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. 😂
As much as I love Jamie Oliver for ‘doable’ recipes. You are next. I have made a lot of your recipes and I don’t think we understand what it takes to get your emails together. Glad you explained a bit in your last newsletter. Waiting for the cookbook.
I hope you read these messages and step back and see just how much you have done/are doing! Terrible use of the word failure 😉 Love your work!
OMG Nagi – do what you need to do!! We’ll all be here eagerly waiting for the next delicious recipes you so kindly share. I can’t even remember how I discovered your amazingness, all I know is when I tell my family “we are having a Nagi recipe tonight”, the fussiness melts away and we ALWAYS enjoy the meal. Can’t wait to buy the cookbook- enjoy creating it 😊🙏🏻
Creating is the fun part! N x
Ditto Lisa’s comment!
Look after yourself Nagi & enjoy this time working on yr book…..it’s going to be BRILLIANT!
It is good that you realised that you can’t do it all. We need you to take care of yourself! Best wishes for all the success you deserve with the recipe book. ❤️
Thank you! N x
Hi Nagi, I soooooo understand you. Wishing you the best of luck with all your projects. I am your biggest fan. Love your blog, love your recipes. Every single one I have tried has been a resounding success. Your eggplant lentil salad is a family fave. Hang in there, no fail here, you are HUMAN! Big hug
Nagi, please! Take as long as you need! Be kind to yourself, have fun with Dozer. Love your blog, and you!
Take your time and get your rest you so deserve. Your recipes are so amazing. Will see you out here when you get it all finished.
Thanks! N x
We all need beauty sleep, but most importantly we need our sanity! So its good to hear that you’re taking a pause.
Looking forward to your amazing cookbook 😋
Thanks! N x
We can survive without new recipes for few weeks 🙂 . So many I want to try already. Good luck with your book, take it easy and take some time for yourself. We only live once !
Thank you!! N x 😁
Good! We love you and Dozer and we’re fine with old recipes. It will help us to rediscover old favourites. You do you (and Dozer- give him a nose boop for me), and the recipe book. We’re all behind you 100%, and, don’t forget to breath! 🙂
Whew!! N x
A red will help too (plus Dozer cuddles – always Dozer cuddles) xxx
Good on you, Nagi. You Are Amazing. Go For Gold. Can’t Wait For The Cookbook.
Take care Nagi. We can wait until you recharge. As you are aware, it has been scientifically proven that Hugs, especially from Dozer is part of the key to rejuvenation! XX
Absolutely!!! He keeps me sane! N x
You are a winner Nagi! Take your time and take some time for yourself:)
You’re amazing website has SO many wonderfully receipes to create at home that I’m sure we will have more than enough to explore whilst you create your amazing cookbook and most importantly take some time out.
You’re awesome Nagi – there’s nothing about you that’s a failure. Good luck over the next few weeks and I hope you get some rest in between working on the book. There are more than enough recipes to keep your devoted followers going 😁
Hi Nagi,
Just to let you know I’ve been following you for a couple of years ,, loving your recipes and your descriptions, You are not a failure, you probably feel absolutely overwhelmed with all that’s going on , we all understand take your time to come back, we have many lovely recipes from you , Health comes first ,,
Love all the Dozer posts to,
Looking forward to your cook book , I’ll be after a few copies,
Love and hugs ,
Sue ❤️
Morning Nagi. I hope your book will be available to buy in the UK. Good luck
I hope so too! N x
+1 what everybody else is saying…
3 weeks…? Heck, take 3 months out, if you need to!
You are an amazing, inspirational go – getter of a Lady (with a capital L), but you absolutely must take care of you first, darling.
Stretching yourself too thin is not allowed on the menu. 😉
Big hugs from me & Golden Labrador Ted in Singleton. 💕
Thank you! N x
Good luck with the book Nagi, look after yourself! There are plenty of yummy recipes in your blog to keep us busy for a while 🙂 x
You are doing such a wonderful job. I love your recipes and comments and Dozer. Take it easy. We can wait. We have plenty of recipes to recreate. Come back when you’re ready.
All the best wishes as you juggle your projects … No failure. 👌 ! Keep calm 😴 ! and carry on Cooking . 👏🎶😅