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. 😂
take care and look after your self,
Hi Nagi you have a well earned break .i will survive I have all your recipes on repeat. Big hugs to beautiful golden boy Dozer ❤️🤗🐾🐾🤗
He loves hugs! Thanks!! N x
I think you are amazing & am sure you will produce a recipe book as wonderful as your weekly recipes. You can do it!!! The book will be great. Can’t wait to see it. Good luck & have fun, too!
I will! 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.
Nagi your website is already boundless with amazing recipes – everything I’ve ever looked for on here I’ve found and then some. Always foolproof too. We will miss the regular Dozer pictures but there’s plenty on the recipes to keep us entertained. Also I’m pretty sure the first time I contacted you was to ask if you have a cookbook so actually I feel partly responsible! Looking forward to seeing you back in a few weeks!
I will be back! N x
Can’t wait for cook book
I can’t either! N x
You’ve got this, Nagi, plus taking a break is not a bad thing. More importantly, the cookbook needs to be great and I am confident you will deliver nothing short of that. Thanks for all you do!
I am working hard on it!! N x
Well done Nagi – taking care of yourself is so important! Love your posts, and love Dozer, and will miss you both over the next few weeks but am looking forward to the cookbook. Hope it will be for sale in NZ!
I hope so too! N x
Nagi, I agree with other comments. You have absolutely NOTHING to apologise for. A pause will give me, for one, some time to try some if your magnificent recipes I’ve not yet attempted. We love your work and work/life balance is vital. Stay well and good luck with your recipe book.
With love and gratitude
Melanie
Thank you! N x
We are here for you and understand, you are Super Woman, but even you need to take a break, so excited to see all that is coming. Sending hugs to Dozer.
Hugs back from Dozer! N x
Nagi
Your a Rock Star
You deserve a break
Don’t Eva feel defeated,
I love your creativity
And we all have those moments
Don’t be hard on yourself
🌹
I will try…thanks! N x
No worries, Nagi – I can take previous RecipeTin Eats on repeat for a very long time!
Good! Still a lot of good recipes to try! N x
Nagi, your recipes are amazing, all those I’ve tried have been successful & enjoyed by all, Congratulations on all you have achieved & good luck with your new book
Thanks! N x
The first time I wrote to you was to ask if you ever sleep!
Since then you’ve started Recipetin Meals and committed to an entire cookbook! You even kept up the pace while ‘on holiday’ in Tasmania!
Taking a break is not failing, it’s an affirmation that you insist on maintaining your exceptionally high standards!
That is the BEST way to look at it! N x
You’re the best! Take your time, Nagi. We’ll wait for you. Good luck and get some rest. xo
Thank you! N x
Are you kidding? I can’t believe how much content you pump out. You have become THE site to get a recipe during lockdown for me. There is enough content to keep me going for a year (or two!) To be honest I find the blog more useful than a book. Please relax…and take your time. You are a national treasure.
Hmmmm..not quite…but thank you!! N x
You are an inspiration Nagi! You’ve got this!! And don’t worry, your back catalogue of recipes is so extensive that we can have some fun hunting for recipes we may have missed!
Thanks! N x
Don’t feel bad. It’s great that you are focusing on the cookbook as it means it will be published sooner. Can’t wait for it!
The quicker the better!! N x
You make it all look so easy Nagi! Love your recipes, cannot wait for the book, so we will all be the ones benefiting from the Pause. It’s the furthest thing from a failure. Love your work!
Thanks! N x
Please don’t beat yourself up Nagi. I love Recipetin Eats. It inspires me. Your detailed notes, videos and photos, and your personality, are what makes your blog such a shining light. Without doubt one of the best food blogs on the net. Keep doing what you do best. And best wishes for your cookbook.
Thank you! N x