Author of Best Seller The Healing Powers of Honey Gets Noted in TCD Yahoo News Article

Buzzing concerns: How honey bees sweeten your health in Tahoe

Scientists Shaken By Alarming Discovery Inside Collapsing Bee Colonies -- Here's What They Found (Click Link)

News | May 3, 2025 Tahoe Daily Tribune

Cal Orey, M.A.

In spring 2025, across America, honey bee colonies are vanishing at an alarming rate, and the snowball effects could reach your breakfast table, your grocery bill, and the food chain we all depend on at Lake Tahoe for our health and well-being.

As of 2025, honey bee populations continue to face significant challenges. A recent study published in the journal Nature in March 2025 examined the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on bee health. The researchers found that exposure to these chemicals not only affects bees but also disrupts colony dynamics, leading to a vanishing of honey bees. What’s more, a survey conducted by the American Beekeeping Federation in early 2025 reported that beekeepers across the United States experienced an average loss of 40% of their colonies during the winter months.

So, what’s going on, anyhow? Scientists are scrambling for answers. Indeed, while some say its pesticides, others claim it is toxic metals in the soil. Climate change could also be stressing colonies to the point of no return. In my book The Healing Powers of Honey, I interviewed beekeepers who talked about “Colony Collapse Disorder” aka CCD. And it seems things are not getting better—and why you should care. 

Vanishing Bees: Your Health and Nutrition 

Did you know honey bees play a role in our food production? Their decline can affect our health and nutrition in different ways.

1. Reduced Crop Yields: Many fruits, vegetables, and nuts rely on honey bees for pollination. If bee population decline, the yields of these crops will decrease. This means less food available for us to eat, leading to potential shortages of essential nutrients in your diet.

2. Higher Food Prices: As the availability of pollinated crops drops due to fewer bees, the prices of these foods may rise. For instance, almond production is dependent on honey bees; if their numbers drop, the cost of almonds could increase, making them less available to you.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies: AWOL honey bees can lead to fewer kinds of superfood fruits and vegetables. That means lack of essential nutrients will happen because many vitamins and minerals come from produce, like apples and berries—super sources for disease-fighting antioxidants that help reduce risk of heart disease and cancer.]

4. Loss of Biodiversity: Bees help maintain plant diversity by pollinating a wide range of species. A decline in bee populations can lead to fewer plant species thriving, which affects not only food crops but also the overall health of ecosystems that provide us with clean air and water. 

5. Increased Reliance on Artificial Pollination: To compensate for the loss of natural pollinators like honey bees, famers may turn to artificial methods for pollination. This reliance could lead to lower quality, nutritious produce.

So, what can you do at Tahoe to help keep the honey bee alive and well? Grow annual and perennial plants so honey bees are collecting nectar and pollens for food. Reduce the pesticides of all kinds to a minimum. Supply fresh water in a way so that visiting bees don’t become a nuisance. Donate funds to bee researchers around the country.

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, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and a sci-fi trilogy–The Ghost Ships. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com 

The Healing Powers of Honey Popular Book Hits #1 Top Rated Book Label on Amazon!

   The Healing Powers of Honey has been graced with the Best Seller banner for more than three weeks in 2024--both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. #1 Top Rated Book Label in late spring of 2025... It's the superfood for summer!--and ALL seasons!

It is impossible to listen to this narration of The Healing Powers of Honey by author Cal Orey on audiobook without going to the cupboard and pouring a cup of hot tea, and of course, adding a heaping teaspoon of honey into it.  The soothing taste and coating of honey is talked about in so many ways, thus while listening and sipping the tea, it makes for an amazing multi-dimensional learning scenario, having both your brain and body absorbing the true nectar of the gods.  What’s more than revealing the facts is the way Cal Orey interleaves her own life’s adventures into describing her quest of gaining the background information to compile the facts about honey into this highly specialized enlightening guide.

The story begins with the author taking on the project of doing a book about honey by the request of her publisher.  Listeners are brought to the planning stage of how Cal Orey organized her research to achieve what she is known for; as being a down-to-Earth presenter of health benefits of various food substances.  Honey follows her repertoire as she has demonstrated with vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, and other healing books.  Nobody is born with honey knowledge, so she first acquired every book she could find on the subject, then arranged for meetings with bee keepers in Fresno, Reno, and other places.  So as a listener, I found the tome of the narration as having a quality of discovery, as new factoids are learned and shared, making this story a journey of discovery.

“A Hippie Chick,” as she often referrers to herself as being, due to her expert knowledge of organic health foods, understanding their therapeutic effects having antioxidants, allowing for stress relieving, blood pressure control, diabetes cure, heart fortitude, and even helping lower the risk of cancer, honey fits right in at the top of God’s gifts to humanity – or should I say the Bee’s gift.  Her ‘textbook’ parts of the book when she is educating listeners (readers) on the many types of honey, their relative histories and specialized qualities, and somewhat magical powers are explained with describing each varieties’ color, taste, and even how best to pair it up with other food items.  Then, of course, she adds her own commentary to each of the about 30 variations of honey – that’s when I began to google the online stores to buy my own bouquet of flavors.

Some diversion to the author’s factual narration on the honey subject was most sentimentally touched upon with the stories of her dog(s).  At one point she talks about traveling all around the USA from California to Key West with her K-9 companion, and even smuggling the dog into Canada because she didn’t have the correct documents at the border – now that’s “chutzpah!”  She then talks about having a 6th sense when someone commented, “Nice dog” to her, only to find the dog missing after she tied it up outside a building for only a few minutes.  The sadness, crying, and sensation of loss was contagious.  A few months later she was “rescued” by a lab with sympathetic eyes in San Diego, and life with a dog partner took a happier path.

Honey is amazing.  The antibacterial properties makes it ideal for fighting off any bacterial infection, both inside and outside the body, as it is known for enhancing and protecting the skin and healing wounds.  Forget Pepto-Bismol, eat honey to cure suffering from diarrhea.  Heart healthy, even helping diabetics (which seems odd due to honey’s sweetness) as well as hypertension, lowering cholesterol and even aiding longevity, plus weight loss and libido enhancement are all benefits of this golden nectar.  Thank you, bees.

I must admit I did not know the vast variety of types of honey; yes, Clover is popular, and Van Morrison introduced me to Tupelo Honey, but Cal talks about Alfalfa Honey being native to Northern Nevada, and Buckwheat Honey being very powerful with antioxidants.  She thought Fireweed Honey might have been bitter yet was pleasantly surprised by its flavor.  I never would have thought Avocado Honey existed, and Dandelion, nor Eucalyptus – I guess I need to walk down the health-food isles in Whole Foods a bit more slowly next time.

It may seem as if I am making light of the subject, but that is how I perceived Cal Orey takes the sting out of being a dry educational presentation, and embellishes her work with her humble wisdom and incredible stories which she has gained on so many other subjects.  Just like blending honey into bakery items, combined it with cinnamon for holistic healing, or dissolving it in a tea, smoothie or drink, honey’s versatility and benefits are un-bee-livable.

Reviewer’s footnote:  Having the audiobook version of this bestselling book, the narration by Tara Marie Kirk was very clear and fluid, not missing a beat with those 5-syllable Latin names of the specific varieties, however as a personal preference I played it back at 1.25 speed, slightly picking up the pace for my listening pleasure, and cutting the play-time from just over 8 hours to about 6 hours.

 

BUY ON AMAZON AUDIBLE

VISIT AUTHOR’S WEBSITE

Health & Fitness, Latest Reviews, Non Fiction

The Healing Powers of Tea Author Speaks on Summer Tea

  Summer tea at Tahoe: Lakeside breeze

News | Jun 9, 2025  Cal Orey, M.A. Tahoe Daily Tribune

Ah, the sweet memories of summers past! I once penned the definitive guide to tea, a bible of brews. Now, with June gracing us as National Iced Tea Month, it’s the perfect moment to revisit those days of tea-sipping bliss. Back then, my doorstep was a constant parade of tea boxes, complimentary gifts from the industry’s titans. I was, quite simply, in tea heaven, joyfully exploring the refreshing universe of teas and herbal infusions. These delightful concoctions promised to elevate our summer wellness from head to toe. And here in Tahoe, where the sun blazes, and the air is crisp, a well-crafted cup of tea is the ideal companion for any outdoor adventure. It’s a refreshing experience.

SUNRISE BLACK TEA: Black tea is touted for its robust flavor and variety of health perks. It helps in improving heart health by reducing the risk of heart diseases. How it Works: The antioxidants in black tea, such as theaflavins, help in lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood vessel function. Summer Way to Fix: To enjoy black tea in the summer, brew a strong cup, let it cool, and serve it over ice with a slice of lemon. You can also add mint leaves for an extra refreshing twist. Why Super for Summer in Tahoe: At Tahoe, where outdoor activities like hiking and biking are “in”, black tea can be a great way to rejuvenate. Its caffeine content offers an energy boost for long summer days. Black tea is a great choice for summer wellness, offering a healthy and cheap beverage for indoors and outdoors.

AFTERNOON GREEN TEA: Green tea is known for its high antioxidant content. It aids in weight loss by boosting burning fat! How it Works: The catechins in green tea, particularly EGCG, help increase the body’s metabolic rate. Summer Way to Fix: For a chill summer drink, brew green tea, chill it, and serve it iced. Add slices of orange or a few berries for added flavor. Why Super for Summer in Tahoe: Green tea can be awesome at Tahoe, where staying active and maintaining a healthy weight is easier surrounded by nature encouraging a healthier lifestyle. Green tea is an excellent choice to help you stay fit and healthy during summer at Tahoe.

SUNSET WHITE TEA: White tea is the least processed among all tea types, making it rich in antioxidants. White tea helps in protecting the skin from sun damage. How it Works: The antioxidants in white tea combat free radicals by UV exposure, thus protecting the skin. Summer Way to Fix: To savor white tea in the summer, steep it in cold water for a few hours, then strain and serve chilled. You can add a splash of lemon or lime for extra flavor. Why Super for Summer in Tahoe: At Tahoe, where sun exposure can be intense due to the high altitude, white tea can be a great addition to your summer wellness routine, helping protect your skin. White tea offers a delicate beverage for summer wellness at Tahoe.

I can personally attest black, white, and green tea grace my kitchen pantry All three are my tea friends during the daytime. But it’s cup of mellow chamomile at night that is my favorite herbal tea to complement summer evenings.

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, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and a sci-fi trilogy–The Ghost Ships.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

The Healing Powers of Honey--#1 Top Rated Book Label on Amazon--Tagged "National Bestseller"

  The Healing Powers of Honey has been graced with the Best Seller banner for more than three weeks in 2024--both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Amazon's #1 Top Rated Book Label in spring of 2025... It's the superfood for summer! (5 formats)

It is impossible to listen to this narration of The Healing Powers of Honey by author Cal Orey on audiobook without going to the cupboard and pouring a cup of hot tea, and of course, adding a heaping teaspoon of honey into it.  The soothing taste and coating of honey is talked about in so many ways, thus while listening and sipping the tea, it makes for an amazing multi-dimensional learning scenario, having both your brain and body absorbing the true nectar of the gods.  What’s more than revealing the facts is the way Cal Orey interleaves her own life’s adventures into describing her quest of gaining the background information to compile the facts about honey into this highly specialized enlightening guide.

The story begins with the author taking on the project of doing a book about honey by the request of her publisher.  Listeners are brought to the planning stage of how Cal Orey organized her research to achieve what she is known for; as being a down-to-Earth presenter of health benefits of various food substances.  Honey follows her repertoire as she has demonstrated with vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, and other healing books.  Nobody is born with honey knowledge, so she first acquired every book she could find on the subject, then arranged for meetings with bee keepers in Fresno, Reno, and other places.  So as a listener, I found the tome of the narration as having a quality of discovery, as new factoids are learned and shared, making this story a journey of discovery.

“A Hippie Chick,” as she often referrers to herself as being, due to her expert knowledge of organic health foods, understanding their therapeutic effects having antioxidants, allowing for stress relieving, blood pressure control, diabetes cure, heart fortitude, and even helping lower the risk of cancer, honey fits right in at the top of God’s gifts to humanity – or should I say the Bee’s gift.  Her ‘textbook’ parts of the book when she is educating listeners (readers) on the many types of honey, their relative histories and specialized qualities, and somewhat magical powers are explained with describing each varieties’ color, taste, and even how best to pair it up with other food items.  Then, of course, she adds her own commentary to each of the about 30 variations of honey – that’s when I began to google the online stores to buy my own bouquet of flavors.

Some diversion to the author’s factual narration on the honey subject was most sentimentally touched upon with the stories of her dog(s).  At one point she talks about traveling all around the USA from California to Key West with her K-9 companion, and even smuggling the dog into Canada because she didn’t have the correct documents at the border – now that’s “chutzpah!”  She then talks about having a 6th sense when someone commented, “Nice dog” to her, only to find the dog missing after she tied it up outside a building for only a few minutes.  The sadness, crying, and sensation of loss was contagious.  A few months later she was “rescued” by a lab with sympathetic eyes in San Diego, and life with a dog partner took a happier path.

Honey is amazing.  The antibacterial properties makes it ideal for fighting off any bacterial infection, both inside and outside the body, as it is known for enhancing and protecting the skin and healing wounds.  Forget Pepto-Bismol, eat honey to cure suffering from diarrhea.  Heart healthy, even helping diabetics (which seems odd due to honey’s sweetness) as well as hypertension, lowering cholesterol and even aiding longevity, plus weight loss and libido enhancement are all benefits of this golden nectar.  Thank you, bees.

I must admit I did not know the vast variety of types of honey; yes, Clover is popular, and Van Morrison introduced me to Tupelo Honey, but Cal talks about Alfalfa Honey being native to Northern Nevada, and Buckwheat Honey being very powerful with antioxidants.  She thought Fireweed Honey might have been bitter yet was pleasantly surprised by its flavor.  I never would have thought Avocado Honey existed, and Dandelion, nor Eucalyptus – I guess I need to walk down the health-food isles in Whole Foods a bit more slowly next time.

It may seem as if I am making light of the subject, but that is how I perceived Cal Orey takes the sting out of being a dry educational presentation, and embellishes her work with her humble wisdom and incredible stories which she has gained on so many other subjects.  Just like blending honey into bakery items, combined it with cinnamon for holistic healing, or dissolving it in a tea, smoothie or drink, honey’s versatility and benefits are un-bee-livable.

Reviewer’s footnote:  Having the audiobook version of this bestselling book, the narration by Tara Marie Kirk was very clear and fluid, not missing a beat with those 5-syllable Latin names of the specific varieties, however as a personal preference I played it back at 1.25 speed, slightly picking up the pace for my listening pleasure, and cutting the play-time from just over 8 hours to about 6 hours.

 

BUY ON AMAZON AUDIBLE

VISIT AUTHOR’S WEBSITE

Health & Fitness, Latest Reviews, Non Fiction

Earth Changes Forecast 2025--Mid-July Update--See What Predictions Are Spot On!

 EARTH CHANGES 2025—What Will the New Year Bring?

By Cal Orey

July 2025: We surely have wildfires up and down the West Coast. A storm in the Deep South may affect Florida and Louisiana in the upcoming week. Florida getting its storm. Poor air quality is ongoing in both Southern and Northern California. Yes, a major quake rumbled AK July 16. I didn't address quakes in other countries, but Japan is on alert with hundreds of earthquakes --and the oarfish are acting out as people are on edge. I say 75% a major plus shaker could happen during Mercury Retrograde until August 10.

As I predicted for 2024... West Coast Earthquakes, Strange twisters, Southeast Hurricanes and Mega Blackouts to Northern Lights and Northeast Flooding! And now, for 2025 the year of The Snake--look forward to transformation, renewal--some good some bad. Most of all, be prepared mind, body, and spirit.

It’s here! The New Year promises political changes and Earth moves. Looking ahead to 2025, there will be Earth changes and human-caused disasters. Activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and industrial processes will contribute to environment woes and may lead to more frequent natural disasters.

Astrologically speaking, periods such as Mercury Retrograde—there are three this year—come linked with communication disruptions to mega blackouts. Also, events like Full Moons and New Moons can influence human behavior and environmental conditions.

So, the combo of wildfires, increasing earthquakes, potential surprise disasters (such as oil spills to quakes on hidden faults), may create chaos and challenges for the nation. But there is an upside:  environmental management, disaster preparedness, and looking at scientific data can help provide you with peace of mind even though you can’t control Old Man Winter and Mother Nature.

 WEATHER WATCH

 ·       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. The Farmer’s Almanac supports this outlook, predicting a snowy winter for the West Coast… Caveat: 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. This controversy arises from warmer temperatures that can lead to more rain and less snow at these altitudes, particularly during critical storm events. 

·         South: For the Southern United States, forecasts suggest a mix of normal to slightly above-average temperatures with potential for drought in some regions. The NOAA claims some regions may experience below-average rainfall, with dry spells.

·         Northeast: The Northeast is projected to have a colder-then-average winter with increased odds of snowstorms. Both NOAA and the Farmer’s Almanac show that this region may see snowfall events throughout the winter months.

·         Midwest: In the Midwest, forecasts predict a variable winter with periods of cold and snow and milder weather. The potential for severe weather such as ice storms are noted by both forecasting agencies.

SHOCKING SHAKERS

·       The West Coast was on rock and roll during the latter part of 2024.  In December, an offshore Northern California 7.0 with a tsunami warning happened; a strong and shallow 5.8 temblor hit Yerington, Nevada and was felt in the sierras, Sacramento to the SF Bay Area; and tremors hit Southern California throughout the year. *An orange tabby named Gatsby sensed the imminent shaker days before it rumbled through South Lake Tahoe. Storey is shared in Time Traveling Tabby.

·       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.

·       Northeast quakes despite being smaller magnitudes than the West Coast are often felt more and farther. Expect at least two noteworthy shakers…

·       …And the New Madrid Zone may be hit by a strong jolt with aftershocks that’ll rattle nerves and make international news. Ditto with the Southern states, not excluding Texas or Oklahoma.

 

HURRICANES, TWISTERS, OH MY!

 HURRICANES: Superstorms (including blackouts) will happen and in the Gulf States like they did in 2024. While that year Texas and the Carolinas were ground zero, in 2025 Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida are in the line of destruction.

·       TWISTERS: will come with hurricanes in these regions but also the Midwest and even the West Coast; it got its first tornado alert ever on Friday the 13^th, December 2024. On the 14^th in the afternoon, Scotts Valley, Northern California was struck by a twister like a disaster film.

·       WILDFIRES: up and down the West Coast will continue to wreak havoc on people, pets, infrastructure, and the environment. Not only do the flames threaten lives but the poor air quality will become more of a reality.  Staying indoors to using air purifiers will become even more common for health’s sake.

 ON THE FRINGE

Yes, more solar events (solar flares to solar storms) like in 2024 will happen and come with the Northern Lights in unlikely states. But remember, these light shows come with blackouts, communication disruptions, and delays in flights and road travel causing inconvenience to woes depending on the severity of the happening.

As the United States faces unpredictable political changes and discord, Earth changes will encourage people to work together to survive severe weather and earthmoving events. Political parties will be a moot point (like it is on a small island in Alaska where people band together during shake-ups to maintain shelter and forage food). 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.

SHAKING IT UP

While the West Coast (Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Nevada) is more apt to experience tremors (UPDATE: 7-19, HI-7.5), the New Madrid Zone, East Coast, and even the South are not immune to shaking. As fracking will be continued around the nation, it’s time to prepare. Here’s a checklist:

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

ü  Sign up for earthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too! —so you’ll know when a quake may be coming.)

ü  Make an Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishable snacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.

ü  Do Pet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash, and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in the environment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

ü  Drop, Cover, Hold On:  When the shaking starts, drop to your hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glass or heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture if available or use your arms to protect yourself.

ü  Think Pet Safety: If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothing voice.

ü  Chill Out: Don’t log onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and you are safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

ü  Explore Your Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and do occur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe to move around.

ü  Hydrate & Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if you feel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of an earthquake.

ü  Tune In Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family; sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

By following these health tips before, during, and after an earthquake, you’ll be better prepared to handle tremors. (Find out more about earthquake preparedness and animals sensing oncoming earthquakes in The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, by Cal Orey, published by Sentient.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series--The Ghost Ships (Book 1) to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

SOS to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air--Healing Powers Series Author's Tips

 Foods and beverages for poor air quality

Healthy Tahoe Tahoe Daily Trbune| May 19, 2025

Cal Orey 

In my twenties, I ventured to the South Shore with my dog, eager to bask in the sun. But I recall our fun trip was affected by surrounding wildfires affecting the Tahoe Basin. The sky was a dull grey, devoid of sunshine, and found myself lamenting, “I can’t get a tan.” Unbeknownst to me, the unhealthy air posed risks not only to my health but also to my dog’s well-being. All I could sense was that the once-pure mountain air had vanished, casting a shadow over our escapade.

Fast forward to present-day on July 12, 2025 at South Lake Tahoe in the summertime…Did you know poor air quality can affect both your body and mind? Even when you can’t see smoke or particles in the air, harmful pollutants can still be present and cause or worsen health issues. Breathing in these pollutants can lead to symptoms like a sore throat, itchy eyes, headaches, and sneezing.

Worse, the irritants can inflame your respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to unhealthy air can contribute to anxiety and stress. It’s important to stay informed about air quality to protect your health for you, your kids, and pets. 

Why is the Tahoe Basin Vulnerable to Dark Skies?

The Tahoe Basin can have bad air, especially in late spring, summer, and fall, even when there are no wildfires. Blame poor air quality on a few reasons: mountain geography trapping pollutants, temperature inversions keeping bad air close to the ground, increased traffic and development during tourist seasons, natural dust from dry conditions, and pollen from plants in summer.

Foods and Beverages for Poor Air Quality

Here’s a list of what to consume, and why they are beneficial.

1. Fruits and Vegetables: Berries are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the lungs.
2. Leafy Greens: High in vitamins they may help fight oxidative stress caused by poor air quality.
3. Citrus Fruits: Packed with vitamin C, which is known to bolster the immune system may help mitigate respiratory issues.
4. Nuts and Seeds: Contain omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties good for heart health.
5. Whole Grains: Provide essential nutrients that support heart health.
6. Fatty Fish: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Beverages: Opt for iced tea day and night. Green tea and other varieties like black and white contains antioxidants that may improve lung function and reduce inflammation. Drizzle a glass of cup of tea with a bit of raw honey rich in antioxidants for extra anti-inflammatory benefits. Water also helps thin mucus in the airways making it easier to breathe.

Savvy Tips for Managing Indoor Air Quality

Use Air Purifiers: HEPA filters can trap particulate matter from smoke.

Close Windows and Doors: This prevents outdoor pollutants from entering your home.

Be ready for wildfires that impact air quality.

Monitor Air Quality Resources: airnow.gov and Accuweather South Lake Tahoe

By focusing on these dietary and practical tips, you can better manage your health during periods of poor air conditions caused by wildfires or other environmental factors.

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, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and a sci-fi trilogy–The Ghost Ships.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

The Healing Powers of Honey -- #1 Top Rated Book Label (Amazon) -- Best Seller in Multiple Genres/Formats Top 100 in July 2025

   By Cal Orey, M.A.

The Healing Powers of Honey has been graced with the Best Seller banner for more than three weeks in 2024--both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. #1 Top Rated Book Label in late spring of 2025...

 It's the superfood for summer!

 July 4th Weekend #17 Kindle Naturopathy...Celebrated by Newsmax newsletters 

The Healing Powers of Honey (Audiobook)

Title: The Healing Powers of Honey
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Narrated by: Tara Marie Kirk
Pages: Audiobook
Genre: Health / Natural Food / Alternative Therapies
Length: 8 hours and 26 minutes
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

It is impossible to listen to this narration of The Healing Powers of Honey by author Cal Orey on audiobook without going to the cupboard and pouring a cup of hot tea, and of course, adding a heaping teaspoon of honey into it.  The soothing taste and coating of honey is talked about in so many ways, thus while listening and sipping the tea, it makes for an amazing multi-dimensional learning scenario, having both your brain and body absorbing the true nectar of the gods.  What’s more than revealing the facts is the way Cal Orey interleaves her own life’s adventures into describing her quest of gaining the background information to compile the facts about honey into this highly specialized enlightening guide.

The story begins with the author taking on the project of doing a book about honey by the request of her publisher. [The author includes the prestigious National Honey Board.]  Listeners are brought to the planning stage of how Cal Orey organized her research to achieve what she is known for; as being a down-to-Earth presenter of health benefits of various food substances.  Honey follows her repertoire as she has demonstrated with vinegar, olive oil, chocolate, and other healing books.  Nobody is born with honey knowledge, so she first acquired every book she could find on the subject, then arranged for meetings with bee keepers in Fresno, Reno, and other places.  So as a listener, I found the tome of the narration as having a quality of discovery, as new factoids are learned and shared, making this story a journey of discovery.

“A Hippy Chick,” as she often referrers to herself as being, due to her expert knowledge of organic health foods, understanding their therapeutic effects having antioxidants, allowing for stress relieving, blood pressure control, diabetes cure, heart fortitude, and even helping lower the risk of cancer, honey fits right in at the top of God’s gifts to humanity – or should I say the Bee’s gift.  Her ‘textbook’ parts of the book when she is educating listeners (readers) on the many types of honey, their relative histories and specialized qualities, and somewhat magical powers are explained with describing each varieties’ color, taste, and even how best to pair it up with other food items.  Then, of course, she adds her own commentary to each of the about 30 variations of honey – that’s when I began to google the online stores to buy my own bouquet of flavors.

Some diversion to the author’s factual narration on the honey subject was most sentimentally touched upon with the stories of her dog(s).  At one point she talks about traveling all around the USA from California to Key West with her K-9 companion, and even smuggling the dog into Canada because she didn’t have the correct documents at the border – now that’s “chutzpah!”  She then talks about having a 6th sense when someone commented, “Nice dog” to her, only to find the dog missing after she tied it up outside a building for only a few minutes.  The sadness, crying, and sensation of loss was contagious.  A few months later she was “rescued” by a lab with sympathetic eyes in San Diego, and life with a dog partner took a happier path.

Honey is amazing.  The antibacterial properties makes it ideal for fighting off any bacterial infection, both inside and outside the body, as it is known for enhancing and protecting the skin and healing wounds.  Forget Pepto-Bismol, eat honey to cure suffering from diarrhea.  Heart healthy, even helping diabetics (which seems odd due to honey’s sweetness) as well as hypertension, lowering cholesterol and even aiding longevity, plus weight loss and libido enhancement are all benefits of this golden nectar.  Thank you, bees.

I must admit I did not know the vast variety of types of honey; yes, Clover is popular, and Van Morrison introduced me to Tupelo Honey, but Cal talks about Alfalfa Honey being native to Northern Nevada, and Buckwheat Honey being very powerful with antioxidants.  She thought Fireweed Honey might have been bitter yet was pleasantly surprised by its flavor.  I never would have thought Avocado Honey existed, and Dandelion, nor Eucalyptus – I guess I need to walk down the health-food isles in Whole Foods a bit more slowly next time.

It may seem as if I am making light of the subject, but that is how I perceived Cal Orey takes the sting out of being a dry educational presentation, and embellishes her work with her humble wisdom and incredible stories which she has gained on so many other subjects.  Just like blending honey into bakery items, combined it with cinnamon for holistic healing, or dissolving it in a tea, smoothie or drink, honey’s versatility and benefits are un-bee-livable.

Reviewer’s footnote:  Having the audiobook version of this bestselling book, the narration by Tara Marie Kirk was very clear and fluid, not missing a beat with those 5-syllable Latin names of the specific varieties, however as a personal preference I played it back at 1.25 speed, slightly picking up the pace for my listening pleasure, and cutting the play-time from just over 8 hours to about 6 hours.

 

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