Calzones are just one kind of hand-held pie that we enjoy. With some creativity, the possibilities are endless.These half-moon shaped and filled pastries are great for on-the-go breakfasts, nutritious lunches and, along with a salad make for a healthy, filling dinner. When made in three-inch rounds and folded in half, they fit perfectly into little hands. They can also be made in rectangles that more closely resemble fat Pop Tarts that happen to be full of refined sugar and preservatives.

These crescent-shaped pies can be made from pizza dough, pastry dough and puff pastry. They can be savory or sweet. Some are baked and others are fried. It is easy to freeze them and reheat or bake as needed. For breakfast, they can be filled with egg, bacon, ham, turkey or sausage, low-fat cheese and tomatoes. Drawing from different cultures, fillings may vary widely. Some might include potatoes with a smokey cheese like gouda, with or without meat with mushrooms, onions, peas or carrots. Vegetarians may prefer pies filled with vegetables such as one would find in a stir-fry. Tofu can be included. Potpie fillings, thick stews, baked beans and beef, chicken or turkey hotdogs cut into penny sized pieces can be used. Feta cheese, spinach and shredded chicken or lamb or fillings with a Southwestern U.S. flair would be tasty. Tuna and chicken salads with light mayo and, maybe some olives or capers might tempt some taste buds.

A hand-held pie containing lean meat, chopped apples and raisins would be healthy and provide energy. These pies can also be used as desserts when made with fruit combos with mascarpone or ricotta cheese sealed in a puff pastry. The pies made with pizza dough are the most durable followed by those made from pie dough. Puff pastry is more fragile.When planned ahead, these pies can be a healthy, nutritional choice that might just get children to try new flavors and bypass the pizza and corndogs in school cafeterias. Most pies can be kept in an insulated lunchbag and eaten at room temperature. What a great way to introduce healthy eating!