The Pantry Guide to Minimalism - Why Minimalism at All?
Miriam Weitz
February 2, 2023
More of the Right Thing
Minimalism doesn't mean that you have to live in a sparsely furnished apartment from now on, with just a chair, a bed, and maybe a table. It's mainly about consciously choosing to do without things. Clothing is a very good example of this. Fast fashion companies release up to 24 collections every year, produced under sometimes inhumane conditions and causing enormous damage to the environment.
The German consumer buys about 60 pieces of clothing per year, which, however, are only worn for half as long as they used to be. This is also due to the poor quality of fast fashion items. Hand on heart, you surely have one or two items in your closet that you have never worn, right?
Clothing is always a double-edged sword. Most of us naturally want to be dressed chic and trendy. For example, I prefer to buy my clothes secondhand or to wear what I have until it falls apart. When I do buy something new, I try to pay attention to good quality and especially that it was made sustainably (although I don't always succeed). That's why it's really hard for me to give the ultimate tip here. I think that at this point, everyone has to find the right path for themselves. Ultimately, minimalism, in whatever form, is about being more satisfied with what one has.
Save money through minimalism
Minimalism is about consciously choosing to do without certain things. This naturally creates a completely new relationship to the topic of consumption. We buy many things even though we don't really need them. For example, I am a real victim of packaging. Wrap it up nicely and I'm guaranteed to buy it. The problem is that many of these items end up in the trash after a short time. Whether it's due to poor quality or simply because you realize you don't need it after all. A good example of this was the pandemic. During the lockdowns, many people did a thorough decluttering. It got to the point where second-hand and social thrift stores could sometimes not accept anything more. Where I live, overflowing clothing donation bins were the norm during this time. At the same time, online retailers enjoyed an ever-increasing influx, and delivery vans were sometimes as full as they usually are only at Christmas.
Minimalism doesn't mean that you have to give up everything that brings you joy in the future. It's more about consciously questioning your own consumption. "Do I really need this, or do I just want it because it's terribly fashionable right now?"
For example, I have resolved to reduce my clothing consumption in 2023. Firstly, I want to wear what I already have in my wardrobe (and it is really, really full). Secondly, if I do need something new, I'll look at secondhand options first. And yes, I know these are absolute first world problems. Perhaps a household budget book, where you track all your expenses, could also help you. That way, you can see how much money you save by consuming less and more consciously.
How can the PantryApp help me with minimalism?
Food waste is a global issue. Every year, countless food items end up in the trash, either because they have spoiled or because they are nearing the end of their shelf life. The Speisekammer App aims to counteract food waste with relatively simple means. In the app, you simply record the food you have at home, as well as the expiration date. Then assign a storage location and you'll have a complete overview. As the expiration date of a product approaches, you just use it up. With the help of the SpeisekammerApp, you also avoid duplicate purchases, which in turn is good for the household budget. Moreover, you avoid the so-called “cupboard dwellers”, ingredients that you feel you only need once every two years for a recipe.
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!
Sharing supplies together – why the Shared Economy is now moving into the kitchen
The concept of Shared Economy has long been more than a short-term trend – it's changing our everyday lives. More and more neighborhoods, shared apartments, and community projects are discovering how practical it is to organize groceries together and manage supplies transparently.
Why sharing supplies is becoming increasingly popular
- Save on costs: Bulk purchases become cheaper when more people participate.
- Save space: Not everyone needs their own package of rice or pasta.
- Better organization: Digital tools make it easy to see what is available.
- Experiencing community: Food brings people together – as does camping together.
From the flatshare to the neighborhood
Especially in shared apartments or families with multiple households it pays off to keep a communal stock of supplies. But neighborhood projects or small communities are also recognizing the added value: shopping, storing, and using together.
How Smantry helps
This is where Smantry comes into play:
- Community Feature: Supplies can be managed collectively.
- Transparency: Everyone can see which items are available.
- Efficiency: Duplicate purchases are avoided, leftovers are used up in time.
- Flexibility: Soon it will become even easier to manage entire communities (including new features such as categories or the option to completely delete communities).
👉 The shared economy doesn't stop with cars – it moves right into your kitchen. With Smantry sharing supplies becomes easier than ever.
At last, it's here: The categorization of articles 🎉
Over the past few months, we have collected numerous feedback from you – and the request for better organization of supplies was one of the most frequent wishes. Soon, it will be possible to sort your items into individual categories, so that you can keep track of everything even more quickly.
Why categories are so practical
- 🥦 More organization in your pantry: Instead of a long list, you can structure your products into categories such as "Vegetables", "Beverages", or "Household Goods".
- ⏱️ Faster Finding: No more long scrolling – jump straight to the right category.
- 👨👩👧👦 Improved collaboration: In communities or family households, everyone can immediately see where things belong.
- 🌍 Customization: You can create your own categories that suit your needs – whether for meal prep, stockpiling, or just your everyday life.
Your wish will become reality ✨
We know how important this feature is to you. That's why our development team has implemented categorization as a high priority. It will soon be available step by step in the app – fulfilling one of the biggest wishes of our community.
We are thrilled that we can make everyday life even easier for you with this. Stay tuned – as always, we will keep you updated on when the feature will be officially released.
👉 Do you already have ideas on how you want to structure your categories? Feel free to send us your suggestions or requests – your input might directly influence the ongoing development.