All was going swimmingly well and then I got to my 'job' where I would edit this "cosmic" man's book(s) in exchange for meditation lessons --he sounded deep, ya'll.  And he was.  Madd deep.  So deep, he was in Peru when I got here, Ha!  By the time he was coming back, I didn't even want to meet him, so I packed up and headed north to the Kuranda Roots Music Festival outside of Cairns (pronounced Cannes).  It was great fun - where people from all over the world were rockin' to Stu B Doo's beats!  Stayed in the area for a few more days rubbing elbows with the indigenous, where I managed to go off my strict vegan diet to taste a kangaroo kebab and eat barramundai (fish).  I tried to bring it back to organic by eating a green ants bum (it has vit c and tastes like lime), but ruined it all over again when I took a day trip into Tasmania, which only rivals HELL - I think they were doing some devil worshipping winter solstice festival (kinda crazy!) and, skipped the oysters, skipped the duck, skipped the canolies, but had wallaby nuggets.

Fast forward to a full day of flying around, I make it in to New Zealand where they are super SUPER strict about declaring EVERYTHING and not bringing ANYTHING in.  I have jellies, I have jams, a fresh palm leaf that I made into a decoration with the rainforest people, and, the worst possible thing - I have lemons.  A gift, mind you, from some dj at the festival, which at the point where the beagle was sniffing me out, I realized could potentially have been grown with marijuana.  I don't know if it's the wallaby from the night before, but my stomach is in knots!  

Yikes, zip, zam, zoom - shiver mi fuckin timbers, I get fined a whopping $--- dollars for breaking some f*cking international law.  Now, I am glad that they didn't put me in jail , though that didn't seem to be on the table, but as many countries that have attempted to kick me out, I wish NZ would have just sent me packin'.  The place ain't all dat and I didn't even take a cat out on the plane (this time) 

Was gonna go sky diving for my bday in 11 days, but -- between the fine and my wallaby luck, I think I'll keep my 2 feet on the ground.  I sure wish I had my ruby slippers! ​

It is a long, expensive flight from New York to Australia, but it surely is worth it once you get there.  Above you are viewing indigenous artifacts housed in a cultural center that aims to teach Australians about the longstanding and respectable Aboriginal lifestyle of thousands of years ago.

The Melbourne Botanic Garden is free to enter and beautiful to walk around.  A hydro powered rainman is situated in the middle of the pond and when it rains, he moves.  Lentils As Anything is in walking distance and with the concept of pay as you can to eat healthy delicious vegetarian meals, it was a coveted spot of mine.

A quick trip to Cairns in Far North Queensland (FNQ) to partake in the vibes and experience of the Kuranda Music Festival gave me the energy and love that I needed after leaving the pseudo cooperative community of Mt. Murrindal in Victoria.  I knew I was 'home' when my ride picked me up from the airport with no shoes on.  On another day, after touring a rain forest and crocodile river, we stopped for ice cream.  "Do I have to put my shoes on to go in?" I asked.  The tour guide-driver noted, "Nah, this is a barefoot country."  Otherwise known as heaven?  

A quick trip to Adelaide and back to Melbourne, where I got a pedicure and a nose ring rounded off the two month trip nicely.   I was also able to visit the Hare Krishna temples of St. Kilda and Adelaide.   Yes folks, that is kangaroo meat in the supermarket.  I have to admit that I did eat a kanga-kebob while touring the Tjapukai Cultural Center of the Rainforest People.  I saw traditional dances, decorated a boomerang, learned to throw those and spears and made jewelry with a rainforest princess.  I was also given a simple lesson in playing the didgeridoo.  I ate wallaby as well when I took a day trip into Tasmania.  To my lucky horror the Dark Mofo Festival celebrating the Winter Solstice was taking place.  It was dark and festive.  Off to New Zealand! 

The best part of living in that awful cooperative community in Australia was my roommate, Jess.  A twenty-six year old former Mormon from Arizona.  Her and I were a lot alike and shared the same interests in health and sustainability.  She was a very smart and pretty master Yoga instructor and masseuse who knew a lot of the conspiracy theory of the United States government.  I loved her and we spent hours cooking and talking and gossiping about the degenerates of the area.  She maintained the organic garden while I edited spiritual books.  Having lived in New Zealand for the past three years, she inspired a last minute, one month trip to the country.  Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to visit her in the South island; however, my time in Auckland proved to be somewhat eventful and relaxing.  I even visited sky tower and contemplated skydiving.   

When Madonna sings of "dreaming of San Pedro" she is speaking about one of the Belizean Cayes.  With a cluster of some of the most beautiful sub-islands, a quick and bumpy and sometimes crowded speed boat ride to Caye Caulker was a highlight.  With hammocks in the night clubs, diving as an option, beautiful local people, delicious food, and strong drinks -- there is lots of room for fun and relaxation.     

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 2010 – New Release Tells Erotic Tale of Sexy Party Hostess and Her Ability to Survive

Black Geisha

is released by author Rachel Blaze

Julie Flowers begins her ride on the roller coaster of life when a teenage neighbor molests her at the tender age of seven while the babysitter watches soap operas. Her father punishes her and rejects her, eventually rallying the family to his point of view. She can’t even turn to her mother, and the two drift farther apart. This young girl, who begins as a devout Jehovah’s Witness, loses her faith and begins to seek fulfillment by other means. As a free-spirited college student, Julie is well-rounded and educated but broke. This sassy, sophisticated lady learns that sex sells and becomes a party hostess, catering to swinging couples.

Black Geisha is a novel based on a true story about one girls’ sexual journey. As Julie runs into one setback after another, she realizes she may be in over her head, and this lifestyle isn’t working. As her world begins to collapse, will Julie be able to escape the madness and find the peace she seeks? Through her eyes, readers will experience love and loss and the ability to survive life’s roller coaster ride.

This erotica novel, based partially on the author’s life, is Rachel Blaze’s first adult book. Her passion is children’s books. This educator and motivational speaker has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in education. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in Los Angeles.

----------

For further information visit: www.rachelblaze.com or contact: black.geisha@hotmail.com

 

Black Geisha 
  Rachel Blaze

Dog Ear Publishing

ISBN: 978-160844-454-0                    160 pages                                                                                                           US

 

 

Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.

Promo video (NY): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Zt334Med0

Urban World Interview (NY): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V51XwkJKh30

Wealthy Minds Clip (LA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCkARDPwCgc

Empire Beats Interview (LA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ-enL4RYqc

Interview with Billionaire P.A. (LA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCkARDPwCgc

Urban Soul Radio Commercial (LA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmVf2-CI3_s

USR Studio (LA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKngRmrcUYI

Story at-a-glance

• Stackable chips oftentimes contain so little actual potato that they cannot, technically, be considered “potato chips”
• One of the most hazardous ingredients in potato chips is not intentionally added, but rather is a byproduct of the processing. Acrylamide, a cancer-causing and potentially neurotoxic chemical, is created when carbohydrate-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures, whether baked, fried, roasted or toasted
• According to a 2005 analysis, ALL potato chip products tested exceeded the legal limit of acrylamide by 39 to 910 times, and baked chip products oftentimes contain more acrylamide than their fried counterparts
• There are more than 800 different heat-induced compounds, 52 of which are potential carcinogens. Three of the most well-known, aside from acrylamide, include Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
• Ideally, you should consume foods that are raw or minimally processed to avoid these types of toxic byproducts of high-heat cooking and processing. The more raw food, the better, but strive to consume at least one-third of your food raw to protect your health

To understand the nature of Pringles and other stackable chips, forget the notion that they come from actual potatoes in any recognizable way.
The Pringles Company (in an effort to avoid taxes levied against "luxury foods" like chips in the UK ) once even argued that the potato content of their chips was so low that they are technically not even potato chips.
So if they're not made of potatoes, what are they exactly?
The process begins with a slurry of rice, wheat, corn, and potato flakes that are pressed into shape.
This dough-like substance is then rolled out into an ultra-thin sheet cut into chip-cookies by a machine.

According to io9:
"The chips move forward on a conveyor belt until they're pressed onto molds, which give them the curve that makes them fit into one another.
Those molds move through boiling oil ... Then they're blown dry, sprayed with powdered flavors, and at last, flipped onto a slower-moving conveyor belt in a way that allows them to stack.
From then on, it's into the cans ... and off towards the innocent mouths of the consumers."
I suspect nearly everyone reading this likely enjoys the taste of potato chips. However, they are clearly one of the most toxic processed foods you can eat—whether they're made from actual potato shavings or not.

Begin and maintain your own garden.  Whether big or small, it is important that you save seeds.  Though most seeds can be planted at the same time the vegetable is harvested, it is great to store them in a dry, dark place or the refrigerator for use at a later time.

Here are some good tips for saving specific seeds:

Tomato – Pepper – Cucumber – Eggplant – Squash – Pumpkin

Let these and plants like these get fully ripe or just a little more than ripe. Tomatoes should be bright red; with cucumber wait until the vine is dead.

Open the vegetable and remove the seeds. The remainder of the vegetable can be eaten if still good. Do this immediately after harvesting; do not store the vegetables in the refrigerator.

Put the seeds in a cup with some water.

Leave the seeds in the water for a few days and lightly swirl occasionally. This will remove any vegetable gunk inside from the seed.

Drain the water and let the seeds dry on a rag or paper before storing, otherwise mold or fungus can grow.

Lettuce

Leave some plants in the ground after the have ripened.

A stalk will grow up that will produce the seed.

A flower will form and then a white fluff.

Wait until a large white fluff is produced. Carefully pinch the fluff and pull up. The seed will be attached. You can also open the seed sac and remove any additional seeds

Cabbage

Cabbage produces seeds in a similar way to lettuce. However, it is a biennial, so it only produces after two growing seasons.

Only harvest from the outside of the cabbage.

When is becomes bitter leave it until it begins the next growing cycle.

After the next growing cycle a stalk will emerge from the center of the cabbage.

When the stalk heads turn brown they can be removed and seed can be taken from them.

Bean – Peas – Okra

Leave some vegetables on the plant until they begin to become dry.

Most pods will start to turn brown. Mung beans will turn black.

Remove the pods and leave them to dry completely.

Seeds can be removed from the pods or saved with the pods.

Herbs

Herb seeds are small. Also, many herbs change quality in the next generations. For this reason it is easier to propagate herbs through cuttings.

Cut the end of a fresh stem a few inches long. Do not cut any that are beginning to form seeds or that you have cut from before.

Plant the cutting in a bag with fresh soil.

The herb may wilt and appear dead a few days after it is planted. This is normal because it the plant is directing nutrients to the bottom to grow new roots.

Radish – Carrots

Carrots are biennials; they produce seed only after two years.

Radish and carrots are easy to save seeds from once they produce seed. Radish will be ready to save after the first harvest, carrots after the second.

Leave some vegetables in the ground after harvesting the ripe ones.

Flowers and then seed pods will grow from the stalks.

Wait until the pods are completely dry and then pick them off. Crack them open with your fingers and take the seeds from the inside.

If needed, seed pods can be removed when the plant first begins to get dry, however they should not be opened until the pod is completely dry.

Spinach

Spinach grows like a weed.  Small, young plants will naturally grow below the larger ones.

You can allow them to grow, weed them out, or replant them in other locations.

Change begins with each and every one of us and when we know better, we should do better.  Happy Planting!