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. 😂
Can’t wait to have your cookbook in my hot little hands and on my kitchen bench!
Good luck Nagi! You got this!!!
Hugs and take care. 💐😊
Hi Nagi! Thank you so much for making cooking easy and fun. I’ve never been much of a cook, but over the past 18 months of Melbourne lockdown, my confidence and repertoire has expanded (and fortunately not my waistline!)! I’ve graduated from never cooking to delivering five or more meals to my family a week! My husband and I love everything you do! Thank you for changing our world! You’re the best – can’t wait for the book!
You are not failing us Nagi. You are such a great cook & person.
We have lots of recipes on your website to keep us busy.
Enjoy the cookbook work xx
I’ve actually been wondering how you do it all! Overwhelming anxiety from too much too do, too many things you want to do and know you can’t, tons of responsibility, so many obligations to others, and the stuff keeps rolling in. This all takes a toll on all parts of your life. I’ve been there (hmm and seem to keep going back). So…break time!!
Just want to say, your puppy is just beautiful ! Just recently lost our beautiful girl & Dozer reminds me of her. New to your site but enjoying it.
I am so sorry…hugs from Dozer…N x
I love all your recipes and I will be first in line for your cookbook. I tell everyone I know about your blog and how great you are at explaining the entire recipe. We can all wait so you can focus on your cookbook that I know will be amazing
This isn’t failure. You’re my hero in so many ways.
Look forward to seeing some past recipes. Dozer enjoying the best part of foods so often. .the sauce😊
Nagi, you are amazing! Your recipes are amazing and dozer is amazingly cute! Please give yourself a well deserved break. We all support you and thank you for making us better cooks 🙂
Reruns! Yay!
Since Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching, maybe some traditional meals would be nice?
If this is a business, then you get to have vacation! Relax and feel the love. 😉
You take all the time you need. Stress like you have us not healthy and it makes Dozer sad. We will still be here for as long as it takes. Sending some mom hugs. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Love this and it doesn’t feel like failure at all – feels like a smart woman making a smart decision! Can’t wait for the cookbook and new blog posts 🙂
Hi Nagi. Just love your recipes. No problem about pausing for a bit to keep your sanity! I look forward to seeing the cookbook. My Ruby (a flatcoated retriever) sends woofs and wags to Dozer🐾
No worries! In fact thank you! There is so much recipe content in your blog it will take me years to fully explore and now I can slow down and savor your website and find all the great recipes I have not seen.
PS: As you fully immerse yourself in your cookbook, please leave your baby hands comments out. You have beautiful hands and should be very proud of the magic they do! Best wishes Nagi ❤
Diane
You’ve got to take care of yourself! We have somewhat learned to be patient during the pandemic. Good things come to those who wait. We will wait.
Nagi-
You deserve our full suppport in deciding to focus on the cookbook for now. Your philanthropic work alone is remarkable, but it’s only a part of what you do. Stay well, please. We’ll be fine in the meantime trying your older wonderful recipes we still haven’t sampled.
4:30 in the morning?? Stop that!!
Get your shut-eye. You’ve given us hundreds of recipes to choose from. Get some rest and enjoy the process of developing our cookbook.
Hi Nagi, take time for yourself and your cookbook, you deserve it! xx
All the best, Nagi! Well deserved! I’m sure the cookbook will be as fantastic as you. =)
We all need to put the brakes on sometimes, and it’s not like there aren’t enough options on here to explore anyway, try out new things, remember old favourites etc, take the time out to do what you need to do and also remember that you need to rest as well!
Today’s email notification from you gave me pause to ponder. Because of your enthusiasm, drive and devotion to your community, I am back in the kitchen eagerly scouting through your ‘new’ and proven recipes to ‘wow’ my carer and anyone else who dares wander into my space.
As a relief for my depression and anxiety, brought on by my PTSD from another era, your food blog and attitude have me constantly involved striving to learn and chance outcomes.
In short, you and Dozer, are lifesavers of the highest order. I am forever grateful for all that you offer in word and by deed.
Your ever thankful servant . . .