Why Try Reducetarianism?

Have you ever thought about what might happen if you simply ate less meat—not gave it up completely, but just cut back? According to the American Heart Association, eating less meat doesn’t just lighten your plate, it can lower your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and stroke. Pretty powerful, right?

That’s exactly what the Reducetarian Movement is all about. The idea is simple: reduce your intake of animal products—whether that’s red meat, chicken, fish, dairy, or eggs. You don’t have to go fully vegan or vegetarian, but every little step counts.

The movement was founded in 2015 by Brian Kateman, who makes three strong points:

1. Industrial animal farming is destroying the planet.

2. Factory-farmed animals live in cruel, unnatural conditions.

3. Eating too many animal products can seriously harm our health.

Reducetarianism offers a flexible middle ground. It’s for those of us who want to eat more consciously, but aren’t ready (or don’t want) to go fully vegan.

The Environmental Perks

Did you know the meat industry alone creates about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions? That’s a massive chunk. On top of that, animal farming guzzles up huge amounts of water while also polluting land and oceans.

Here’s a jaw-dropper: one-third of the world’s grain harvest goes to feeding animals, not people. If redirected, that food could feed an extra 4 billion people. Imagine that.

And let’s not forget about waste. A UK study found that nearly 28% of meat, fish, dairy, and eggs get thrown away unopened. All that wasted food = wasted money, water, and energy. By eating less animal products, we waste less too.

Why It’s Kinder to Animals

Around 90% of farm animals worldwide live in factory farms. Think cramped cages, no sunlight, and diets they’d never choose in the wild. It’s not exactly a happy life.

By cutting back on animal products, you’re helping reduce the demand that keeps this system going. Fewer animals raised, fewer animals killed. Simple as that.

The Health Wins

Too much red or processed meat is linked to heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and even early death. On the flip side, research shows that shifting toward more plant-based foods could save millions of lives by 2050.

So it’s not just about living longer—it’s about living better. More energy, better digestion, lighter meals… who doesn’t want that?

Money Matters

Here’s a fun fact: eating more plants could save the world up to $735 billion a year in healthcare costs by 2050. Plus, reducing waste at home means you’re saving your own money too. Think about all those groceries that never even make it to the pan!

So, Where Do You Start?

The best part about reducetarianism is that it’s flexible. You decide what works for you:

• Maybe it’s Meatless Mondays.

• Maybe it’s swapping your usual chicken salad for a chickpea one a couple of times a week.

• Or maybe it’s just being more mindful when you shop, so less ends up in the bin.

There’s no “perfect” way to do it—every little reduction makes a difference.

Quick Guide to Diet Labels

• Vegan: No animal products at all (food, clothing, everything).

• Vegetarian: No meat, but dairy and eggs are okay.

• Pescatarian: Eats fish and seafood, but no other meat.

• Flexitarian: Mostly vegetarian, but sometimes eats meat.

• Reducetarian: Simply cuts back on animal products—your way, your pace.

So… what do you think? Could you imagine trying reducetarianism—even just a little? It might surprise you how easy (and rewarding) it feels once you start. 🌱

How to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Since the pandemic, the number of people living below the hunger line has been rising, now making up 9.9% of the global population—around 811 million people.

According to the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), one-third of all food produced for human consumption ends up wasted. That equals a staggering 1.3 billion tons of food—most of it fruits and vegetables. Around 30% of this waste happens along the supply chain, while the other 70% comes from our kitchens, restaurants, and retailers.

But food waste isn’t just a humanitarian or social issue. Every piece of wasted food also means wasted energy and water from farming, transport, and packaging. And when food rots in landfills, it produces methane gas—a greenhouse gas even more harmful than CO₂—making food waste a major driver of climate change.

The good news? Change starts with us. By becoming more mindful in our kitchens, we can help reduce hunger, fight climate change, and save money at the same time. Here are some practical ways to cut down on food waste at home.

1. Plan Your Meals

Have you ever come home from the farmers’ market with bags of fresh produce, only to throw half of it away a week later? You’re not alone.

Making a weekly (or even a few days ahead) meal plan helps you:

• Reduce food waste

• Shop more efficiently

• Save money

By planning ahead, you’ll only buy what you actually need, avoiding impulse purchases that go bad before you can use them.

2. Shop Local and Seasonal

Buy fresh produce from local farmers’ markets whenever possible. It’s cheaper, fresher, and often lasts longer. Plus, local produce travels a shorter distance to reach your plate, which lowers its carbon footprint. Supporting local farmers also means supporting your community.

3. Store Food Properly

Knowing how to store your food is key to making it last.

• Which fruits and veggies belong in the fridge?

• Which ones should stay at room temperature?

• Did you know that storing certain produce side by side can make them spoil faster?

Learning these tricks will help keep your food fresher for longer and stop unnecessary waste. (More tips below!)

4. Get Creative with Leftovers

Didn’t get around to using that spinach? Blend it into a smoothie. Softening carrots? Turn them into a soup or sauce. Leftover cooked food? Freeze it for another day or reinvent it into a new dish.

If you’re not a fan of eating the same meal twice, try adding spices, sauces, or grains to transform it. And if the food is safe (not too salty, spicy, or greasy), you can even share it with stray animals.

5. Cook the Right Portions

If you always end up with too much left over, try adjusting your portion sizes when cooking. Cooking just the right amount means less waste and fresher meals.

6. Use the Whole Plant

You don’t need to peel every vegetable. Skipping the peeler not only saves you time but also gives you extra nutrients and reduces waste.

• Broccoli stems, carrot tops, and celery leaves can be added to salads, soups, or stir-fries.

• Citrus peels can be zested and frozen for flavoring or used in homemade cleaners.

• Vegetable scraps can be boiled into flavorful homemade stock.

Whenever possible, choose organic produce so you don’t have to worry about pesticides when eating peels or skins.

7. Track Your Food Waste

Keep a simple log of what you throw away—it’ll make you more aware and help you spot patterns. You can also stick a small note on your fridge to track what’s inside and what needs to be eaten first. The “first in, first out” rule really works.

8. Try Composting

Even with the best habits, some food waste is unavoidable. Composting your scraps (like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells) is a fantastic way to return nutrients to the soil and reduce landfill waste. Whether you have a garden or just a balcony, there are compost methods for every home.

Smart Storage Tips to Make Your Food Last Longer

• Store carrots and celery in jars of water to keep them crisp.

• Freeze fresh herbs (like parsley, dill, or cilantro) in ice cube trays with olive oil for easy cooking later.

• Wrap mushrooms, spinach, and lettuce in a kitchen towel before refrigerating—they’ll stay fresh longer.

• Chop and store ripe tomatoes in olive oil in the fridge for up to a week.

• Place herbs and leafy greens in a jar of water with a cloth over the top to extend freshness.

• Keep green onions in a jar of water on the counter—they’ll regrow!

• Ripen avocados at room temperature, then move them to the fridge once ripe.

• Store garlic in an open basket, not sealed containers.

• Keep apples away from other produce—they release ethylene gas that speeds up ripening.

• Store bananas in a bunch at room temperature; freeze them once ripe if you can’t eat them in time.

• Store beans and lentils in airtight containers, not original packaging.

• Place a bay leaf in your flour or grains to prevent pests.

• Keep bread in a bread box or beeswax wrap at room temperature, not in the fridge.

Long Story Short

Food waste is one of the biggest global challenges we face—but it’s also one of the easiest problems we can tackle at home. By planning meals, shopping smart, storing food properly, and using every part of what we buy, we can make a huge impact.

The result? Less waste, lower bills, fresher food, and a healthier planet.

Why not start today?

A Plastic-Free Kitchen Is Possible

It’s getting harder and harder to deny the truth: we all need to work together if we want to reach a zero-waste future. Every year, more plastic ends up in our ecosystems, and our planet suffers irreversible damage.

Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. That’s why the sooner we reduce our plastic use and waste, the fewer plastic mountains we’ll leave behind to pollute the environment and fill up landfills.

Let’s look at some hard facts. No matter how carefully we recycle, only 9% of the world’s plastic actually gets recycled. Around 90% of floating ocean waste is plastic. And half of the 300 million tons of plastic produced each year comes from single-use items like water bottles, coffee cup lids, straws, and coffee pods.

Depressing? Maybe. But there’s a brighter side: today, we have more alternatives than ever before. By becoming more conscious consumers, we can take real responsibility and actually shrink our plastic footprint.

Take a quick look in your fridge, pantry, or cupboards—you’ll probably be shocked at how many plastic containers, kitchen tools, and single-use plastics you’ve collected. Here’s the good news: replacing all that with sustainable alternatives is not only possible, it’s surprisingly easy.

And one of the best places to start? Your kitchen.
With just a few simple steps, you can create a zero-waste, plastic-free kitchen. This guide will walk you through how.

1. Switch to Reusable Bags and Storage Containers

Small changes in our daily habits can make a huge difference. One of the easiest ways to cut down kitchen waste is by reducing the need for plastic shopping bags. Always take reusable shopping bags with you—it’s such a simple yet powerful action.

The zero-waste kitchen movement actually starts the moment you step outside your home. Reusable produce bags, for example, can dramatically cut your waste—more than you might think.

Plastic bags are an environmental disaster. Many countries have banned them, but in others (ours included) they’re still everywhere. It could take years before they disappear completely, so why not be one of the people leading the change?

And don’t forget about storage containers. Glass jars and stainless steel containers are perfect for keeping your food organized and beautifully displayed. As a budget-friendly alternative, you can also reuse glass jars from store-bought products.

They’re great not only for pantry staples (like flour, oats, pasta), but also for leftovers or meal prep. They even make handy snack containers when you’re on the go.

And, of course, ditching plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups is a must. If you don’t already have a reusable water bottle or travel mug, make it a priority—you’ll never look back.

2. Choose Plastic-Free Food Packaging

One of the trickiest parts of cutting household waste is food packaging. Almost everything we buy is wrapped in plastic. We can’t always control what manufacturers do, but we can control what we choose to bring home.

When shopping, opt for products sold in glass jars or recyclable packaging. Better yet, buy fresh produce from local markets to avoid unnecessary packaging altogether.

Frozen meals often come in plastic trays, and while they’re convenient after a long day, they add up quickly. Instead, try cooking at home and make extra portions to freeze. Store them in airtight glass containers so you’ll always have a meal ready—without the waste.

Step by step, you’ll find yourself saying goodbye to single-use packaging.

3. Upgrade to Non-Plastic Kitchen Tools

It’s tempting to buy plastic mixing bowls, cutting boards, strainers, and utensils because they’re cheap and everywhere. But over time, they warp, break, and need to be replaced. Next time you need new kitchen gear, go for stainless steel, glass, or bamboo instead.

Yes, they cost more upfront, but they last so much longer—and they’re better for your health and the planet. Think of it as an investment in a more sustainable lifestyle.

4. Ditch Single-Use Kitchen Items

The ultimate goal of a zero-waste kitchen is to eliminate single-use products. Recycling and reducing are important, but reusability is the key.

Here are a few easy swaps:

• Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. Made from cotton, beeswax, resin, and oil, they’re washable, reusable, and come in all sorts of colors and sizes.

• Silicone bags instead of disposable freezer bags. They’re made from sand, free from harmful chemicals, and safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.

• Reusable cloths instead of paper towels. A zero-waste kitchen means it’s time to let go of throwaway paper products and embrace durable, washable alternatives.

5. Enjoy Plastic-Free Tea and Coffee

Let’s be honest—coffee pods and instant coffee sachets are convenient, but they generate mountains of waste. Instead, make your coffee in a glass French press or a stainless steel espresso maker. Skip the disposable filters and use a reusable fabric filter instead.

And when it comes to tea, here’s a shocking fact: many tea bags actually contain microplastics. The safest choice? Brew your tea the traditional way in a teapot. If you must use tea bags, choose brands that specifically offer plastic-free options.

6. Switch to Plastic-Free Cleaning

Kitchen cleaning is a daily ritual, and most cleaning products come in plastic bottles. But there are easy swaps.

• Use dish soap bars instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles. Natural bar soaps are eco-friendly and just as effective.

• Clean with baking soda to tackle grease and grime—it’s simple, cheap, and chemical-free.

• Swap synthetic sponges (which shed microplastics) for natural loofahs. They work just as well and don’t pollute the environment.

• Replace plastic scrub brushes with bamboo ones—durable, sustainable, and plastic-free.

Long Story Short

The time to act is now. To leave behind a healthier planet for future generations, animals, and ecosystems, we need to put our hands to work—no matter how small the steps.

Every conscious choice adds up. And the best part? Living more sustainably makes life more enjoyable too.

A plastic-free kitchen isn’t just possible—it’s within reach. Why not start today?

Costa's Orange Cake / Costa'nın Portakallı Keki

[EN]

Before the orange season is done, we have a very tasty and quite practical orange cake recipe for you! This cake comes from our dear chef Costa, who delights his guests with incredible cakes and pies in his cafe in Porto. Every time we think let's have a cake but let's make it quick and delicious, a cake so puffy that everyone will want another slice, we whip up this recipe. Without further ado, here we go:

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs

• 1 large or 2 small oranges, juiced and zested

• 250 gr sugar

• 250 gr all purpose flour

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Separate the egg whites into another cup. Have the yolks in a big mixing bowl. Add the sugar to the yolks and mix until the sugar melts and you have a smooth mixture.

2. Add the oil, orange juice and zest into the mix and continue stirring.

3. With the help of a sifter, add the flour and baking powder, nicely mix them with a spatula.

4. In the cup where the egg whites wait, add a pinch of salt and whip with a blender until it puffs up nicely.

5. Add the whipped egg whites to our main mixture and thoroughly blend them all together with a spatula.

6. Before you pour the mixture into a cake mould, make sure that the mould is oiled with butter and floured so that your cake doesn't get stuck.

7. In a preheated oven, bake for 45 mins. in 180 degrees Celsius.

8. Check with a toothpick and if it's baked, take it out but be careful you don't get burned :)

Let it cool for a while, cut yourself a huge slice and enjoy, with a hot cup of tea of course ;)

Bon appétit!

PS. We love eating this cake with feta cheese! That may sound weird but hear us out, they go together really deliciously!

[TR]

Portakalların mevsimi geçmeden buraya çok güzel ve oldukça pratik bir portakallı kek tarifi bırakalım! Bu kek Porto’daki kafesinde müthiş kekler ve pastalarla misafirlerini çokça mutlu eden sevgili şef Costa’ya ait. Hızlı bir kek yapayım ama aynı zamanda çok lezzetli, pofur pofur olsun bir dilim yiyen bir daha yemek istesin dediğimiz her anda bu keke koşar olduk. O zaman çok da uzatmadan tarife geçelim

Malzemeler:

• 6 yumurta

• 1 büyük ya da 2 küçük portakal, suyu sıkılmış ve kabuğu rendelenmiş

• 250 gr şeker

• 250 gr un

• 2 yk zeytinyağı

• 1 tk kabartma tozu

Yapılışı:

1. Yumurtaların beyazını ayrı bir kaba ayırın. Sarılarını büyük bir karıştırma kabına alın. 

Sarıların üzerine şekeri ekleyin ve şekerler eriyinceye, pürüzsüz bir karışım elde edinceye kadar karıştırın.

2. Sıvı yağı ve portakal suyu ve rendesini karışıma ekleyin ve karıştırmaya devam edin. 

3. Unu ve kabartma tozunu elek yardımıyla karışıma ilave edin ve bir spatula yardımıyla güzelce karıştırın. 

4. Ayrı bir kapta yumurtanın beyazlarını içerisine bir fiske tuz ilave ederek iyice kabarana kadar mikserle çırpın. 

5. Çırptığınız yumurta beyazını asıl karışıma ekleyerek spatula yardımıyla karışıma iyice yedirin.

6. Hazırlamış olduğunuz karışımı kek kalıbına dökmeden önce yapışmaması için kalıbın her tarafını tereyağı ile yağlayın ve unlayın. 

7. Önceden ısıtmış olduğunuz fırının altlı üstlü ısıtma ayarında 180 derecede 45 dk pişirin. 

8. Kürdanla kontrol edip piştiyse elinizi yakmadan fırından alın:) 

Biraz soğuduktan sonra kocaman bir dilim kesin ve tadını çıkarın, bir fincan çayınızı da ihmal etmeyin:)

Afiyet olsun!

Not: Biz bu keki beyaz peynir ile yemeye bayılıyoruz, garip gibi görünebilir ancak yanına oldukça yakışıyor bizden söylemesi!

Welcome to Kinzi Studio / Kinzi Studio'dan Selamlar

[EN]

Hello everyone! 

We are Huri and Zeynep, two sisters who have dreamt of doing something together for many many years. Whatever we do, be it taking pictures of our cat, designing a bracelet or just a quick recipe, we always find great joy while creating things together. Now it’s time to make our dreams come true with our cameras, telling stories about food and objects under the roof of Kinzi Studio.

In Kinzi Studio, we aim to make a difference by focusing on a relaxing minimalist aesthetic, as opposed to a fast-paced consumerist society in a permanent sense of urgency and fear of missing out. We stand to satisfy our souls with a Less is More approach, sharing the creativity and simplicity of our works. We want to go beyond the artificial ‘perfection’ obtained by just shining a spotlight on a product, and we want to exist as a studio that tells truthful stories in the scenes and sentences we carefully craft.

If you would like to accompany us on our journey, we will be here. :)

See you soon!

[TR]

Huri ve Zeynep’ten herkese merhaba!

Biz uzun yıllardır birlikte bir şeyler yaratmayı hayal eden iki kardeşiz. Yaptığımız şey hızlı bir yemek tarifi de olsa, kedimizi fotoğraflamak ya da basit bir bileklik tasarlamak da olsa birlikte bir şeyler üretmekten hep çok keyif aldık, alıyoruz. İşte şimdi bu üretim sürecini Kinzi Studio çatısı altında objektifimizle yemeğin ve eşyanın hikayesine odaklanarak gerçekleştirmek niyetindeyiz. 

Kinzi Studio’nun  fark yaratmayı istediği birkaç konu var. Her şeyin hızlıca ve aceleyle tüketildiği modern toplum alışkanlıklarına karşı bir alternatif olarak sakince kurgulanmış minimal bir estetiğe odaklanmak, Az’ın içindeki Çok ile izleyicinin ruhunu tatmin etmek; çağın hastalığı olan ‘ben şu an bi’ şeyleri kaçırıyorum’ duygusunu, ürettiğimiz işlerin yaratıcı ve çabasız ritmiyle iyileştirmek istiyoruz. Spot ışıklarını ürünün üzerine koyup ‘kusursuzu’ yakalamaya çalışan bir fotoğraf stüdyosundan öteye geçmek, yarattığımız sahne ile, anlattığımız hikaye ile, kurduğumuz cümle ile var olmak istiyoruz.

Bu yolculukta bize eşlik etmek isterseniz biz buralarda olacağız. :)

Görüşmek dileğiyle!