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. 😂
Good on you Nagi. It would be impossible to do everything. Can’t wait for the cookbook. Look forward to seeing your posts and photos of gorgeous Dozer when the time is right!
Thank you! N x
We’ll survive. Good luck with cookbook mode.
Thank you! N x
Hi Nagi, I found one of your recipes quite by accident some time ago, but you very quickly become one of my favourite go to for recipes, because you explain them so well.
I signed up for your emails and I have never been disappointed
I just want to say well done you!!! I’m really looking forward to seeing the new cookbook.🤗
Take care of yourself and I love seeing Dozers antics and pics.
Naji, I’m a fairly recent convert to your recipes. Every single one I have tried has been amazing. Not one has been anything near a failure and all of them will be repeated many times. I am so looking forward to your cookbook. I will miss Dozer!
Good for you, Nagi! I look forward to your cookbook!
Dear Nagi, you can only do what you can do, and I think you are amazing 🙂 Funnily enough, just today, I pressed pause on my work life as well. I am a nurse and work in COVID vaccination clinics. After months of long shifts, I am exhausted and not functioning that well, I am starting to get snappy with people (especially my family) and when I am not working, I am trying desperately to get things done at home.
Please take care of YOU, and that gorgeous dog of yours, of course. Much love to you xx
Nagi, you look after yourself! Burning out will not help , and it is brave to admit you can’t do it all. You are not a failure, you are human. Devote your time to your cookbook, there are plenty of recipes on your site that can keep us going. Can’t wait until your cookbook comes out!
Thank you! N x
Hello Nagi
This is the first time I ever comment on anything online. I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your recipes and have cook quite a few (favorites include the super moist apple cake and your Beef stroganoff). I am so looking forward to your cookbook. It takes courage to step back and prioritize, it is never a defeat only a delay. I hope the three weeks will be fruitful. All the best!
Dear Nagi
Don’t beat yourself up,on your readers’ account.. We’re all with you, cheering you on the whole way!
Take a break from us, we’ve got enough Nagi recipes to keep us going on repeat for a while.
Take care of yourself and the golden boy, and we’ll look forward to hearing from you when you’ve got that cookbook under control.
Saving up for several copies for next year’s birthday presents for friends and family.
Happy writing and cooking and hear from you when you’re good and ready!
Cheers, Lynne.
I will be back! N x
OMG Nagi! If your fan base feels the same as me, we are in absolute awe of everything you achieve! FAILURE…NO! You have kept us going with your blog/recipes through this whole time & we will be waiting very patiently for when you are ready to pick up again. Love everything you do. Thank you ❤️
No, thank you guys for understanding! N x
Hang in there Nagi.
I look forward to seeing your cookbook when it comes out.
In the meantime, there’s so many recipes on your site that I haven’t tried that not getting new ones for 3 weeks isn’t going to put me out.
In fact, it will give me time to check out what’s already there.
Thank you! N x
Nagi, you’re doing an amazing job! Don’t feel bad about taking some time out to work on the cookbook – there’s heaps of recipes on your site to keep us all busy for a loooooong time and we are all so looking forward to seeing the cookbook when you’re done! 😊
Me too!! N x
We totally understand Nagi. Just so you know, I’ve become a relatively good cook and it’s only thanks to you! Thank you for your awesome recipes and get that cookbook out – I’m the first customer😁
Nagi-you are awesome for everything that you do!!! Thankyou for your cooking inspiration. This family of five appreciate all your hard work and dedication you put into delicious recipes. Looking forward to your cookbook to add to my collection.☮💖✨
Thank you so much! N x
Nagi, you’re a legend! I have so many recipes printed out ready to cook and many more I want to try that I have printed. Absolutely not a failure but a sign of huge and well deserved success that you need to work on your cookbook. Congratulations on your realisation that you have built a fabulous business. Hope the creativity flows for the book!
Oh, Nagi, you don’t need to explain, take the break.
Goodness knows there are still a billion of your recipes I have bookmarked still to make. It will give us all some time to catch up! 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful work.
Pause is very important, take time to balance and recharge, but get a bit of a rest first! If you can!
Thanks! N x
Navi you are absolutely amazing. Your website has enough recipes to keep us all going for a few weeks. You take care of yourself and I look forward to seeing the cookbook. Love to Dozer too!
Thank you! N x
You don’t need to explain to anybody that you’re pausing the recipes, but thank you for doing so. I always wonder how you do it all, I know it must be so time consuming. You have given me soooo many great recipes already, and as somebody else said, this pause will give us all time to try more before you post another. Give yourself a huge pat on the back, hold your head high and tell yourself what we’re telling you – you’re doing great 😊
Very kind words…thanks! N x
Hello Nagi, I know from personal experience how you feel. I also know from experience how much better you will feel and perform after taking a moment to take a deep breath and reasess things. Good luck with your future endevours.