I'd been thinking about getting one of those two-_layer_ meatloaf pans, the ones with the upper pan with holes to let the fat drip down into the bottom pan.  I don't make meatloaf all the time, but it did seem like a good idea. But a little while ago, I saw a chef on Food Network (I think it was Paula Deen) making meatloaf and simply lining the bottom of a regular loaf pan with a couple of slices of plain old white bread to soak up the fat, placing the meatloaf mxture directly on the bread in the pan.  I tried it, and it worked perfectly. One less widget to clutter my kichen! Diva There are two other ways that work just as well.  You can hand form your meat loaf and put it on your roasting pan to cook in the oven, or form the mixture into patties (long and narrow, or round) and cook on your Foreman type grill for individual mini meat loaves or really tasty burgers.  Of course with the minis you can't do the tomato sauce topping, but the speed of cooking is so grand.   Debra in VA See my quilts at: http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere http://www.flickr.com/photos/designsbydeb/

It's probably textured vegetable protein you're talking about (also known as TVP). I don't use it myself except as an occasional nod to soy bacon bits in my split pea soup, but its texture is much like meat.

50g/day may be borderline/enough for a healthy, sedentary 120 lb person as long as they are getting enough calories Nooo .. ~50 g a day is enough for a healthy moderately active 150+ pound adult, not just sedentary and/or of significantly smaller size. Check out WHO guidelines. Americans are very bad about knowing what makes enough protein, as well as what makes the proper *kinds* of protein. You really have to *try* to eat an exceptionally nutrient poor diet in order to not get enough. Yes, people who are ill or who are elite athletes or who are *very* active may need more, but not your average American.

While your average adult may be getting too much protein, most kids today eat a diet heavy in starch and sugar Kids with growing brains need fat and protein, yes, but the kids you speak of above are not getting an adequate and healthy diet, period. *That's* why they're in trouble. If you feed your kids a truly healthy and good diet with enough calories in it,, they're going to get enough protein. You really have to *try* to not get enough protein as long as your overall diet is healthy

No excuses now that I'm at home full time.....I have the time to re-learn how to cook again. I can't remember the last time I used anything prepackaged. For me, the crockpot and bread machine provide the convenience of prepackaged with the nutrition of whole foods cooking. IIRC, there are even several websites devoted to crockpot cooking.