Meet Change Maker Isa Chandra Moskowitz of Post Punk Kitchen

Not all vegans are soft spoken hippie-types. Brooklyn-native Isa Chandra Moskowitz is here to prove it. The sassy vegan chef started her cooking career at the young age of 16 and is now the mastermind behind mouthwatering Post Punk Kitchen, a public access vegan cooking show, blog, recipe database and the author of a whole host of tasty cookbooks including Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook, Vegan with a Vengeance, Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World, Vegan Brunch as well as the upcoming Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar.

Her recipes are eclectic, international with a dash of her own Jewish heritage—but are most of all, delicious. (This writer happens to have made Isa's Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad from Veganomicon a summer-time staple.)

Though Isa recently moved to Portland, Oregon, to start her dream garden and give her kitties a bit more space, Brooklyn certainly hasn't left Isa. We love her bold, tell-it-like-it-is attitude, dry sense of humor and the knack she has for making veganism hip.

How did you get into this line of work?

I got really lucky and just did what I love to do, which is cook vegan food. My public access show and website led to a cookbook and now here I am!

What was your "a-ha" moment?

I have them everyday. When you stop having a-ha moments your either dead or a republican. There's so much to learn and so much work to be done.

Who is your green hero?

The people who make changes in their lives is a given. People who eat a vegan diet, ride their bikes, walk, recycle, garden...and have fun with it!

What is your ultimate green goal?

I guess I wish everyone would go vegan. If I can be a part of that, then awesome.

What is your motivation?

I would like for the human race to be around for a few more generations. Sometimes I'm not sure why, but there it is.

What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?

I don't think I can pick one thing, everything is related. That is the very definition of ecology. So it's important that we preserve rainforests which is related to saving whole species from extinction which is related to climate change and so on. So I guess the most important thing is that we're all up for the changes we need to make.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Sometimes it's frustrating that people don't really care all that much, myself included. But as far as my actual job goes, it's a piece of cake—sometimes literally.

What is the most rewarding?

The aforementioned cake? No, I love when I help people to love their kitchens. If someone gets excited about new ways to prepare cauliflower, or a faster way to mince garlic, I tear up a little bit.

Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?

Definitely the people who run farm animal sanctuaries. Lots of people talk a lot of talk about humane treatment of animals and the environment and blah blah blah, but then they turn around and kill and eat animals. It's just bizarre and hypocritical and, quite frankly, insane. Especially if these people are supposed to be the authorities on the subject. Farm sanctuaries are there to pick up the pieces. That's where the real revolution is happening. Eating animals is never sustainable and never environmentally friendly and never humane. Just quit it. Stop with the mishegos and get real.

What green thing do you do everyday?

Whine on the internet about how everyone should go vegan. No, I don't know, I do the best I can. How can you do just one green thing every day? I think that that mentality is kind of messed up. It makes "green" some sort of fad or religion. It's more like, we have these finite resources so this is what we all gotta do. People know what's up. You can keep your reality TV, but also use cloth bags, ride your bike, take public transportation, eat your veggies, be awesome and rule the world.

What do you wish you could do?

I wish I could grow more food. I have a tiny and temporary garden. Someday I'll have a really nice big one.

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Caring too much. Just kidding. No, again, I don't really look at the situation like that. I know you're using "sin" somewhat in jest, but still. There is always room for improvement. Most Americans were brought up with a very throw-away mentality and with these creature comforts that feel all warm and fuzzy but not so much when there is no shopping mall left on our scorched earth. I definitely f up, leave lights on, eat too much food, use tampons, take a cab somewhere. But like I said, I do my best.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

The Food Network would be vegan.

What is your best green advice?

Educate yourself. Don't take my word for it, do your research. Don't be afraid to make the changes that you need to in your life, especially if you have children. Let's leave them something to grow gardens on. We're all in this together, saving the world doesn't have to be a pain in the ass.

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