Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Warm Up to Tea(s) for Heart Health

 By Cal Orey, M.A.

Sip a Cup of Heart Wellness – February is American Heart Month

 Did you know?  Black tea—the most popular tea in America—is touted for its heart-healthy perks? Stacks of studies show black tea can be your heart’s best friend.

Yep, black tea—the type likely inside your pantry--is worth brewing. Go ahead—savor a cuppa black flavored tea, such as spicy Constant Comment or Earl Grey with its sweet floral and citrus notes and enjoy its amazing powers.

One top antioxidant wizard told me (I was writing a book on tea) black tea came into play when studying atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats on your artery walls, which can up your risk of artery disease)—and it was discovered both green tea and black tea were equally beneficial.

Medical experts will tell you drinking black tea may lower the risk of developing bad cholesterol (the stuff that clogs your arteries, which can lead to heart attack) and high blood pressure, improve blood vessel function, reduce inflammation, and lessen the risk of blood clotting.  Also, it’s the combination of heart-healthy antioxidants in black tea and a healthy lifestyle that may protect you against heart disease.

Here three heart-healthy teas for you to sip to help keep heart disease at bay.

* Green. Past research in a noteworthy Ohsaki study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that men and women in Japan who drank about two cups of green tea each day reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by a whopping 22 to 33 percent. The findings show green tea plays a role in staying heart healthy. Give credit to its flavonoid content.

*Rooibos, pronounced (roy-boss), is a red tea grown in South Africa. Researchers have pinpointed of polyphenols in red tea. These compounds act as disease fighters that are capable of destroying free radicals in the body. This depletes the immune system and makes it more prone to diseases, including inflammatory conditions such as heart disease. And rooibos may help your body fight back.

* White. This tea is an excellent heart-healthy tea because of its catechins (the good guys that can help lower cholesterol levels). Potassium in white tea helps lessen heart problems, including high blood pressure. And it does contain less caffeine than black tea.

These days, after an up close and personal cardiac event, I know too well how in the 21st century, heart disease affects our health, well-being, and lifespan. There is no cure, but you can lower your risk of developing this disease (and stay healthier and happier if you already have heart woes) with diet and lifestyle—and that’s where the healing powers of tea comes into play.

STRESS-RELIEVING TEAS

Common stressors from work and financial woes to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one can take a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. Constant stress without a tea break, however, can weaken your immune system and may cause poor lifestyle choices, leaving your body vulnerable to colds, infections, and even heart disease.

According to researchers, an amino acid called L-theanine compound found in black tea, in combination with caffeine, might lessen hormones such as cortisol, which can help induce a calmer feeling and increase mood.

What Tea Rx to Use: One 8-ounce cup of English Breakfast tea (popular in England), a black tea that may help you chill. Add a slice of lemon and/or a bit of raw honey to intensity the calming antidote. A Bonus Tip: Some popular calming herbal teas include chamomile and lavender.

*This article is based on The Healing Powers of Tea: A Complete Guide To Nature’s Special by Cal Orey and published by Kensington.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventures, history, 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, and the new Courage with Paws series, and The Ghost Ships trilogy. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com



Sunday, February 2, 2025

Lose That Belly for a Healthier Heart

Lose That Belly for a Healthier Heart

4 Tummy-Whittling Tricks for February American Heart Month


Cal Orey. M.A.
Forget stomach crunches and fad diets! Flatten your stomach – effortlessly!

In Lake Tahoe, locals and tourists, gain belly fat during the winter because they eat more and move less. The problem is the extra fat around the tummy can be bad for your heart. But there are ways you can help keep your belly and heart happy.

Did you know? Excess body fat that settles around the stomach – creating a body shape often referred to as an apple – puts you at higher risk for heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


But with the right diet and lifestyle, anyone can tame the bulge, and have a flatter stomach and healthier ticker, too. Here are some tummy-whittling tricks.

1. Eat the heart-healthy Mediterranean Way. A diet high in dietary fiber and low in saturated fats can cut belly fat. Here’s proof: The heart-healthy Mediterranean diet based on traditional diets in European countries was touted in a large study of people for its link to decreased risk of weight and belly fat.

2. Limit Sugary Beverages. Sugary drinks appeal to visceral fat (found inside the abdomen, and around the vital organs), points out The Heart Foundation.

3. Reduce Alcohol Intake. Drinking too much alcohol can cause you to gain belly fat — the beer belly. However, beer alone isn’t the culprit. Drinking excess alcohol can boost belly fat, because alcohol contains calories, according to The Heart Foundation. To banish belly fat, limit your booze intake (1 drink per day for women, 2 drinks per day for men, advises the American Heart Association, or AHA).

4. Chill. The American Institute of Stress states when we are stressed out it triggers cortisol (a hormone that redistributes body fat to our gut). To destress the AHA recommends — staying physically active, [take the dog for a walk] getting enough sleep, and keeping a Pollyannaish attitude. And these are tried-and-true tricks to blasting belly fat – painlessly.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, nutrition/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 (based on the Mediterranean diet), and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series–The Ghost Ships to be released this winter. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

Saturday, February 1, 2025

My Golden State is Burning... Why?

 The Scourge of SoCal WILDFIRES

Cal Orey, M.A.

My Golden State is Burning…

When the Southern California wildfires ignited in the winter of this new year, my empathy went out to all of my home state’s people, pets, wildlife, infrastructure, and our environment. I recalled when I was out in the field as a young journalist covering the deadly Oakland Firestorm. And, the recent SoCal wildfire(s) triggered flashbacks of our Northern California ongoing wildfires, including the Angora Fire, and Caldor Fire (it almost consumed my hometown of South Lake Tahoe). And I will never forget my evacuation one year later; getting caught in gridlock on a mountain highway in the eye of the hazardous air from the Mosquito Fire.

 The fact is, wildfires are no longer just a seasonal thing. Climate change is making it a thing year-round—and Southern California is not immune…

Once upon a time, I called the vibrant stretch of Hollywood Blvd. my home. My adventures led me to the sun-kissed shores of Malibu Beach, where I indulged in the art of pool hopping, soaking up the California sun. Fate smiled upon me when I adopted a water-loving lab in sunny San Diego, who became my loyal companion. Decades later, I returned to Southern California on an earthquake book tour, eager to revisit the eclectic towns of Los Angeles. However, in January 2025, my heart sank as I watched the news of devastation wrought by relentless wildfires and fierce winds—echoes of challenges faced in my hometown in Northern California.

Here, take a real look at why my Golden State is burning, from one who speaks from real experience.

SO, WHO’S TO BLAME? What Caused the Recent SoCal Wildfires (January 2025), Anyhow?

The recent wildfires in Southern California have been linked to several factors, including climate change, Santa Ana winds, and drought conditions.

THE INCONVIENENT TRUTH: Percentage Due to Not Thinning Forests

It’s difficult to assign a specific percentage to the contribution of not thinning forests as a cause of these fires. However, forest management practices, including prescribed burns to thinning, are recognized as important for reducing intensity and spread.

WARNING: Arson and Other Causes

Some of the recent fires were attributed to arson, while others were exacerbated by the environmental conditions.  Specific ongoing investigations into each fire will provide clearer insights into their causes.

WHERE’S THE WATER? Better Resource Management, Please!

Indeed, the Santa Ana winds, ongoing drought conditions, and the impacts of climate change are interconnected factors to the wildfires in Southern California in 2025. Some politicians have suggested that the lack of water management is a big issue, implying that better water resource management could mitigate wildfire risks. However, experts including the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, argue that while water scarcity worsens drought conditions, it isn’t the sole cause of wildfires; rather, it’s a combo of environmental factors including high temperatures, dry vegetation, and strong winds that create ideal conditions to fires to ignite and spread.

 ALERT! Main Causes of Recent SoCal Fires

This California wildfires and the causes are a political debate that is nothing new. Not thinning the forests is a significant factor but not the main cause. The mishmash of extreme weather conditions (like Santa Ana winds), prolonged drought, and climate change plays a more critical role in creating an environment conducive to wildfires.

As of late January, the report is at least 29 people have died in the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. Meanwhile, rainfall is a threat to mudslides, and, of course, Southern California is known for its earthquakes and the Big One is long overdue.

Sadly, as wildfires continue to regions including California, the Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii, the Southwest, and Canada as well as other countries around the world, nature plays a big role. But the truth is without a doubt, while the frequency of wildfires in my Golden State worsen in the 21st century, both Mother Nature and mankind continue to be a threat that can’t be ignored.

NEWS FLASH: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE INCIDENTS

These January 2025 wildfires are nearly contained on January 29, 2025, thanks to the heroic firefighters from Southern California, Northern California, Canada, and Mexico.

Palisades Fire, Los Angeles, 1/07/2025, 23,448 acres

Eaton Fire, Los Angeles, 1/07/2025, 14, 021 acres,

Hughes Fire, Lost Angeles, 1/22/2025, 10,425 acres

Border 2 Fire, Los Angeles, 1/22/2025, 6,625 acres

(Source: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents)

First published in Oracle Visionary Magazine (February 2025; Wildfires In Southern California)

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-Traveling Tabby, and an electrifying co-authored sci-fi series--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com