January is National Hot Tea Month! Best Matches for Your Honey and Tea

 TEA(s) with Your Honey for Winter Wellness: Best Matches

 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. For more information, grab a copy of The Healing Powers of Honey and The Healing Powers of Tea books by Cal Orey. And January is National Hot Tea Month and honey will get you through colds, flu, virus symptoms!

           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.

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 by Cal Orey, published by Kensington Books, mass market format 2018. All rights reserved.

Earthquake--NorCal Resident(s) gets MyShake Alert! Pets Sensed Imminent Tremor (Or Did They?)

 I woke up this morning and brewed a pot of coffee, fed the dog, cat...and got back in bed. The Aussie and tabby cat literally both got on top of me. "Something is off," I thought...especially since both animals have a track record of sensing oncoming earthquakes. Then I heard a "beep, beep, beep" and found my smart phone out in the living room. Alert. Shake Alert. I obediently ducked under the dining room wooden table since the last strong shaker on December 9 was kind of rolling and made me seasick. I waited. I waited. False alarm. The warning system--manmade and pets--failed. But the week is young. Supermoon, King Tides, and CA has been shaky...

CAN PETS SENSE IMMINENT SHAKERS? 

By Cal Orey, M.A., author of The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes 

USGS deletes 5.9 earthquake in Nevada from website after NorCal residents receive MyShake alert

NEVADA (KGO) -- Many residents in Northern California got an alert Thursday morning from the MyShake App notifying them a 5.9 earthquake struck in western Nevada.

The USGS website originally had a map of the quake centered in Dayton, Nevada, which is northeast of Carson City and Lake Tahoe. That notice was then removed from the map, and the website says "the requested event has been deleted."

ABC7 News has reached out to USGS, which says they're investigating what happened.

RELATED: What to pack in your earthquake emergency kit

It remains unclear if there actually was an earthquake. ABC7 News has called several places in the Dayton, Nevada area, who have not reported feeling any shaking.

The MyShake alerts said the quake hit at 8:06 a.m. PST.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.

MAP: Significant San Francisco Bay Area fault lines and strong earthquakes
Zoom in on the map below and compare where you live to the significant faults and where strong earthquakes have struck in the Bay Area.

Report a correction or typo

Confessions of a Ghostwriter-Co-Author

 By Cal Orey

Ghostwriters might not see their name in print,

but the work is varied and even in demand

I am a ghostwriter. I am often on the job writing books for someone else. For example, writing as a military wife, I dished out heartfelt feelings in a woman’s magazine about my husband’s service in Iraq. Writing as a witty English doctor, I prescribe anti-aging secrets in a self-help book. Writing as my sensitive mixed-breed cat, I dispense advice to pets and humans in a bimonthly horoscope column.

            Sound like fun? For writers who don’t mind losing a byline, ghostwriting is an interesting and potentially lucrative career option. Here are five reasons why you should consider this often-overlooked writing path.

1 Interesting assignments

Ever wish you were someone else? As a ghostwriter, you can live your dream vicariously—without having to get credentials or be reincarnated. Being a “ghost” is like channeling into someone else’s body and mind. For example, I write for my 5-year-old cat, Kerouac, who pens the column “What Do the Stars Hold for Your Pet?” for a pet magazine. Not only is his name on the masthead, each column pays for his premium cat food and toys.

            Eric Neuhaus, a New York ghostwriter, did the writing and more for a book by fitness guru Joe Decker As part of the assignment, Neuhaus and a diet consultant cooked up healthy versions of traditionally unhealthy dishes such and meatloaf and fajitas. “The kitchen in my one-bedroom apartment became the test kitchen,” Neuhaus says. “I bought another book on how to write recipes. All of this was trail by fire. I never thought in m wildest dreams that I’d be testing recipes.”

Ghost Tip: “If you enjoy people, ghostwriting is a way to delve into some of the most unusual people on the planet,” says Marc L. Weber, a former ghostwriter.

2 An occasional credit

When I was assigned the Iraq article for Complete Woman, I collected the very personal first-person narratives of two military wives, using their unique voices to put together their heart-warming tales. I received an “as told to” author credit.

Ghost Tip: If you think the book has potential to be a bestseller, request co-author credit. But if the project is an author’s tool (i.e., selling products), credit isn’t a big deal.

3 Appreciative clients

“One of the most surprising facts I have learned about ghostwriting is that there are some extremely intelligent people out there who cannot put anything onto paper,” Habert says. “For some reason, somewhere between the thought process and the actual movements of their pen or fingers on keyboard, they become babbling fools.”

            In my ghostwritten book on anti-aging, I noticed while the doctor had good command of the English language, his prose tended to be dry. I was hired to “dumb down” his health advice and product information. And the doctor appreciated my ability to do just that.

Ghost Tip: “You have to check your ego at the door,” cautions Deborah Kotz of Silver Spring, Md., who has worked as a ghostwriter on several health books. “Realize that you are the ‘writer’ and not the ‘author.’ There’s a big difference between the two. You are not the authority. So, you have to convey the message that the author wants to convey.”

You have to check your ego

at the door. Realize that you are

the “writer” and not the “author.”

4 Unlimited prospects

The best part of ghostwriting is that it’s like a deep well that never goes dry. Habert understands the glory of ghostwriting. “It is a lucrative source of writing, not only in a monetary manner but also in the volume available,” she says.  Weber adds that a baby boomers age, “that generation becomes interested in holding on to its memories, so there is more work for ghostwriters to do than ever before.”

Ghost Tip: “Network as much as you can,” Weber says. “Make sure people know you have the talent to help them."

            Each in his or her own way, Habert, Weber and Neuhaus have discovered that ghostwriting is a good avenue to a never-ending road of projects. You, too, can arrive at that point. Just put on your mask and go to work.

Getting Started

Look close to home: Offer to be the ghostwriter for your family, friends and co-workers. Don’t rule our your kids or pets, either.

Develop a specialty: “Whether it’s fitness or fashion, write about what you love and have a passion for,” says New York City ghostwriter Eric Neuhaus.

Network with other ‘ghosts’: Often, ghostwriters will be busy with projects and may refer clients to you for a finder’s fee.

Discuss the editing process: If you want to avoid ghoulish re-dos, talk with the author about edits before you begin. Personally, I have incorporated the phrases "No revisions" in the agreement. A dentist to hair stylist may make minor tweaks--but countless changes? Not a chance.

Get it in writing: “If you’re going to collaborate, you’re going to need a written contract or agreement that spells out who does what and how much you get—and when,” Neuhaus says.

Tackle Tasks:  Outlines, restructuring and crafting, developing characters, writing prologues, cliffhanger chapters, and WOW endings, settings, description, dialogue -- and much more!

Remember, everyone has at least one book in them:  It’s your job to connect mentally and emotionally with someone who want to hire a ghost—namely, you.

Published in The Writer (since 1933, RIP)

BIO: CAL OREY, M.A. Meet a super versatile author-journalist, columnist & ghostwriter (fiction: crime, romance, sci-fi, adventure, psychological thrillers, memoir & most genres) and a known on-air personality... 

I'm a born and raised Californian who keeps it real. I hold two degrees in English (Creative Writing) from SFSU, and pen the "hugely successful" Healing Powers Series, available at all fine bookstores --all 9 books have been graced with online bookstore website Bestseller banners; (translated in 25+ languages), many featured by Good Cook and Literary Guild book clubs to Newsmax media.

 

NEW BOOK RELEASE: 

The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures #9 published in 2021 by Kensington  

It has made its way to being a pick in Woman's World Magazine Book Club, and covered by Booklist, American Global News, GlobalInformerNews, NYC Daily Post, New York Daily, City Buzz News, Huffington Post, on board with Newsmax, and in dozens of libraries worldwide (multiple branches, many copies), articles in hard copy and online magazines... noted on C2CAM, KSFO...

2025 Predictions: Hits and Misses by author of Honeybee Bible: The Healing Powers of Honey #1 Hit (Pre-Order NEW 2nd Edition)

 2025 Predictions: Hits and Misses

 Northern Lights Lit Up the Skies! 

By Cal Orey, M.A.

The year 2025 proved to be a fascinating blend of foresight and unexpected twists and turns for my predictions. While some of my anticipated events unfolded with remarkable accuracy, others veered off course, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the future. This retrospective offers a candid look at where my crystal ball shone brightly and where it clouded over.

 

SOLAR STORMS: Aurora’s Astute Anticipations

SUPER HIT:  I forecasted that more solar events (solarflares to solar storms) like in 2024 would happen and come with the NorthernLights in unlikely states…

And yes, these spectacular events even happened in Northern California, South Lake Tahoe my home! Northern lights with pink and green hues were viewed at beaches at Tahoe during November’s Mercury Retrograde!

“In the News—Severe Geomagnetic Storm Dazzles Tahoe Skies with Northern Lights, November 12, 2025.” It was reported in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, the internet was flooding with images of last night’s Northern Lights, visible from Lake Tahoe with the naked eye. A long exposure photo can capture even more of the aurora activity. The storm was the strongest between the hours of 5-10 p.m. with values between 8 and 9-minu on the Kp index, which values geomagnetic activity based on magnetometers around the world.

According to NOAA that makes it a G4 or Severe geomagnetic storm. Storms of this magnitude can be seen from northern California. Had it reached Kp 9, it would have been considered an extreme storm, potentially visible from places as low as Florida and Southern Texas. In that light, as of November 25, the Northern Lights have been visible in at least 21 states across the UnitedStates throughout the year, with specific events allowing visibility in abroader range of locations.

SHAKERS (EARTHQUAKES): Tremor Tracking Tidings

SEMI-HIT:  I noted that the San Andreas Fault Zone continues to be linked to northern California earthquakes and is overdue for the Big One. A 7.5 or greater is likely to happen in 2025. Regions likely to be the epicenter include Offshore Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California. But that’s not all…

In a November 25 report, the word is California’s Bay Area has been struck with around 90 small earthquakes this month, as experts are baffled. San Ramon in the East Bay has been the epicenter of some seismic activity. It sits on top of the Calaveras Fault, which is an active branch of the San Andreas Fault system. Tick Tock.

MISS: A great 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia and tsunami alerts/waves rattled peoples’ nerves. Tsunami experts examined the speed of alerts following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's coast that hit July 29 and led to tsunami alerts around the Pacific Rim. When the 8.8 quake rocked Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday, officials warned that damaging tsunami waves could follow. Instead, the waves that reached Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast proved smaller than initially feared.

WEATHER: Wind’s Whimsical Whispers

HIT:  I predicted less than more snow for the West Coast. The NOAA forecast for the West Coast in 2025 shows a higher change of above-average snowfall in the Sierra Nevada region. Blame it on La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly) which triggers more precipitation during winter months. Snowfall forecasts for the winter 2025 suggest that while higher elevations will see above-average snowfall due to La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly), lower elevations around Reno-Tahoe are projected to experience below-average precipitation and potentially drier conditions. So, what happened?

At lake level residents and tourists alike didn’t face lots of shoveling, plowing, power outages, gridlock, spinouts, and accidents. The winter was not a severe one as I had forecasted. But, at higher elevations the mountains got significant snow so snow folks were smiling and the water supply was better than expected at the end of the year.

MISS: I saw images of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida being in the line of destruction for hurricanes. But the 2025 season was the first since 2015 with no U.S.-landfalling hurricanes, but the country was still affected by storms. According to the NOAA, a tropical storm caused property damage and casualties on the East Coast, and in the Carolinas, and neighboring countries got direct hits from hurricanes.

WILDFIRE SEASON: Firey Forecasts, Smokey Skies

HIT: As noted, my words were be prepared for up and down the West Coast. Staying indoors to using air purifiers will become even more common for health’s sake. The result was much better than expected thanks to diligence, prescribed fires, and luck.

Yes, Northern California did indeed have unhealthy air quality for a few days in the summer. Central and Southern California battled more smoky skies. The 2025 wildfire season in California has reached a significant milestone, with a total of 6,504 fires burning across the state. The fires caused impacts from rural forestlands to suburban communities. The smoke and particulate matter from these fires created air quality alerts being issued in areas affected by the Canyon Fire in Southern California.

POLITICAL CHAOS: Policy Prognostications

HIT: Yes, I said: As the United States faces unpredictable political changes and discord, Earth changes will encourage people to work together… It will be survival and helping your neighbors first—unifying us to be one. The end results? We will be a happier, healthier and safer nation. So, what happened?

Well, there was a government shutdown. There were federal workers who worked without pay. Travel was disrupted with flight cancellations and delays. There were food shortages. But workers worked and people did help their neighbors stock food banks to help those who didn’t receive government assistance. And health to climate change organizations were gutted, too, despite folks fighting to hang onto some resources.

As we survived 2025, as you can see, we did endure some spooky events but we did survive. Shakers to solar events certainly shook up and woke up people around the nation. But the surreal happenings brought mankind closer together, as I had predicted, and we prevailed. People around the nation are ready to move forward and face challenges in 2026.

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. Currently, the updated and revised 2^nd edition, 2026 of a popular Healing Powers book, is in production. (PRE-ORDER) She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com