2026 Hollywood Book Awards winner for “The Healing Powers of Honey,” won Best Health & Wellness

 

Cal Orey is a 2026 Hollywood Book Awards winner for “The Healing Powers of Honey,” which won Best Health & Wellness.

Award Details

• Award: 2026 Hollywood Book Awards
• Category: Best Health & Wellness
• Winning Title: The Healing Powers of Honey
• Author: Cal Orey
• This book was recognized as the category winner among other finalists in the health and wellness field.
  hollywoodbookreviews.com

Pumpkin Treats Get a Healthy Makeover This Autumn

 

Why Pumpkin is Getting a Health Upgrade This Autumn

News| Oct 17, 2026 Tahoe Daily Tribune

Cal Orey, M.A.

Psst! I don’t bother with sugary, high-fat pumpkin fudge or fake-flavored lattes anymore like I used to. Nowadays, I’d much rather snack on crunchy pumpkin seeds mixed with heart-healthy nuts or grab a simple slice of whole grain pumpkin bread. Fall is still a huge pumpkin celebration, but the best part is that it actually makes you feel good and healthy!

Recent published findings in 2026 by food and nutrition researchers reveal that every part of the pumpkin (flesh, seeds, and peel) contains valuable nutrients such as beta carotene, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc. These compounds have health perks, which make pumpkin the new versatile superfood….

Forget the sugary pumpkin treats. It’s the season to change it up with whole-food pumpkin to maintain a strong immune system while the air is cooler and we gather indoors more. As the author of The Healing Powers of Superfoods (Kensington), I did include pumpkin! Here’s a new list of pumpkin favorites with a unique Tahoe Edge. 

*Chunky Warm Pumpkin Soup: Real pumpkins are loaded with Vitamin A and essential for keeping your respiratory and intestinal linings healthy–—which serve as the body’s defense against airborne germs and cold-weather viruses. The Tahoe Edge: Savor a warm bowl of spiced pumpkin ginger soup helps guard your respiratory system against the elements. (Find it at a local restaurant or Google a DIY recipe online.)

*Cold & Creamy Pumpkin Smoothie: Pumpkin flesh contains vitamin C, a disease-fighting antioxidant that stimulates the production of white blood cells to help guard against cold and flu season. The Tahoe Edge: In the morning or afternoon, enjoy a smoothie made with organic canned or puréed pumpkin. (Google a recipe that is healthful and yummy.) 

*Savory & Sweet Pumpkin Pie: When crafted with antioxidant-rich pumpkin spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger) and topped with roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), scones deliver vitamin E and healthy minerals that quell a sweet tooth without too many calories. The Tahoe Edge: Enjoy a slice of pie–storebought or homemade with less sugar. (Buy a slice at Safeway bakery.)

*Hot Pumpkin Spiced Tea/Coffee: Sipping black or herbal teas with real pumpkin spices (cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom) provides polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds that enhance your immune and heart health. The Tahoe Edge: Brew a cup of pumpkin spiced tea with a drizzle of honey to warm your body and spirit. (Forage online or local grocery store.) 

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Currently, her new release The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised is available at all bookstores.

NEW HONEY BOOK Author Reveals Pumpkin Gets a Health Upgrade

 Why Pumpkin is Getting a Health Upgrade This Autumn

Psst! I don't bother with sugary, high-fat pumpkin fudge or fake-flavored lattes anymore like I used to. Nowadays, I'd much rather snack on crunchy pumpkin seeds mixed with heart-healthy nuts or grab a simple slice of whole grain pumpkin bread. Fall is still a huge pumpkin celebration, but the best part is that it actually makes you feel good and healthy!

Recent published findings in 2026 by food and nutrition researchers reveal that every part of the pumpkin (flesh, seeds, and peel) contains valuable nutrients such as beta carotene, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc. These compounds have health perks, which make pumpkin the new versatile superfood….

Forget the sugary pumpkin fudge and pumpkin cookies. It’s the season to change it up with whole-food pumpkin to maintain a strong immune system while the air is cooler and we gather indoors more. As the author of The Healing Powers of Superfoods (Kensington), I did include pumpkin! Here’s a new list of pumpkin favorites with a unique Tahoe Edge.

*Chunky Warm Pumpkin Soup: Real pumpkins are loaded with Vitamin A and essential for keeping your respiratory and intestinal linings healthy--—which serve as the body's defense against airborne germs and cold-weather viruses. The Tahoe Edge: Savor a warm bowl of spiced pumpkin ginger soup helps guard your respiratory system against the elements. (Find it at a local restaurant or Google a DIY recipe online.)

*Cold & Creamy Pumpkin Smoothie: Pumpkin flesh contains vitamin C, a disease-fighting antioxidant that stimulates the production of white blood cells to help guard against cold and flu season. The Tahoe Edge: In the morning or afternoon, enjoy a smoothie made with organic canned or puréed pumpkin. (Google a recipe that is healthful and yummy.)

*Savory & Sweet Pumpkin Pie: When crafted with antioxidant-rich pumpkin spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger) and topped with roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), scones deliver vitamin E and healthy minerals that quell a sweet tooth without too many calories. The Tahoe Edge: Enjoy a slice of pie--storebought or homemade with less sugar. (Buy a slice at Safeway bakery.)

*Hot Pumpkin Spiced Tea/Coffee: Sipping black or herbal teas with real pumpkin spices (cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom) provides polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds that enhance your immune and heart health. The Tahoe Edge: Brew a cup of pumpkin spiced tea with a drizzle of honey to warm your body and spirit. (Forage online or local grocery store.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Currently, her new release The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised is available at all bookstores. Her website is http://www.calorey.com. 

2026 Hollywood Book Awards Winners & Finalists: Healing Powers Series Author Cal Orey WINNER

 BEST HEALTH & WELLNESS

WINNER

The Healing Powers of Honey

By:  Cal Orey

Sweet Price Drop for October: The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised Ebook is 3.99! LOOK INSIDE

It has finally landed. The new buzzworthy edition is ready (and formatted like the paperback new edition 2026) for your eyes during the new fall season... It is the book for autumn-winter-holiday wellness with new stories, data, remedies, and recipes to guard against colds, flu, and COVID variants.

 Amazon.com: The Healing Powers of Honey (Healing Powers Series) eBook : Orey, Cal: Kindle Store

or

The Healing Powers of Honey: The Healthy & Green Choice to Sweeten Packed with Immune-Boosting Antioxidants | Barnes & Noble®

Savory Scones, Soup, and Tea for Autumn Wellness

 Pumpkin Scones and Soup for the Pumpkin Season

By Cal Orey

The autumn season is here. I feel it in the air, in my neighborhood, on the streets, and in my heart and spirit. We're welcoming a new season.

'Tis the season to brew a nice cup of black flavored tea and bake a batch of pumpkin scones. It's a nice way to ease me and you into the chill of fall. The scone is a popular British bread that is quick to make, served with tea, and also enjoyed in other countries around the world. A dropped scone is easier to make than other varieties and it tastes just as good. And the European touch I like to use comes from using European Style butter (creamy and rich), Mediterranean Sea Salt, dark chocolate, olive oil--and keeping the portion smaller than larger.

European-Style Pumpkin Scones

3 1/2 cups 100% all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar (I did use granulated; you can use 1/4 cup honey)

2 teaspoons allspice

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

a dash of Mediterranean Sea Salt
1/4 cup European Style butter 

1 cup pumpkin puree

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 brown egg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, and spice. Add chunks of butter (sliced in small squares). In another bowl combine pumpkin, milk, and egg and stir till a dough-like mixture forms. (I used my hands.) Drop large spoonfuls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar or Mediterranean Sea Salt or both (optional). Bake till brown and crusty, about 12 to 14 minutes. Makes 12.

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe in the NEW
The Healing Powers of Vinegar, 3rd edition
wherever books/ebooks are sold

The first scone I tasted was plain, warm, and had a refreshing texture--a change of flavor from all those sweets. To enhance a warm scone for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, try herb butter (just a small amount). Mix a teaspoon with a dash of fresh basil and parsley. Or try drizzling the scone with a bit of oil--garlic or rosemary.

For more recipes to pair with scones or scone recipes--turn to the Healing Powers Series (click and find all the bookstores where you can get these in ebook/paperback/mass market formats).

* The Healing Powers of Honey is the #1 Highest Rating honey and health book on walmart.com !

Super El Nino Fury: West Coast...Falling into the Sea

 

Bracing for the 2026-27 Super El Niño Wrath

Cal Orey, M.A.

(Published in Oracle Visionary October)

There is a buzz about super El Niño coming to us this fall and winter. The word is, it will be super catastrophic like a Noah’s Ark sequel in many regions. So, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into what may happen in the United States…

What El Niño Means for Winter 2026–2027

Researchers note the October–December anomaly are the criteria for a “strong” to potentially “super” El Niño event. El Niño’s strongest winter effects typically peak January through March 2027. 

Simply put, El Ninio is a naturally occurring climate pattern known for its unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, caused by weakening trade winds. It affects weather around the globe, not just the West Coast. South or Northeast. Indeed, it can trigger severe droughts, floods, and agricultural disruptions worldwide. Think severe droughts in parts of Australia, Indonesia, and heavy flooding and rain in parts of the southern United States, notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And it is starting now…

Get a Canoe or ARK for the U.S.

Here are the major El Niño weather events and impacts for the United States, that may or may not happen:

U.S. Gulf Coast and Southeast: Look forward to a wetter winter, which brings a higher risk of heavy rainfall and severe flooding.

Southern California and the Southwest: These regions may be challenged by storm activity, extreme rainfall during the winter months, which can alleviate long-term drought but also trigger coastal erosion, mudslides, and high surf in the Gulf.

Northern U.S. and Canada: The odds are these regions are not immune and may experience warmer and drier than average winter conditions, leading to reduced snowpacks in certain regions. There’s more.

Thanks to global climate warming, El Niño creates higher temperatures, leading to risks of prolonged heatwaves. Recently, people are noting the SoCal ocean is “hot” and fear more sharks like Hawaii…Top of Form

And note, during strong El Niño years, the U.S. South experiences a stormier winter climate, driven by a shifted and highly active southern jet stream that directs heavy rainfall and frequent storms across the region. Meanwhile, the Sierra Nevada mountain range often experiences a mixture of heavy winter precipitation. Think “SNAIN” or a mix of slushy rain and snow at lower lake level, thanks to warm atmospheric rivers that drop rain rather than snow at higher elevations. Perhaps the higher elevations will get good snowfall but it may battle slush, too as the season will be warmer.

Here Comes the Rain!

So, yes, the fall-winter of 2026–2027 may deliver sharp contrasts across the country. Some regions could face repeated storms, raw rain, and heavy, wet snow, while others experience milder stretches interrupted by quick cold snaps.

West Coast:  The Pacific Northwest may experience a more changeable and somewhat less dependable snow season.

South:  An active storm track may extend from Southern California and the Desert Southwest through Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast. These areas should watch for frequent storm systems, muddy fields, and surges of cold snaps.

Midwest:  When that colder air meets abundant moisture, some storms could produce sleet, freezing rain, or heavy, wet snow. The Rockies may get mountain snowfall.

Northeast: The Northeast may face one of the season’s most complicated winter patterns. Coastal communities could receive more rain or mixed precipitation, while inland areas may be hit by several rounds of heavy, wet snow—particularly during January and February. Last year extreme flooding hit the Pacific Northwest—it’s possible both the East and West may be under water causing mega trouble to the infrastructure, environment, and travel. And that’s not all!

 

So, Where Exactly Will the Most Precipitation Fall?

An active southern storm track is expected to bring heavier-than-normal precipitation from the Pacific including Hawaii (they have recently been getting hit with hurricanes, flooding, flash floods). California (during the Harvest Moon and King Tides) has experienced huge waves, coastal erosion, flooding), and the Southwest eastward through Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast will likely experience nature’s wrath, too. A second storm path may guide weather systems along the Eastern Seaboard, bringing additional opportunities for rain, wintry mixes, and snow from the mid-Atlantic into New England. Note: The cold rain may morph into a slushy snowfall into a significant winter storm or more.

The Bottom Line: Winter 2026–2027 may be defined by contrasts: an active and wet southern storm track, quick bursts of snow and cold across the North, and a particularly unpredictable mix of precipitation in the Northeast.  Best advice: Prepare now with food, water, pet food, and medicines. Keep the snow shovel, rain boots, and ice scraper close at hand. This winter, you may need all three.

 

Bottom of Form

California Nightmare: Sliding into the Sea

News Flash:  The Golden State announced a state of emergency for El Niño. Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to trigger resources, stage flood-fighting equipment, and prepare infrastructure for a potentially historic El Niño storm season… As a native Californian I survived El Niño episodes, bringing memories of extreme weather, heavy rainfall, severe coastal erosion, and widespread flooding to the state.

·       1982–1983 El Niño: Triggered torrential downpours and severe winter storms across California and Santa Cruz Mountains; residents had to travel in canoes! Caused massive coastal erosion, destroying numerous beachfront homes. piers, and highway sections (notably along the Pacific Coast Highway). Brought heavy mountain snowpacks that later triggered massive spring snowmelt flooding in valleys.

·       1997–1998 El Niño (often grouped around the late 1990s): Reno, Nevada was underwater! Recognized as one of the strongest El Niño events of the 20th century, rivaling the 1982-1983 season. It dumped record-breaking rainfall, causing mudslides, landslides, and

 

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, her new release The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised is available at all bookstores. Her website is http://www.calorey.com.