thefourthvine | Help me, vegans!

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:

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?
What are really good vegan products?
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!

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Things I keep on hand:

Dried soy milk (basically soy flour and great for baking)
Cocoa (not hot chocolate, but just defatted chocolate; great for baking, and things like pudding, and for making hot chocolate when a craving hits)
Nutritional yeast (cheese substitute in things like mac and cheese)
basil oil (I used it mostly to drizzle on pizza instead of cheese or tomato sauce)
Anne's Goddess Dressing (to put on everything!); note: Anne's Green Goddess Dressing is not vegan
Tahini —often in the kosher section (I thin it down and use it in pasta usually; can be somewhat gassy until you get used to it)
Cans of chick peas (I mash them and put them in my lasagna instead of hamburger; also great curried with cauliflower)
Toasted Sesame seed oil — make sure it's toasted for the strongest flavour (for stir fries, but I also tend to pour it on nuked broccoli because yes, I like to add fat to my healthy veggies)
I also buy things like marinated artichoke hearts or peppers to put on pizza. You probably already stockpiles things like frozen veggies, firm tofu (for stir fries) and soft tofu for things like pudding and other desserts.