BBRRRRRR it's cold in here.

My fingers are barely able to move let alone type....14 degrees!

Never fear, Soon though the warmth and wintry goodness of my Arancinis will be spreading through me...

Arancini di riso are Sicilian street food of the best kind!

FORZA ITALIA!

MMM golden balls of fried rice, ricotta and spinach. Traditionally a Sicilian food staple, the Arancini is simple to make and trust me, after the first batch; you will keep making them!

To make arancini for 4, you'll need:

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 75 minutes

Ingredients:
450 g rice
450 g spinach
110 g freshly grated Parmigiano or aged Caciocavallo
300 g ricotta, put through a wire mesh strainer
5 eggs
A packet of saffron (optional), dissolved in hot water
Breadcrumbs
Flour
Salt
Oil for frying

TO MAKE:

Clean the spinach, wash it well, and blanch it quickly in the water that stays stuck to the leaves; when it is well wilted remove it and as soon as it has cooled enough to handle, squeeze out most of the moisture and chop it.

Combine with ricotta and a handful of the cheese. Boil the rice until it reaches the al dente stage in abundant lightly salted water.

Drain it and transfer it to a bowl.

Season it with the remaining cheese, 2 eggs lightly beaten, and the saffron if you're using it.

Mix well and let the mixture cool.

To make an arancino, take a heaping tablespoon of rice and flatten it out against the palm of your hand, cupping your palm to make a hollow.

Fill the hollow with a tablespoon of the ricotta mixture and cover the filling with a little more rice, shaping the ball into an orange shape.

Roll the arancino in flour and repeat the process, until all is used up.

Beat the remaining eggs, seasoning them with a pinch of salt, and dredge the arancini in them. Roll them in breadcrumbs and fry them until golden in hot oil.

Drain them well and serve them either hot or warm.

PRECIOUS - Antonyms: disfavored, useless, valueless, worthless

2. To See?

...Precious... Are you ready for it?

This movie will stay with you long after the credits roll on. I'm still in shock at the grit, the horror and that undercurrent of soaring spirit and human endurance that the movie declares. I felt I was being pummelled to the floor with each biff and blow dealt to Precious, the 16 year old suffering life long sexual and physical abuse. Though I thought it was going to be a movie to show me life for african americans in the ghetto, with an end bearing no relief, I was suprised how days after I felt the courage and the potency of the human souls' desire for betterment and fortitude through adverse contingency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx-3jYJkUWQ

KINGSTON TOWN

There is magic.......

in KINGSTON TOWN.

Meet Kingston - my new little rescue pup. Please someone, rescue my belongings from his vice like grip!

Who me? I've never chewed anything in my life...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT1Sa91N75E

Flight Facilities - Crave You

Song of the day! Is this not how everyone feels at one point or another......scrap that - most of the time?

Fat Freddy's Drop - This Room

The Here and Now

10. The date. The suspense. What to WEAR! As if this weren't enough... It's a surprise destination. Heels? Flats? Docs? Dress? Pants? paper BAG!!?

When a surprise is not a good one.

Alas, I know a location. Potts Point. A mecca of restaurants, cafes, bars & clubs - F*CK! It just got more complicated.

Being a Tuesday, i'll hope for the best and settle on smart casual with a destination such as LOTUS in mind. Luckily my friend is the manager and will aid a quick escape if necessary! Oh and did I mention the heavenly bar with delightful cocktails? Note to self: Best behavior.

If I could be anywhere...

9. Rugged up and battling the Sydney elements my mind starts to wander...

MUMBAI... hot hot curry, bright colours and a swarming mass of being, vitality, poverty, life and all things wonderful, weird, wacky and disturbing. Could there be any greater place for adventure and discovery?

Indian dreaming.

Maybe I should grow a mustache first?

Oh Behave.

8. All this action talk, all this eating, all this dating! I need an escape.

Ahh, Anais Nin - always there to help and has been through the ultimate sensual possibility, creating a language expressing the real nature of women's sexuality. Yes, we have sex and yes, we like it.

Perfect for an afternoon read.

Feeling Rusty?

7. When the new Robin Hood movie came out, I was dubious. Whether that was due to the fact I find Russell Crowe and my mother share similar characteristics, one might even go as far to say they are twins. It's disturbing. But Cate Blanchett? Well I love her and baring no family resemblance I decided I had to see two of our biggest Australian exports turn an old favourite (which quite frankly, i'd forgotten) into an epic. Epic or epic fail... I'm still confused. My approximate feeling throughout the whole movie , actually.

Pizza is good for the soul, & today? Your thighs.

6. Admit it , it's cold, you're hungry and salad just won't cut it. Want to binge and still fit into those jeans?

mmmm pumpkin, fetta and basil pizza...The healthy way! ... I promise.

Need it want it gotta have it...

5. The McNeil at it again. Oh how i lust for this metallic sequin top. So slouchy, so effortless with unbrushed hair and insolent pout. I would do terrible things for a top like this.

Insert fat to get flat!

4. Healthy tip of the day...

Well everyone wants a flat belly but who really has the discipline? Cheat your way to quick relief and tummy flatness with these 5 foods. Just watch the serving size!

Avocado - packed with betasitosterol, a plant sterol that keeps cholesterol low. And what else? Some types of Avocado (Reed or Hass) have lutein which helps keep eyes in good shape! Salad?

1 serve = 1/4 cup

Olives - These little suckers are packed with iron, fibre, vit. E and copper which is good for the thyroid. Did you know that during your menstrual cycle you crave foods rich in copper as your body uses it for the duration of your cycle...I.e craves foods rich in copper like CHOCOLATE.

1 serve = 10 olives

DARK CHOCOLATE - is it a myth? or is it true? Well the good news is that it is rich in proanthocyanins and flavanols. These help boost good cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure!

1 serve = 4 or 5 squares

Oils... Usually one of the first things to go on any diet. No more! Provided they're used in a controlled portion, olive oil contains cancer fighting ingredients and personally i think it makes my skin glow. Flaxseed and walnut oils are rich in alpha-linolenic acid. What the hell does that mean? Means it can be turned into omega-3 fatty acids, good for those of you who dont like fish! Other oils that are good for us are flaxseed, sunflower, olive, soybean....

1 serve = 1 tablespoon

NUTS about nuts... We've all heard that nuts are good for us and this is true as you can see they contain oils mentioned above that are beneficial due to their being packed with linoleic acid, vitamin e, protein, fibre, iron and zinc! Choose almond, pumpkin, pine nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts..Nuts also fight fat cravings and stave off hunger...so GO NUTS!

1 serve = 1 to 2 tablespoons.

DATE DILEMMA

3. Beauty inspiration of the day...

...Breaking into a nervous sweat about my brows and this date tonight...Are they going to get along?

To power brow or to Get out the hedge clippers?

Having seen Camilla Belle's to DIE FOR eyebrows, power brow all the way...Wish me luck!

Fat Freddy's Drop - Wandering Eye

2. Song of the day...

Fat Freddy's Drop! A boyfriend absolutely hooked me on this music... Perfect for starting the day, enjoying the day, ending the day, bringing in the evening! Everything...

The First Daily 10

1. Picture of the day...

Is there any more flawless than Catherine McNeil? I think not...

Black & White...Cigarettes...Amazing eyeliner...

All hail Queen McNeil.

It's not about reading the same magazines every month...

It's not about seeing, hearing, reading and doing all that is expected..

Being fashionable is not copying the clothing, it's about capturing the mood behind it all. The dreams, the inspirations, the bigger picture and emulating that and making it your own.

It's about being inspired continuously by the past, the present and the future that you desire... To be enthralled by the here and now and capture it to make it your own.

Each day be influenced by;

A BOOK

Open your mind to other worlds of fact or fiction.

A MOVIE

Observe creation in motion.

A RECIPE

Brave the kitchen or eat something new.

A SONG

Be inspired by lyrics or lose yourself in melodious universe.

CLOTHING

Capture a mood or be the person you want to be.

BEAUTY

Your body is a temple, pamper it. Push the boundaries of a new look.

HEALTH

Benefit your mind, body and soul by improving one thing in your life per day.

CULTURE

See, Hear or Do something outside the box.

&

LIFESTYLE

Dream of an unknown destination or put some love into a project for your home.

Ten new things daily...