Greetings,
The comments about grits made me feel warm and satisfied, so I had to offer a
few thooughts.

When I lived and worked in Hawaii, poi (pounded taro root) was recommended as a
perfect first food.  It is very special to the Hawaiian people and a a person
would be remise if they did not mention using taro as a first food in this
envirnoment.

For many, grits represents the same, a perfect first food and one that is
culturally familiar, safe and appropriate.   Grits are inexpensive and
sanctioned by elders in the family and community thereby making it much easier
to breastfeed a baby and then introduce grits as a first food.  Somehow
breastfeeding may be viewed in a more favorable light if they can be combined
with our traditional foods.

I grew up in New York, but my family is from the south (VA. & SC) so grits were
a staple.  We ate them with sugar, butter and milk or others with butter, salt
and pepper.  We often ate them for dinner, as well as breakfast.

All four of my children began solids on poi, pasta (my Mom is Italian) and
grits, though usually not all at once (smile)!

Jahaan Martin
ABQ, NM