Question about breastfeeding & weightloss

[addysmom]

I am relatively new the the "vegan world" and I try to make sure I am getting nutrition from a variety of sources. In this respect I am healthy.

I make sure to eat a variety of nuts, seeds and other nutrients that contain fat, BUT I am exclusively breastfeeding my almost 5 month old daughter. I am wondering how much fat I should make sure to consume, or if it matters, assuming I am eating healthy otherwise. The weight I want to lose is coming off rather quickly, so I want to make sure that I am eating enough to maintain my milk supply and keep Addy healthy.

If anyone can help, please tell me in grams, rather than a percentage (that just messes me up). I eat around 1800 calories a day (which my doctor has told me is adequate)

Thank you! Sarah

[5xblessed]

OK, assuming you're eating 25% to 30% of calories from fat that would be 50 to 60 grams of fat. Nuts are an easy way to get that. I also take flax oil capsules (have been nursing for years). You can eat flax of course but I don't like it too much. I think a normal diet with plenty of nuts, nut butters, maybe some soy products and flax should cover you. I wouldn't worry too much about weight loss affecting your milk supply unless it becomes really pronounced. Nature is set up to take care of the baby and many women in developing countries have more than enough milk for their babies when they themselves could use more to eat. It's when the babies switch to alot of solids early and nursing stops that they get into trouble. Sorry if this is rambling but nursing is one of my favorite topics.
Lisa , still nursing 21 mo old, but his 4yo sister weaned :-(

[HoneyNBen]

Congratulations on nursing your baby exclusivly! When I went vegan weight just started falling off of me..so don't worry...Also, as long as the baby is having wet and poopy diapers...no worries...Just pay attention to your food. Don't eat chocolate in place of a nice avacodo, tomatoe, sprout and veganaise sandwich..( yum...I'm getting hungry! ) You sound like you're eating healthy and honestly your body is probally getting rid of all the yuck it's had stored away.

I run a breastfeeding support board...If you have any questions you can post there...Most of the ladies are carnes though...:(
I hope maybe this could help too.

http://groups.aol.com/breastfeeders

[capersmama]

I am a nursing mother to a 3 1/2 yo. Yes he does eat solids but per advice of a wonderful pediatrician..I am going to continue nursing until my son weans himself.

I recently joined a weight loss group(3 weeks ago) in the hopes of getting off the excess poundage that has built up since a back injury almost 11 years ago. Because of that I wasnt able to do hardly any exercise that helped me lose any weight. I am hoping to lose right at 50#s.

Any way...At the meetings I am continually asked if I am cutting back on my calories..and I just look at them funny. I am vegan and rarely eat junk food. Rarely eat bread...my flaw is sweet tea. But I have begun walking around 1-2 miles every other day..sometimes 4 miles in a day. I feel great . I lost 4 1/2 #s in 1 week..but gained 1/2 # back the next week ( I think due to PMS). But I am more active because I have support to "do as much as I can" instead of " you have to do XYZ EVERYDAY..."

Here is my question.. Should I count my calories? Should I cut back? I eat very healthful. And it seems the weight is coming off simply by my now becoming more mobile. Afterall..my weight piled on because I couldnt walk hardly at all. I just really wish I had some snappy VEGAN reply to come back with when I am asked this again. I am the only vegan/vegetarian in the group.
Most meetings tell us things we can safely order at fast food restaurants..(I dont do fast foods...we occasionally we do Run For The Border..lol since I already emailed the head company to see if they had a vegan meal..and they do)
HELP!!!

[Christa]

I have a hard time recommending that anyone strictly count their calories since I can't imagine that anyone could do that for life. Dieting seems to be most effective if you make healthy lifestyle changes that you can keep up for good.

I can't personally make much of an effort to lose weight b/c 1) I probably don't need to even when I am feeling a bit chunky :) & 2) I just can't bring myself to do so in an emotionally healthy manner (but I had an eating disorder for nearly 10yrs.) Anyway, the main things that I find effective whenever I have wanted to lose a few pounds w/out messing up my mentality is to cut out eating after dinner and try to cut out sweets and/or refined carbos. It doesn't sound like you eat a lot of refined carbos anyway & you can't cut out all vices (sweet tea!) or eating would be no fun, and eating isn't supposed to be an unhappy event.

If you are already losing weight with just the exercise, I would simply reply that "what I am doing is working for me" or that "I already am eating an appropriate amount of calories & healthy food, so I am working on burning off the extra weight through exercise."

People who are actively trying to lose weight can get caught up in comparing themselves to others, so they may be trying to make themselves feel like they are doing a better job by continuously questioning you as to whether you are cutting calories like they are. It sounds like what you are doing is effective at this point & you can always re-evaluate it later if you hit a plateau.

Personally, I find that I need to eat more calories than my non-vegan peers or I get a bit too thin. I probably eat 2200-2400 or so calories a day - I don't count, but that is close. I can't guarantee that it is b/c I am vegan - I may just be lucky, but the amount of calories that someone eating McDonald's needs in a day to lose weight is probably going to be a lot less than someone who eats whole wheat bread & vegis. You could also point out that the high fiber food you eat is lower in calories than the more calorie and fat dense foods they eat, and therefore you don't need to be as careful about counting calories to make sure that you are not overeating.

[capersmama]

Thanks so much Christa!!!

I think you may be right about the comparison thing. When I first started going I made it VERY clear I eat a very healthy diet..and that I honestly was joining to get the support more than anything and I was looked at kind of funny.

What you said does make sense...vegans do eat more of what the body needs to use....I feel that if I cut back on calories or start counting them..my body will rebel and hang on to the "access baggage" weight.

Thanks fot the words of encouragement! I am so proud of myself thus far.

[vegma]

Hi capersmama, I too am nursing a 3 1/2 y.o.! And we do need more calories to produce breastmilk. I think you're on the right track with the exercise regimen and continuing your healthy diet!! I liked Christa's suggested responses too:) Good luck!

BTW (off topic), I'm impressed that you have a ped that encourages child-led weaning!!! :) :) :)

[capersmama]

Vegma,
lol..funny you mention "my pediatrician"..lol..I have never even met him in person. Its Dr Jay Gordon ( www.drjaygordon.com ) I used to go into his weekly chats when I was on aol. You probably have heard of him..he has articles in parents and other baby magazines.

To be honest..I dont even have a local pediatrician. I go by what Dr Jay suggests..and if he suggests a real life dr visit..then I go :-) In real life I havent found a local dr/pediatrician that agrees with/accepts my diet and health choices for my family.

The breastfeeding message board on his site has been a GREAT help to me. Did I mention Dr Jay is vegan?? <wink>:D

[VOW]

I was interested to see that you acknowlege your "weakness" as sweet tea. When i "weaned" myself off sodas and soft drinks, I made the switch to iced tea. I can't use artificial sweetners, so I talked myself into drinking unsweetened tea. It was rough going, until I discovered the wonderful world of herbals, LOL.

My FAVORITE tea is Good Earth, although there are a dozen others I'm crazy about. One point I love about Good Earth tea, is that to me, it tastes NATURALLY sweet, without any additives!

Browse the tea aisle of your health food store. Yogi brand teas and Celestial Seasonings teas have extremely flavorful blends that don't need any sweeteners, either, IMHO. And once in a while you'll even find a tea blend which includes Stevia, a natural sweetener from Peru.

If you simply MUST get that sweet flavor, though, I'd suggest getting a box or a bottle of Stevia and adding just a bit to your next pitcher of tea. GREAT stuff!!


~VOW

[capersmama]

I am gradually weaning myself off of sweet tea..I have been doing good. Originally my family would make a gallon of tea and use 1 cup of sugar per gallon (not bad compared to other stories I have heard :-/ ) Now I am down to a hair over 1/3 a cup...before long I hope to be drinking unsweetened tea and not feel the pangs of missing out on something :-)

[HoneyNBen]

First I would really like to invite everyone to join this board.... www.groups.aol.com/breastfeeders. I would really like to get some more vegan moms there. Also, I see some of you are nursing 3year olds and there have been some questions there about weaning and such. My children weaned theirselves at 15months and 19months, so I do not feel 'qualified' to offer advice on older children. Your help would really be appreciated. So...go ahead...take a gander and lend some advice.

**********************************

On the weightloss and counting calories...I too have the same problem with weight. I have problems with my legs due to an epidural I received with my first child. Then I was put on steroids and bed rest with my second child. Then to top it all off...they're only 17months apart. So I too have a lot of weight. Luckily though this past year I have lost 45lbs just from becoming vegan. My husband has lost around 60. We've tapered off a bit, but since he's been doing physical labor and I've been turning my inlaws jungle into a yard and organic garden we're getting in shape. I don't count calories, I just make sure it's vegan. As my husband says..."You know, it's good to eat some junk food every now and then and still lose weight." By the way...congrats on what you've lost and keep up the good work. I think you're doing the right thing. Also, even though your weight isn't as fast as the others...remember...yours will stay off. And, you will have a healthier you!

[capersmama]

HoneyNBen
I would love to join your group ..but I dont have aol so it wont let me in :-(

Thanks soooooo much for your words of encouragement!!! I went to my TOPS meeting tonight..and lost another 2 1/2 #s :D

We have been playing badmitten for the last 3 days..and I have noticed my back isnt hurting nearly like I expected it to be. Actually..my hiney and arms are SORE! but its a good sore..lol..ya know?? Like Im actually doing something.

I think I will stay with my 1st inclination and y'alls advice of just exercise and eat healthy..and it will come off. Thanks so much for listening..and advising me. I really was a bit worried.

Alice

[HoneyNBen]

You can still join. My friend doesn't have aol and she's on there. She's vegan...Anika's mama is her name. I'll ask her how she did it. ???? But even if you don't have aol you can still join.

[capersmama]

I can??!!??!! Great! Find that backdoor and I will definatly give a try :D Aol is a booger isnt it? lol

[durkfx]

Hello!

I'm a frequent traveling, homeschooling, newly vegan, extended breastfeeding (31 months), 20 pound overweight, high-cholesterol wielding (203) mommy who has to eat out frequently. I'm/we're trying to follow John McDougall's program.

I'm very happy to discover the www.vegdining.com website, although I'm wishing really hard for a vegan fast food drive through phenomena to swoop through the country and be on every corner soon!

I tried to join the aol bf support group, but the link says the website couldn't be found?

I look forward to learning from all of you!

[HoneyNBen]

Durkfx, try the board again. Sometimes it's a bit anal and doesn't want to work.

Also, there's a famous heart doctor who puts his patients on a vegan diet and it actually reverses everything. I've read his book, but I can't remember the name of him or the book. I remember he lived in hawaii and how people who had been given up on by the 'conventional' medical world became new people when he got a hold of them. ERR!! If anyone thinks of that name let me know...I'm going to have to find it...ok...this is driving me nuts! It wasn't "Diet for a new America" I don't think...I don't know... Anyways, I'll find that book...we're moving in /living with the in-laws right now and I don't have access to my books. The kids homeschool stuff took prioritiy and I never thought I'd need it agian! :)

As to eating out...Taco Bell,Burger King and Papa Johns oh and Fazoli's! Yum! Pasta with marinara sauce and their breadsticks...All you can eat breadsticks...SO GOOD! and Vegan too! Also, Steak and Shakes french fries are vegan also.( Wouldn't guess it huh? :) )
Wendy's fries are vegan but they are made from genetically modified potatoes. Steak and Shake and Bk's aren't.

I do feel your pain about the eating out. I miss the quickness/availability of foods to eat on the run. But it don't miss the extra roll I had around my waist! So...no worries! :)

Pack on the weight vs pack 'in some snacks. I'll pack the snacks! :D

[durkfx]

Dear Honey,
Thanks for your info.! Of course, I guess McDonald's fries wouldn't taste so good if they were vegan or healthy,eh?! And I'm sad to learn Chik-Fil-A doesn't have organic vegan chiken sandwiches and waffle fries!

I'm new at this, so bear with me. What's vegan at Papa Johns? When we're weak and indulgent (more often than we'd like) we favor their extra chees pizza. Ouch, I know. But we love cheese. Especially melted gooey cheese. I'm unbelievably proud of myself for going 30 days (I'm counting) without any. I think about it every day. I'm an addict:-(

Ok, so the thing to order from PJ's is a veggie pizza without cheese? The ingredients don't have GMOs? This might be a great discovery for us.

I hear BK has a veggie burger? Is it vegan?

I live in hotel rooms 6-8 months of the year with my 5 and 2 yo children. We must eat out all our meals. We end up eating a lot of snack food from whatever health food store I can find because we can't find a lot of suitable restaurants.

I also can't afford to eat at sit down places 3x per day (I mean this financially as well as mentally)! Dealing with my 2yo in restaurant situations alone (while my husband works) day after day is exhausting.

John McDougall, MD is from Hawaii and now lives in Napa Valley, CA. Is that who you're thinking of?

I, too, homeschool. Good luck with your move!

[capersmama]

HoneyNBen,
You are thinking of Dr McDougall. Isn't he weonderful?? :-)

[capersmama]

Did I misunderstand?? I could have sworn the Burger King french fries were vegan. I thought I read on this board many months back that they were. HELP!

I know McDonald's fries aren't. Or even if they have "changed the recipe" no..I wouldnt trust them anyways :-/

At Taco Bell we usually order the bean Burritos w/o cheese. According to the info Taco Bell sent me..their tortillas are considered vegan..and their refried beans only have vegetable oil.

As for the Veggie burgers at BK..Unless they have changed their recipe..their buns are made with dairy...and they usually add mayo. It sure would be nice if they would change to non dairy buns..and possibly a "tofu nayonaise" for their vegan customers.

[durkfx]

Capersmama,
HoneyNB wrote that BK fries are vegan and do not contain GMOs like Wendy's fries.

I really like McDougall's website. It's helped me tremendously. How I wish I could go to Costa Rica with them too!

[durkfx]

Does anyone know of or use this?

[HoneyNBen]

NOOOOO!!! Peta said the veggie burgers were vegan and that you just needed them to bake them in the microwave instead of sending them through the conveyer!!! Ok...I'm going to freak out here! Somone help!!!! I'm going to be sick!!!!! YUCK!!!

Ok, unfortunantly no restaurant so far uses organic produce. Luckily there are a few who use non-GMO. Hardees, Wendy's, McDonalds and a few others were called and asked by OG magazine if they used non-gmo, the only ones who responded back were the one's who didn't...BK and I think there was another restaurant, but I don't have them around here. I asked the Steak n Shake manager and he said they didn't use GMO. He didn't seem to be pulling something out of his butt, so I believe him. I do know that McDonalds is using Paul Newman's dressings now and they're organic and he sends all of his proceeds to charity. So...eating a salad and you can deal with the possibility a greasy burger hasn't been dropped in it, then stop at Micky D's! Sorry...sometimes I 'm just EVIL! hehe!

Oh! Hey...if you're on the road a lot buy a dehydrator, they don't take up a lot of space and you could make your kids fruit roll-ups out of applesauce and dried fruits too. Also buy a bread machine. They're worth their weight in gold and they make delicious breads in 2-3 hours. Get one with a timer and you could wake up to fresh bread. Flour can be bought anywhere and anything tastes better with fresh bread. Do I hear an Amen?! AMEN! About a few years ago my husband, me (pregnant), and son lived on 25.00$ worth of groceries a month ( Long story that just tells you how mean people can be.). Nothing was organic and we ate a lot of pb and j's oh and we weren't vegan...just veggetarian. So I know that it' s possible to do it. Though I wouldn't recommend it. Oh and you can also make pizza dough out of your bread machine. Get a little toaster oven and voila! Make personal pizza's. A cooler will keep the dough fresh while you wait.

Also, ( Very sorry this is so long!) I was someone who liked a little pizza with my cheese, and I'd just look at my vegan friend when she ordered pizza with JUST vegetables, but it's really good. Order extra sauce, (tell them you have a severe dairy allergy and that your children will be in the hospital within minutes and someone will pay if harm comes to your child...), all the veggies you like/they have, ask them to go heavier on the veggies since you're not getting cheese. Normally they will also it really helps to talk to the manager instead of going through every one else. When you give the allergy story say you don't mean to step on toes...la-da-da, but your children are very important and you know they'd do the same if it was theirs...Always pull them into your situation. We live in a podunk town and that's the only way I know I'll get things done right. I hate to lie, but a lot of people think you should just "pick it off!" Makes me so mad! Ok...I'm done rambling! ;) Hopefully you have a better experience somewhere else to where you don't have to threaten people the way I do! :)

All righty...I'm going now! :D

[HoneyNBen]

:oMan! I'm sorry! This little square made it not seem that long...I guess you really should view it before you post!!! :o

[HoneyNBen]

Hey someone said the hardest part of a journey is the first step, so keep it up! You're doing great! We're all proud of you! I and my family are only a year vegan so I know how it was wondering what we were going to eat, if we'd like the soy milk...so welcome to the vegan side!

( Our pediatrition said our kids are the healthiest he's ever seen...no antibiotics, only a few vaccines till I discovered..actually experienced more...stuff, and they've been vegan or vegetarian all most their whole lives. Can we all say thank you to non-supportive grandparents? (Notice the sarcasm! ;)

[5xblessed]

Just wanted to add to the other suggestions. Get a Crockpot. They come from small to really big. They can be plugged in anywhere. You can make hot cereals (plug in the night before), casseroles, soups, stews. all kinds of stuff. I use mine alot due to really hectic schedule and living in a town so small there are no fast food restaurants ( not really a minus I guess). Hang in there, and yes, I've used the allergy story too. Hate to lie but what ya' goin' to do?
Lisa

[capersmama]

*****Bk's buns have dairy?!?
NOOOOO!!! Peta said the veggie burgers were vegan and that you just needed them to bake them in the microwave instead of sending them through the conveyer!!! Ok...I'm going to freak out here! Somone help!!!! ******

Maybe I was misinformed then. I was under the impression that the buns did contain trace amounts of dairy. Maybe this problem has been rectified. Go with what PETA says :-) On the subject...when you order the veggie burger at BK ..will you really get the soy burger with it? Or is it just veggies and no pattie?

TIA

[Erin Pavlina]

Bk veggie burger is vegan, but the bun contains a trace amount of dairy. I believe PETA endorses the burger because of their vegetarian members and because they believe it's better to support the thing than not.

Seasilver - we were sent a sample of Seasilver a while ago. Good stuff. I would try it if you are interested in it. It's vegan.

Mcdonald's has an all vegan veggie burger now. The bun is vegan too. The patty was developed with Yves. I've had it a couple of times and it's okay, but not as good as a Garden Burger Flame Grilled patty.

[durkfx]

Ok. Let me see if I got all this.
BK veggie patty is vegan, order without the bun. Taste is ok. McD veggie burger is all vegan, only ok taste too.

I think Flame Grilled Garden Burgers are the frozen ones at the store, right? I've not tried them yet, but they're in my freezer. We've fallen in love with the frozen Amy's California Burgers! We also like the Boca Vegans, but when I looked at the ingredients closely, I got a little scared at all the items I couldn't pronounce. I think I'd rather eat the extra fat in the all natural Amy's instead if I have a choice.

We just ordered our very first vegan Pappa John's pizza with extra pineapple, hold the onions and green peppers per my kids request. That leaves mushrooms, which they add Bragg's or A1 sauce to! The adult side has shrooms, olives, onions, green peppers, jalepenos and banana peppers.

My husband and I really like it. My 2.5yo did an ok job with the shrooms, but my 5yo picked ate all the pineapple, said she doesn't like pizza w/o cheese and may she please just have some baked vegan beans or something?
3 out of 4 isn't too bad for our first try I guess. We're in the middle of a garage sale out in the hot sun, so this was the perfect opp to try one.

The sweet, childless, very overweight manager was very understanding about our request and even offered to put a note on our account never to use cheese on our pies. He knows he could benefit from a better diet too he said.

Does the person who recm'd a crockpot for my hotel stays have any recipes to share?

I do travel with a toaster oven and ask for rooms with micros and tiny fridges if possible.

I've never used a bread machine, however. It's something I could do in the room?

I got the seasilver and we like it . It's not cheap, but I figure with all the different places/people/hotels/germs we're exposed to, we should all be using supplements regularly and especially while we're transitioning to straight vegan eating.


I'm glad to read some of you use enriched rice milk to get your vit. b12. I like that option.

Thanks so much for all your insight! This website is such a valuable resource!

Thanks for taking your time to moderate, Erin.
Sorry for the length!

[5xblessed]

About the crockpot. I don't want to post recipes so I'll just tell you some easy stuff I do. Oatmeal for breakfast: Just put in the oats and add enough water to make it a little soupy, plug in on low before you go to bed and voila, hot cereal for breakfast. You can add some dried fruits too, I usually top with vanilla soy milk and raisins. I also make rice pudding to serve for breakfast sometimes. Of course you can make veggie soup or chili. Just dump in your ingredients and turn it on. If you use pasta in your soup don't add it until later in the cooking or it goes mushy. I also make potato soup and broccoli soup in mine, oh and split pea. Possibilites are endless. I make curries with cauliflower, potatoes and peas, "enchilada" casserole by layering beans and veggies and enchilada sauce with tortillas, parsnips, carrots and turnips with some sugar and water and some vegan margarine, cabbage, potatoes and apples with vinegar and sugar and water to taste and a family favorite BBQ Lentils just lentils, water and appropriate BBQ sauce and cook. I got some slow cooker recipe books and picked the things that work for us and altered others using vegan ingredients. I hope this helps.
Lisa

[Erin Pavlina]

Yes, Flame Grilled are frozen in the store. they're awesome.

There is a vegan cheese that melts and tastes great that you should be aware of. Go to www.imearthkind.com to check it out.

If you have a copy of my book it comes with a great set of coupons for the cheese and many other veg products.

We make veggie pizzas all the time in the toaster oven and my daughter loves it. Sauce and this vegan cheese on some sourdough bread. Sometimes veggies or pineapple too.

[durkfx]

Thanks, Erin! I also saw your review of Angel's cheese and might order some when I feel wealthy! The shipping to the east coast is rather costly, but it sounds great. I enjoyed surging their website and seeing their big traveling house too. You guys are so spoiled in CA with all the health-type things nearby. I'm jealous!

[Erin Pavlina]

Oh I had lunch with Angel a few days ago and she said the East coast is getting distribution now. You might be able to find the cheese in your store. Tell the store in your area that they can order it now.

[go4green]

I tried to link up to the breastfeeding group, I was guided to 10 groups, which one?

I have questions about my daughter wiggling while she nurses, she's 1 year, sometimes it hurts! I would like to continue to nurse as long as she needs it.

[go4green]

I was advised not to use Stevia while breastfeeding because it's herbal, but other natural fruit sweetners were supposed to be ok including SugarNot from dixie diner, which I haven't tried:) my friend swears by it.

[go4green]

Why don't these fast food joints just offer garden burgers???
I know BK's taste BAD (to me) I order it with XtraXtra lettuce tomatoes onions, ketchup and mustard, if I am in a pinch and no other food is available. The last time I checked BK's salad dressing had dairy.

That's interesting about the fries, I will have to try MD's new veggie, maybe my letter to the president helped, I told them they need to provide healthy food and it would be easy to taste better than BK! HA Ha HA.

The really great news is, the more people have *allergies* and ask questions the more things will change!

[HoneyNBen]

http://groups.aol.com/breastfeeders

that is the 'short-cut'. If you can't link to it...when you read the description it says, "Breastfeeders, ex's or those who will soon be breastfeeders.."

It's a member created page. Just look for my name at the top by founder if you're not sure if you're in the right board.

As to your daughters wigglin'! everytime she hurts you stop nursing and let her know it hurts. She'll get the point that settling down lets her nurse. Also, try to nurse in an empty boring room. I remember when the kids did that. Everytime my husband walked by they'd take nipple and all and turn their heads to watch him. I'd holler BEN! he'd say Sorry! I had to go to...bathroom, kitchen... I just would 'hold their heads' so they couldnt rip it off if he had to get up. Also, I'd just pop 'em off! They eventually got the idea, but I think they actually might have just grown bored looking at daddy leave the room. My girl friend's daughter stretches her mama's breasts and ow! It hurts to be on the receiving end, but LORD! My breasts hurt almost as much when I see that!

[go4green]

HoneyNBen,
Thanks bunches, I'll try that!!!
~Jenna

[HoneyNBen]

Oh yeah! Breadmachines are easy to use. it'd work great in a hotel.

http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/breads-machine/

This is a really great site full of a lot of vegan recipes. Pay attention to how your machine says to add the ingredients. Like with mine you add water first then.....

I've got some other recipes I've changed and made up so give me an email and I'll send you some.

Just get some bread machine yeast, keep it in one of those baby bottle cooler bags during/between transportation so it stays cool, get some flour.... and you're on your way! You know, you might want to get one of those rolling totes to keep a bunch of dry goods in...or maybe put some casters on a small bookshelf, add doors to the front and wheel it around and into your hotel room. Your food would stay neat, organized and easy to get to. Lowe's sells cabinets in their closet organizer section that are around 30.00. They're white have doors on them and have shelves inside. You could probally get them to drill holes to slide some casters in for you, screw 'em down and everything. ( if you don't have access to power tools. ) Ok...well I hope this helps! But breadmachine=good! Oh and get one with a timer! You cna wake up to fresh bread in the morning that way!

[capersmama]

HoneyNBen,
I joined :-)
Thanks!