With my Kitchen Detox, I'm starting a new year full of variety for the third time.

The word "detox" often implies abstinence, letting go. And yes, I do let go of things. But above all, I reclaim a wide range of possibilities for myself every year. That's exactly what I look forward to.

What is my Kitchen Detox

At the beginning of the year, I consciously use up our existing supplies and only buy additional items within a set budget. I can't and don't want to compromise on a balanced diet. It's not about deprivation, but about mindfulness and clarity.

Essentially, it's a kind of self-challenge. I'm using the treasures I've collected over the past year and putting them to good use. Things that have been around for ages are regaining their value.

I wanted to counter the indulgent days after Christmas and the lavish New Year's Eve feast with something else. A downgrade in the best sense. Consuming less, saving money, and doing nothing different from what our grandmothers did as a matter of course. Making do with what's there.

Even though I try to live sustainably and as self-sufficiently as possible, our pantry often contains more than we need. Of course, I'm aware of the geopolitical situation and everything that's happening in the world. But first and foremost, my pantry is just a normal pantry from the perspective of someone who strives to be self-sufficient and produces many things herself, or at least tries to.

Before we begin, I looked at my own personal circumstances. Things you can answer for yourself in the same way, without any judgment.

1. A full, now overgrown pantry with a bit of a mess.
   
2. A household with four people, three of whom are adults.
   
3. The food is freshly cooked and balanced, with plenty of vegetarian options, but not rigidly so.
   
4. At least one hot meal a day.

This starting point is neither ideal nor perfect. It's simply our everyday reality.

To make the kitchen detox work for me, I set myself a few conditions. Not as rigid rules, but as a guideline for everyday life.

• Supplies are used up first before new ones are purchased.
• Purchases are only made within a fixed weekly budget.
• Fresh meals will continue to be prepared daily.
• Eating a balanced diet is a priority, even while saving money.
• Nothing is thrown away; leftovers are planned for or frozen.
• Planning serves as an aid, not a constraint.
• Enjoyment of food always takes precedence over perfection.

These are my conditions. Yours may be completely different and work just as well.

The fact that my kitchen detox works well is also due to the fact that I've been making some things myself for years. It's not a chore, but rather part of our lifestyle.

Basics like making your own broths from leftover vegetables or canning are included, but not done every day. For my kitchen detox, I consciously only note down what I'm actually making and plan accordingly.

At the same time, I naturally buy things as well. Not everything can be done yourself, and it doesn't have to be. As mentioned, it shouldn't be an obstacle, but rather a meaningful and enjoyable liberation. In the truest sense.

Food products that are regularly freshly produced or available at our facility:

• Bread and baked goods made from our own freshly milled flour
• Fresh yogurt and plant-based alternatives
• Soy almond and oat milk
• Homemade soy sauces for dishes
• Eggs from our own hens

Let's be realistic: living a healthy and sustainable life is expensive. That's always been the case, but it's become noticeably more so in recent years. Even though growing our own vegetables in the garden helps alleviate some of the pressure, I'm constantly reminded how quickly a 100-euro note disappears when you just pop out for a quick shop.

So, how much am I saving and how much am I willing to spend?

Last year, I sometimes managed with an extra 50 euros per week. Looking back, that sounds almost absurd. This year, I've readjusted and started with 100 euros per week. After the first week, I can say: it's going well.

Of course, there are still some special supplies left over from Christmas: raclette cheese, truffle cheese, venison salami, and frozen fresh red cabbage. All of that can and should be used up. For now, nothing new will be bought. The majority of the budget is currently going towards fresh fruit and vegetables, since apart from the first garlic shoots, not much is growing in the garden yet.

With a monthly household budget of around €1200, our weekly expenses of approximately €100 are significantly below average. This amount includes things like our huskies' dog food, small extras, and a coffee on the go. We typically spend about €900 on groceries alone.

There are no big extras for my Kitchen Detox.

No impulse buys, nothing unnecessary, nothing that isn't truly needed. Not out of strictness, but out of clarity.
We've had enough. Christmas is behind us.

This time doesn't expand my daily life with more things, but with fewer distractions. In a detoxifying and beautiful way. The focus is on the pantry, on what's there and what can be used meaningfully.

What's not included are purchases like clothes or anything related to shared time. An evening at a variety show with my mother won't be a tragedy. Participation, closeness, and shared experiences are not up for debate.

This is not about starvation or a joyless life.

It's about supplies, awareness, and making everyday life easier again.

Ich teile meinen Kitchen Detox nicht, um ein System zu zeigen, sondern einen Alltag. Das hier ist kein Vorher-Nachher und kein Versprechen auf Perfektion.

Es ist das, was bei mir funktioniert, was liegen bleibt und was sich jedes Jahr ein Stück verändert. Vielleicht erkennst du dich in manchen Stellen wieder. Vielleicht gehst du einen ganz anderen Weg.

Voll fein & glaub mir.
SUPER BEFREIEND.