Meaty Monday

There's a movement in popular media and other groups that my Cattlewomen friends and I don't like - it's Meatless Monday. The theory is that skipping meat on one day will help make you healthier and control weight. We disagree! So, Meaty Monday is our motto. I often choose meatloaf for Mondays because it is so easy and bakes in the oven while I work on my many other Monday to-do's lists.

Beef, of course, is our choice of meat. It is an excellent source of protein; a 3 ounce serving will provide more than half the protein most people need in one day. That protein contains the building blocks needed for healthy maintenance and repair of body tissues. Lean beef is a naturally nutrient-rich source of several essential vitamins and minerals we need to live well and prevent chronic disease. A three-ounce serving of lean beef is also an excellent source of  zinc, vitamin B12, selenium and phosphorus; and a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, iron and riboflavin. Muscles made healthy with this protein also form hormones and enzymes, and increase resistance to infection and disease. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that eating more protein can benefit weight loss, muscle mass maintenance, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and satiety.


Here's our family's favorite Meat Loaf recipe for Meaty Monday: 

2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
1 cup oats (quick cooking)
1 tablespoon dehydrated minced onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (6 oz) tomato sauce


Mix ingredients together, form into loaf pan and top with garnishes of catsup and french-fried onion rings. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Let set 10 minutes before cutting. 

For a 'fancy' meat loaf, I put one-half of the meat mixture in the loaf pan, spread sour cream and sliced mushrooms over the meat, and top with the other half of the meat mixture. 


The next best thing about Meatloaf Monday, is Sandwich Tuesday! A slice of cold meatloaf fits a sandwich just right, add mustard and pretzels for my favorite lunch.