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

[belladonnalin.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing you've gotten this from others, but these are my basics:

1) Be careful of your complex B vitamins. Take a complex B vitamin every day.

2) nutritional yeast helps with the B vitamins and (I think) you can throw a handful into pretty much every savory dish you cook

3) vegetable broth makes life easier

4) I have a TON of vegan recipies - you can find them in my FOOD! (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=belladonnalin&keyword=FOOD!&filter=all) memories and my food (http://belladonnalin.livejournal.com/tag/food!) tag (both 90% vegan).

5) I'm a big fan of stir-fry for a quick, healthy dinner. Chop up whatever you have, throw in some beans and garlic and ginger, add in some Braggs or tamari (I prefer Braggs because it's no-added sodium AND has lots of good-for nutrients - also a good addition to the vegan cabinet) and a little bit of vinegar and spices. Serve over rice, on top of a tortilla, or just in a pile on the plate.

Good vegan cookbooks? I like the Vegan Lunchbox (http://www.veganlunchbox.com/recipes.html) for online stuff. Simply Vegan (http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Vegan-Quick-Vegetarian-Meals/dp/0931411203) is okay, I quite like Vegan with a Vengeance (http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Vengeance-Delicious-Animal-Free-Recipes/dp/1569243581/ref=pd_sim_b_3/102-2485155-9019326) and Vegan Lunch Box (http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Lunch-Box-Jennifer-McCann/dp/0977821803/ref=pd_sim_b_98) is good for fast, kid-friendly meals.