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. 😂
None of us can be all things to all people all the time!
Good on you for recognising the priorities, knowing that you will come back to other things as time and energy allows.
Is it possible to just get a picture of Dozer each post, even if the recipe is a revisit? I don’t have a pet due to my work so I love the photos of Dozer! All the best Nagi!
Sleep is so important and so is taking some me time just to relax xx
Great call Nagi!
Take care of you. I wish you all the concentration and the calm you need to make a dent in such a collosal task.
Look, We get the newsletter for free. None of us has the right to blame you for anything. I’m sure all of your fans agree. Buckle down sort it and comeback when you are ready & able 👍. Wishing you the best. xxxx
Nagi, All your ‘fans’ are behind you with support from all corners of the planet. I love your emails, recipes and news.
You deserve the break to concentrate on your cookbook. Wishing you well x. Don
If you never posted a new recipe again I have enough to last me a lifetime. Take a break! Don’t be too hard on yourself! Hope the cookbook flourishes!
You might be an amazing powerhouse (you are!) But you’re not a robot and you do need some downtime! Plus you should be enjoying this time birthing your book, not stressing because you can’t give it your all. Do what you gotta do, can’t wait to see the results!
All the very best for the cookbook Nagi, you’ve got this.
We have plenty on your website to keep us going while you focus on what needs to be done.
Hugs to Dozer too. xx
Will do! N x
Hi Nagi,
Take your break, I’ll be waiting for you until you are back.
My hero
Hi Nagi,
We’re taking the word failure out of this conversation and calling your decision, maturity!!! Learning we can’t do and be everything is a great breakthrough. Well done. I will survive and there are so many previous recipes to explore while you are working on the cookbook.
Oh my??!! Am I MATURE???!!! N x
No apology needed Nagi, what you’re doing is awesome so take all the time you need and your faithful following will happily wait!
Writing takes a lot of time to do well. Will look forward to your book and new recipes.
I like your recipes and content and have used them in my group cooking events.
Excellent decision Nagi!
You deserve a break (even though it’s really a break…).
We so appreciate all your hard work and we would hate it if you dropped dead from exhaustion! I’m sure your book will be awesome. xxx
Best of luck, Nagi.
This gives us an opportunity to browse the old recipes and find new things to cook there. Plenty to choose from!
Hey Nagi, I’m sure I can speak on behalf of all your loyal fans that we already have heaps of your fabulous recipes still to make, so take all the time you need.. just breathe !
Whew!!! N x
Nagi – about bloomin’ time ! Take three weeks . . . if necessary take three months ! And a little extra to walk in the spring sunshine with Dozer. I promise you each and every one of us will be back the moment a post from you lands in the box ! ENJOY your writing . . . we’ll happily wait for the result . . . and a smiling you !!! . . . tons of love and a big hug to both of you . . .
I’ve been using your website on a daily basis for months and there’s so many delicious new recipes to discover. Not to mention old favourites to make again! Make the most of your break ☺️
Sorry. Please delete my comment. I misread it!
Don’t stress, better for the site to have a break then your health. Look forward to seeing what you cook up when you get back
Nagi – I wish you joy in what you are doing and contentment in what you achieve, but it will be with ill-concealed impatience that I await your return to work the magic you do.