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. 😂
Failing? Looks like you’re succeeding to me! 🙂
Great move, we can’t have you burning out Nagi!
You do not know the definition of failure, and I can assure you that you don’t fall into that category. I lost my husband earlier this year after 48 years marriage including being his career for 12 years and still run my business but I needed help from a psychologist to explain to me how far I had come since then and what I had achieved in looking after all those “things” after his passing and I was given a very good explanation of failure but you certainly do not fit into that category… go get your book sorted and most of all look after yourself
Hang in there. Not failure but learning self care and priorities
No! No! No! You are not failing! You are giving yourself the time you need to produce an epic success – your cookbook! And we are all willing to sacrifice temporarily missing our weekly “fix” for the greater good of a brilliant new cookbook. And anyway, I love the idea of revisiting some old favourites – that’s another win in my (cook)book! Go do your thing, Nagi xx PS And take some time out for you as well….
And is there an option to pre-order??
We will cope! There’s no shortage of of amazing recipes to choose from already. I made your bibimpap last night, and beef enchiladas on the weekend. Yum! Can’t wait for your book.
I cannot wait for your cookbook. So do what you need to do. I’m sure I haven’t seen all your recipes so I am looking forward to anything that is coming new or not!! Go Nagi!!
Hi Nagi,
I just would like to say you never disappoint and you will never fail. I admit I love receiving your recipes and I love cooking them and trying the new recipes BUT sometimes we have to do what is best for us! Thanks for letting everybody know and for giving us the understanding on what goes on to create your posts.
I use your site nearly everyday even if I want to try and cook something different I always look it up on your site first.
Good luck with the new recipe book!
Christina x
Take the time you need Nagi, you are amazing but you need to take care of your mental and physical heath above all else. Recipes can wait !! All the very best with your book
How could we begrudge you the time to finish what could only be an outstanding new cookbook on the block! Go girl and don’t worry about us. We’ll still be here. It will give us time to try all of your recipes we haven’t tried yet!
Nagi, you are an absolute gem of a woman, with the beautiful creations you share with your followers. You deserve some time-out to concentrate on your book project and yourself. We know you will be back with us soon. In the meantime, hope you and Dozer have the chance to “stop and smell the roses”. Take care and God Bless xx
Nagi,
You are my favourite online cook, your recipes are amazing and my husband and I just love them, but you need to recharge your batteries, catch up on some sleep for a start. I’m sure all your followers will be very patient.
You are an AMAZING lady don’t be so hard on yourself.
Will miss new recipes but good for you for recognizing you need time off. It takes strength to admit this so definitely not a faillure. Take care.
Dear Nagi, I thoroughly enjoy reading and trying out some of your recipes. Please take care of yourself and I am really looking forward to purchasing your new cook book. You have certainly made the right decision and this only comes with experience and realising you can’t spread yourself so thin or else you become run down and susceptible to illness. Best Wishes, lyn
Look after yourself Nagi and remember you are an inspiration to so many. May your hard work be rewarded and i hope you make great progress with your cookbook these next few weeks. Your loyal following will still be here.
Appreciate your wonderful recipes and very big heart.
PS. big hugs to Mr Dozer !
Nagi, “no one is a failure if they have friends”. And you have many, many friends, online and in person, who look up to you and marvel at all the excellent recipes you have placed on your site. You deserve a break and take it easy. All of your fans will wait for you because we know how hard you work to give us the best recipes! Enjoy and take care of yourself and Dozer!
Please take it easy Nagi – we all love you and all of your wonderful recipes. I look forward to your recipe book so please slow down and avoid burn out – it’ll all work out eventually!
I NEED this cookbook! Sometimes you have to say “wait” to some things to say “let’s GO” to others.
Wishing you all the very best in putting your cookbook together, Nagi. Looking forward to it! God bless🙏
You are definitely NOT a failure, but if you don’t try new things, you don’t know how you’re doing. I love your recipes, my go to whenever I need some inspiring. Take some rest, get yourself all geared up again, and off to new endeavours. Looking forward to your cookbook, whenever it is released.