Wow -- it has been awhile!

Happy first anniversary everyone!
Who'dve thunk it?  There are over 2200 members in Our Cook for Love global community... that's right we've gone global!  We have no idea how you all found us, but are very grateful you did.   We were recently approved for a google grant which means that people will be able to find us through search engines (right now you can only do that if you know the name of the site).  Isn't it all the more impressive that we reached over two thousand members by word of mouth alone? Thank you for getting the word out about Cook for Love. 
 
I would like to thank those who have donated to the site.  Without your support, we would not have been able to continue.  As we have said from the beginning, Rosie and I are happy to continue doing what we are doing, as long as we can cover our expenses. (hint, hint: first anniversary gifts are traditionally paper gifts)
 
There have been a lot of requests to come and do cooking classes. I only commit to a few a year as a way to help cover the costs of the site (not to earn income for myself).  I enjoy doing them and meeting all of you but this means time away from my family. I am lucky because Molly and Jack are still at the age where they like me and every so often I can even be cool.  I want to enjoy that as much as possible because I know the time is coming when they will want nothing to do with me, and my weekends will be more available.  Until then the cooking classes will have to remain limited.  I hope you understand.
 
However, I will be busy with the many other goals I've set for this year.
 
Our Cook for Love to do list:
 
1.     Nutritional Analysis of all of the recipes.  Rosie and I calculated the recipes using the Low Protein food list, but would like them done by a professional to insure accuracy and would like the calories, fat, etc. to also be provided.  We have over 50 members of our CFL community that have different Inborn Errors of Metabolism or medical reasons why they must also follow a low protein diet.  We would like to provide them with the information they need as well.
 
2.     More videos!  You have not seen any new ones, because they are our biggest ongoing expense and we did not have the funds.  They cost about $1,000 each to film, edit and upload. 
 
3.     Switch the Let's Dish blog over to a forum.  We'd like the site to become more interactive so you can let us know what you'd like to see. 
 
4.     Form a local support group through our clinic.  Calling all patients at Westchester Medical Center and surrounding clinics --- We Need You!  Contact us through the Cook for Love contact information to receive info on our support groups. 
 
5.     A pilot program to assist adults with PKU who are struggling with the low protein diet.
 
  
My personal to do list:
 
1.    Make the low protein bread recipe even better.  Yes, I am obsessed.  I have been working with a Food Scientist at the USDA (my newest love interest- hope it doesn't cause any problems with Bobby Flay and my husband). 
 
2.    Add new recipes to the site.  We've been creating, testing, analyzing and enjoying some tasty new additions. We'll be bringing those to you really soon. 
 
3.    Learn how to:
 
·         beg for money more efficiently.
·         organize paperwork better.  (I'd love to have my dining room table back!) 
·         upload photos for recipes and the Who do you cook for? section.    
·         change the pictures on the homepage so that we have a bit more variety!
 
4.    Get my local representative in Congress and the Senate to support the Medical Food Equity Act. 
 
5.     Get on Grill It with Bobby Flay.  (There is a fine line between persistence and stalking)
 
6.    Learn some basic programming lingo so I can link recipes for the What's New section. (Note to self: add web developer to stalking section.)
 
7.    Learn how to make shorter to do lists. 
 
8.     Last but not least read Emily Post's rules of Etiquette.  What are the rules about thank you's?  I owe some of you big thank you's for your donations and have not sent those out in a timely manner.  They're probably lost in the mess on the dining room table (see No. 3 on the list).  I am sorry for being so rude.  I hope that when you try the new and improved bread recipe you'll agree that my time was well spent.
 
So once again happy anniversary.  Let us know what you like, don't like, and what you'd like to change in the site.  We love hearing from you.
 
Happy Cooking,
 
Brenda