Extreme Dander & Dust Is Back

By Cal Orey, M.A.

Today, on Friday, November 6, I woke up to the usual furry alarm clocks: a double-coated Australian Shepherd on my feet and a big orange really fluffy tabby cat using my side as a heating pad. While their morning greeting were heartwarming, once in the living room, my throat felt like sandpaper, and I destroyed the cozy scene with an “achoo!” twice. “A cold?” I pondered. A quick peek at a purple bar appearing in AccuWeather’s health section for South Lake Tahoe confirmed the true culprits: Extreme Dander and Dust. So, instead of braving allergy symptoms, I uncovered the secrets to a less sneezy-filled existence.

Yeah, dander and dust can affect people of all ages. Adds the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, seniors and elderly with existing respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies, may feel more than less symptoms. Kids, too, can be susceptible due to their developing immune systems and smaller airways, points out American Academy of Pediatrics.

In a region with dry, cold air, such as Lake Tahoe, dander and dust can be worse because dry air can suspend these particles and irritate mucous membranes, triggering warning signs like a sore throat, sneezing, itchy eyes, and watery eyes.

Easy Checklist

Here, must-have tips from the AAAAI, and my first-hand experience from living in the mountains:

ü  Use a humidifier: A cool-mist humidifier can add moisture to the air, which helps to soothe irritated airways and prevent mucous membranes from drying out.

ü  Turn on an air purifier (or two): An air purifier with a HEPA filter can remove dander, dust, and other allergens from the air in bedrooms or living areas.

ü  Vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum and dust. Capture dust and dander from surfaces.

ü  Wash bedding regularly: Wash sheets/comforters in hot water to kill dust mites and remove dander.

ü  Manage Pet Dander. Wipe pets with a damp cloth to reduce dander they shed.    

ü  Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water and tea can help keep your throat moist and thin mucus, easing a raspy throat.

ü  Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops can alleviate symptoms.

By using these pet smart tips, you can deal with dander and dust—and enjoy the cuddly fur kids--even during dry, cold Tahoe winter days.

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. of a popular Healing Powers of Honey, Revised book, 2026 is available, achieving best seller status, on sale Amazon; and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3^rd ed. is in production and to be released January 2028.

Breaking News! Mediterranean Diet is Buzzworthy

Catch the Buzz this Autumn!

By Cal Orey, M.A.

The hot news is has landed in the fall of 2026. The Mediterranean diet is once again the latest buzz. A new study reveals 25 years of data is linked to a longer life! A blood-based marker of the Mediterranean diet may be the key to better health and more years to enjoy living… (Chart, Pyramid, Recipes in the NEW sequel The Healing Powers of Honey, REVISED)

That means the superfoods I’ve been writing about for years--olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fruit and fish--all key parts of the healthy Mediterranean diet and my Healing Powers series based on the top diet is super after all.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in November 2026, the study shows that people with higher scores on a Medi diet live longer. But note, the people who did better followed a Mediterranean diet were less likely to smoke or have type 2 diabetes. But there’s more!

Why the Mediterranean Diet Is the Right Stuff for All Ages

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest ways to eat because it combines plant based foods, healthy fats, and a whole food lifestyle that helps lower inflammation, is heart healthy, and cuts chronic disease risk like obesity.

Forget counting calories, since this diet provides a flexible eating style shared in European countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. That means you can savor our store and restaurant vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains as daily staples.  

Extra virgin olive oil as the main fat source (rich in monounsaturated fats. Think fish and seafood several times a week for omega 3 fatty acids, nuts and seeds in moderate amounts, moderate dairy (yogurt or cheese) and limited red meat. In a nutshell, eating fresh, seasonal, local ingredients are in and processed, sugary junk food is out!

It Works for Holistic Health

Scientists believe this superfood diet can help lower chronic inflammation by reducing C reactive protein (CRP) levels (you can get your number in a blood test), which are tied to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

Healthy people already enjoy fresh produce, seafood, and outdoor activity, which align well with the Mediterranean diet. Actually, I fell into this way of eating back in 2000 at Tahoe when I was completing The Healing Powers of Vinegar book, the first one of nine books in the collection.  And the wholesome Mediterranean diet is a central theme in the series.

The diet’s flexibility for all ages means it can be adapted to local foods without strict restrictions. No crash diets here. Folks anywhere can adopt the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle by focusing on local, fresh, plant rich meals, and regular activity— which boost long term vitality. 

Cal Orey, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from SFSU. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series and the new, revised 2nd ed. of The Healing Powers of Honey (Kensington Publishing, Penguin Random House) is here! Her website is http://www.calorey.com

Award-Winning Healing Powers of Honey, REVISED... Enjoy the New Ebook (8 bucks on Amazon); Savor the Quality Paperback for Life

 Courtesy Cal Orey

Bestselling author Cal Orey unveils eye-opening new secrets in The Healing Powers of Honey 2; proof that nature's golden nectar is sweeter (and more powerful) than we ever knew!

Reframe how you reset your immune system, combat ailments, and so much more, all with the natural power of honey—the pantry staple and sustainable superfood that’s also the green choice for healthy living, homeopathic remedies, and natural cures. Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Walmart and more! PRE-ORDER FOR THIS SUMMER!

A newly revised and updated edition of the #1 hit and Top Pick, 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

Story Locale:Nonfiction

Cal Orey, M.A., is a 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, beauty, nutrition, relationships, science, and pets. She can be found online at CalOrey.com.

Author Residence: South Lake Tahoe, CA

Cover (large JPG)Cover (medium JPG)Cover (PDF)

UPDATED WITH NEW MATERIAL: About 25% of this edition is new and updated material, including new recipes and remedies; resource lists; expert commentary; a new foreword; the latest research findings on honey's health benefits, such as its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties; new studies in the Mediterranean diet, heart health, immune system; data on our endangered honey bees and critical issue of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD); and heartwarming and adventurous anecdotes.

• A PROVEN SUCCESS : The Healing Powers of Honey has achieved #1 Top Rated status on Amazon, demonstrating an irrefutable track record of sales and reader satisfaction. ·It has sold around 20,000 copies in print alone—and the e-book is a steady seller.
• WORLDWIDE BACKLIST BESTSELLER! Cal Orey’s Healing Powers books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, been translated into a dozen languages, and landed on bestseller lists across the world. The Healing Powers of Vinegar has sold more than 200,000 copies, has more than 700 ratings on Amazon, and was the #1 bestselling health book in South Korea. All previous Healing Powers books were picked up by NewsMax.
• SWEET SOLUTION TO SURGING DEMAND: · 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. As the global honey market, fueled by consumer demand for natural sweeteners, surges towards a projected 15 billion by 2032, the need for a comprehensive and updated guide to honey’s health benefits has never been greater.
• NEW FOREWORD: The new foreword from Jonny Bowden, Ph.D, bestselling author of 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, is an expert endorsement that adds authority, credibility, and prestige.
• NOW WITH MANUKA HONEY: Manuka honey, known for its unique antibacterial properties, holds a premium position in the honey market and is a new addition to this edition.
• NATURAL REMEDIES AND RECIPES. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally. The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease, are the number one cause of death worldwide. This underscores the continued relevance of the book’s content on heart health.·With ongoing health concerns, there’s heightened focus on immune health. (COVID variants and other viruses continue to
• be important issues.) Honey’s immune-boosting properties will resonate with readers seeking natural ways to support their health.
• HOME CURES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OTC MEDICINE. Readers interested in homeopathic remedies and natural cures will love Cal Orey’s more than 50 home cures that combat digestive woes to skin woes, while boosting immunity.
• AN EXPANDED MARKET:  The inclusion of new research on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and honey bees broadens the book’s appeal to environmentalists, beekeepers, and those concerned about sustainable superfood practices.
• CONNECTED AND PASSIONATE AUTHOR: Cal Orey is a frequent guest on live and internet national radio stations, and the media has covered her work in national magazines including Woman’s World, Complete Woman, Energy Times, MSN Health and Fitness, and other online publications. She has promoted her Healing Powers books as a News Segment guest on Coast to Coast AM and has a weekly column in the Tahoe Tribune (online and hard copy) and a monthly column for Oracle Visionary (online and hard copy).

Praise for The Healing Powers Books by Cal Orey

"The cure is in the cupboard with this book's insights that will tempt your taste buds--and revive you from head to toe." —Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of Radical Metabolism on The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices

"In The Healing Powers of Superfoods, we're thankfully re-discovering these amazingly healthy foods again today." —Dr. Will Clower, CEO Mediterranean Wellness on The Healing Powers of Superfoods

"A practical, health-oriented book that everyone who wants to stay healthy and live longer should read." —Patricia Bragg, N.D., Ph.D., author of Apple Cider Vinegar

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

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.

PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW: Celebrates the Craft of Storytelling for Its WINNERS

  

2026 Hollywood Book Awards Announces Winners and Finalists

Annual literary awards celebrate authors and their achievements across a range of book categories

By: Hollywood Book Awards 

RENO, Nev. - Oct. 27, 2026 - PRLog -- The Hollywood Book Awards is pleased to announce the winners and finalists of its 2026 competition. Announced on October 15, 2026, this year's results recognize literary achievement and celebrate the authors behind the honored works. The 2026 Hollywood Book Awards brings together a diverse selection of books, offering readers an opportunity to discover authors, explore different genres, and celebrate the craft of storytelling.  

Winner and finalist recognition marks a meaningful accomplishment for participating authors and provides an opportunity to share their work with a broader audience. The complete list of 2026 winners and finalists, including book titles, authors, and category placements, is available at:https://www.hollywoodbookreviews.com/winners-finalists-2026/Readers, booksellers, librarians, book clubs, and members of the media are invited to explore the results and discover this year's honorees. The Hollywood Book Awards congratulates all winners and finalists and thanks the authors and publishers who participated in the 2026 competition. About the Hollywood Book Awards The Hollywood Book Awards celebrates literary achievement by recognizing books and authors across a range of categories. Presented by Hollywood Book Reviews, the awards program provides a platform to honor authors' work and introduce readers to recognized titles. For more information, visit: https://www.hollywoodbookreviews.com/hollywood-book-awards-5/ 

Google News 

Tahoe Author's NEW Honey Book for Autumn!

By Cal Orey

Can't make the book event? You can find a copy of mind-blowing NEW release The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised that changes everything, at your local Barnes & Noble or online at Amazon and most other bookstores.  

 Cal Orey, M.A., is a dynamic bestselling Tahoe-based author-journalist with over 40 captivating books to her name. With a sharp focus on health, nutrition, and science and a deep love for pets, she is a gifted, versatile storyteller. Best known for her popular Healing Powers series, she has also written numerous other nonfiction books as well as novels. Her work has resonated with readers worldwide and consistently appears on national and international bestseller lists. Armed with both B.A. and M.A. degrees in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University, she crafts stories that entertain, inform, and ignite the imagination. A native Californian, she lives in South Lake Tahoe.

NOTE: This is updated from my latest release paperback and e-book--

The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised & Updated
2026
ISBN 978-0-8065-4572-1
ISBN 978-0-7582-7455-7 (e-book)

Healing Powers of Honey Guards Against Fall Superbugs for Just 3.99!

 Books & Literature

(The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised: Penguin Random House Retailers)

Courtesy Cal Orey

Cal Orey Wins 2026 Hollywood Book Awards Best Health & Wellness Honor for The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised & Updated
20 Oct, 2026, 11:37 AM (EDT)
The revised and updated edition earns recognition for its exploration of honey's nutritional properties, culinary traditions, scientific research and new data about vanishing honeybees linked to extreme weather events and viruses.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (PinionNewswire)
Bestselling author and journalist Cal Orey has won the Best Health & Wellness category at the 2026 Hollywood Book Awards for The Healing Powers of Honey. The recognition is confirmed by the awards program’s official 2026 Winners & Finalists listing, which identifies Orey’s book as the category winner.
Guard Against Cold & Virus Season for Just 3.99!
The award announcement comes as consumers prepare for winter, when conversations about nutrition, food preparation and everyday wellness routines often receive renewed attention.
“You don’t have to let holiday travel and stress derail your health,” Orey said. “This book encourages readers to explore honey, nutrition and everyday habits as part of a thoughtful approach to seasonal well-being.”
Beyond nutrition and cooking, the revised edition examines the relationship between honeybees, climate change and extreme weather affecting both humans and honeybees.
Prepare yourself with antioxidant-rich honey varietals and Mediterranean foods and new recipes to boost your immune system before the superbugs hit and during an El Niño event when seasonal respiratory illnesses spread more easily.
Both 2026 paperback and ebook new editions are official Amazon Bestsellers  in the Antioxidant category.
All through October, grab the bestselling The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised & Updated ebook on special sale 1 more day. Prepare yourself with antioxidant-rich honey varietals and Mediterranean foods and new recipes to boost your immune system before the superbugs hit.
Official Publisher Listing:
https://lnkd.in/gKavYQRg
Amazon:
Amazon.com : 9780806545721
About Cal Orey
Cal Orey, M.A., is a dynamic bestselling author-journalist with over 40 captivating books to her name. With a sharp focus on health, nutrition, and science and a deep love for pets, she is a gifted, versatile storyteller. Best known for her popular Healing Powers series, she has also written numerous other nonfiction book as well as novels.

Buzzworthy Honey Still Makes the News in U.S. and Tahoe

 Catch the Buzz of Healing Honey at Tahoe

By Cal Orey, M.A.

Welcome to a new world of honey. It is full of sweet surprises. Honey is now even more popular than when I wrote the first book on nature’s nectar. 

Over the past decade and a half,  the U.S. (including South Lake Tahoe) has had had an increase in chronic diseases in people of all ages, and we’ve seen the lasting effects of the COVID-19 PANEMIC and ongoing virus variants. Diet-relate health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity are also on the rise, and they’re linked to processed foods high in unhealthy fats, sodium—and sugar.

The new recipes I cooked up for my new book are healthy and from the top Mediterranean diet. Some past recipes included too much sugar or butter, so I deleted them for health’s sake. I tossed the table sugar and replaced it with honey—less than more; zapped butter and used olive oil.

But that’s not all… New honey natural remedies I used at South Lake Tahoe were part of the sweet package.

Honey Help in a Rare Blizzard

During a pre-spring South Lake Tahoe blizzard, it was a stressful event that came with tension that hit home…The wild winter storm pummeled Northern California and the Sierra Nevada region. My home. Whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds around February 25, 2024. Heavy snow. Zero visibility. Down power lines. By the next day, three feet of snow hit the higher elevations. 

By March 1, avalanche danger in the Greater Lake Tahoe area was the word. On March 5, blizzard conditions continued. Interstate 80 was shut down. Spin-outs and tourist gridlock were the new normal. Power outages affected thousands of homes and businesses…but the lights didn’t go out for me. Still, I faced cold temperatures and fear of the unknown. Stranded. Streets were not plowed... It was the perfect storm for super high stress. 

No mail. No store runs. “SNOWED IN!” No walking the dog. My Aussie wouldn’t go out there, so I let him do his business right out the door while his leash was intact.

But tea—and honey--calmed my frazzled nerves. The natural sweetener in hot tea provided a sense of normalcy during the high stress event. In a situation with tourist gridlock, access to fresh food might be limited, making non-perishable and versatile items like honey even more important. Some honey proponents believe the amino acid, phenylalanine in honey may boost relaxation. And I admit it worked for me.

In this rare storm for late spring, honey was a good thing like a good companion, It is an energy booster, providing a fast source of calories and feel-good sense of well-being. Thanks to its long shelf life and immune-boosting benefits honey is a priceless pantry staple that I love for my cup(s) of tea. During shaky times or anytime, black tea in the morning, green tea in the afternoon, and chamomile as needed is nature’s aide with a bit of honey.

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.