Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be pressing pause on new recipes for the next two to three weeks so I can devote some uninterrupted time on the cookbook.
It takes a lot for me to concede defeat and accept that I can’t do it all – run a business*, renovate a home, work on a cookbook and maintain my existing recipe posting schedule. Lockdown certainly didn’t help matters to increase my workload – though on a cheerier note, as of Monday of this week, the lockdown rules have been substantially relaxed here in Sydney. 🙌🏻
I found myself getting up earlier and earlier (currently 4.30am 😩), going to bed later and later. And while I always declare that I operate best under pressure, the reality is I’m only human and darn it, I need my beauty sleep!!!
* Yes, I finally realised this year that I have a real business! This “it’s just a food blog” somehow grew into a proper business over the past year with a team of 9, including RecipeTin Meals, the recently established philanthropic division where we use recipes from the website to make homemade meals for the vulnerable community here in Sydney.
Another fail! Well, it was ok…but not good enough for the cookbook! 
Planning mode. No, this is not a cookbook for vegans…
I’m in a particularly intensive planning stage of the cookbook right now and am struggling to split my focus between new recipes for the website and the cookbook. To be honest, it was the cookbook that was suffering – because I would never hit publish on a recipe I didn’t give my all.
So on Sunday night, I made the call for the first time ever since I started the website – to temporarily press pause on new recipe content for this website.
It somehow feels like failure – this is my job after all – and like I’m letting my team down. We worked so hard to create a stash of new recipes to get ahead, test and retest them, make videos and photos. There’s weeks’ of digital media for ridiculously delicious new recipes ready to go, just waiting for me to write up.
The problem? It takes anywhere between 4 to 8 hours to write the posts, depending on the complexity of the recipes. As an example, last weeks’ Flan Patissier? That took me a good 8 hours to write the post, edit the photos, do the step photos, describe the ingredients and write the recipe. And many multiple times that in recipe development and testing time!
Yes, a lot goes on behind the scenes to produce the recipe content that gets published on this website. And I love everything about what I do, and I look forward to getting back to it!
The Flan Patissier recipe that took around 8 hours to write up. 
I think this final version was the 23rd Flan Patissier I made in the last 4 months!
But for now, the cookbook. I’m going to give myself 3 weeks to make a big dent in the cookbook, then I’ll be back with new recipes!
In the meantime, you may see some old favourites coming back to the homepage over the next few weeks with new videos or photos that I’ve had ready to go.
And, well, you know me. I probably won’t be able to resist popping back into your inbox to let you know how I’m getting on, and a peek behind the scenes of the making of the cookbook!
Until then, stay well! I’ll be back with brand new recipes before you know it.
Love – Nagi & Dozer 🐶 x
REMINDER: Mock cover! Mock cover! 😇
Life of Dozer
New discovery during cookbook recipe development – how to make Dozer eat carrots!!! Puree them with a hint of spicing, top with a braised baby carrot, drizzle with organic olive oil and finish with an edible flower. 😂
Looking forward to the cookbook!
when i cook tired, i have disasters like the mixer flinging my bowl of cream cheese frosting onto the floor. true tragedy. your blog is SO lovely and amazing! i can’t wait for your new content, but definitely support your balancing all your responsibilities. strong work, lady!
Good luck and I will be happy if you’re happy! See you soon
It’s so good that you’re listening to your needs and taking care of yourself.
You’ve been such a good recipe mama to all your hungry kids that we have a shitload to choose from while you do your thing!!!
Lots of love for your rest and we all await the cookbook and any snippets of what you’re up to!
Xx
It’s so good that you’re listening to your needs and taking care of yourself.
You’ve been such a good recipe mama to all your hungry kids that we have a shitload to choose from while you do your thing!!!
Lots of love for your rest and we all await the cookbook and any snippets of what you’re up to!
Xx
Thrilled that you made the decision to slow down a bit for yourself. Self care is so important especially with everything going on. Sending love & positive vibes your way!!
Don’t feel like a failure. You are being too Japanese to the point it is detrimental to your health and you’ll die of bile lol. I was an overachiever, a workaholic until I ended up disabled, then I had to slow down or I would just collapse. I must say that in the process I have learned the beauty of doing things one at a time and not stressing myself too much, which is detrimental anyway. You already have a huge and beloved website, I personally have only scratched its possibilities, and you have already brought lots of joy at the dinner table for so many people. Just relax and enjoy your work, and Dozer, if we the public get one recipe instead of four, we are still lucky.
Oh sweetie…you are amazing. Your recipes are marvelous, and the cookbook will be too. Take your time, take a breath (or a million), and know the that you are doing well.
Good luck with it all, just love clicking onto your recipes and with HUGE success!
First I want to say how much I love your recipes and blog. Second, recognizing you can’t do it all is a sign of humility, not failure. Being humble leads to blessings (James 4:6) Thank you for all you do. Looking forward to your cookbook!
Hang in there Nagi. Remember to take a walk break.
Good call Nagi. My family think I’m a really good cook (thanks to you). Enjoy this time to work on your new cook book and I for one look forward to buying a copy.
Even superhero’s need to recharge. 😊
I am 100 percent human! But thank you!!! N x
We all love you and Dozer, so take your time, get some rest, and HAVE SOME FUN. You know the old saying, “All work and no play…”
My favorite cover for the cookbook would be a pic of you and Dozer and your favorite dish ❤️.
I would love that…as long as he doesn’t eat the props!! N x
I might just cook through your catalogue Nagi because I like your recipes so much. You take care of yourself we will be OK without new recipes. Love your work.
Thanks! N x
Nagi.
You are doing an amazing job creating all of these fantastic recipes. We can wait for the new ones. It gives us delicious surprises to look forward to.
This cookbook is such an important step in your amazing, creative, culinary adventure.
Your kindness to others, and love of that big snuggle buddy Dozer, makes us all love you and support you all the way.
Thank you for taking us along with you. I for one, feel that i am a part of this wonderful warm recipetin family.
Best of luck Nagi and Dozer and to all the team.
Olive.❤️
Thanks, Olive! N x
I wish it sells in Egypt
If not then we can send you one! N x
Keep up the good work, and dont worry, we all understand your decision- the superwoman myth was dissolved decades ago!! We are so looking forward to the cook book !!! 💖💖💖
Thanks!! N x
Aww missing you already! But, girl, you gotta do what you gotta do.
The fact that all of your recipes are super, double delicious is testament to all the hard work and love you put into them and don’t, for one minute, forget we are very grateful to you.
But I will survive knowing that your cookbook will be my prize.
Keep the faith Nagi cause we sure have heaps of faith in you…..and your recipes xx
Thank you!! N x
Nagi,
Wishing you some much needed rest and rejuvenation cuz you certainly deserve it!
Make your cookbook your priority so your ‘baby’s is one you can be proud of.
Take care of yourself. Daily naps are great at restoring.
And take 4 was off or come back when you’re ready. No deadline.
Keeping you in my thoughts.
Lisa in indianapolis indiana, USA
Thank you … N x