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. 😂
I so agree with Nick, you look after yourself lovely lady
I have so many of your wonderful recipes. Enjoy some time for yourself. We’ll see you soon!
Pheww Girrrl! You’re schedule is hectic and your energy inspiring. You’re no failure! You’re agile and adaptable. Power on with the Cookbook so I can buy it next year 🙂
You fail? Impossible, Nagi. You get that rest, and get some me time in. Heaven knows you deserve it.
Remember this is a journey you want to enjoy, not come to dread !
Take care and so many people are looking forward to your book, myself included.
Love to Dozer!
Everybody needs a break sometime. We can wait for your wonderful recipes. But we need to see this recipe book. Good luck.
Good for you Nagi (+ Dozer)! No one can do all the things, all the time, all at once. Such a smart move, see ya when you get back!
Take care Nagi! Can’t wait for the book! 🥰
You are not a failure. Everyone needs a breather now and then.
A champion.Ridiculous thought that you failed You have proved again that by preservering you can succeed.Love your recipes and instructions looking forward to the cookbook.
Take all the time you need, Nagi (but don’t get TOO used to sleeping in!). We’re here for the long haul, and expect you to be, too! A healthy cook is a happy cook, in my book.
Your willingness to pause is a great reminder to us all that there is no need/value in trying to do it all…. Do what we can, do it well, and we’ll enjoy it more. Be kind to yourself! Peace!
Nagi, totally understand, Brilliant move. Take care and after three weeks consider extending if you see the benefit. We have more recipes than we can handle to keep us happy. Dozer will be so happy to have you spending a quiet moment with him.
Nagi you are doing a fantastic job and NO one expects Superwoman (Super and wonder together). In and out of Lockdowns can be a a pain too but you’ve been a Trooper. Time to look out for you and yours (Dozer included) thanks for all you do – xo Dee.
Just wanted to add that it is a huge deal that you are writing a cookbook!!! Not an easy task.
From corporate finance
to following your passion
and now already writing a cookbook! Incredible.
Enjoy the process😊
So grateful for your recipes.
Please take good care NAGI.
Hi Dozer 🐾🤗
Hi Nagi, please don’t be hard on yourself. Your website is a fantastic resource of inspiration & hope for me during lockdown. You’re doing a great job & I wish you well with completing the cookbook. Look after yourself & Dozer & take care. Best wishes, Joe
Please Nagi, Release all feelings of failure to the universe, so that you can move forward confidently and without guilt to get on with your going to be amazing cook book. There are already sooo many recipes on file to draw from, so please, don’t worry, just do it !! Try and sneak in some “Me Time” for yourself, you deserve it.
Not a fail at all! I can not wait to get my hands on your new cookbook so if that means having to rediscover some of your old recipes for a few weeks that’s completely fine!
I absolutely agree with all the comments that have come in before mine.
Great chance to revisit some recent recipes and I am sure you won’t lose a single follower….we’ll just be even more grateful when you resume. XX
Don’t feel like a failure! Think of all the beautiful recipes you have produced and that we all enjoy. Now is the time for you to enjoy the process and achievement if a first cookbook. Go Girl.
Darling Nagi, this isn’t a fail! It’s a very smart move. Your priorities are YOU and dear young Dozer. The rest takes a ticket and waits. Everyone will still be here when things settle down again, and they will. Sending love and hugs to you both. 🥰 D xxx