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. 😂
You’re definitely not a failure and I have enough recipes stored for a months wait (or longer ) 🤔 will I miss you? Definitely
Will it be worth it? Most definitely, and as you say you’re only human so take a break from something 👍the book is going to be worth the wait good luck 🤗x ps can’t you just post pics of dozer to keep us all going 😁
So looking forward to buying this cookbook!!
Hey Nagi,
I just wanted to encourage you, from one “foodie” to another. It took this thick head to finally realize, sharing your passion is not a “Time Limited Offer”. Like so many food items we covet like wine, cheese, cured sausage or prosciutto, you can’t rush the things that are protected with time. Sometimes our passion runs ahead of our capacity to accomplish what our heart wants to express. But just like when a cart goes ahead of the horse that is supposed to pull it, that rarely works out well. Take your time. Be the fine wine or the Parmigiano-Reggiano that will not be rushed in it’s perfection. Get your rest. Enjoy the journey, and reject the “rush hour” mentality that says you need to get there as fast as possible at all costs. Otherwise, it will cost. Thank you for all you do. But please know, whether it’s an awesome recipe or an amazing cookbook. I will wait until it’s ready knowing that it was worth the wait. Blessings, Dan
Take your time, I need to catch up with the recipes. It’s just me so I end up having to freeze and eat later. I am learning to use different spices and I love how you list substitutes, and adjustments if you don’t have something. Looking forward to cookbook. Thank you
If one were to prepare three meals a day from your site, it would take months to go thru them all. Take that needed break.
Nagi – – Thanks so much for all the hard work [it really shows in all your postings!]. Take whatever time you need – – and then some – – you really deserve it! PS – best to Dozer
Dearest Nagi,
First off, the word failure does not belong in any vocabulary that is describing YOU!
It takes courage and strength to acknowledge that a change and alternate path is needed to reach one’s goal.
We are the lucky ones who just have to ‘click’ to get the magic to happen while you – and your team – dedicate endless hours making sure that that ‘click’ is the only step needed on this side of internet.
Above all, well-being of mind and body is imperative as an assurance that your talents will continue to be a blessing for the folks you help feed through RTE . . . those folks are the important ones in this whole show.
Your fans will not go away and yes, we will miss ‘seeing’ you and hearing from you as often as we have with new recipes to test, but don’t forget, for newer fans, there are many of the ‘older’ recipes that are not ‘old’ to them!
And yes, we will miss seeing and reading of the current antics of Dozer, but any snaps of that beautiful boy will be a treat!
Nagi, you are an amazing woman with a heart full of love and compassion. Please take the time you need to work on your passion project and the meaningful and impacting humanitarian work you have established.
We’ll all look forward to your return in ‘real’ time, Nagi, and find joy in your and Dozer’s company again. No pressure!
With Love and Caring thoughts from the Canadian Prairies . . . . Be good to “YOU” and big belly rubs to ‘our’ Golden Boy!
Thank you Alex for taking time to write that! N x
You said it perfectly, Alex!
I hate the fact that you see this as a failure – you are human!! Your body, mind and soul all need care. Please take care of all of you and focus on what you need to!! You’ve already given us so many recipes to go back and try again! Take care of yourself! We will all be here when you come back!! Hugs!!
Hi Nagi, we will be here waiting for you
I see a hard working, intelligent woman with no failures, just delicious recipes. You’re great. I love Dozer he makes me feel good.
After 40 years of running my own store, I have learned that I can’t do it all, though like you, I figure I should be able to. It’s a life lesson when you come to this realization so look at it as a win that you learned it before you burned out completely.
Your book is worth waiting for. Take care of you.
You are not a failure!! Enjoy your break. I’ll miss you & look forward to your return.
I try to eat few foods high in fats and sugar. (No butter for almost a year!) and have lost lots of weight— and feel wonderful! So any recipes that are super healthy are the ones I am looking for. Tried your chicken and cashew recipe last night and LOVED it!
Take all the time you need – just glad to hear that you and Dozer are fine! XXX
You have earned sort of a rest!! Enjoy it!!
Not a failure! Just a different path to your goal. You have tons of fabulous recipes you can re-post to remind us they are there! Good luck and go for it!
Breaks my heart that you see this a “failure”. Oh my goodness, Nagi. If we have not learned from the pandemic by now that mental health, sleep, more of a balance in our lives and overall well-being is not a top priority, then we haven’t learned at all!! Lots of love and support coming your way from the US. We have more than enough content from your previous work to keep us going. Take as long as you need. Saying yes to the “best thing” (your cookbook), requires “no” in other areas (web content). You are wise to discern this distinction!
Please take care of yourself, no one else will! Sleep and downtime are critical to your well-being and health. We all know that your time away will be worth the wait for new recipes and SO looking forward to the cookbook! So, no failure – healthy Nagi is better for all of us 🙂 I’m tickled about the pampering of Dozer – such a lucky pup!
Miss Nagi, everyone has a “defeat” somewhere in their life! Don’t forget, this is the world of second chances! Your posts are awesome, food and Dozier! Hang in there!