This week, I got to interview my friend, Kathi Lipp all about creating rhythms to allow us to have space to breathe, welcome people into our lives, and reach out to others through the ministry of food. Kathi and I have known each other for years and I loved getting to learn from her and talk about her new book, Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest

This book is packed full of weekly menus to have you set your week up to have a day off from cooking. In addition to many meal plans, it's packed with advice and inspiration to be more intentional in ministering to others through food. 

Kathi shares how her background, including growing up with a father who was a hoarder, helped form her understanding of hospitality and home life. Over the years, she has learned to declutter not just her physical space but also her schedule, realizing that creating meaningful connections didn’t have to come at the expense of exhaustion.

She shares how she began to view the Sabbath not as an obligation but as a gift, with this book being the result: a framework for preparing ahead so that Sundays can truly be a day of rest.

Listen in as we talk about the practical side of this and how meal planning throughout the week leads to stress-free Sundays, why soup became Kathi’s go-to solution, and how small shifts in approach can make a real difference!

Breaking down for us how the book is structured, including 28 weekly menus tailored to the seasons, she explains that it is designed to be simple and flexible for any household, and, of course, we discuss how planning ahead allows us to not only care for ourselves but also extend hospitality to others!

If you have ever felt like a Sabbath day is a luxury that you can’t afford, this conversation just might change your mind. Kathi’s approach is practical and realistic, no matter what stage of life you’re in. 

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am joined today by my friend, Kathi Lipp!

[5:10] - Decluttering has helped Kathi create meaningful connections, but embracing Sabbath rest transformed her life.

[8:39] - Kathi plans meals weekly to ensure that Sundays are open for rest and sharing food.

[11:38] - When did Kathi come up with the idea of a “sabbath soup”?

[13:45] - Kathi shares how her new book Sabbath Soup has twenty-eight weekly menus.

[15:27] - Kathi tailors meal planning to her needs, creatively making use of leftovers.

[18:59] - Inspired by past kindness, Kathi keeps supplies ready to help neighbors in difficult times.

[22:40] - I share how a friend's bringing over banana bread deeply moved me on a day when I needed to know I wasn't alone.

[23:58] - Offering food, even something store-bought, can be a simple yet meaningful act of kindness and support.

[25:24] - Hospitality doesn't require perfection, and inviting others to help makes gatherings feel more effortless.

[28:30] - Meeting people where they are and addressing their needs can truly make a lasting impact.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Books

Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest by Kathi Lipp

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Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)

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Crystal Paine on Goodreads

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