Pre-Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui

 By Cal Orey

Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui for Harmony in

Work and Play

“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.”-- Barbara Costikyan

Spring has sprung. It’s time to move forward and get moving into spring cleaning mode. The cleaner your kitchen is, the cleaner your spirit and soul, which is a good thing for you, yours, and your environment.  Welcome to the world of Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. Its goal is to bring you harmony. By putting stuff in the right spots in your kitchen it may enhance the flow of positive energy and zap negative vibrations. The end result: good health, happiness, and fortune. 

Read on--you, too, can enjoy a well-balanced kitchen--with vinegar, honey, oil and tea--that feels good from head to toe like I recall enjoying as a little girl.

1. Use Eco-friendly Vinegar and Olive Oil Cleaners. For starters, brew a cup of herbal tea for its energizing effects tol boost your energy and mood...Then, it's time to clean your kitchen from top to bottom with natural stuff. You'll be doing you, yours, and Mother Nature a favor. Using nontoxic vinegar can help you to: lose the ants; clean stainless steel, get rid of dust, and keep fresh flowers longer. By keeping it green it will provide you with better health and energy.

2. Declutter Your Stuff. Ditto. Getting rid of things you don't use will up your energy. It's true. You feel lighter with less kitchen baggage, starting fresh is exhilerating. I cleaned out both the fridge and freezer. Add a fresh box of baking soda to soak up odors. Then, I tackled the pantry and tossed out olive oil, pasta, rice, soup, gourmet spices (yep, I sadly discovered they don't last forever) and anything else that expired...What's the saying: Out with the old and in with the new.

3. Clean the Stovetop and Oven. This was a chore but it feels right to have the stovetop shine. (My Stepford Wife colors are starting to show.) The inside of the oven is sparkling, too. Tip: If you must use toxic oven cleaner, go over it with the natural stuff--like vinegar, tea, and olive oil. Trust me, this is a feel-good must-do before days and nights warm up. Helpful hints in the Healing Powers Series.

4. Brighten Up with Lighting. During the colder days without sun you'll want to have sunny-type lighting which can up your energy and mood--linked to good health. Go for full spectrum light bulbs or ones with a nice amber glow.  And open up the blinds! Clean 'em, too! Speaking of lightening up...

5. Boost Your Mood with Plants. To help wipe out pollutants in your kitchen, fill your space with hardy, happy plants. Your best bet: philodendrons, spider plants or cactus.

6. Bring on the Water. Fish aquariums provide positive energy in the dining room, especially with a gentle filter Ever notice Asian restaurants and the calming ambiance of fish?

7. Fish, Fish, Fish. Today, I read that goldfish can bring you good luck and prosperity. In fact, nine is the lucky number. The colors? Gold and one black one. (Go smaller rather than bigger in size = less cleaning.) My kitchen/dining room/study all are connected. So, the fish aquarium is a pleasant, calming treat for all three rooms. Note to self: Add more fishies.

8. Bring Out the Fresh Fruit. I've got several plump healthful seasonal fruits on display and ready to eat, such as pears placed in a stainless steel colander. According to feng shui concensus, a full bowl may lead to a full life. Translation: Display pretty bowls with plenty of pretty fruit. Empty bowls with just a few pieces of old fruit not so good. And oranges? Nine is the lucky number I've read...Put 'em in a wooden bowl and on the kitchen or dining room table. (Note: If they're pricey, purchase the ones in a bag. Save the separate, sweet and juicy ones for eating.)

9. Conceal Knives and Scissors. My father gave me a black and white marble knife block, cutting board, and rolling pin. I love it. But the knives are out of sight. Bad vibes.

10. Hanging Pots and Pans. Get one of those artsy-looking  overhead hangers for your kitchen stuff. If so,  do not  hang it over your workspace. Not good energy, or so the feng shui wizards claim.

11. Hide the Gadgets. Too many kitchen items can clutter up all that positive decluttering you did. So, choose your favorites and recycle as you use 'em. Or, you can always get a kitchen island. A rustic, wooden Mediterranean type is earthy. It would be modest, wooden, but eye-catching, and a great place to stack some kitchen gadgets, and a workspace.

12. Hang Wind Chimes with Crystals. I brought one of mine in from the deck--and put it above the kitchen windows. The one I chose is of a sun with a face. It makes me smile everytime I look at Mr. Sunshine. Feng shui gurus recommend hanging chimes in the doorway to the kitchen or over the stove sings good energy. And sit down, exhales,  enjoy your clean, decluttered surroundings and renewal of springtime!

Tea Time with a Tea Book Author

 Friday, March 17, 2023

By Cal Orey

Over the decades I've been an author at dozens and dozens of book signings. 

Some book events I've teamed with well-known people featured in my books.  We were greeted by TV cameras, radio station hosts, a microphone and rows of people in the audience. Others, guide dogs to adoption cats upstaged me, the author, and nobody wanted me to speak out or sign a book. You just never know what's going to happen at a book signing--and the thing is, I continue to get booked and go on the road for the thrill of the unknown...

Last weekend on Saint Patrick’s Day, for instance, I took a leap of faith and drove over the snow shrouded mountain (with my Australian shepherd in tow and survival food) to attend a book discussion/signing for number six, the Healing Powers series tea tome.  So much for lucky holidays and numbers, I thought. The roads were icy, cars were moving at a snail’s pace, and a couple of times I mumbled, “I’m turning back.”

After all, Stephen King made an appearance. "How can I follow an act like that?" Not a chance. Ironically, the bookstore manager called me two days before my book signing. Her news was that my box of more than 40 books sold out. I should have called it a signing...But no, I offered to make the trek and bring more tea books.

Knowing I was stocked up on granola bars, salt and vinegar potato chips, bottled water, and canine chow seemed a bit calming for a snow day raining on my parade. While there were a few close skidding out of control moments, no “Misery” car crash for this food book series author. 
On the way home, I wondered, “Why didn’t I bake chewy cookies and bring tea?”  A sobering flashback of hitchhiking in my twenties through
a blizzard in Wyoming with my black Lab (not a snow-loving dog) paid me a visit and reminded me, "This too shall pass." We survived--and this time around, too.

Worse, the manager served up iced tea and bits of cookies. It looked like a Jim Jones Kool-Aid event. I was embarrassed. Why not serve hot tea and petite scones? After an hour or less--I left and rescued my pooch. If my books sold on their own, they'll sell again, I thought.

Back in the cozy cabin I made a fire, brewed a fresh cup of hot chamomile (two cups, actually), and cuddled with my action-oriented Aussie and zen-like Siamese. After a day of adventure, cravings for fresh coconut macaroons were on my mind. 
After all, it’s still winter-like weather in the Sierra and a home-baked cookie (filling the house with a sweet aroma) paired with an over-sized cup of my favorite beverage is super comforting and takes me to a place I love. This recipe is inspired by my new tea book The Healing Powers of Tea (infused with soul, thanks to pro chef recipes and gritty, heartwarming stories, and tearooms I visited both in and out of the country during research in Tealand).

Snowflake Cookies

5 tablespoons whole wheat flour (good for high altitude so cookies don’t spread in the oven)

¼ cup granulated white sugar

6 ounces sweetened condensed milk

1 capful each almond extract and pure vanilla extract

7-8 ounces (approximately 2 ½ cups) sweetened coconut, premium

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon lemon or orange rind (optional)

Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting) (optional)

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, milk, extracts and coconut. Set aside. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until stiff. Fold in coconut mixture. Add orange rind. Use 1/3 cup ice cream scoop or 1 teaspoon (shaped like a Hershey’s chocolate drop), and place cookie dough on a cookie sheet (parchment paper is nice to use to avoid sticking). Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes or till bottoms are golden and cookies are firm. Remove immediately. Dust cookies with confectioners’ sugar. Makes about 10-12 cookies; depending on size.  Store in airtight container and put in fridge or freezer.

(Tip: I cut the recipe in half because these cookies do contain sugar and fat. If you love chocolate, melt white or dark chocolate chips in the microwave for about 30 seconds, stir, 30 more seconds till melted. Dip on one side of the cookie or on the bottom.)

While the drive in a post-snowstorm wasn’t as horrific as I had thought it could be, the chips were super stress reducers, but herbal tea and warm homemade cookies would have been more soothing. Next time around during a drive in the snow or rain, I’ll pack a thermos of tea and snowflake cookies.

--Cal Orey, M.A., is an author and journalist. Her books include the book series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, Essential Oils, and Herbs & Spices) published by Kensington and available at fine bookstores everywhere. (The collection has been featured by One Spirit, Literary Guild, and the Good Cook Book Club.)  Her website is www.calorey.com Also, the Gift Book is offered by newsmax.com/tea

SPRING FORWARD SMOOTHLY!

  Springing Forward Smoothly

By Cal Orey, M.A.

Last year, I recall stepping onto the deck one morning and offering a heartfelt, “Hello Mr. Sunshine!” It was a warm welcome to the vibrant light of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Sipping my coffee and savoring those lingering rays remain a fond memory. However, as we prepare for those golden late-afternoon outdoor chores and sunset views, the reality is that losing that hour of sleep can trigger a physiological tremor. Our internal clock shifts like a sudden bout of jet lag, leaving us feeling “off”—mired in brain fog and drained of our usual oomph. To reclaim our energy, we must reset our body’s natural rhythms and sync back up with the sun.

 

Riding the Turbulent Time Change
Sure, it’s just one hour, but your body treats it like pulling an all-nighter at work. Because the sun stays out later in the evening, your brain doesn't start making melatonin (the "sleepy hormone") as early as it should. Research shows that this sudden shift can lead to feeling tired and grumpy. To boost your vitality, try this checklist to trick your body to adjust:

ü Ease Into It: Don't wait until Saturday night to make it right. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night starting a few days before the switch.

ü Find the Morning Rays: As soon as you wake up, open the blinds. Getting bright light first thing in the morning tells your brain it’s time to wake up and helps reboot your internal clock faster.

ü Power Nap: If you feel sleepy, take a break for about 20 minutes before 3:00 PM. A quick cat snooze can help you stay on even keel.

ü Lessen the Evening Blue Light: Since the sun is staying out later, dim the computer and phone screens inside your home at night. Nix that "blue light" because it tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime.

 

Food Tips to Zap “Time Lag”

Eat tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, eggs, and cheese. Tryptophan is an amino acid that works as a precursor to serotonin and melatonin—two hormones that can help you sleep. Forego caffeine-rich soda and tea hours before bedtime to ensure deep sleep you want to get. Try good carbs (such as oatmeal) before bed to help boost a small insulin rise, which triggers tryptophan into the brain. For more help, log onto the National Sleep Foundation website for more info on how to prepare for Daylight Saving Time.

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 edition of The Healing Powers of Honey. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

Here Comes Allergy Season: Pollen, Dust & Dander

 The Return of Yellow Pesky Powder at Lake Tahoe

 News | Jun 22, 2025

Cal Orey, M.A. Tahoe Daily Tribune 

It’s back! Every June, the eerie yellow pollen arrives, an unwelcome guest dusting everything in sight. Reaching for a tissue and a plan, I brace myself for the season. During my research for the honey book, a Reno beekeeper, eager to introduce me to his new queen bees, shared his wisdom about nature’s nectar. I left with a jar of his golden honey, and, following his advice, I took a daily tablespoon of the local product. Honey experts suggested that consuming local honey could help my immune system adapt to the local pollen, reducing allergy miseries. Whether it was the honey, or a combo of tactics, I found myself better equipped to face the yellow powder that coated my world on the South Shore.

The presence of yellow pollen in the Lake Tahoe area during early summer is a common phenomenon. Here’s its potential health impacts, and tips to adapt to the yucky yellow stuff.

So, What is Yellow Pollen, Anyhow? Yellow pollen in the Tahoe area, in early summer, is primarily from pine trees. Pine trees are prolific pollen producers, and their pollen is easily spread by the wind. The result: Tell-tale yellow dust that can coat your car, yard, clothes, and even be visible on the lake’s surface. 

Is the Yucky Powder Unhealthy? Nah, but it can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, like me, and maybe you. Symptoms of tree pollen allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, throat, and watery eyes. Blame it on the body’s immune system overreacting to the pollen, releasing histamine that causes inflammation.

How to Deal with Yellow Pollen: Check local pollen forecasts: (AccuWeather website) to anticipate high pollen days. Keep Windows and Doors Closed: This helps prevent pollen from entering your home. Shower and Change Clothes: After being outdoors, shower and change clothes to zap pollen. Try Allergy Medications: Over-the-counter antihistamines can help alleviate symptoms. Consider an Air Purifier (or two): An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove pollen from indoor air. And consider what you consume, too…

Anti-Pollen Diet: Hydration: Drinking plenty of water and tea to help thin nasal mucus and ease congestion. Vitamin C-rich foods: Some studies suggest Vitamin C may have antihistamine properties. Consider citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers. Probiotic-rich foods: Probiotics may help curb the immune response. Yogurt is a good source.

Honey to the Rescue: Go ahead—drizzle honey in your yogurt, like I do. Check out local honey producers. Warning: To avoid infant botulism, don’t feed honey to a baby who is younger than one year.

In a nutshell, by July sometime the yellow dust will say goodbye and you’ll be ready for other summertime air quality culprits—but you’ll be better prepared.

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, 2nd edition The Healing Powers of Honey (2026) and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby.. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

Unlock the Golden Secrets of Honey--1st #1 Top Rated Edition & NEW Revolutionary 2nd Edition

 THE HEALING POWERS OF HONEY -- 2ND EDITION

 REVISED & UPDATED (Summer 2026)

 By Cal Orey

Unlock the golden secrets of honey in The Healing Powers of Honey, the bestselling book by Cal Orey that’s captivated readers for over 15 years. From ancient rituals to modern science, this delicious guide explores how honey can help fight disease, boost energy, soothe stress, and even enhance beauty.

Several Current Formats Featuring:

• 🐝 30+ honey varieties and their unique healing properties

• 🥗 50+ Mediterranean-style recipes and home remedies

• 📚 Fascinating historical and cultural insights — from Cleopatra to current research

• 🏆 #1 Top Rated Label on Amazon and a Newsmax bestseller, and Best Seller banners on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and Walmart (countless times) 

Whether you're a health enthusiast, foodie, or natural remedy seeker, this sweet read is your go-to guide for living well — one spoonful at a time. 

The Healing Powers of Honey (Audiobook)

Title: The Healing Powers of Honey
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Narrated by: Tara Marie Kirk
Pages: Audiobook
Genre: Health / Natural Food / Alternative Therapies
Length: 8 hours and 26 minutes
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

It is impossible to listen to this narration of The Healing Powers of Honey by author Cal Orey on audiobook without going to the cupboard and pouring a cup of hot tea, and of course, adding a heaping teaspoon of honey into it.  The soothing taste and coating of honey is talked about in so many ways, thus while listening and sipping the tea, it makes for an amazing multi-dimensional learning scenario, having both your brain and body absorbing the true nectar of the gods.  What’s more than revealing the facts is the way Cal Orey interleaves her own life’s adventures into describing her quest of gaining the background information to compile the facts about honey into this highly specialized enlightening guide.

The story begins with the author taking on the project of doing a book about honey by the request of her publisher.  Listeners are brought to the planning stage of how Cal Orey organized her research to achieve what she is known for; as being a down-to-Earth presenter of health benefits of various food substances.  Honey follows her repertoire as she has demonstrated with vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, and other healing books.  Nobody is born with honey knowledge, so she first acquired every book she could find on the subject, then arranged for meetings with bee keepers in Fresno, Reno, and other places.  So as a listener, I found the tome of the narration as having a quality of discovery, as new factoids are learned and shared, making this story a journey of discovery.

“A Hippy Chick,” as she often referrers to herself as being, due to her expert knowledge of organic health foods, understanding their therapeutic effects having antioxidants, allowing for stress relieving, blood pressure control, diabetes cure, heart fortitude, and even helping lower the risk of cancer, honey fits right in at the top of God’s gifts to humanity – or should I say the Bee’s gift.  Her ‘textbook’ parts of the book when she is educating listeners (readers) on the many types of honey, their relative histories and specialized qualities, and somewhat magical powers are explained with describing each varieties’ color, taste, and even how best to pair it up with other food items.  Then, of course, she adds her own commentary to each of the about 30 variations of honey – that’s when I began to google the online stores to buy my own bouquet of flavors.

Some diversion to the author’s factual narration on the honey subject was most sentimentally touched upon with the stories of her dog(s).  At one point she talks about traveling all around the USA from California to Key West with her K-9 companion, and even smuggling the dog into Canada because she didn’t have the correct documents at the border – now that’s “chutzpah!”  She then talks about having a 6th sense when someone commented, “Nice dog” to her, only to find the dog missing after she tied it up outside a building for only a few minutes.  The sadness, crying, and sensation of loss was contagious.  A few months later she was “rescued” by a lab with sympathetic eyes in San Diego, and life with a dog partner took a happier path.

Honey is amazing.  The antibacterial properties makes it ideal for fighting off any bacterial infection, both inside and outside the body, as it is known for enhancing and protecting the skin and healing wounds.  Forget Pepto-Bismol, eat honey to cure suffering from diarrhea.  Heart healthy, even helping diabetics (which seems odd due to honey’s sweetness) as well as hypertension, lowering cholesterol and even aiding longevity, plus weight loss and libido enhancement are all benefits of this golden nectar.  Thank you, bees.

I must admit I did not know the vast variety of types of honey; yes, Clover is popular, and Van Morrison introduced me to Tupelo Honey, but Cal talks about Alfalfa Honey being native to Northern Nevada, and Buckwheat Honey being very powerful with antioxidants.  She thought Fireweed Honey might have been bitter yet was pleasantly surprised by its flavor.  I never would have thought Avocado Honey existed, and Dandelion, nor Eucalyptus – I guess I need to walk down the health-food isles in Whole Foods a bit more slowly next time.

It may seem as if I am making light of the subject, but that is how I perceived Cal Orey takes the sting out of being a dry educational presentation, and embellishes her work with her humble wisdom and incredible stories which she has gained on so many other subjects.  Just like blending honey into bakery items, combined it with cinnamon for holistic healing, or dissolving it in a tea, smoothie or drink, honey’s versatility and benefits are un-bee-livable.

Reviewer’s footnote:  Having the audiobook version of this bestselling book, the narration by Tara Marie Kirk was very clear and fluid, not missing a beat with those 5-syllable Latin names of the specific varieties, however as a personal preference I played it back at 1.25 speed, slightly picking up the pace for my listening pleasure, and cutting the play-time from just over 8 hours to about 6 hours.

 

buy on amazon audible

Visit Author’s Website

I'm Not a Robot

 Where Have All the Real Ghostwriters Gone?

By Cal Orey, M.A.

Welcome to your new ghost—AI. Yep, the robots can and do try to mimic a person’s tone for a book or novel, making the pricey human writer seem unnecessary. 

But did you know? Traditional publishers and human authors with a savvy skill set know the truth. 

AI lacks narrative soul. 

That’s right, AI can’t perform a multi-hour interview to get a compelling book or novel that rings true and provides true grit. 

So, publishers do value human writers who can dig deep, think, verify facts for accuracy, and create a special perspective that hasn’t been done a zillion times by an algorithm. 

Human authors still are a cut above robots because we can write a story and give the tale a personal touch like "A Ghost Whisperer" with a heart of gold. No fools gold for folks seeking the real jewel.

Looking for your story to be told by an empathetic human who can create an authentic tour de force? Contact me. I'm not a robot.

The Death of the Ghostwriter

Where Have All the Real Ghostwriters Gone?

Welcome to your new ghost—AI. Yep, the robots can and do try to mimic a person’s tone for a book or novel, making the pricey human writer seem unnecessary. 

But did you know? Traditional publishers and human authors with a savvy skill set know the truth. 

AI lacks narrative soul. 

That’s right, AI can’t perform a multi-hour interview to get a compelling book or novel that rings true and provides true grit. 

So, publishers still value human writers who can dig deep, think, verify facts for accuracy, and create a special perspective that hasn’t been done a zillion times by an algorithm. 

Human authors still are a cut above because they can write a story and give the tale a personal touch like "A Ghost Whisperer" with a heart of gold. No fools gold for folks seeking the real jewel.

Looking for your story to be told by an empathetic human who can create an authentic tour de force? Contact me.