1. Chop the celery, carrots, onion, mushrooms and garlic in a food processor or by hand. Sauté the vegetables in the bacon fat (or oil) until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool to room temperature.

2. Beat together by hand, or in a mixer using the paddle attachment, the ground beef and pork, the vegetables, oatmeal, 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce, eggs, Worcestershire, soy sauce, herbs, and salt and pepper. Sauté a small spoonful of the mixture and taste for seasoning (it's not a good idea to eat raw pork).

3. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Using your (clean) hands, form the mixture into a large oblong meatloaf, shaping as evenly as possible, on a nonstick-sprayed baking pan.

4. Bake 45 minutes, then brush with the remaining 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce and bake about 15 minutes, or until well-browned and cooked through, 160° F on a meat thermometer. Remove from the oven and cool about 10 minutes so the loaf will set. Slice and serve.

Per serving (based on 10): 409 calories, 24 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams sugar, 27 grams fat, 121 milligrams cholesterol, 736 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber.