I have a couple of suggestions to help you up your intake.

Have you tried protein bars? There are about a jillion of them on the market, and they're not all bad. The thing to look for is the presence of High Fructose Corn Syrup (not good for you), and the protein content. Don't worry too much about the fat content, they're usually well balanced for active people.

Here's a tip: the higher the protein content, the fouler the taste. Generally, 20g of protein is about as palatable as they come. Balance makes a couple that don't have HFCS, they're around 15 grams of protein. Also, Zone bars aren't bad - for about 16g of protein. Trader Joe's carries one called "think thin" with no HFCS, 20g of protein, it tastes OK.

Another suggestion: there are drinks which you can buy off the shelf with high protein low carb low fat. EAS makes one you can get at the grocery store (only the chocolate is OK, and only if it's cold), the weight watchers ones aren't bad. I buy stuff online from Advocare, but I don't care for their marketing. Their products are good.

You are not weird for buying nutrition drinks by the way - I hear people talk about this in the triathlon circles. Smetimes people drink several cans of "ensure" before a race.

i'm posting late too but this is always a good topic.

too much protein will be hard on the kidneys indeed.
intake should be based on your size and the kind of activity you are doing, plus the kind of muscle you want to build, or if you are just maintaining or healing from activity.
the protein i use and like (even the taste and the way it mixes) is a brand made by magnum neutraceuticals (sp?), vanilla flavoured.
i use a scoop of it and like it with milk rather then water.
i aslo use a scoop of glutamine with it, along with a banana and omega oils in a power shake.
sometimes i use the glutamine by itself before strenuous activity.
glutamine is also good for the guts: intestinal walls, stomach. it supposingly heals ulcers, but i wouldn't know, never had any.
what i do find is that i don't feel any muscle ache or exhaustion when took it.
the glutamine i use is by the same company as the protein powder... a bit pricey tho, but high grade and easily assimilated by the body.
i know this because i can feel the results. :-)