Serve Eggs Anytime
NewsUSA

The popularity of breakfast foods is a good reason to keep dependable starters, such as eggs, bread and other staples,on hand. But why reserve them only for morning meals? Planning breakfast for dinner is a good way to serve up simple, satisfying evening meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Astrata is one easy-to-prepare dish that can go from breakfast to dinner with ease. The word strata means layers and the layers of Tomato Strata Florentine are simply cubed bread, torn spinach and seasoned chopped tomatoes. An egg-milk custard poured over the top binds the bright-colored layers together and causes the bread to puff up during baking.

For single diners or families whose members eat at separate times, bake the ingredients in individual custard cups which you can refrigerate and reheat in the microwave. For a family meal, use a baking pan. Either way, you can make the strata the night before you want to serve it. Simply leave a note for the first one home to pop it into the oven.

This budget-wise combination is nutrient dense. Along with cheese and milk, the eggs provide about 1/3 of your daily protein needs, while the bread and tomato supply carbohydrates. Together, the ingredients add up toan impressive array of needed vitamins and minerals, at less than 200 calories and only 8 grams off at per serving. Other breakfast dishes make good dinners, too. Quickcooking scrambled eggs are easy to dress up with pasta or rice and onions, peppers, mushrooms or other flavoring foods. Poached eggs combine well with breads, veggies and cheeses.

Tips to help keep you energized all day

Gone are the days when three square meals could keep a person going for a full 12 hours. Our desk jobs keep us working indoors and we often feel sapped by florescent lighting and a lack of time in which to exercise.

Choosing healthful foods and eating five or six small meals a day rather than three larger ones will ensure that your energy level stays stable and you’re spared the highs and lows that accompany overeating or an unhealthy diet. Here are some tips on getting the most energy out of your daily food intake:

Forget what your mother told you about snacking between meals. Nutritious snacks made of fresh, unprocessed foods will help keep your energy level up over the course of the day. A handful of nuts, some carrot sticks or slices of fruit are good choices.

Stay hydrated with fruit juice, skim milk, water or a nutrient- packed beverage like Nu- Vim to keep from getting fatigued. NuVim, which is available in the refrigerated juice section of many supermarkets, contains the proven immune system-enhancing ingredient MunePro, along with vitamins C, E, B-12 and zinc; vitamin A; calcium; and complete protein. It’s caffeine-free and low in calories, carbs and sugar. For a list of stores that carry Nu- Vim or to purchase it in powder form, visit www.nuvim.com or call (877) 850-8777.

Don’t skip breakfast. It may seem like an easy way to lose weight, but you’ll find that instead of feeling lighter, you’ll feel lightheaded or even sluggish. If making breakfast is too much of a hassle, grab something nutritious to eat on the go. When you do cook breakfast, forgo the sweet stuff and choose protein instead; eggs or egg substitutes are good energy-builders when paired with a slice of whole grain toast. High-fiber cereal, such as oatmeal, also provides long-lasting energy.

Sit down to eat — but not in front of the TV. Focusing your attention on the television instead of what is on your plate could lead to overeating.

Watch your evening portions. Eating a large meal before bed is hardly energy-efficient. Instead, make sure your body gets energy when it needs it most: when you’re awake. A good breakfast and lunch, along with midday snacks and a light dinner, will keep your energy level on an even keel throughout the day.