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. 😂
Chill! Give yourself a break! You are talented, creative, hard working and a lovely warm person. We aren’t going anywhere!
Oh Nagi we have so many great recipes from you already, although new ones are great, all that you’ve done to enliven our kitchens and bring joy to us via yum food is so appreciated and we’ll just try all the ones we haven’t used yet.
Take 4 weeks.
We will wait.
There’s a HEAP of recipes I haven’t tried yet as we also try to keep up with all your new recipes you post. Let’s all breathe a collective sigh and squirrel away in the background catching up. See you later Sister! !
So great that you’ve recognised this and are doing the right thing to look after yourself – very respectable and admirable! I am so so excited to see what favourites you’re going to resend!! xx
Good to work on the cookbook. We all have plenty of wonderful recipes you made and your break gives us the opportuity to look back and dig out those recipes we havent made in a while. Like shrimp with lobster sauce or a good beef stirfry. Yum. Take a moment to breathe,reflect, and renew your faith. For me that is in Christ. We love you.
Nagi, thank you so much for everything. You got this. No stress. Everything will work out and soon you will be planning the next… :). Keep up the fur therapy! 🙂
I might need some real therapy to get all this done lol!! Thanks! N x
Nagi don’t be so hard on yourself – your recipes are loved as are you and Dozer. Take a deep breath look after yourself xx
You are a wonderful great woman chef. All your recipes are superb. Take the time needed to recharge your batteries. Love Dozer too. Thank you for your recipes. Enjoy the fall.
What does gender have to do with skills as a chef ?
Just can’t wait for your cookbook, I already love recreating your recipes. Take the time you need, breathe, relax and create we will wait
Thank you!! N x
Thank you for all that you have given us since you began your sharing journey/ adventure with food in your blog / website/ honesty / fun / deliciousness and humour. Be kind to yourself.. you’re most definitely a treat WHENEVER you get back! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🥰🌈✨♥️
Reposting old favourites hardly counts as failure! I can’t wait to see what treasures you dig out of the archives.
Don’t give up
We use your recipes all the time
Breathe, stop
Navi, Will there be a recipe or two of dog biscuits for the likes of Dozer and our seven month old Flo.
For sure!! N x
Sending you love and hugs , you are Miss Sunshine , but even the sun goes to bed !
Thanks for being an inspiration with your recipes and take care 🥰 xxx
🌞 Thanks!! N x
We can wait Nagi. Look after yourself first. 😘
Breathe in breathe out. We will all be here waiting for you. Take good care Nagi and Dozer.Big squishy hugs and happy cookbook writing.
Whew!!! N x
you save my marriage, please send me the cookbook please?
You made the right call Nagi . There is no point in killing yourself and this is your passion so its definitely not worth turning your passion into a chore. I will in the meantime be trolling your older recipes (like adobo !) And that will satisfy me till you return . In the meantime delegate what you can, get some sleep, take a deep breath and then just enjoy making your cookbook (with the knowledge that your fans are right behind you cheering you on) x
Another person from the UK. Take a rest and give yourself a break – we all take on too much so take your time. I’m sure you and everything else will benefit ❤️
You are stronger for taking time to pause. Compassion for self, makes for a more compassionate and balanced being. Looking after yourself is the most important. We have plenty of re pies to visit and revisit….that flan from last week……