part 2 of my new year reset
Deep Cleaning and Organizing My Kitchen
The kitchen has always been the heart of my home, but recently, it had started to feel like a source of frustration rather than inspiration. With cluttered cabinets and expired pantry items, it wasn’t exactly the ideal environment to support my goal of restructuring my diet and improving my eating habits. The start of the new year felt like the perfect opportunity to change that. My mission? To create a clean, organized kitchen that would make it easier to embrace a wholesome, more plant-based diet and avoid unnecessary stress—both for my body and my mind.
I started by emptying everything. Every cabinet, every shelf, and even the fridge and freezer. Everything came out onto the countertops so I could see what I was working with. It was shocking to discover how many items were hiding in the back of my pantry, long past their expiration date. As I sorted through everything, I made two big realizations: first, I had been buying duplicate items because I couldn’t see what I already had; and second, I needed a much better system to keep my food organized and accessible.
The process of cleaning came next. With the kitchen completely empty, I took the opportunity to deep clean every surface. Shelves were wiped down, drawers vacuumed out, and appliances scrubbed until they sparkled. It felt so good to give the space a fresh start. At the same time, I started thinking about how I could reorganize everything in a way that supported my new dietary goals.
One of my biggest focuses for 2025 is to embrace a more vegan and wholesome diet. For years, I’ve struggled with belly issues, and I know that shifting to plant-based, nutrient-dense meals can make a big difference. To support this, I wanted to ensure my kitchen was set up in a way that made cooking healthy meals simple and enjoyable. I organized my pantry so that staples like grains, legumes, and nuts were easy to see and reach.
By getting rid of all the old, expired food and consolidating items I already had, I realized how much easier meal planning would be. No more double-buying ingredients or forgetting about things until they’ve gone bad. Now, I can see exactly what I have at a glance, which makes grocery shopping much more efficient.
Reflection:
This deep clean wasn’t just about creating a tidy kitchen—it was about resetting my relationship with food and giving myself the tools to succeed in my journey toward a healthier, plant-based lifestyle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your kitchen or your eating habits, I highly recommend starting with a reset like this. Clearing out the old, organizing the new, and creating a space that inspires you can make all the difference. Here's to fresh starts and a healthier year ahead!
