The Writing Gourmet Seeks Health Nut Foodie Followers

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

A Quick Note: Follow this blog and I'll dish out fresh ways to help you stay healthy--lose unwanted pounds, body fat, get more energy, and more...Cal Orey is a Northern California-based accomplished author and journalist specializing in topics such as health, nutrition, science, and pets. She holds two degrees in English (Creative Writing) from SFSU. Her books include the popular Healing Powers book series published by Kensington, and translated in 20 languages. The Healing Powers of Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, and Coffee attracts a mainstream audience, thanks to her casual writing style via heartfelt storytelling. Orey's reader-friendly prose is lively and created in a down-to-earth first-person narrative. 
The veteran health writer has shared her knowledge on Coast to Coast AM Radio, KSFO, The Mancow Show, mnsbc.com, NewsMax, NY Daily News, WSJ.com, Tom Roten Show, msn.com health and fitness, AOL My Daily, Health, The Writer, and Woman's World. Her website is www.calorey.com and blog http://calorey.blogspot.com/ The Writing Gourmet.

The Healing Powers of Chocolate

"The powerful polyphenols in dark chocolate are a 21st century health food--your Rx for longevity!" -- Karlis Ullis, M.D., Medical Director of the Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Medical Group, Santa Monica, CA

The Healing Powers of Honey

"The most effective and versatile superfoods of all time! This book will help you stay healthy...for good!" -- Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D.

The Healing Powers of Coffee

"A cup or two of Joe every day is a good way to boost mood, energy and overall health." -- Julian Whitaker, M.D., founder of the Whitaker Wellness Institute

The Healing Powers of Vinegar

"An intriguing look into the vinegar world. This is a practical, health-oriented book that everyone who wants to stay healthy and live longer should read." -- Patricia Bragg, author of Apple Cider Vinegar and daughter of Paul C. Bragg

Pre-Spring Surprise! A Little Java & Chocolate Can Burn Fat

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

"I should have a musett full of chocolate. These I should

distribute with a kind word and a pat on the back." --Ernest Hemingway

A cuppa coffee and chocolat go together like a man and a woman in love. Like wine, espresso, lattes, and chocolate are popular in Italy. Tuscany, known as a hot chocolate spot, is a place countless people enjoy coffee and chocolate, which can be healing for the body, mind, and spirit. 
Researchers have discovered that drinking two cups of coffee will increase metabolism significantly for at least three hours afterward, according to several past nutrition studies. This effect may be due to the caffeine, which can burn calories.
For a double effect, try pairing a piece of dark chocolate with 70 percent cocoa content and a cup of quality java. Or, sip a coffee mocha. But note, moderation is key.
And yes, I can tell you that this formula will give you the drive to get a move on and get involved in a fat-burning activity. I'm not talking about vigorous high-intensity, aerobic exercise, but keep moving by doing fun fat-burning activities--like swimming, walking the dog(s)--so you are able to stay active for a longer period of time. 
--Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Chocolate [Click your mouse to read a chapter for free. Check out The Healing Powers of Coffee (coming July 31) both published by Kensington.]
 Bonus: Some fave Chocolate Companies for Springtime: Butlers Chocolates, MarieBelle, Lake Champlain Chocolates.

A New Coffee Book is Percolating for the Summer of 2012

Today I'm craving chocolate and coffee. In fact, I just grabbed a bag of Hazelnut Godiva Coffee out of the freezer. And I got my dark chocolate almonds fix to get me through the night. It's superfoods, like these, that can and do help me and others feel good, stay healthy, and get the job done...

I'm sensing within a month or so I will receive a big surprise on my doorstep. No, it won't be chocolate or coffee (well, maybe)--it will be the galley of my book The Healing Powers of Coffee published by Kensington. As an veteran author of the Healing Powers book series, I can tell you straight up that it's sweet and super exciting to receive the almost finished product of your work and efforts. Think of being almost nine months pregnant and getting closer and closer to the day when your beloved baby is born.

On the other side of the coin, I'm still raising my other children: Cal Orey's The Healing Powers of Honey and The Healing Powers of Chocolate. Vinegar and Olive Oil? These two are adults and doing well. Very well. (Vinegar is in its 16th printing, 2nd edition. Both books are published in tradecover, mass market, and e-book formats. And they've both been translated in 15 languages around the globe. People believe in these ancient foods from Mother Nature.) But, people forget that chocolate and honey powers go way, way back in time, too.

So, I sit here on Sunday night with my furry companions, dark chocolate teamed with a cup of hot chamomile tea to give me that feel-good endorphin boost. Then, tomorrow I'll cherish the first sip of Joe in the a.m., and continue to spread the word of my new child on its way. Is it exciting being a health book mom? Yeah, it is, sort of. But if it weren't for chocolate and coffee it wouldn't be as easy.

HEALING POWERS Book Series: 5 Sweet Secrets to Dump Winter Weight

Enjou Chocolat's Healthy Chocolate Bars

Ever wonder how to lose those pesky pounds? I've got a secret (or five)--and it comes from my Healing Powers book series. I'm talking chocolate and vinegar, olive oil, honey, and coffee. This time of year many of us have packed on unwanted weight and we want to dump it ASAP. Well, I've got the secrets (and you can find 'em in any of my books: The Healing Powers of Chocolate, Vinegar, Olive Oil, Honey, and Coffee).
1. Dark Chocolate: No kidding. In my book The Healing Powers of Chocolate I discuss how eating chocolate (70% cocoa content) in moderation can curb your sweet tooth and help to curb cravings to eat fattening sweet stuff. And yes, the sweet bars (the ginger orange peel one is unforgettable) in the photo above will titillate your taste buds with flavor and texture.
2. Vinegar: The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is the compound that can help you to blast those unwanted pounds away. It can boost your metabolism (calorie buring power) and suppress your appetite, too.
3. Olive Oil: Ah, yep. This monounsaturated fat is good for you and it, like vinegar, can help to satisfy you so you don't have those hunger pangs. It's the must-have healthy fat to drizzle on stir-fry vegetables and salads teamed with red wine vinegar.
4. Honey: My fave of all. Sweet, raw honey. One teaspoon in a cup of tea or solo will boost your energy and then you'll want to go do it.
5. Coffee: And java is comforting and can also give you more energy to go do it, whether it be pre-spring cleaning or walking the dog. I'm living proof. Just got back from a swim and hot tub.

P.S. The best part, by incorporating these five superfoods into your diet (4-5 mini meals per day) along with eating a Raw Caveman Diet for a few days (veggies, fruits, nuts) and drinking herbal teas and coffee (in moderation) you're going to lose up to 5 pounds or more within two days (about 1200-1300 calories for an adult woman; 1500 for a man). Repeat as needed. Get a move on every day.  I weighed myself at the spa and am back to 120 lbs., size 4, at 5' 5". Yes, the Healing Powers of these foods found in my Healing Powers books work wonders (click your mouse on the previous link and see your friendly superfoods busy at work).

10 Hot Ways to Blast Cabin Fever: Winter Blues

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Ah, the scourge of winter blues. Ever get it?  Today, I was told by a friend that her dogs have fallen victim to "cabin fever." Yep, it's possible. Sure, fresh white powder can be a joy for both two-leggers and four-leggers. But black ice fun? Not so much.
Last night I spoke with the one that got away (two-legger) and he told me how he's not as physically active or prone to clean house during the colder, winter months. At first, I disagreed but then I got it. Sure, come spring, I, too, get that surge of energy.
Yesterday, I went swimming/hot tubbing and wow. It's like taking a mini vacation to another location. No cold temps or fear of falling. A warm, Mediterranean or tropical climate is awesome at the end of January. And I'm hooked.

10 Ways to Get Warm & Cozy

* Make a fire; bake something healthful at the same time.

* Wear a hooded sweatshirt, leggings, and soft socks.

* Turn up the heat while brewing hot herbal tea.

* Open the blinds during the day and let the light shine in/shut at night.

* Layer the bed with thick, cotton comforters, turn up the water heater thermostat.

* Take hot, steamy showers and use fluffy towels next to the wall heater.

* Cuddle at night underneath the covers with two loving dogs and one cat.

* Keep the fish aquarium lights on longer than in the summer months.

* Burn scented candles: Chocolate and Hazelnut.

* Take a teaspoon of raw, natural honey (for energy); a piece of dark chocolate (to boost mood); a cup of java in the a.m., paired with organic milk (to feel warm and fuzzy inside).

Bonus Tip: Swim/Hot tub. Repeat as needed.

Strange Forecast...No Snow in the Sierra

Today, January 4, 2012 I sit in my cabin getting over a pesky ear infection. Blame it on last week's swimming, hot tub, tourists, the altitude, or allergies. Perhaps all of it. Antibiotics Day 4. Starting to feel normal but when I look outdoors it looks anything but normal for Lake Tahoe. The weather is San Francisco Bay Area temps. Too weird for words.  No snow. (But I forecasted that we wouldn't have a white Christmas; we would have snow in January and February.)
Tonight I may make a fire. Or not. It may be too warm. Really. I'm sensing tourists aren't thrilled. Locals who count on tourists aren't thrilled. But me? Well, I'm torn. I like the white stuff, sort of. An oncoming storm is exciting. The snowfall late at night is soothing. Shoveling piles of powder is not fun. Walking the dogs on black ice is spooky. High utility bills and extra dog nail trims aren't fun either.
So, here I sit getting well in a mountain resort town with no snow during winter; an extended fall season (my dream come true). But hey, I predicted this would happen. However, I also forecasted the Sierra would get a few significant snowstorms this winter. I hold my ground (even though it's dry right now).We do have three months, give or take some days...But I'm wondering what to do with all that wood I purchased? Roasted marshmallows, anyone?

Intuitive Cal Orey Forecasted December '11 Ring of Fire Earthquake

A major quake hit in the Pacific Ring of Fire

On December 14, the Earth moved near the Indian Ocean region, as I predicted that it would. No tsunami. The depth of the shaker was too deep. When I forecast major quakes, it is calming to know that the area dodged a bullet. So, I was right when this region  in Papua New Guinea shook. The story is newsworthy and was picked up by major newspapers.
Last week I finished my 2012 forecasts for Oracle 20/20 Magazine, January issue. I cover quakes, weather, politics, economy, and on the fringe prediction. It's the shakers, though, that truly intrigue me. And this time around I predict my forecasts may be unsettling to some readers as they are for me but getting prepared is our best defense. As a down-to-earth intuitive (and phone psychic for two international networks) I call 'em as I see 'em and don't sugar coat what I see.
My Ring of Fire/near Indian Ocean major quake prediction was made on Earthquake Epicenter Forum. As it was cited in the article (link below the map above): "Strong earthquakes are relatively common in Papua New Guinea. The country lies on the "Ring of Fire" – an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim." And, I based this forecast partially on the astrological fact that it's the time frame of Sagittarius--fire. And the long left ear tones and mention of Indian Ocean (and it's quietude) also were on my mind.

Re: 7.0+ Pacific Ring of Fire Now-Dec. 31

December 04, 2011, 11:03:21 AM

Prediction

7.0+ (Maybe an 8.0)

Indian Ocean, Japan (near Tokyo, aftershock) are potential epis as well as the entire West Coast is vulnerable and ripe

Odds 70%

Based on intuition, time frame because of potential aftershocks for Japan and Indian Ocean is overdue...

Are You Eating "Mystery" Honey--Or the Pure Golden Food?

To Be 100 Percent Pure Honey--Or Not?
--By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

News headlines continue to show us that the honey we buy may not be pure. In my new book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature's Remarkable Nectar! (Kensington, October 2011), I note that people in the honey bee world, know that the honey they see in some grocery stores and dollar stores may not be 100 percent pure but instead be "adulterated" (contaminated with tainted elements).
This fact is upsetting to people because not only are we not getting what we pay for, but we also are being duped, as often the honey is tainted with unhealthful, cheaper ingredients. This ordeal is making the nes more rather than less and it's causing concern for both consumers and beekeeers.
All-natural, 100 percent pure honey will have one ingredients listed on the nutrition label: honey. Imitation honeys, much like quality imitation dark chocolate, are not a laughing matter in the real world. Honey-flavored syrups, or honey that's diluted with other ingredients, are becoming more commonplace and being sold to the unaware consumer. To be sure you get the pure golden food of the gods, check the label.  Don't get stung! Find out all you want to know and more in The Healing Powers of Honey.  (Source: National Honey Board.)

Author-Intuitive Cal Orey Foretells on The Mancow Show

Monday morning wake-up predictions with Mancow about what's buzzworthy in the future.
--Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Up early at 4:30 AM to make a guest cameo appearance on The Mancow Show. I thought I was going to talk about "oddest phobias" (Friday 13th, sleeping, money) but no. As an intuitive I sensed I'd be tossed a curve ball.  Really, well sort of. 

As a phone psychic for two international phone networks, I dish out readings on cue. Today, Mancow asked for one. Yikes. On the spot I reacted like a cat not ready or willing to perform tricks. Funny, he asked me to "read" him...I drew a blank. I said: "You drank coffee." (I was right.) I then added: "Fuzzy like a eight ball. Try again."

Weird, I can read anyone...Perhaps it was the audience vibe or his strong energy like a fire sign. Yet he is a water/air cuspie. (Very odd. I was blocked but when doing phone readings it comes easily. I felt static like a radio station couldn't get a signal.)

The Mancow did recall my past on-air past prediction for a strong quake in the midwest this year which did hit big-time over the weekend--and 280 miles east is the New Madrid Zone (the seven states shook).
This time around he asked me how I do it--predictions. I said it is a "gift" -- "comes to me like writing." I, the writer labeled "author" added, "Right brain, creative." And then came the predictions, per the popular host's request...
* 2012 will be "like a rollercoaster."
* Presidential election will be crazy.
* If you thought 2011 quakes were scary, 2012 will be super spooky. I'm feeling West Coast and/or America--we've been lucky for the most part so far.
* Dec. 21 will not be the end but "Fasten your seat belts" for the upcoming year.
 One more thing. I forecast Obama will be re-elected--but I didn't mention it on air so here it is, whether we like it or not. 

And then I disappeared like Glenda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz. Poof. I wanted to pour another cup of java (Gingerbread/Columbian) and since I was up I signed onto the psychic networks. The phone rang when I was half asleep. No problem. It was a question about a job and friend. A shake-up and stress-related illness(es). It was an easy read, like usual.  Mancow? Probably off- air reading him could be a piece of coffee cake with a cuppa coffee (or two).  And now the phone is ringing..."Intuitive Callie."

Intuitive Cal Orey Forecasted Midwest 5.6 Quake...and More

In Oracle 20/20 Magazine, January 2011 issue, Cal Orey predicted a strong shaker in the Midwest/New Madrid Zone that would be felt in several states for 2011. -- Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Yesterday when Oklahoma began to get some shakers, back to back, I posted on my site Earthquake Epicenter Forum that a swarm was happening. "What's up?" Hours later, a registered 5.2 (upgraded to a 5.6) quake hit Oklahoma. I had noted Missouri and Arkansas in my forecast. (AR and MO are on the east). And these two states did get a whole lotta shaking. But there's more...

This strong earthquake was widely felt in the several states of the New Madrid Zone (as I had forecasted would happen). I'm talking Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, and probably the three other states, too. Reports of feeling it to the USGS are backed up. It stopped at 56,000 plus.
Folks on EEC site are wondering "What's going on?"As an intuitive, I say: "The New Madrid Zone is waking up." I know, I know, OK is not in the Zone but...that is where the epi was (nothing new but stronger than before in this and last century). What's more, it was felt there back in 1811/1812 when the New Madrid Great Quakes happened--and could be affected again if and "if" this quake triggers a stronger shaker east--in the New Madrid Fault Zone. 
And history does and can repeat itself. The question is--"Is the Midwest going to have a sequel to the great quakes of the 19th century?" It's possible. When? If you want a time frame I'll say any time from now through 2012.

Lake Tahoe Gets the Big Chill: Fall Weather Forecast

Here comes the bittersweet cold. -- Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

It's late October and I'm just about to bring in the firewood to make and enjoy the first fire of the autumn season. The thing is, once you go there there is no turning back. The gas heat has kicked on and I've put on the storm windows for added warmth. Yep, it's the beginning of cold weather days. This week the temperatures are dropping into the teens.  It's here. The big chill has arrived.
FALL WEATHER FORECAST: On the upside, my weather forecast: I'm holding my ground. I made this prediction a month ago on Earthquake Epicenter Forum. It will be a warmer fall than normal for the Sierra. Much toastier than 2010. No significant snowstorms this year. We'll talk winter of 2012 come December when I create my annual Earth changes forecast.
However, in December we may get one nice snowstorm with the white powder above 7000 ft. Lake level will have the slush or slain...Read: No mega shoveling. Black ice. And some flooding? Count on it.
Meanwhile, it's time to make a casserole and bake honey bread, bring out the flannel sheets, and anticipate the awesome crackling, warm fire throughout the night and into the morning. Ah, that means a quick clean of the firesplace and bringing in the wood. Perhaps the first fire in my cabin will be made October 26, the day of the New Moon. 

Author-Intuitive Forecasted Major Turkey Quake

In January I forecasted a major temblor would rock Turkey in 2011.
 --Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Back in December 2010, I penned my monthly Earth Changes column for Oracle 20/20 magazine (online and hard copy; in "older entries below magazines shown"). I included the forecast of a Turkey and/or Greece major quake would happen in 2011. And when I woke up yesterday and saw the headlines on CNN and the Internet it hit home...
As a survivor of the 7.1 World Series Earthquake on October 17, 1989, I know what it's like to feel the Earth move and it feels like the world may be ending. Fleeing to the door, I fell before it was over and was frightened beyond words. Fifteen minutes seemed like eternity.
After the shaking stopped, the San Francisco Bay Area was greeted with strong aftershocks for days and weeks that followed.  And deaths occurrred, too. "Is the BIG ONE coming?" haunted people who endured the deadly earthquake that rumbled through the Bay Area. Because in reality, a great earthquake is an 8.0 (like the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake); a 7.0 is considered "major." However, due to a variety of factors (depth of quake to faulty infrastructure) a major shaker can be deadly (i.e., Haiti) and the intensity can be sci-fi film strong--a time when people can and do panic, flee to the streets, and buildings collapse.
Speaking of scary movies, The Final Destination comes to mind. That is the film where the teen gets visions of disasters that occur, one after one. It's a "gift" to be a "psychic" (yes, I do work as one on two international psychic networks) but as they say--it's also a "curse." My heart goes out to all that have been affected by Mother Nature's wrath. I get it. And that enables me, like other quake survivors, to be able to empathize with the chilling after effects.
One fellow intuitive on Earthquake Epicenter Forum did some research about the odds of my forecast for this Turkey earthquake to occur this year and he said it had a 10 percent chance of happening. There will be no "congrats!" on this one, nor do I want that. But it is an unsettling feeling to forecast a natural disaster and see it unfold in front of your eyes on the news...and to hear that "270+ dead in 7.2 magnitude earthquake" is eerie and unsettling. So, the fact remains yes, my 2011 major Turkey earthquake forecast came true. But I wish it hadn't.

The Honey Bee Decline: Is The Honeymoon Over?

"The honey bee population is declining."

In my new book The Healing Powers of Honey (October 2011, Kensington Publishing Corp.), I noted in chapter 1, bees make honey and work double shift as key pollinators for mankind. Did you know that our crops depend on the beekeepers and small honey bee in a big way? Millions of acres of U.S. Fruit, vegetable, oilseed, and legume crops depend on insect pollination--and that includes the sacred honey bees. This little insect gives humans gifts (from health to beauty and eco-friendly uses) from the hive but also helps pollinate our crops, home gardens, and wildlife habitat.
But despite the need for the honey bee--there is a megaglitch that is becoming a growing problem: The honey bee population is declining... In the upcoming weeks, I'll be a guest on talks shows such as Michael Quinsey's Connecting the Light in the UK,  a program in Italy, and KSFO in the SF Bay Area (October 30, Sunday at 7:30 AM, PST) to dish out what's going on with our honey bees gone AWOL.
It's no secret. Beekeepers across America are witnessing the mysterious die-offs of bee colonies. Back in 2006, an apiary owner in Pennsylvania, made the problem known. Penn State rsearchers took notes of the bee colony numbers' decline, due to a condition now known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This deadly disorder causes honey bee colonies (50,000 to 60,000 bees in one) to vanish without a trace--leading to The Happening and I Am Legend images of thriller sci-fi films of human and animal extinction.
And in my book on honey and the honey bee I devote  an entire chapter to this intriguing topic and I will continue to expound on the frightening phenomenon about the latest theories behind CCD--and what's happening today. Top scientists to beekeepers shared with me their take on the spooky demise of the little honey bee and what it may mean for us in the big picture.
Update: Millions of Floridian honey bees die. Pesticides? Poison?  CCD is not suspected to be the cause.
[Excerpt The Healing Powers of Honey]; By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

News Flash! Groundbreaking Honey (Bee) Book Has Landed on Earth!

THE HEALING POWERS OF HONEY:
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO NATURE'S REMARKABLE NECTAR!
BY CAL OREY (KENSINGTON BOOKS)

Today, September 27--the day of the New Moon--the new honey book The Healing Powers of Honey has been published and is available at all bookstores. On the back of the cover you will read: Drawing on the latest honey buzz and interviews with medical doctors, beekeepers, and researchers, this charming and enlightening book (sweetened with stories about honey bees and humans) reveals 30 healing honey varieties paired with cinnamon and teas, tells you haw to incorporate honey into Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy recipes such as Honey Custard French Toast and Filo Pear and Honey Tarts.
The author's dedication is heartfelt and original: This book is dedicated to the honey bees--especially the persevering workers and queens--whom I feel are my kindred spirits. I feel a strong and moving bond to this small but remarkable hardworking creature with big efforts--nature's greatest gift.  And that's not all...
This landmark book has been featured by a buzz-worthy Youtube, NewsMax, will be reviewed in the October issue of Bee Culture Magazine, and graces the homepage in an interview on Red Room: Where the Writers Are.  And this is the new beginning of the workerbee author's work spreading the news of the groundbreaking honey (bee) book.

It's June 15, 2011--Here Comes the Full Moon

By Cal Orey

Last night I saw it and was awestruck. The huge bright moon greeted me through my bedroom window. As I fielded calls for the psychic network and input prose for my latest Healing Powers series book, I saw it. The moon said, "Hello, there." And I smiled back.

The question is, will quakes occur in the following week. After all, it's June and back in pre-summer of 2005 our Golden State rocked and rolled like a fast game of ping pong.

Meanwhile, the wildflowers did not bloom at the Lake. One local told me yesterday that they "froze back." No splashes of bright yellow in the neighborood or fields that I walk my Brittany duo. Still, store bought flowers are out and trees are in bloom (about 75%). And the weather? It's getting warm--so much that my fish, my goldfish went to fish heaven. Not fun. Had the water tested by the fish people and it's normal, they said. Blame it on the rise in temperature. And I wonder if the snowmelt from the mountain tops will cause flooding at the Lake and surrounding Lake Tahoe; NOAA and I are on alert for the next week.

Today, I'll fantasize about my first outdoor swim of yesterday as I am inputting words in the big book on the new healing superfood; anticipating the arrival of The Healing Powers of Honey come fall harvest--my fourth book child in the series. I'd rather be dancing by the lake with my cat under the full moon. Windows open, new fish, warm air, calls from around around the world with callers treating me like a magical guru will have to suffice. Well, the day is still young and we are now entering the total lunar eclipse window. I'm craving a special chocolate delivery--it's on its way, Enjou Chocolat tells me. And more coffee...

P.S. No worries. I'm on watch for Earth changes and the phone should be ringing a lot tonight--it's proven, folks and animals go haywire during lunar cycles. "Intuitive, Callie--chill. Now, I'm sensing you're a fire sign, perhaps on the cusp of water, right... No, no, no...it's not over but it should be." And then I pet Zen, my cat, take a sip of chamomile tea, turn up alternative tunes and tune into callers' woes.

(Photo courtesy www.michaelleu.com)

A Toast to NO Doomsday, May 21, 2011

So tomorrow is the beginning of the end of the world, or so one doomsayer and his followers claim. As a doom and gloom gal, I won't jump on this end game bandwagon. Back on April 22, I, author-intuitive Cal Orey was a guest on The Mancow Show following the guest dishing out the end of world words. When asked by Mancow if I sensed May 21 would be judgment day I darted back "No." And I'm holding my ground to that when the world does not experience an apocalpse. (But something challenging could indeed happen as it seems to past and present because that's life.)

This scenario reminds me of a scene in the classic film "Groundhog Day." When the character Phil (not the groundhog) pondered that if the world stopped as he knew it, why not live life to the fullest. He began to wolf down high fat food, and indulge in everything because it didn't seem to matter. So, should I go gamble? Book a Red Eye flight? Get reckless and throw caution to the wind? Nah, because my sixth sense tells me that May 22 will arrive.

Yep, the galley for The Healing Powers of Honey (Kensington Books) is coming next week and will have to be proofed by moi. My research mode for the new superfood book is in full gear. And I sit here waiting for a caller from the psychic network. Life goes on.

But note, due to this dire forecast of doomsday despite my anti-prediction that it won't happen, I did buy biscotti and will drink java (and study how to create latte art) because I need to feel centered. And coffee (and goals) give people a boost of energy and well-being and the Italian cookie has a crunch when it's high anxiety time. What's more, I bought food for the week because chances are I will be here and food is part of living. (I even bought Zen, my new cat a mouse because we most likely will be here and he needs toys.) Goodbye cruel world. Till Sunday, May 22.

The Healing Powers of Honey Is Buzzing

By Cal Orey,

The Writing Gourmet
Like a honey bee in the springtime, I feel change is in the air. Change is scary. Change is exciting. Change is good. I am a fall girl, perhaps because I was born in October. But this year I can see novelty has its perks. A whole lot of changes are happening... One: The galley for my book The Healing Powers of Honey (September 27, 2011, Kensington Books) should arrive on my doorstep this month. It's kind of like viewing the birth of your book child. Two: After the passing of my beloved cat Kerouac who I sense is still around me but physically is chasing mice in feline heaven, I am now infatuated with my new Siamese-mix 2 year-old kitty Zen. It took 11 days for my Brittany duo to get used to the fact that this companion animal is part of the pack and here to stay forever. It gets better. We slept together peacefully two nights in a row. We are family... What's more, this athletic cat looks like a Siberian Husky and boasts dog-like qualities: bold, affectionate, and doesn't like to be alone. Read: Velcro Cat. (Note: More quakes may be on their way south of Tahoe on the CA-NV Border. I sense I've got another seismically sensitive creature in the house.)
Three: Due to a pesky glitch in the system of a psychic network that I worked for for 15 months, I was was out of work for two weeks trying to play phone tech due to a phone glitch that noone could solve so I changed to a cell phone and voila. Fast forward: Alas, my work as an intuitive continues on... Four: ...I feel like a worker bee. Now and through the summer, I am working on a new Healing Powers series book (and surprise superfood) and it's work but exciting. And the wonderful treats for a honey bee type of gal are arriving on my doorstep as well as research is in the works. Five: Swimming outdoors is right around the corner. Not. (Still feels like winter with snow.) Most importantly, Zen cat has given me a sense of peace and harmony, showing me this season that life goes on no matter what Mother Nature does or losses hit our world, big or small, we blossom again.

The Healing Powers of Chicken & Rice--86 Olive Oil

The Healing Powers of

Chicken "Soup" --
for My Dog and Me

By Cal Orey

“And Tom brought him chicken soup until he wanted to kill him. The lore has not died out of the world, and you will still find people who believe that soup will cure any hurt or illness and is no bad thing to have for the funeral either.” -- John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Ever notice pet emergencies happen on holiday weekends? Yesterday Simon, my orange and white six-year-old Brittany and I entered Nightmare City on Sunday afternoon into the late evening. Picture this: At 12:30 P.M. I'm walking my two Brittanys Simon and Seth. Simon, like a food-loving canine, sticks his mouth into an "empty" and weathered stray sour cream container lying on the side of the road. I pulled him away (too late) and we continued our dog walk.

Twenty minutes later, back home my feisty pooch entered the Twilight Zone--thanks to the carton which I discovered did have spoiled food in it. He grew restless. He paced. He panted. He put his paws on the front door demanding to go out (again). He was in mega hyperactive mode. Outside he tried desperately to eat grass, dirt, my plants--anything. Back inside, I led my "possessed" pooch to the bathroom--the place where I watched him get sick on the floor. But it wasn't over.

My agitated canine's unusual behavior lingered. Umpteen calls to the Vet E.R. (50 miles away) later: Advice kept me both agitated and calm. I was getting mixed messages: bring him in asap to hook him up to intravenous equipment like E.T. (the poor misunderstood alien wanting to go home) to simply monitor him throughout the night. He was thirsty. He was hungry. He was thirsty. Hour after hour passed. As recommended, I began to give Simon tiny bits of water. Later in the evening, a small portion of white rice was on the menu. And yes, he wolfed it down. He settled down. And finally, he was down for the night. He slept.

This morning I followed my vet's orders. I boiled a premium chicken breast (all white meat and made sure it was cooked and not pink) and white rice cooked and simmered in premium bottled Mountain Spring Water. (I didn't want to take any chances.) And now, Simon lies beneath me--comfortable and sleeping. Earlier, he was barking, chewing his bone, playing with Seth. We're back on track. My pack and me are on the road to recovery--thanks to white rice and chicken. What's more, when my best friends are sick--I feel their pain, truly. I couldn't eat yesterday. This time around apple cider vinegar and olive oil weren't my home cures of choice--for the dog or me. Seth (he's sensitive, too), Simon, and I will eat chicken and rice (I'll toss in some cruciferous veggies for me) as we all enjoy the grr-eat healing powers of bland food and TLC--it's the "chicken soup" for dogs and their devoted humans.

Looking for a Sophisticated S'Mores Surprise?

Looking for an Exotic S'Mores Treat?

Try Green Tea & Dark Chocolate

By Cal Orey

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you.”
--William Gladstone, British Prime Minister

It's the day after Fourth of July and I'm feeling a bit under the weather... I'm sure it's due to the invasion of the Dark Seekers aka "tourists" and the potential of a double dip recession-depression. But it won't be like a second scoop of ice cream and make me feel happy. I now get it. I think the Depression was called just that because it's depressing to lose your stuff.
But hey, life goes on. Last night I heard the fireworks display at Lake Tahoe as I sat sandwiched in between Simon and Seth, my two Brittanys, and we watched a marathon of Nurse Jackie, a new edgy program. (It's tradition to stay with my dogs on this hectic holiday. I act like the loud bangs are normal and the pooches act like it's normal.) Speaking of double dip and happy times, I did try a cool S'Mores treat. Since it was warm indoors, it seemed silly to go for the Classic recipe by warming up hot chocolate and marshmallows on graham crackers. Instead, I used cold green tea ice cream. Chocolatiers create amazing concoctions with dark chocolate and teas. It's awesome.
Here's the healthy concoction. Try it. It may make you forget that yeah, the world is still in the red.

Green Tea & Dark Chocolate S'Mores

1 or 2 graham crackers, low-fat, whole grain

1/2 cup green tea ice cream

dark chocolate chips, 60%-70% cacoa (Ghirardelli)

Forget microwaving the chocolate chips. The crunch is a good stress-buster. Break the cracker in half. Spoon ice cream on one half. Sprinkle dark chocolate chips over it. Top with the other half of the graham cracker. This is a healthier version of the fun kid's summertime treat. Plus, enjoy a large cup of iced chamomile tea (spiked with apple cider vinegar which can calm your nerves or green tea for a boost of feel-good energy--it contains caffeine). If possible, get all of these foods and teas at your health food store or section at the supermarket.

Meanwhile, I've been getting some reports via personal emails and on my Web site http://www.earthquakeepi-center.com/ -- regarding how some cats and dogs are going bonkers. It's post-Fourth of July pet jitters--and the loud bangs go on. Simon is barking. Countless critters, like my Brittany and me, don't enjoy loud sounds--it's a novelty we'd likely pass on. If they're feeling stressed out, give 'em their fave premium treat. And you? Savor a green tea and S'mores treat with a taste of sophistication.

The Secret(s) to Heart-Healthy Apple Crisp: Olive Oil & Vinegar

Heart-Healthy Apple Crisp You'll Love

By Cal Orey

"Adam was but human-this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple's sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden."

--Mark Twain

I love apples. Apple cider vinegar to fuji apples--both have perks--can help you stay on the healthy heart track... Eighty percent of the fiber found in an apple is soluble fiber--pectin, which may be of help in lowering blood cholesterol levles. Also, apples are a good source of potassium, which helps provide protection against strokes. And like most other fruits, they're also lower in sodium (for better blood pressure), calories (for staying slim), and fat (for lower cholesterol).

Yesterday, I bought a bag of fuji apples. (I can't get enough of these. Their sweet and tart, juicy flavor has got me hooked. It's a delicious love affair and good for the heart.) Ever hear the saying, "An apple a day means fewer doctors to pay?"

Apples are good stuff. Okay, so I created the following recipe that excludes flour and butter but includes heart-healthy oatmeal, nuts, olive oil, apple cider vinegar--and apples. I'm going to whip up this puppy later today but I will bet you a bushel of apples it's going to taste as good as the good-for-your-heart homemade granola I made with olive oil.

The Sweetest Apple Crisp

* * *

Ingredients

7 apples, washed, peeled, cored and sliced (If you want more fiber and nutrients, leave the skins on the apples)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (ACV)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 -3/4 cup pecans or walnuts

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. (If you live in high altitude it may be a bit higher.) In a mixing bowl, combine prepared apples, olive oil, ACV, and vanilla. Layer fuji apples in your fave baking dish (I use my mother's from the fifties). Combine light or dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and uncooked oats in a bowl. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Bake approximately 45 minutes. It will be done when the topping looks brown and crunchy, apples are tender. (Go ahead and toss in raisins once removed from the oven.) Serve with a single scoop of all-natural real French vanilla ice cream.

For more info about heart-healthy apples, ACV, and olive oil, check out my two books--The Healing Powers of Vinegar and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil published by Kensington. (A discount is provided if you purchase 'em as a pair.)