J.
Hello,
I have an 8 month old and make all of her food, but even if you don't make it, you might find some help at www.wholesomebabyfood.com. I go there a lot to check out some estimates on when babies can have certain foods, as they have charts for when you can introduce them, as well as sample menus. It's jam packed with info and explanations on why introducing some foods may be more 'controversial' than others. At this point, I'm still giving her mostly pureed foods that are pretty conservative as well, though I'm starting to try and figure out what I can make for us adults that she could eat as well (to save time making food!), i.e. cooking spicy chicken breasts for me and my husband and one plain one that can be pureed for our daughter. She also has been eating the Puffs for a while now, as well some similar rice-puffed biscuits and the harder biter biscuits (I was nervous watching her eat these, but as long as you monitor them, they're fine, and super with new teeth coming in). Another option is to offer kernels of cooked corn, or cut up fruits (like honeydew or banana) rolled in crushed cheerios (to make them easier to handle). This has been a very successful way to introduce finger foods to my daughter, and show her that us grownups eat them like this, too (okay, without the cheerios!).
Hope that helps!
Jen