It’s not always easy to find healthy, fun snacks to feed your family. If your children are anything like mine, they all have different likes and, once you find something that they agree on, it seems as if that favorite snack food has fallen out of favor.

La Leche League (LLL) is an excellent source of nutrition ideas for families, whether it’s introducing solids around the middle of the first year or providing meal ideas for a growing family. LLL philosophy provides a clear picture of what is considered important where food is involved: Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible.

Here are a couple ideas taken directly from classic LLL resources Whole Foods For The Whole Family and Feed Yourself, Feed Your Family. As with any information you receive from La Leche League, take what works for you. Adjust these recipes to make them work for your family’s particular nutritional needs and likes/dislikes.

Toddler-On-The-Run Breadsticks – Yield: 48 breadsticks – Whole Foods For The Whole Family (1981), p. 89

• 1 C. whole wheat flour
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1 t. baking soda
• ¼ C. butter
• ¾ C. shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 T. cold milk

Combine flour, cinnamon and soda in bowl. Cut in butter and cheese with pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Beat egg with milk in small bowl. Add to mixture, stirring with fork until dough clings together. Roll dough by teaspoonfuls into little sticks. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned.

“Having a “toddler-on-the-run,” I often find it hard to find something good for him to eat while he’s busy at his day-long job of exploring. Good take-along for League meetings too!” (Kathy Quinones, West Amherst, New York)

Avocado Salsa – Makes about 7 cups – Feed Yourself, Feed Your Family (2012), p. 143

• 1 2/3 cups fresh corn kernels
• 1 cup ripe olives, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ripe avocados
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Combine the corn, olives, pepper, onion, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, oregano, and cilantro in a large bowl. Stir until well mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Pit, peel, and chop the avocados. Gently fold into the corn mixture. Serve with tortilla chips.

New Beginnings is seeking contributors who are eager to share recipes and nutrition ideas, whether it’s an experience with starting solids, menu ideas for large families, or families on the go or your family, how you’ve approached meal time with a child who is very particular about food, or creative ways you’ve found to include fruits and vegetables. For more information or to submit your ideas, contact Amy at [email protected]. We’re excited to be inspired by you!

Please send your story ideas to Amy at [email protected].

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