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. 😂
Thank you for your efforts in providing us with lovely recipe options. Take time and refresh yourself, self care is far too often not performed. All the best.
Thank you Phill! I must confess, it’s been so great being able to just focus on the cookbook. I’ll share an update soon on the craziness here in the kitchen! So many new recipes. So many great ones…and also so many fails! 😂 N xx
Take all the time you need!
We love you and are looking forward to the cookbook!
xoxo
freedom
Thank you Freedom! I have to admit it’s made a huge difference, being able to put my head down and focus on just the cookbook 🙂 Hope you are keeping well! N xx
Nagi we love you and will be here when you return! Plus there are a gazillion recipes on your website that I still have to try. We won’t be lost for inspiration while you are away!
Thanks Selena!! I’ve actually been using this break from new recipes to bring some old recipes back to the front of the website where I’ve taken new photos or redone the video. My videos from 4 – 5 years ago were a little….err…. different to the ones I’m making these days!! 😂 Hope you enjoy those recipes! N xx
It’s you’re taking care of yourself. So often we, women, don’t.
Both men and women 🙂 I think too often we put too much on ourselves! N xx
Nagi, your content is some of the best out there! Do it, girl!!!!
Thanks! N x
Nagi you are amazing, your recipes, blogs and your replies to some different responses from people is just superb. I certainly didn’t realise it took so long but not surprised. I myself have given up on fb drives me crazy so im back to emails only again. Enjoy your time with your cookbook i can’t wait to buy it. Take care.
Thanks! N x
Hi Nagi, I’ve only been here a short time but so far i’ve loved every recipe i’ve made (and been so grateful to find a wonderful Australian resource). I have also been so grateful that the website isn’t overrun by adverts. My heart is bursting having also just read about the recipe tin meals part of your business – just when I thought the website couldn’t get any better. Keep doing an amazing job, and I can’t wait to support you buy purchasing this book. With love from Adelaide.
Thanks! N x
Nagi, NOT Failure, Success! Because you are learning to take care of yourself and focus on what’s most important. We can wait for new recipes. Don’t beat yourself up. Learning to say no is a huge accomplishment that many women (especially) have a hard time achieving. Good for you!!!
Well said, Janet! We have to say No to some things if we want to achieve Yes for our most important things.
Nagi has been my food teacher for several years. And now she’s being my teacher-by-example when it comes to recognizing reality, putting a pause on recipes that really *can* be paused so that she can work on her cookbook that will be So Wonderful.
More importantly — Nagi’s keeping herself healthy and alive. For her sake — which is more than enough reason. But also for Dozer’s sake and for the world’s sake <3
Yay Nagi! Hugs to Nagi! Scritches to Dozer!
Both women and men I think! Thanks for your kind words! N x
Nagi, You are my ‘go to’ source when I need something fab to cook. I always have success with your recipes. And I can’t wait to buy the cookbook. Keep up the great work, but look after yourself.
Thanks! N x
Exceptional is what you are! Please, we are more than happy to give you the time for that book. Thank you..for all the wonderful recipes and time you devote for our pleasure!
Hey, we all totally understand. Please take a break. If I canake a suggestion? Can you “repost” some of your older recipes some of us might not have seen? I know they are in the catalogue. But reposting them will put them back in the spotlight. Maybe this is something one of your 9 can do? Just a thought, please don’t feel any pressure.
Hi Sara! You read my mind, that’s exactly what I am planning to do! Except it will be ME doing it, not one of my team 🙂 I’m the only one who writes posts around these parts!!! 🙂 N xx
You are too good to us. We love you endlessly. And I know that for me and my dearest, you’ve become part of the extended family. Please take care, and I’m so keen for this cool book!!!
No worries, take some time. We will still be here. Today is belly pork day in this house! The long low cook, making divine crackling, your recipe, our delight.
Love your authenticity, Nagi!!
Self care is super important! I’m glad you’re taking time for yourself, and setting a great example! 😉
Hugs!
Don’t sweat it Nagi! You’ve taken such great care of all of us with your dedication to sharing perfect recipes that are easy to follow and guarantee success. Be kind to yourself and we will take this opportunity to take a crack at the plethora of other recipes from your playbook we’ve not tried yet. Currently making your Massamun and the Thai meatballs, so not stuck for inspiration ❤️
Get some sleep!! Good luck with the cookbook. Great decision to just focus on it for a while. 😘 this is not failure it’s prioritising. We all want you to bring out the best cookbook you know how to deliver. If this means no new recipes for a bit – I think we will cope.
That’s what I want too…thank you! N x
Fully understandable and take your time to rest and recover from the works! Looking forward to your new dishes and a fully recharged you!
Thank you! N x
What a great decision! Try not to feel guilty. We will all be patiently, yet eagerly awaiting the finalized cookbook 😁
Thanks! N x
To be honest there’s so much choice on your website, I feel like I could make a different meal every night for a year and not run out of new ones. Can’t wait to see some sneak peaks of the cookbook!
Thanks! N x
Hi Nagi, Your website has become my go to place to find tasty, easy to follow recipes. I love to cook and have been cooking for a very long time but COVID-19 and lockdowns have exhausted me and truely stretched my love of cooking to the limit. Your website has helped to reawaken my joy of cooking, so thank you for all the time and effort you put in. Can’t wait for your cookbook.
Thanks! N x
Hi Nagi,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us, and for putting so much into your recipes. Please dont apologise , or feel like your failing. you are amazing, and have given me so much confidence to try new dishes. You are my inspiration, and safety net, and i am sure we will have plenty of recipes to catch up on from your website that will keep us occupied whilst we wait – drooling – anticipating how good the cook book will be when i comes out. Take your time, and take time for you and Dozer too – we will still be here – cheering – when you resurface. Thank you so much, and take care – Diana