Help me, vegans!

[thefourthvine]

Because of my baby's suspected dairy allergy, I have joined the ranks of the more-or-less vegan. (I can actually still eat eggs, but they aren't a huge part of my diet anyway.) And, see, I've been a vegetarian since I was ten. I know how to be a vegetarian! It doesn't require thought or effort! Whereas this veganism thing is very new and very, very hard.

Normally I'd just hit Google and research the shit out of this. But, well, I have a four-month-old baby. I don't have time to make out with Google the way I used to. So I am hoping to use the friends list shortcut - that there are vegans on my friends list who might have advice for me. Or, I guess, people on my friends list who aren't vegan but just love to Google.

Basically, here's what I need to know:

1. What are the basics of a vegan pantry? What are the special things that vegans keep around all the time, that make cooking or meals easier?
   
   
2. What are really good vegan products?
   
   
3. What are some good vegan recipes? Right now I'm relying much too heavily on fake meat, and that is not how I like to cook or eat. At least, not this much. I might as well be a carnivore! So - recipes? I especially need ones for balanced meals that are super-fast or that I can make in a crockpot. Suggestions of cookbooks featuring these things would also be very welcome.

Help? Please? Anyone? I will take links or comments or just supportive pats. I am experiencing involuntary dietary change and it's very scary!

Comments

[vsee.livejournal.com]

So, this isn't so practical, but I'm sure there are times you crave some dessert. I am not a vegan myself, or even a vegetarian at the moment, though I have been at different times. And yet, this is a treat that I come back to over and over. You can adjust the amount of chocolate and sweetner to your own taste, and it's got a big punch of protein.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse (http://vegetariancuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/vegan_chocolate_mousse)

I got addicted to this because they make it at a grocery store deli where I live. They use brown rice syrup rather than maple syrup as their sweetner.

Sorry to hear of the allergy struggles with the kiddo. Hope that comes out OK for everyone. I've heard of young babies getting past a dairy allergy. *crosses fingers for all concerned*