Well, since we're eating healthier, here's one of my favorite muffin recipes. These muffins rock, and not just your colon! They actually taste really good. They stay moist for days, they're incredibly healthy, and they're a cinch to make. Banana-Cranberry Spice Muffins Recipe Source: Fiber One website 1 cup Fiber One� original bran cereal 1 egg 3/4 cup fat-free (skim) milk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium) 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries Heat oven to 350�F (the original recipe stated 400�, but I found that to be too hot and would burn the muffins). Grease bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with shortening or cooking spray, or use paper baking cups. Place cereal in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and crush with rolling pin or meat mallet (or crush in food processor). In medium bowl, beat egg, milk and oil with fork or wire whisk until well mixed; beat in bananas. Stir in cereal; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients except cranberries until blended. Stir in cranberries. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan to cooling rack

When my MIL was in her last years, what appealed most to her was soup. And the dietitician at the returement facility said that very often the elderly have a lack of saliva and lots of foods seem dry to them. Lots of creamed soups...potato soup was a particular favorite...made with real cream!..Cream of chicken soup, cream of spinach, home made cream of mushroom....and things like creamed eggs on toast. A very creamy rice pudding would be good as well as bread pudding with dried fruits. Breakfast doesn't always have to be eggs, toast and pancakes... and meals out don't always have to be non healthy. I had dinner out last night and I had a piece of fish...I could have had broiled salmon, but i chose fried flounder and a roll and a side of a huge portion of what they call "Normandy" which is steamed veggies, broccoli, cauliflower carrots and squash. There are lots of good things to eat at a restraunt...grilled meat, baked potato, salad with dressing on the side, a burger with slaw, soups...pasta. Just tell them to stay away from things like fries and the fish I had!...but it was good! Linda C

For whatever it's worth: A very kindly middle aged gentleman sales person in the housewares section of a Bed Bath & Beyond told me one day that Pam will ruin non-stick surfaces. He went on to say that most other brands are fine, But never use Pam on any non-stick surface. He also went on about he didn't know why anyone thought they needed anything on non-stick surfaces. But that is neither here nor there, Especially as I am one who thinks something IS needed! So again, for whatever it's worth, I stopped using Pam in my non-stick skillets, & now use a store brand spray. (I read the list of ingredients to make sure it differed) And lo & behold, my currant 'cheapy' non-stick pan is lasting a LOT longer than others I've had in the past. Same brand. But back to the OP's question. I always use liners in muffin tins. No spray, no butter, no grease, etc. Any drops of dough on the pan wipes off easily. I have the Wilton non-stick jumbo size, and love them. I like to use liners because it makes eating out-of-hand so much easier. And the muffins don't look naked. ;>) Rusty

Thanks for the suggestion. I often cook mini meals in ramekins. Today I even picked up some apples to make mini crumbles over the Thanksgiving holiday.