Vegan Tips?

I haven't found any really good substitutes for cheese and ice cream. It's really hard to replicate them. There are some really good vegan books out there. Anything book by Isa Chandra Moskowitz is always a safe bet. I've never had a bad recipe from her. She also has a website, www.theppk.com.

my favorite ice cream was Coconut Ice cream, that I found at Fred Myers (although I'm second guessing if it is vegan, I was just dairy-free/egg yolk free). Lately, I've just been taking coconut cream and fruit and pureeing it then freezing- it makes a lovely, creamy substitute. For cheese they have this rice cheese I've seen at Fred Myers, Trader Joe's, and even once at Walmart that actually melts like real cheese. I don't remember the brand though, but if you've got a Fred Myers/Trader Joe's near you have a look, they have some really good alternatives for cheese.

Have you ever tried Tings? Vegan-friendly cheetos, OMG--so good, but addicting! I haven't had them for years, but would probably buy a bag if I ran across them:)
I can't remember if I tried soy dream or so delicious "ice cream" but I remember liking it.

I've had better luck making my own ice cream. There are tons of recipes out there. I think Daiya is the best of the cheese alternatives, and you have to be careful, a lot of soy based cheeses still have casein (why?) So irritating!

I know it's been said but want to cast my vote. Daiya makes the best cheese shreds. Placed in the microwave on the last 15 seconds of a Gardein burger or Boca burger and they melt and taste great. Field Roast is making a new Artisan cheese that I think are the most authentic slices out there. I've only tried the creamy original but it was so good. http://store.veganessentials.com/mobile/vegan-chao-cheese-slices-by-field-roast-p4350.aspx Parma has a good parmesan cheese substitute but if you're into making your own it's easy - nutritional yeast, walnuts, and salt to taste. The recipe is easily googled. Here's the first oneI found. https://alimentageuse.com/home/2013/12/02/vegan-walnut-parmesan/ This recipe adds oil but I like it without and can be made in small batches in a coffee grinder. I've also had the best luck making my own ice cream but the Tofutti butter pecan is my favorite store brand. Their other flavors are good too. My wife likes Rice dream. My wife and I have collected quite a few cookbooks over the last 12 years of being vegan but our favorites are Vegan Planet, Veganomicon, Vegan on the Cheap, and The Joy of Vegan Baking.

Count me in as another vote for Daiya. I have also used Tofutti slices but prefer the Daiya shreds to any other vegan cheese alternative. I also wanted to second the post that mentioned to check for casein in the ingredient list which is not vegan-friendly but is found in other imitation cheeses that are free of lactose.

I haven't tried many ice cream alternatives but blending up frozen bananas with some almond milk offers a yummy treat with a similar consistency. I like to blend mine with some cocoa powder or PB2.

Good luck with your transition! I too was vegetarian for over a decade and just went vegan last summer. I'm loving it so far!

Check out onegreenplanet.org for some good recipes. We've been vegetarian for a few years but just went vegan for Veganuary. I was always addicted to cheese but after trying all of the dairy-free alternatives, I'm just doing without. For ice cream, I used to eat tofutti cuties, but I've not since going vegan. They're good but check the label

I think that if you let go of something needing to taste a certain way, you wont be disappointed in the vegan alternatives. For example, Field Roast is coming out with cheese but they're not calling them "cheddar cheese" or "mozzarella". They're not focused on setting an expectation and failing. They're just introducing you to something new. I'm excited to check them out. Not sure if they're on the shelves yet. But honestly, since I'm not smothering everything in cheese, I'm enjoying the tastes that I'm experiencing.

Good luck going vegan. I really haven't found it too bad. Also I've lost 7 pounds since starting. I know that this rate is not going to last, but cutting out dairy has made an enormous difference. And not drinking as much is a perk is that since I'm eating less, the alcohol definitely hits hard...I'm a cheap date.