Here are some tips and tricks to make a vegan life easier. Cashews are useful to have as a staple and avocado is good as a substitute for butter.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/hacks-every-vegan-should-know?sub=3191089_2839111#.sveGyrKZj
http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/hacks-every-vegan-should-know?sub=3191089_2839111#.sveGyrKZj