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

[ohevet-likro.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry that your child has a suspected dairy allergy. I feel your pain, since my son was diagnosed with a "potentially life threatening ,dairy allergy" when he was 7 months old.
Up to that point I had been nursing but needed him to acclimate to formula so I could go back to work because I wasn't able pump enough.
I was lucky in that I was not told to avoid all dairy while nursing but it has made feeding our son an exercise in creativity for the past 10 months.
I don't have much diet help for you but if you would like advise on solid feeding a baby who can't eat dairy or just want a shoulder to vent on, feel free to email me, at ohevet[.]likro at gmail.