Honey and Tea for June--National Iced Tea Month

  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. Read on -- and pick one or two!

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.

UPDATE: newsmax.com/tea GIFT BOOK take a peek inside! The Healing Powers of Tea and The Healing Powers of Honey is available in audiobook format.

Confessions of a Phone Psychic

 By Cal Orey

Blame it on the Great Recession hit (yes, I predicted it). In the winter of 2010, I called a psychic (or 10) to ask, "When is a foreign rights check for my books coming--and how much?" The answers I got were zany, including "one million dollars"! I offered three realistic choices, "Choose one." And that's when I called a psychic network manager and predicted: "I can do better."

After all, I thought, "Since I was 8, people have noticed my sensitive nature and uncanny sixth sense. After I penned the book 'The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes,' I began dishing out quake predictions on national radio shows. Reading people and the challenges that rock their world is no different."

And now I'm one of countless psychic adviser voices who charge by the minute to tune into people and be their personal Magic Eight Ball. (I've received hundreds of positive reviews. Also, I'm tagged as the "time frame" reader with dishes dates. Yes, I'm accurate about 80 percent of the time.

Email and Phone Readings/COrey39184@aol.com

Tuning In to the Faraway Caller
No, I do not use incense, hold a crystal ball or provide spells. I'm often in the company of two sensitive dogs and one black cat (they relax me), and listening to alternative music when the phone rings. I am connected to a caller who is often sad, upset or confused. And, yes, this job can be stressful as well as rewarding. Think healer.

Once I hear a voice, it sets the stage. Often I can pick up if the call is from the West Coast, South, Northeast, Canada, Trinidad, New Zealand or Australia. And it's not always the accents. It's my animal-like intuition that kicks in from the get go. But there's more ...

Hello, Mother Nature
I use the planets as a baseline, lunar cycles (emotions and calls soar during the New and Full Moon), and a tarot card to get an objective read, which often coincides with what I've picked up with my gut instinct. As a super-sensitive woman, I can predict callers' questions by tuning into their voice, energy and words.

I can also pick up why I'm being contacted, the age of a person, their sun sign (but sometimes I do ask; usually they end up being on the cusp of two signs). If I'm challenged by a skeptical caller, it can end up in a murky reading or a hang-up. It used to hurt my feelings, but nowadays, I sip chamomile tea until the next ring.

I can sense if the caller is sincere -- and then it's show time. Sometimes, the paranormal activity kind of cues I get send chills through my body. The caller feels it, too. That means that I tapped into their psyche and we connected, big-time.

I Can Feel Your Vibrations
Both my callers and I are often surprised that I know things, such as if he or she has a toothache or heartache. The most common problem I am faced with is unrequited love (one-sided romance) -- and it hurts. How do you say, "He or she isn't that much into you?" and/or "Move on for true happiness" -- especially when the caller has her ego wounded, fears being alone or is anxious about the unknown.

I do offer positive advice and words of preparedness for upcoming events (even if a caller can't see what I'm talking about yet). I tell it like it is because saying good things doesn't always bring good or accurate results. It's like saying, "A quake won't hit" when I'm looking at the USGS map, watching an aggressive swarm on an active fault, and the caller is located at the epicenter of a country in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Fire, Earth, Water and Air Signs
Speaking of Earth elements, how do I know if a caller is a Fire, Earth, Water or Air sign? A fire sign is direct and intense, and if the topic is touchy, I can feel their heated emotions (my clavicle often aches). Earth signs are reserved, a bit shy and need a nudge to be real. I can pick up the vibe of passionate water signs' feelings and understand they want me to confirm what they know. And air signs are analytical, good communicators and have a sixth sense, but are hesitant to tune into their gut instincts.

Two days ago, a woman asked me if her sibling would survive a challenging surgical procedure. I strongly sensed "yes." Tonight, I got the answer. I was spot on. I signed on to take another call. I'm sensing the phone will ring within 15 minutes.

Oh, and if you're wondering why, if I'm so psychic, I didn't know when my book check was in the mail, the reason is this: Sometimes it can be tricky to get an accurate read on your own life. Psychic advisers frequently turn to their colleagues (or tarot cards) for an objective outlook, the way I look to the moon and planets to tell me what other people have in store.

There goes the phone, right on time. So, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take that call.

Spring Forward Year-Round?

 By Cal Orey, M.A.

News Flash: daylight saving time may become year-round—and yes, it can affect your health!

For years, I was a fan of the "Great White North," chasing the crisp air of Alaska and Canada. I fancied myself a creature of the big chill, swaddled in layers and shunning the sun. As a lacto-vegetarian who avoided fish, I was living in a self-imposed unhealthy eclipse. The irony of my "healthy" lifestyle was revealed by a lab report. My blood work arrived like a cold front, showing vitamin D levels that were subterranean. I swapped vegetable plates for salmon and turned my body toward the sun with gardening and savoring the outdoors. Months later, the needle moved; my blood work finally reflected a body in balance.

As the clocks jumped forward and we transitioned out of the winter doldrums, Vitamin D—known as the "sunshine vitamin"—is a spark plug for your health. Meanwhile, there is news that daylight saving time (DST) may go year-round! Here’s some health reasons why that can be a good thing.

Enjoy the Happy Booster: Vitamin D helps regulate serotonin, the “happy” brain chemical. As we gain more light, maintaining higher Vitamin D levels helps beat "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) and provides your "get-up-and-go" energy. Pre-spring/summer is often peak time for lingering respiratory woes and colds during shoulder season in regions like Tahoe. Vitamin D comes to the rescue to enhance your immune defense—and decreases inflammation and odds of catching pesky viruses.

Soak up the Sun: The most natural way to "recharge" is through UVB radiation. When sunlight hits the skin, you get Vitamin D3. Experts recommend up to 30 minutes of sun exposure on the face, arms, or back at least twice a week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Get Vitamin-D Superfoods: Here are foods for Vitamin D: Salmon: It acts like “Super Glue” to keep your bones strong and heart healthy. Egg Yolks: They provide a brain and body booster to rev up your mood. Fortified OJ, Milk, and Whole Grain Cereal: These edibles contain plenty of Vitamin D, helping you reach your Daily Value by utilizing D2 or D3 to ensure metabolic needs are met.

So, getting a daily dose of sunshine and eating more Vitamin-D rich foods, say health experts, are good news for better health. I discovered that while Alaska is a fine place to visit, Tahoe sunshine (and savoring fish plus) is my happy place. (Adapted from the Healing Powers series).

 Will the U.S. Adopt Permanent DST?

The question of whether the United States will adopt permanent daylight saving time (DST) remains a subject of legislative debate. But the two states that do honor keeping the clocks steady are Arizona and Hawaii. The current system of biannual shifting is given a thumbs down by health experts, who argue that the transition disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm—the internal 24-hour clock that regulates sleep, metabolism, and immune function. So, what is a nature-lover’s take on the change year-round?

·       More "Golden Hour" Playtime: If we locked in more evening light, you’d have an extra hour of daylight after work to hit the slopes, mountain bike, or just enjoy a sunset beer on the porch without rushing before dark.

·       Syncing with the Peaks: Proponents of permanent time argue that staying in one lane—whether standard or daylight—is better for the planet and our bodies than the current "waffling" that confuses our internal clocks. 

·       Super Productivity: With a consistent schedule, your body can settle into a groove, helping you feel more energized and motivated to tackle those big Sierra adventures.

While the debate continues between those who want more morning light (Standard Time) and those who want more evening light, the consensus among sleep scientists is that picking one and sticking to it is the healthiest path forward for everyone.

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. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series. The new, revised 2nd ed. The Healing Powers of Honey (a summer release), and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3^rd ed. is in production.   She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

Honey Rx for Late-Spring Sinus Woes

 Sinus Headache? Accuweather at South Lake Tahoe Shows HIGH also for Pollen, Dander, Colds, and Flu!

Sinus sufferers are hardly alone. About 35 million Americans have sinusitis at least once year, according to researchers. If you have nasal congestion, a cough, painful facial pressure – welcome to rhinosinusitis commonly called sinusitis, explains the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Meet the sinuses – hollow cavities around the face — which aids to filter the air you breathe. Sinus woes – chronic and acute – say sinus specialists are often caused by allergies, colds, flu or change in environment. So, you can blame your sinus woes on the dust, dander, and dry air in the mountains — especially during fall. But you are not powerless. Here are things you can do:

1.         Eat spicy foods. One hot chili pepper can be your antidote to break up the mucus (the stuff in your throat), open the airways, and allows you to breathe easier. A study published in Annals of Allergy; Asthma & Immunology proved hot chili peppers may help clear up sinus inflammation. Also, try eating spicy hot mustard and horseradish.

2.         Add garlic to your diet. Garlic has expectorant and decongestant properties that help you to prevent a cold — often followed by acute sinusitis, points out the AAAAI. The herb contains a sulfur compound called allicin and can fight bacteria – linked to sinus infections. Past research shows you can prevent the common cold with a garlic supplement. Or a garlic clove eaten in your favorite dishes may keep sinus woes and sniffles or the doctor away. 

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3.         Pineapple, please. Eating ½ cup, diced pineapple or drinking 8 ounces of pineapple juice may be what the doctor should order to prevent sinus troubles. Research has shown that the enzyme bromelain was the key compound that helped ward off acute sinusitis for children in Germany. Pineapple juice, a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C, is a sweet anti-sinusitis fighter.

4.         Sip tea. Sinus doctors at the New York Sinus Center note that inhaling vapors of herbal brew can alleviate nasal inflammation, and drinking the hot beverage can speed nasal drainage by moisturizing the mucus membranes. The Center recommends a variety of sinus agony-busting herbal teas such as blackberry, chamomile, peppermint, and thyme. Don't forget antioxidant-rich black, green, and white! Savor three cups daily for best results. Speaking of tea…

5.         Add a bit of honey! Research touts nature’s nectar can kill bacteria. Plus, a study conducted at the University of Oxford, UK reveals honey is more effective at treating coughs and colds than antibiotics and more budget-wise. The rule of thumb is no more than three tablespoons per day. Local raw lavender honey is my favorite.

Here are more options from the AAAAI: Get plenty of rest, and keep your body hydrated by drinking several glasses of water a day. Try breathing hot, moist air, using hot packs, or washing the nasal cavities with a saline rinse. If your sinus ailments do not resolve, consult your doctor.

Soup Rx

Chicken soup (canned or homemade) contains several ingredients that affect the body’s immune system, say nutritionists. A bowl of hot soup has anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe a sore throat — and ease the pesky headache of sinus symptoms. Bonus tip: Add fresh hot peppers and garlic!

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 Healing Powers series, 2nd Ed. The Healing Powers of Honey (due out this summer, pre-order), and Olive Oil, 3rd ed in production.. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

A New Blockbuster Book is Coming to the Shelves This Summer!

A sobering story of resilience unveiled. The Healing Powers of Honey 2 is a chronicle from Cal Orey, a bestselling author's journey as a journalist and "cardiac warrior" with grit who practices what she has preached in the top Mediterranean diet--the theme of the popular Healing Powers series. This revised edition (pre-order on Amazon & other bookseller websites) includes new and gripping findings about the shocking rise of chronic diseases, the past and post-pandemic, clean eating, lifestyle, mankind and honey bees amid climate change. 

Get your copy here.

Why Human-Authored Writing Still Matters

 

By Cal Orey, M.A. 

In today’s publishing world, AI is flooding the market with cheap, generic writing. Think bland, dry fast food versus the "premium" alternative. When people use AI to get free content, they are usually looking for "good enough" filler and a short cut into playing wordsmith.

However, the glitch is, traditional publishers, human authors, and hungry readers are tired of AI-generated books that lack depth, voice, and accuracy. It's been noted that readers can detect robotic or generic content, so the "human touch" is still priceless.

    Accomplished authors, like me, are a subject matter expert (we are the masters of different genres); I am not just a typist. By writing high-level articles complete with research, hands-on experience, real-life dialogue, sprinkled with wit and heart, I can create a book or novel that AI cannot replicate. 

    I created a book series (the first one ignited in 2000) and we did not have robots to write the stuff we wrote and rewrote. We were self-reliant. Sure, traditional book publishers did and do copyedit and proofread human authors' work. And it worked!

          Many companies, doctors, scientists, and business wizards are now actively avoiding AI usage because of legal risks and poor quality. Read: Data is often outdated or incorrect.  

            I can feel good that my work is 100% human-verified and original. People who need my expertise, skill set, and a distinct voice (or to capture their style), is something a machine can never provide. Not yet. Often human authors have paid their dues and have natural talent to be able to write with an unforgettable voice (or capture a client's style). And we know we are still a cut above the quick "takeout grub" or AI writing. Human authors often have degrees in English-Creative Writing--and specialize in certain genres--plus can share real-life human stories to help in crafting a book or novel. Most importantly, we can and do provide soul to the work. 

The Healing Powers of Honey 2! The Must-Have of the Summer and Beyond

Sobering Findings. Climate Change. Vanishing honey bees. Jaw-dropping stories! Recipes reset to savor clean superfoods..

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated, dives deeper into the eye-opening powers of honey, honeybees, and mankind. With the August launch approaching, it's the perfect time to secure a copy for summer. The original is a groundbreaking must-read; the New & Revised Edition is the must-have of the Summer, 2026 and beyond!

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South Lake Tahoe, CA, April 16, 2026 --(PR.com)-- A newly revised and updated edition of the #1 hit, now with new eye-opening research, heart-healthy recipes, alarming honeybee data, and home cures.

Title: The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated (New foreword by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D.)

Discover Honey's New Remarkable Bee-Healthy Powers

Did you know?
- The buzz: Consumers are seeking healthy alternatives to refined sugar due to concerns about obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, the #1 killer.
- 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 honeybees and humans as well as fascinating reasons why the popularity of honey is soaring. 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.

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated
A Complete Guide to Nature's Remarkable Nectar (PRE-ORDER)
by Cal Orey

About the Author: Cal Orey, M.A., is a health expert, food writer, on-air personality and author of The Healing Powers series. 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, and science.

Published by: Kensington Series: Healing Powers Archives - Kensington Publishing
ISBN: 9780806545721
On Sale: 08/25/2026/Health & Fitness/Naturopathy

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Cal Orey
530-416-8376
www.calorey.com

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