Tea(s) with Your Honey
The Writing Gourmet

Sunday, May 22, 2022
Boost Immune Health with Tea and Honey for Summer Wellness
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Author-Intuitive Predicted Covid-19 Would Hit U.S. -- And Variants Would Follow, No Cure
UPDATE: In the spring of 2022, variant(s) are soaring around the globe. The U.S. is not immune, nor is my Golden State--California. But the thing is, people are in denial and pretending the pandemic is over. Sadly, I know too well the variants are not done with us...
During the Middle Ages, vinegar made its mark, too. Four robbers in the French town of Marseilles preyed upon the homes and belongings left behind by the people who fell victim to the bubonic plague, or "Black Death" of Europe. Eventually they were caught and brought before French judges, who wondered how these four thieves had protected themselves from the deadly plague while looting plague-ridden possessions.
The legend is that the four thieves bargained and exchanged the famous Four Thieves Vinegar for freedom, explaining that they washed themselves with the infection-fighting liquid every few hours. Upon learning about these immunity-boosting qualities, the formula was used by priests and doctors who treated the ill. No one seems to know who wrote the formula, which differs from recipe to recipe, but it is basically the same and it works in various ways. It can be used to disinfect sick rooms. If diluted with water, if can be used as a body wash. Taken by the teaspoonful (consult with your doctor for the safe amount), it can be used as a preventive measure to stave off viral infections, such as the flu.
1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water, herbal teas, and vitamin C-rich liquids can flush out any toxins that you accumulate.
2. Wash your hands frequently. (See the link and popular doctor who agrees.) Viruses can be transmitted by shaking someone's hand and then touching your face, nose or mouth. (This is probably the most important strategy. Use the recipe Four Thieves Formula--apple cider vinegar and herbs or the version with essential oils. It can be used topically, to clean surfaces in your environment, and more.)
4. Treat yourself well. "I try to minimize junk food, but I do succumb to chocolate or calcium-rich ice cream once or twice a week," said the good doctor. He added, "It's possible that lots of sugar can interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system."
5. Take vitamin C. Most of the research says that it improves the immune system.
6. Take echinacea. This herb is touted to have both antibiotic and immune-stimulating properties. But note, it's best used as a preventive measure before you get the flu.
7. Zinc yourself well. Zinc is a potent virus-fighters that can cut the time you spend in misery.
8. Drink herbal teas. Tea is a superfood chock-full of antioxidants.
9. Exercise, exercise, exercise. "It helps me sleep more deeply at night. Deep sleep is a time when the immune system has a chance to regroup itself and get revitalized," pointed out the health practitioner that taught me well.
10. Chill out. By keeping your stress levels down, you can keep your immune system up and healthy.
- Mask Up: In high risk regions where there is a surge, masks may help lower the the spread of COVID-19.
- Get Home Tested: In 15 minutes you will know if COVID-19 is responsible if you are feeling any symptoms – regardless of your vaccination status.
- Are you in denial that you may be infected? Sure, COVID-19 symptoms can feel like a common cold, seasonal allergies, or flu. Learn more about COVID-19 tests.
- Stay Home if Sick: Isolate for at least 5 days if you test positive. Why do you want to spread the virus to other people? Get well!
Friday, May 20, 2022
Herbal Time is for Spring Days and Nights
One spring day I turned to herbs and spices to get me through the noise challenge of getting a new roof. I sipped herbal tea spiked with allspice. It calmed my nerves. In the late afternoon, I believe the herb-infused dark chocolates infused with vanilla and cayenne I ate was a gift of feeling good and chill. The new roof was completed in one day, the dog rescued from the kennel before 6:00 p.m. It was done. We survived the event.
To this day I give credit to the wonder of calming herbs and spices. You’ll be amazed to discover how each of these herbs and spices can be used topically or consumed and put to work in many ways -- and during the shoulder season when it's hot and cold outdoors. Sometimes, Mother Nature knows best. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Read on.
#1 CHILLAX WITH R&R ALLSPICE: Even though Lake Tahoe is bliss, stress overload can happen anywhere and is often a trigger for high anxiety, slamming the nervous system on overdrive. Most people will feel anxious, sooner or later. That means worrying to falling into the “what if?” trap, feeling edgy, irritable, and distracted are some of the symptoms that’ll pay you a visit. Worrying about things you cannot control can cause a racing heart, feeling on edge, and simply feeling out of sync with reality.
But allspice can come to your rescue! Put a dash of allspice in a 12-ounce cup of chamomile, black, green, or white tea. Savor the moment. Sip a cup of the spicy brew. Repeat as needed.
Allspice is a mixture of calming compounds. It contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that can quell pain. If you have a headache or backache, for instance, it can trigger stress, and anxiety may follow. Once the inflammation is lessened, however, a sense of centeredness may be the end result. It is also comforting in a cup of joe and/or if infused in a homemade warm cinnamon roll.
#2 BREW SCENT-SATIONAL POTPOURRI IN A POT: Yes, a simmering potpourri can provide an amazing aroma in your home. Try combining 3 cups water and 2 lemons with peels. Place them in a pot. Add spices, such as cinnamon and vanilla. Heat to a boil and then turn down the heat to simmer for 20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell sublime this season of renewal.
#3 GET ZZZ’S HERBAL COCKTAIL: Medical doctors will tell you anxiety and stress, can trigger sleepless nights and broken sleep. For insomnia, herbs such as these nature’s sedative mixed with good bedtime habits may help you to get sleep.
For shut-eye herbal relief, measure ½ cup chamomile flowers, 1 teaspoon lavender flowers, and 1 teaspoon thyme leaves (all dried for convenience). Combine herbs. Take a teaspoon of the calming herb mixture and add to 1 cup of hot water. Let sit for 3 minutes. Strain. Add honey (go local) to taste. Sip before bedtime. (You can also purchase ready-made chamomile lavender tea bags at our local grocery stores or health food store.)
A RENEWAL BONUS: During springtime on the South Shore, which goes from late March through late June, the signs of gardens with life of herbs start to sprout. That means fresh leaves, buds, and flowers pop up with the promise of life and vibrant colors around the Lake. Herbal gardens – indoors by the window sills are ready for you to grow; and it’s time to freshen up your dried spice pantry!
Eating during spring is a time to detox, enjoy lighter foods and beverages, complemented by lighter herbs and spices. Try cilantro, chives, dill, garlic, marjoram, parsley, and turmeric. These aromatic and flavorful healing timeless treasures will whisk you into the summer season.
Adapted from The Healing Powers of 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, 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.
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Predictions for Living with COVID-19 Made in Mid-2021 Come True for 2022
By Cal Orey
In December 2019, the threat of the novel coronavirus in Asia soon became a sobering reality around the world... So, what will our lives be like in 2021 and 2022?
As the virus spread in Italy and offshore on cruise ships, we didn’t know of the scope of how the virus named Covid-19 would affect America. As the virus made its way to nursing homes in Washington and New York City became the epicenter – people were introduced
to a global pandemic. And then, our lives changed.
We quickly were introduced to quarantining in our homes to isolation from friends and family. Cities and towns were shutdown. Stockpiling food was the new normal. It was time to mask up, wash our food and hands – and fear the unknown. At first, going to the doctor, work, restaurants, gym, hair salon and dog groomer were off limits. Only essential services – groceries and medications --were available to us unless we were an essential worker – doctors, police, firefighters and store clerks. Now, more than a year later, welcome to what the future may be like for us now in the Spring of 2021 and into 2022.
Social Distancing: These days, more services are open to people depending on where they live and what tier they’re in to determine what activities are safe. Most businesses – except bars, indoor restaurants, and concerts to large crowded events – are open but capacity is limited. Masking up (now we’re told to double up) is the norm but still countless people do not follow the restriction for political reasons. In 2022, wearing a mask inside most businesses will likely be arequirement as a safety precaution – especially where there are isolated outbreaks -- and on all public transportation. (I wrote this article a week before Dr. Fauci's statement was publicized.) And note, some people will continue to stay home, stay safe and keep distancing, especially during outbreaks and when variants are spreading.
Health (Body/Mind): People and doctors adapted to telemedicine. In fact, both patients and healthcare practitioners like the convenience of this high-tech type of appointment. On screen doctors are going to still be used; however, preventive healthcare visits may begin to be more frequent. The downside is post traumatic stress disorder is going to be commonplace. Mental health due to stress, anxiety, and depression due to the pandemic stressors of isolation to losing friends and family, will be more prevalent than ever before. People will seek help through conventional and holistic ways to cope and move forward.
Work from Home: The new work from home or remote working will continue for countless businesses. During the ups and downs of adjusting to the new remote business environment, we’ve learned it is healthier because there is less commuting, cleaner air, and more time for chillaxing. While essential workers will continue to attend the workplace, non-essential workers will stay at home and embrace the new normal.
School Days: Kids, parents, and teachers have all been challenged by dealing with at home schooling or hybrid learning (on and off days at school). By 2022 attending schools will likely be back to normal – but there will be safety precautions for all. Also, for isolated virus outbreaks, at home schooling will be used as needed.
Play Indoors/Outdoors: In 2021 we are still canceling large events, such as sports and music concerts. By 2022, we may find ourselves enjoying crowds once again. However, safety precautions like in other open businesses will be used and accepted. During the next year, probably more than 60 percent of Americans will have been vaccinated but masking up in a crowd will likely still be requested to keep people safer.
Dining Out: Since eating in restaurants is one of the riskiest activities, businesses will be following safety precautions for safety’s sake. But if the virus continues to wane, capacity at eateries may be back to near normal. During the pandemic the surge of home-cooking was a healthful change. People were forced to eat more healthier, immune-boosting, heart-healthy foods and had more control with ingredients and portion sizes. And this trend may last. Also, while gyms have been shut, we have turned to creative at-home workouts which may last.
Travel: Currently, there is talk of “Test Before You Fly” if we want to fly internationally. Showing proof of a negative Covid-19 test is used by some states for domestic travel. Also, some states enforce travelers to quarantine for 14 days. In 2022, the quarantine restriction may be lifted if we show proof of a negative test and/or vaccination. This will vary amongst airlines, states, and countries…Road trips to camping in the great outdoors will still be more common than flying due to changes and rules, much like after 9-11. Cruises will not be as popular as they once were. Hotels will be more popular than motels because they have more of a budget to follow safety precautions. But the hospitality industry will take a long time to recover so most lodging will suffer economic consequences.
While Covid-19 may never disappear – and the variants may present a more contagious and deadly virus -- nobody knows the answer yet. But the odds are that we will continue to fight Covid-19 and new variants.
We will enjoy socializing, sports and cultural events, and traveling by 2022. But note, we will never forget the horrors of the pandemic and loss of lives. And there is the threat for new superbugs that may pay us a visit. The best part? Some people believe there will be a resurgence of activities like the Roaring Twenties and we will do all the things we’ve missed dearly. Yes, life will go on – but it will be a new, guarded world after the relentless coronavirus blindsided us.
-- 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.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
The Evolutionary Cosmos -- If You Liked "Interstellar--You'll Love This Innovative Book!
–Pacific Book
Review
Westberg’s
book—written with Orey—explores a wealth of scientific phenomena in language
that’s vivid and accessible to lay readers.
--Kirkus
Book Review
Intriguing facts that’ll surprise you . . . Did you know?
• It takes a novel approach to explain gravity as a physical phenomenon.
• Take the journey into one-
and two-dimensional realms of magnetism that lead to our three-dimensional
world. • Find out how eddy currents are the reasons behind cryovolcanoes on the
minor planet Ceres to solar flares on the Sun.
• Get informed about
Earth-threatening coronal mass ejections to global dust storms on Mars.
Storms in the cosmos is an interesting happening and
one that has been on my brain from time to time. My son Jack and I have noticed
that what we are mulling over with fascinating “should” and “could”
questions—including cause of weather on Earth or planets—can have plausible
answers. Our ideas, both usual and unusual, don’t stop anywhere in the
Universe. Read more starting on Page 16.
Solar Superstorms: The idea of the Sun and superstorms is a reality. Solar tornadoes are not a new thought. Why? Page 64.
RICHARD M. WESTBERG is a science devotee and forward thinker. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Long Beach State College. After high school, he became interested in physics, and since then has perfected his self-taught passion for astronomy and space sciences. The engineer learned how to repair TVs and have a handle on radio communication, and is a Carl Sagan enthusiast. A native of Southern California, he resides in Arizona.
CAL OREY is a best-selling author-journalist. She has a master’s degree in English from San Francisco State University. Her books include the hugely popular Healing Powers book series (containing scientific studies). She penned The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, writes a monthly Earth Changes column for Oracle 20/20 Magazine, and is a frequent News Segment Earth-changes radio guest on “Coast to Coast AM.” She is a native Californian. www.calorey.com.
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Honey is the Rx for Pollen Allergies in the Springtime/Summer
BY Cal Orey
(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.

Monday, May 16, 2022
Discover The New Way Of Thinking About Our Universe!
DISCOVER THE NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT OUR UNIVERSE! Intriguing facts that’ll surprise you . . . Did you know?
• Some scientists admit that they haven’t made any major progress about how our Universe works for over 50 years.
• It takes a novel approach to explain gravity as a physical phenomenon.
• Take the journey into one- and two-dimensional realms of magnetism that lead to our three-dimensional world.
• Find out how eddy currents are the reasons behind cryovolcanoes on the minor planet Ceres to solar flares on the Sun.
• Get informed about Earth-threatening coronal mass ejections to global dust storms on Mars.This book provides a reader-friendly understanding of Einstein’s theory of time dilation to Darwin’s theory, past and present-day. Enjoy close encounters of how these interesting topics—and more!—come from outside-in thinking using existing new science data and logical thinking. Written from the perspective of a science enthusiast and progressive thinker, flanked by a veteran Earth-changes science writer, this book is one of a kind.
A fascinating read, and cutting-edge findings make this gem a page-turner. Included are insightful theories to down-to-earth interesting anecdotes, along with must-have tools for you to find out more about Outer space. A candid and witty must-read. The Evolutionary Cosmos deserves two thumbs up for dishing out fresh ideas about the ever-changing Universe. This is a timeless gift book for anyone (of any age).