Spring Forward with THE Coffee Book for Coffee Roasters/Companies

By Cal Orey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

      Timeless Book for COFFEE Companies' Customers  -- 

    Sales Tool to Move Beans

 wellbella.com/features/coffee-has-perks/

From the author of the hugely successful Healing Powers series (Honey, Vinegar, Olive Oil, and Chocolate) comes THE HEALING POWERS OF COFFEE: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Surprising Superfood.

It’s the beverage we can’t live without—yet few consume it without some guilt. But the wonderful truth is that coffee has abundant health benefits. Coffee boasts more antioxidants than cocoa and tea, and even more than renowned antioxidant-rich fruits like oranges and blueberries. In fact, there are hundreds of healing compounds in coffee.

Recent studies have shown that coffee consumption can significantly decrease or reduce the risk of many conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, asthma, cancer, heart disease, chronic constipation, dental caries, diabetes, and liver disease.  As in her previous bestselling books, Cal Orey combines groundbreaking research into all these health and weight loss benefits with home cures, cosmetic uses, household hints, and dozens of heart-healthy Mediterranean style recipes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAL OREY is an author and journalist specializing in topics such as health, nutrition, science, and pets. She is the author of The Healing Powers series and has written countless articles for both health and women’s magazines. She has a master’s degree in English from San Francisco State University and resides in northern California. Her books include The Healing Powers of Vinegar, The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, The Healing Powers of Chocolate, and The Healing Powers of Honey. The book clubs featured The Healing Powers of Coffee in One Spirit, QPB, Lifestyles, and BOMC2.  The Healing Powers of Vinegar (2nd ed., 27th printing) has sold in Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, and South Korea--where it is the #1 bestselling health book. The Healing Powers of Olive Oil is in production for 2nd edition, Dec. 2014.  The Healing Powers series has been featured by Woman's World and Wellbella magazines, purchased by Walmart--currently The Healing Powers of Coffee leads the pack.  

THE HEALING POWERS OF COFFEE

A Complete Guide to Nature’s Surprising Superfood

Cal Orey

Kensington Books, August 2012, Trade Paperback Non-fiction

ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-7330/$15.00 ($16.95 – Canada)

Contact: Special Sales

1-800-221-2647

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/24200 

Kiss Off Coffee Teeth Stains

By Cal Orey

Spring has sprung! Coffee can help you slim down, shape up. But wait! What about your teeth? There is no doubt about it, coffee can and will stain your pearly whites. That includes pricey cosmetic surgery,too, and from bonding to teeth whitening. So, what's a coffee lover to do?


Years ago, I spent hundreds of dollars for bonding on a tooth. During this time I was enjoying coffee--the quality stuff--with my neighbors and friends, too. I didn't want to lose the effect of the bonding, not stop my coffee breaks. But coffee can stain teeth and it's acidic, like orange juice and vinegar--which can erode enamel. So, I turned to a couple of tricks that I still put to work these days.

First, I use a straw despite the shape of coffee cup. Next, I'll rinse my mouth with water (if possible) after drinking the dark beverage. And, if at home, sometimes I'll even brush my teeth, especially if the coffee drink is garnished with dark chocolate (which also can stain your teeth). This way, you can have your smile and coffee, too. 

A bonus tip: Low-acid coffee causes less teeth staining. 

Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Coffee (Kensington)

Snips from Healing Powers series INTERVIEW--Coffee, Chocolate, Honey....

Coffee with Cal: An Interview, My Five Books on Healing Powers of Food

by Cal Orey

I was interviewed a while back on my five books about the healing powers of food, inspired by Mother Nature, health, relationships, and animals. Here's what I had to say...

Cal Orey- One snowy winter morning, while sipping java juice, I got an idea. (It’s true. Coffee boosts brainpower and the creative process.) I e-mailed my book editor with words that were short and sweet. “Just thinking a tea book to go with the honey book seems like it would work well.” He quickly responded,” I was thinking of a coffee book since coffee gets a bad rap. Is that a crazy idea?” I typed a one-liner answer, “Not at all. It was my second choice.” After all, during the creation of The Healing Powers of Chocolate, I included a chapter titled: “A Cuppa Coffee and Chocolat.” So, I wasn’t a stranger to coffee and its virtues.

CO- I went to the go-to super food people—the folks percolating with information about the world’s favorite “new” health foods. I’ve conducted hundreds of exclusive interviews with medical doctors, researchers, and people in the industry: vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, honey, and coffee. It isn’t rocket science. I discovered quickly that Mother Nature’s folk medicine is today’s modern miracle!

CO- Consuming apple cider vinegar may lift the spirit, act like a pick-me-up, provide headache relief, and enhance libido. It can also help prevent age-related diseases like cancer and heart disease.

CO- She was from the old school of natural remedies. Apple cider vinegar may help in speeding recovery from a cold. Apple cider vinegar may help boost immunity and provide relief from cold and cough symptoms. The Vinegar Remedy to Use: Mix ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 4 teaspoons of honey. Take 1 tablespoon when your cough starts up. Take another at bedtime. Voila!

CO- Known as Mother Nature’s “nectar of the gods,” honey was praised for its healing powers as far back as 5,000 years ago by Egyptians. It can help stop allergies, beat anxiety, boost energy, help you to get some shut-eye, blast belly fat, and even heal wounds.

CO- While olive oil has been used for everything from health ailments to beauty and home, it’s the primary fat I use in my heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. So, it’s sautéing vegetables in a bit of extra virgin olive oil (it’s chock-full of disease-fighting antioxidants) and teaming it with whole grain rice or pasta that helps energize me, lean and fit. No place for unhealthy fats in this house!

CO- Coffee, especially freshly ground coffee from whole beans, boasts of an amazing antioxidant power. Two mighty antioxidants—chlorogenic acids and caffeic acid—are given credit for health benefits. Java boasts of other health-boosting antioxidants, including benzoic acids, cinnamic acids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. Stacks of studies show that regular coffee drinkers may help lower their risk of developing cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments. No doubt, coffee is healthy in a variety of ways, and credit is due to the variety of disease fighting antioxidants, caffeine, and other compounds. But note to pass on sugar, cream, extra flavorings, and whipped cream. Go for a cup of black coffee and/or with a splash of low-fat milk.

CO- Tea. I absolutely am a devout tea drinker. True, a 12-ounce cup of coffee is on my morning schedule. But tea—black, green, chamomile—spiked with a taste of a super honey varietal like wildflower or tupelo makes my day and night complete. I only eat super foods. If you look in my fridge, it’s stuffed with fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. In my pantry, you’ll find grains, and nuts. I’ll eat fish, eggs, and cheese in moderation.

P.S. I forgot to mention the ice cream in the freezer (but it’s the premium, all-natural kind).

CO – Yes, chocolate known as Mother Natures’ “food of the gods” can help boost the immune system, lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes—even obesity! Chocolate is chock-full of mood enhancing ingredients, including phenylethylamine (the “love drug”) and feel-good serotonin. I adore dark chocolate (infused with fruits, herbs, and spices)!

The Beauty of Coffee

The Beauty of Coffee

ByCal Orey

THE BEAUTYIFYING MYSTIQUE OF COFFEE

Discovering beauty benefits of coffee and its versatile healing powers from head to toe is a sobering experience that is gaining popularity. Since superfood coffee is an awesome antioxidant, it protects the body inside and outside. Drinking coffee and using it topically, too, can help you get beautiful while helping you look and feel great, too.

Anti-aging coffee goes back to different uses by Hawaiians and the Japanese. Both cultures are known to use coffee beauty uses for reducing wrinkles and improving their skin. In fact, it has been said the Japanese have bathed in coffee grounds fermented with pineapple pulp.

It’s no beauty secret that coffee combined with other natural ingredients can enhance your blood circulation, zaps stress and anxiety, and help to make your skin feel silky and smoother. Coffee grounds teamed with other natural herbs and extracts can help exfoliate, soften, and even make your skin look firmer and glow. And this is why some spas around the nation and world include coffee in their spa treatments.  Here, take a look at some of the popular coffee-based treatments.

JAVA SPA TREATMENTS AT HOME

Do it yourself products make it possible and easy to enjoy those pampering health spa benefits in the comfort of your home. And more people—both men and women—are discovering the beauty benefits of coffee, whether it’s from the grounds or brewed coffee. Here, take a look at some of the at-home treatments I tried from head to toe, and you’ll be thanking coffee trees.

Coffee Therapeutic Anti-Cellulite Massage

 Coffee extract promotes circulation and tones cellulite-prone skin. Rosemary, mint and citrus calm the mind and revitalize the spirit while peppermint oil relaxes and refreshes tired muscles. This massage will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Coffee Contouring and Cellulite Wrap

  Using the beneficial antioxidant and improved cell metabolism of coffee, the wrap begins with BodyCoffee Polish to exfoliate and refresh the skin to enhance the warm, rich detoxifying body wrap. A hot shower with BodyCoffee Blossom Body Wash is followed by the application of hydrating BodyCoffee Body Lotion.

SKIN

Coffee Skin Anti-Cellulite Lotion:  Before I showered, I turned to an old favorite—olive oil.  I combine extra virgin olive oil with coffee grounds on my upper thighs and buttocks. Being lean, I don’t have a lot of cellulite, but most women as they age will get some dimpled fat—and, of course, smoother skin is something that is appealing. After several minutes, I showered. I admit my skin felt softer but since I don’t hunt for cellulite (like I did in my twenties); I cannot honestly say it made a difference.

Coffee Body Wash:  The next morning, I went to the shower and tried a coffee exfoliant for my entire body. I combined the morning’s coffee grounds with an all-natural body soap. My skin did feel softer than when I use Ivory Soap. But I confess the coffee grounds got me a bit wary considering they might clog the shower drain.

PAMPER YOURSELF

A Day in the Life of a Coffee Lover

If you think coffee spa beauty treatments are just for the rich and famous, and DIY homemade coffee concoctions are for folks living on a shoestring, you may be right. There is another option for people somewhere in the middle who want to go coffee for beauty.

One summer day, I was craving a vacation. A surprise UPS package was sitting on my doorstop. The brown box was filled with BodyCoffee products and a cheat sheet card that came with descriptions of each container, including “Awaken your senses in a whole new way” and “Discover what cultures around the world have known for centuries—the skin healing miracle of coffee.”

It was the perfect gift getaway. Using pre-packaged coffee beauty products (that you can buy online) give you spa coffee treatments right at home. The following is a luxurious one-day spa plan to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind—like I did.

7:00 A.M.: Rise and shine. My day starts with being awakened by raccoons or a stray cat outdoors that woke up my Brittany duo. It was time to get up and take them to the trails for their morning walk.  I rinsed my face and washed it quickly the Energizing Body Bar Revitalize. The product claims include, “The intense, dark-hued blend of ground arabica and peppermint extract does much more than cleanse and tone.” Well, still half asleep I admit I was awake and the aroma of the body bar was nice. Wishing I wasn’t a dog lover, just a laid-back cat gal, my sibling and I get a move on with the dogs. Edible coffee is on my mind but I will wait until I return.

 7:30 A.M.: Savor a Cup of Java.  Instead of eating a large meal, I enjoy a European type of feast. Now it’s time for a new flavored coffee. I brew a pot of Cherry Vanilla Crème (made from Columbian Supremo). In a 12 ounce white coffee cup I pour a cup of hot coffee and splashes of 2% low-fat milk. I take the treat back with me (and a homemade bran muffin) and crawl into the warm waterbed. The walked and fed dogs follow. I turn on the tube, and log onto the computer to fetch my morning e-mail. 

8:30 A.M. Coffee Shake It Up. Blend a shake (made with organic low-fat milk, premium coffee ice cream, a teaspoon of espresso powder, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract).   I’m ready to take a long, hot shower. 

10:00 A.M.: Coffee Shower Time.  First, I light a hazelnut coffee scented candle. It creates an aromatherapy environment in my cabin-type bathroom. Next, I spray the Revitalizing Herbal Mist Breathe. It does what is says it will do: “Coffee extract absorbs odors, while essential oils of rosemary, orange, and mint offer a dose of pure refreshment for the body and environment.” I was in heaven believing in the scent of the wonder mist while turning on the shower.

First, I tried the Cleansing Body Wash Enhance. Forget basis soap bars. The words that come with this product convinced me: “Enhance your daily routine with a gentle cleanser for bath or shower. Enriched with antioxidant coffee extract, olive oil and aloe vera, to leave your skin exceptionally soft.” Oh my, it was. I was hooked. After, I tried the Invigorating Body Polish. The product claims convinced me to do it: “Indulge in an exfoliating spa ritual that works wonders on cellulite. With dead sea salt, essential oils and ground coffee, it’s the ultimate body coffee experience.” I may never use my old coffee grounds again.

Once out of the shower and dried off, I couldn’t stop. I grabbed the Hydrating Body Balm Soothe. The directions told me it can “Sooth dry skin with a Native American recipe thousands of years old—a nourishing infusion of antioxidant coffee extract and hemp seed oil. My body felt rejuvenated and super soft—ready for the day.

12:30 P.M. Time to Get a Move On.  It’s time for the treadmill (usually it’s a swim). I eat one chocolate coffee truffle and walk/run for about 20 minutes.  This isn’t as fun as swimming but it still provides those feel-good endorphins—and turning on the tunes helps to get into the zone.

1:30 P.M.: Eat a Healthful Lunch. I dish up a fresh egg salad sandwich with tomatoes, and spinach lettuce on whole grain bread toast. Afterward, I try a store bought iced coffee. It’s not my fantasy but maybe it takes time to get used to it. Or, making my own may be key. 

2:00 P.M.: Let the Dogs Outside.  Once back–drink a glass of spring water (or two) – and turn to Moisturizing Body Lotion Surround. Living in the mountains at Lake Tahoe reminds me that we don’t have a lot of humidity. That means dry skin. So, I tried the lotion on my hands. Again, the product says “The scent of nature’s own aphrodisiac, coffee blossom essence™ , coffee extract, shea butter and healing herbs leave skin more supple and positively glowing. I use it on my arms and elbows for the effect of it all.

3:00  Go to Work. I prefer going to the laptop for articles, desktop for books. Time spent—three hours. Thinking about the Javabalm™ SPF 15 Lip Balm, I put it on my lips. Note to self: Do this every day.

6:00  Eat a Coffee-Rich Dinner.  Now that my mind is taxed, it’s time to feed my body like spa guests who are provided with awesome spa recipes. Tonight it’s the coffee-style chicken. (Check out the entrees in the recipes, refer to “Chapter 18.”)

7:00 P. M.: Give Myself a Foot Massage. When I finished dinner, I pampered myself with a foot massage. I tried the Energizing Body Oil Discover and it did what the product words said it would do: “Discover the therapeutic benefits of coffee. Our blend of essential oils (mint, rosemary and citrus) and caffeine sooths aching muscles, improves micro-cellular circulation.” (It also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, or so it’s supposed to do that. I’ll settle for soothing aches and pains.)

9:30 P. M.:  Coffee Break.  It’s time to watch a film. I cuddle up with Zen cat, Simon and Seth, my beloved Brittanys. I treat myself to a half cup of all-natural premium coffee ice cream.

12:30 A.M.: My thoughts are on autumn, when coffee beans are harvested. It’s a time when I get ready for the mountain seasonal change (raking pine needles to ordering wood and stocking the pantry). Coffee—good coffees, all kinds, all flavors—are a welcome addition to my favorite season. It’s a time to clean, a time to bake—and coffee can provide the energy to keep on moving.

            Whatever season it is or wherever you live, a coffee exfoliating mask will rejuvenate your facial skin and you’ll feel good both inside and outside. Try this do-it-yourself recipe and enjoy the aroma of a cup of java.

Excerpted from The Healing Powersof Coffee - available everywhere

Author Confesses to Using a Pen Name

CONFESSION: I Am an Author and I Use a Pen Name
by Cal Orey

At the start of a writing career, my name seemed so perfect ... but as time passed, I discovered sometimes a pen name becomes a must-have tool of the trade. And it's not just the famous writers who use one. Here's why I dumped my real name.

For privacy and safety. Using a pen name provides protection. If a topic is controversial or crime-related, going "undercover" may be wise. I did just that when I wrote an expose for a popular men's magazine about escort services (which provide customers with a companion for dates). I didn't want the local escorts or managers to harass me if they didn't like what I wrote about their business. So I took a double identity, just as they did, to stay out of harm's way.

To get very personal. If you want to write about something embarrassing to you, switching names is the ticket for sharing your story. Forget blushing. I wrote an intimate, first-person piece called "I fell for the guy next door" for Complete Woman magazine. By altering my name and the subject's, I got to tell my tale of woe and get paid for it.

To explore different genres. I spin many subjects, from nonfiction health to erotic fiction. In the 1980s, adult magazines for men (and women) were hot. Because I wrote from a woman's perspective, I got assignments. But I was also creating a name for myself in mainstream women's magazines. I chose an alias for the risque work, which allowed me to explore two worlds apart without offending more conservative readers or losing my writing position.

For maximum marketability. Using a pen name can make an author more noticeable, too. Jane Doe might be too plain a name to stand out next to J.K. Rowling (another pen name). "The main reason I use Lady J is because it gets more attention," says children's writer Teresa Jose of Ontario.

For pragmatic gender bending. As a rookie, I fell into technical writing. After a swarm of rejections, I sensed that my real name, Denise, was too feminine to be taken seriously. So I made a gender switch to help market articles. I chose Cal for its masculine sound, and because California is my native state. When I received my first acceptance letter addressed to Mr. Cal Orey, I knew I had chosen the right name.

To address a problem of overabundance. Ten years ago, my editor for health-related mini-mags published by Globe Communications Corp., for whom I was turning out a lot of work, warned me I needed a pen name to avoid overexposure and maintain credibility. Since I wanted to write more for more money, I obliged.

To find anonymity. Using a nom de plume gives an author the freedom to keep his identity separate from work. One author who is a gambling expert maintains a low profile. If he uses his real name, he risks being blacklisted from the gaming industry. Putting a pen name to work as he does offers the best of both worlds. It's a win-win situation. 

* Published in the former magazine The Writer

Cal Orey of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., maintains her pen name for The HealingPowers book series. Web: www.calorey.com.

Coffee: Nature's Surprising Superfood Home Cures

COFFEE

 Nature’s Surprising Superfood

Cal Orey

Wake Up To The Amazing

Perks Of Coffee

It’s the ever-popular beverage we can’t live without—yet few consume it without some guilt. But the wonderful truth is that coffee has abundant health benefits. Coffee boasts more antioxidants than cocoa and tea, and even more than renowned antioxidant-rich fruits like oranges and blueberries. In fact, there are hundreds of healing compounds in coffee.

Recent studies have shown that coffee consumption can significantly decrease or reduce

the risk of many conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, asthma, cancer,

cardiovascular disease, dental caries, diabetes, gallstone disease, and liver disease. Here are eight common health ailments and DIY at-home coffee cures. Savor the different roasts, blends, flavored coffees and drinks that can be your best friend. But caution, consult your health care practitioner before putting to work any coffee cure.

1 DEPRESSION (Lose the gloom and doom): You may be one of the 10 percent of Americans experiencing a melancholy misery. No one is immune. The 21^st century comes with a mixed bag of stressors, including from love problems or lack of love to money matters or no job.

What Coffee Rx to Use: Try a 12-ounce cup of medium roast (City) and dark roast (Italian or French) two times each day. Better yet, make that organic java. Add milk and dark chocolate.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up! There is light at the end of the dark tunnel for gloom and doom times. Drinking a couple of cup of coffee can boost mood. Also, adding milk, a mineral that can calm nerves and muscles, plus dark chocolate, which contains tryptophan, can help lessen anxiety and stress (which often are linked to depression).

2 FATIGUE (Get a pick-me-up) If you’re dragging your feet complaints may be more than less. After all, we need energy to work and play and enjoy life. If fatigue is due to lack of shut-eye or burning the candle at both ends, or trying to adapt to seasonal changes, coffee may come to your rescue.

The Coffee Rx to Use:  Order a 16-ounce café mocha (with dark chocolate flavoring and dark chocolate shavings) at a coffee shop or make your own at home. (See recipe Seize the Day Café au Lait.)

Why You’ll Be Perked Up!:  It’s a fact: Caffeine boosts your mental and physical energy. Dark chocolate contains theobromine, like caffeine has as stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Anadamide aka the “bliss chemical” occurs naturally in the brain and when released to our brain receptors can boost good feelings.  Millions of people every day get a jump-start in the morning by drinking a cup of coffee (or two) to enjoy that jolt so they can get a move on.

3 FLU (Shake the aches and pains)  Getting and staying bright-eyed and energized is good, and life without aches and pains due to a quick onset of the dreaded flu is great. During the fall and winter the flu can hit you suddenly and it’s not fun to be out of commission, especially when life is calling for you to participate. But if the flu visits you there may be a way to say goodbye faster.

The Coffee Rx to Use: Try one 12-ounce cup of medium roast (for its antioxidants) and hold flavorings, cream, and sugar. Add lemon or orange slices and honey. Repeat in moderation as needed. Also, drink plenty of water, herbal tea, and fresh juices.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up!: Coffee is a super pick-me-up which will give you the energy that’ll help you to feel better. It contains the component quinic acid—and this is what gives coffee that sour acidic taste. It’s a natural compound found in apples, peaches, and pears. It’s also one of the primary ingredients in the Tamiflu formula—the stuff that people take when the flu hits home. Tamiflu is a pricey prescription medicine that is known for shortening flu symptoms. And remember, coffee also contains anti-inflammatory properties—key to fighting pain, which could be a godsend if you’re fighting the flu.  A bonus: Citrus is immune-boosting and honey is antibacterial to help prevent a respiratory infection.

4 HANGOVER (Say goodbye to the “ugh”)  Avoiding getting the flu is probably easier than falling victim to a killer hangover. Paying the price of a headache after overindulgence of booze can and does happen from celebrating or escaping woes. Then, your body has to deal with feeling terrible.

What Coffee Rx to Use:  Try one 12-ounce cup of medium roast coffee with one tablespoon of honey and an aspirin.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up!:  Coffee contains caffeine so if you team it with an aspirin it can work faster to help cure a headache. A cup of coffee paired with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkiller may do the trick, blocking the headache compound culprit—acetate. Also, honey is rich in fructose and enzymes—which can boost metabolism of alcohol so you can shake that headache. 

5 HEADACHE (Stop the pain cold):  Hangovers are self-induced by overindulgence in alcohol, whereas, headaches are triggered by a mixed bag of reasons. Ironically, caffeine—found in coffee—is a one common trigger to headaches—but it can also help to make the pain go away.

What Coffee Rx to Use:  A cappuccino or café mocha, can be helpful, too, due to its magnesium, which can help alleviate headaches. Also, keep your coffee intake steady and timely.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up!:  The link between coffee and headaches is a tricky one. New York Headache Center’s Dr. Alexander Mauskop, M.D., says that when drank infrequently in small amounts, regular coffee (not decaf) can be helpful in treating tension headaches. “This is because caffeine has some pain-killing properties, gets to the brain quickly and helps in the absorption of other medications,” he explains. But note, if you’re predisposed to having headaches, the limit is one cup a day, adds Dr. Mauskop.          

6 JET LAG (Perk up to a smooth post flight):   Jet lag happens when we disrupt our normal “circadian” rhythms that help us wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night. Drinking coffee helps counter the effects caused by jet lag and helps us to function normally by improving our ability to communicate and to boost our short-term memory. So, when we have to take a jet plane can java juice help us get through the imbalance of your body and mind?

Coffee Rx to Use:  Drink small amounts (2-ounce or 4-ounce) of medium roast brew on a regular basis during the day both at your new destination and also when you return home.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up!: Caffeine, a primary ingredient in coffee, can help you to fight the jet lag blues, thanks to the hypothalamus gland, the main control center of the body clock in the brain, by shifting into a patter that fits in with the time zone of our destination.  

7 WATER RETENTION (Blast the bloat):  Bloating can hit when you’re upset, are PMS-ing and retaining water, during the “pause” thanks to shifting hormones, and even when you’re eating the wrong foods. Not only is bloat frustrating when your stomach is too puffy to wear your skinny jeans or favorite dress, but it’s also often uncomfortable.

What Coffee Rx to Use:   Try an 8-ounce cup or two of black medium roast with a slice or two of lemon. Drink a glass of water for a double effect. Also, pair a cup of coffee with a piece of fresh water-dense fruit.

Why You’ll Be Perked Up! Drinking bloat-busting lemony coffee, a natural diuretic because of its caffeine, citrus, and water content, will help alleviate pesky water retention that causes bloating. Plus, the potassium in fruit can help counteract unwanted sodium and bloat, too.

8 UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY AID (Savor the buzz): Wanting to rid of water weight before a holiday event may seem like an ER time, but a real emergency can rock your boat. Blackouts, earthquakes, and severe storms can make it seem like your world has ended as you once knew it. Before or after, a cup of coffee may seem like godsend to help you feel normal and hang in there.

What Coffee Rx to Use: Opt for a 12-ounce cup of instant coffee (flavored is a good choice).

Why You’ll Be Perked Up! Coffee is comforting and energizing. These perks will help you keep awake and able to keep on top of the latest news, and help you stay calm but prepared. Plus, if you don’t have electricity, instant coffee (water heated on a gas stove) will provide you with that much wanted java jolt.

[MINI BOX OR CIRCLE]

Did You Know?... Hot coffee may keep away a Superbug? Research shows that drinking a steaming hot cup of joe may lessen developing MRSA bacteria in your nose. That’s right; your nose knows that there may be antimicrobial properties in coffee that may be linked to lowering the risk of carrying MRSA bacteria in your nasal passages.

Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Coffee (Kensington)

Chocolate Beautiful: Home Spa Treatments That Pamper You

CHOCOLATE BEAUTIFUL

By Cal Orey

 “My chocolate fantasy would be that I could eat all the chocolate in every conceivable form that I could possibly ever want and it wouldn’t do anything bad to my body or my skin or my disposition. Actually, it would have no calories at all.” --Helen Gurley Brown

Surprise. Chocolate, straight from Mother Nature’s cocoa plant, is used in posh health spas for body treatments: wraps, mask, massages. I talked to some of the well-known spa retreats, from Calistoga, California, to Reno, Nevada, and other regions around the globe to find out how chocolate works and why it is used. Chocolate soaks, bean polish, scented massage, scrubs, and wraps are part of chocolate treatments at resort spas in America and worldwide.

Christopher Norman's Gourmet Chocolate

Chocolate Spa Beauty Treatments

Eating chocolate can make you feel better, but treating your body from head to toe with chocolate beauty treatments can make you look better, too. It’s not just a gimmick or a pampering treat—chocolate contains the real deal to help nourish your hair, skin, and nails, and much more. Chocolate treatments also soften skin, enhance your blood circulation, and zap stress and anxiety.

Indeed, there are also some all-natural compounds in chocolate that can make your skin feel silkier and even more youthful. After all, you know by now that chocolate is antioxidant rich, which is ideal for fighting free radicals in our environment, stress, and again. All-natural cocoa teamed with other natural plant extracts and essential oils can help exfoliate, soften, and even make your skin look firmer and glow.

And this is why some progressive spas around the nation and world include chocolate in their pampering spa treatments. Here, take a look at just some of the popular treatments. Prices will vary depending on the spa, region, and season. (Chocolate beauty products can be found on the Internet. Companies to contact include www.bellalucce.com and www.sweetbeautyspa.com .)

Chocolate Body Masque

This is ideal for couples who can enjoy the steps in a private room: Choose the chocolate body masque. Apply the warm chocolate body masque. Relax on a steam table. Feel the aromatic steam. An attendant will also apply a facial cleansing/moisturizing during your treatment. Finish the treatment with a special shower gel and shampoo.

Chocolate Facial

A mask can contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while chocolate does its job and the sweet aroma soothes your body, mind, and spirit.

Chocolate Hydrotherapy/Cocoa Bath

Wonder what it would feel like to dip into a bathtub filled with chocolate silk bubbles? You’ll soak in a tub of warm water and enjoy the chocolate aroma of the pure cocoa, lush oils, and silk proteins moisturizing your skin from your feet to your neck.

Chocolate Pedicure

After a pedicure and before the nail polish is put on your nails, a chocolate powder paste is heated and the warm concoction is put on both feet—top and bottom. After 10 or 15 minutes, once chocolate potion has dried, it is peeled off much like a facial masque. This, in turn, gets rid of dead cells, dry skin, and closes pores.

Chocolate Scrub/Massage

This popular treatment can be used with ground cocoa beans mixed with essential oils.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Wrap

A chocolate fondue wrap is a sensual and soothing delight. But if you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, a treatment pairing chocolate and real strawberries, pure shea butter, and organic cocoa will be the ultimate body treatment.

Pamper Yourself In Chocolate

If you think chocolate spa treatments are just for fun, think again. Today’s spas offer a wide variety of pampering and healthful chocolate-related regiments, for all budgets. And more people—both men and women—are discovering the beauty benefits of chocolate.

In fact, you can even get the same treatment right at home. I have a drawer full of chocolate based beauty treatments that promise to pamper the body from head to toe. In other words, it is the next best thing to getting spa’d without spending a lot of money.

Before you get started, the night before, make this recipe and cut up seasonal fresh fruit chunks. Put in the fridge for the following day—your special beauty day.

Chocolate Fondue

1/2 cup half-and-half

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped or pistoles

4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped or pistoles

¼ teaspoon vanilla

Marshmallows, pound cake, or brownies, peppermint sticks, strawberries, bananas, raspberries, or apricots.

In saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. Stir in vanilla until smooth. Pour fondue into a serving bowl or individual cups. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed. Dip the goodies!

Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Chocolate