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. 😂
Since you have already given us YEARS worth of wonderful recipes, I don’t think we’ll suffer too much!
Bravo for knowing your limits.
Take the pause you need. I will wait for your cookbook with excitement.
Take the time you need for “The Book”.
We’ll all be here waiting for it.
I now have time to perfect more of my favorite recipes.
Ditto to all the comments. Taking care of yourself is number one. I do appreciate seeing your smiling face and the delicious recipes.
Make sure to take care of yourself! Sleep, good food and fresh air will keep your batteries will keep you charged.
Thanks! N x
Please do not think of a pause in one aspect of your job/life as being a failure. Sometimes one aspect does need more attention. To be able to admit and acknowledge that is to be a successful person. Wishing you all the best!!
I will be there when you get back!
And I will be back!! N x
Look forward to seeing old favorites and the new cookbook.
(You and Dozer take all the time you need 😉)❤️
Oh Nagi, you have SO MUCH great recipe content already that if you posted some much-loved or most-popular recipes as a reminder to those of us still learning about everything that you’ve tested to perfection that would be just as awesome! I recently discovered your naan recipe and I have had to promise my boyfriend that I will never buy grocery-store naan again! It’s so easy and perfect and I have made it even on nights that we’re not having curry. I’m excited for the cookbook, and happy to comb through your recipe collection until you’re finished the writing phase!
Gives us all time to make some of the other amazing recipes on your site- haven’t made a bad one yet by the way!! You have transformed my cooking repertoire and I am getting a reputation which can only be attributed to you. We feed 15 every Wednesday evening and your recipes make the table more often than not. Tonight main meal and pudding is on you!!
Thank you for all you do- really hoping the book with be available in the UK
I hope so too! N x
We love ya Nagi do what you know is best for you, because……
Taking a pause is not a flop
You can’t do your job nonstop
You organize
Prioritize
But please don’t work until you drop
No one has ever written me a poem before! Thank you!!! N x
Nagi, it’s never a failure to take a pause and get rest when you are as busy as you are! Thank you for all that you do for us readers – I can say for myself that not a week goes by where a Nagi recipe hasn’t been cooked 🙂
Look after yourself x
You are an inspiration and a bright spot in your posts. You and Dozer deserve a break! Looking forward to seeing your posts after your respite.
Nagi, we all need to step back at times to just relax and “smell the roses”. Glad to hear that you will be taking some time for you and Dozer. We will await your return. God Bless!!!!
I smell them…Dozer eats them…am looking forward to it! N x
I’m so looking forward to the cookbook, so take the time you need. Take care of yourself and Dozer! 💖
I will miss you, you and Dozer are a wonderful start to my day. Of course you’re fabulous recipes help especially for this pescatarian.
Congratulations on making a very wise choice.
Thanks, Maureen! N x
Nagi, I love you and Dozer and all the work you do. Take care of yourself. And, take the time you need to do your best job. Cheering you on. Barb
Thanks, Barb! N x
You are not a failure! Good look on making a dent on your cookbook! I look forward to purchasing it when it is done!
I believe everyone will agree that you deserve rest and time for what you need as well as we do. Take your time, do what you need to, and rest. We will all reap the benefits when the book is out! Best of wishes for you and Dozer.
Can’t wait for the cookbook!!! Do NOT feel like a failure! Take care of yourself, see you when you ‘get back’. 🙂