreword by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D.,

 

author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

 

Publisher: ‎ Publisher: Kensington

 

Healing PowersSeries:

 

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated by Cal Orey: 9780806545721 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

 

Publication date: ‎ August 25, 2026

 

Language: ‎ English

 

Print length: ‎ 352 pages

 

ISBN-10: ‎ 0806545720

 

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0806545721

 

Item Weight: ‎ 12.9 ounces

 

Dimensions: ‎ 8.98 x 5.98 inches

 

Part of series: ‎ Healing Powers

 

The Healing Powers of Honey, REVISED is Nature’s Rx for Autumn! As seasonal chills invite a spike in allergies, colds, viruses, and superbugs, honey is your super defense. Packed with nature’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, & antiviral properties, this must-have is in your kitchen cabinet. Varietals, recipes...

 

A newly revised and updated edition of the #1 hit, now with new research, heart-healthy recipes, honey bee data, and home cures!

 

DISCOVER HONEY’S AMAZING BEE-HEALTHY POWERS
Did you know? . . .

 

Eating honey, Mother Nature’s ancient medicine, can still work its healing magic and help lower the risk of disease—adding quality and years to your life—at any age!

 

The buzz: Consumers are seeking healthy alternatives to refined sugar due to concerns about obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, the #1 killer.

 

Yes! Raw, unprocessed honey is more popular than ever before and is touted a “superfood” as it replaces unhealthy table sugar and artificial sweeteners—helping to combat the skyrocketing rise in chronic ailments and life-threatening diseases.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, beekeepers experienced a surge in demand for the disease-fighting, antioxidant-rich “apocalyptic food” widely believed to boost immune health.

 

Increasing threats to honey bees’ survival may harm the planet’s nourishing superfoods that you love to eat—such as fruits and nuts—that the honey bee pollinates.

 

Honey, known as Mother Nature’s “nectar of the gods,” is an ancient remedy noted in the Bible and used for centuries to quell a cough, soothe a sore throat, energize you, and even calm frazzled nerves due to stressors such as post-COVID-19 virus variants and climate change health effects.

 

Enjoy gripping and adventurous survival stories about honey bees and humans as well as fascinating reasons why the popularity of honey is soaring, Manuka honey medicinal uses are surging, and herbal flavored varietals are trending. You’ll also love new heart-healthy recipes with honey twists such as Whipped Ricotta Toast with Lemon Thyme Honey, Hot Honey Glazed Turkey Loaf, and Turmeric Honey Immunity Booster, plus buzzworthy home cures thanks to honey’s gifts (including super “bee foods” like propolis and royal jelly) from the hive!

 

“This eye-opening book provides you with a delicious truth of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Honey is a sumptuous route to optimal health.” —Dr. Will Clower, author of The French Don’t Diet Plan

 

About the Author

Cal Orey, M.A., is a bestselling author-journalist, health expert, food writer, on-air personality and author of The Healing Powers series, including The Healing Powers of Vinegar, The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, The Healing Powers of Tea, The Healing Powers of Honey and The Healing Powers of Essential Oils. She has a master's degree in English from San Francisco State University, and for three decades has written hundreds of articles for national and international magazines, specializing in topics such as health, nutrition, science, and pets. She can be found online at CalOrey.com Author Residence: South Lake Tahoe, CA

 

Are you a retailer looking for information on placing a wholesale order or setting up an account?

The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised and Updated: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/shop/the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated/?v=0b3b97fa6688

Kensington titles are distributed by Penguin Random House. For sales queries, please contact your Penguin Random House rep or customerservice@randomhouse.com / (800) 733-3000 

If you are a non-traditional book retailer or have Special Sales inquiries/questions, please contact: Justine Willis at jwillis@kensingtobooks.com