Summertime Sabbath Ideas

How do you like to spend the Sabbath during summer months? Are you taking advantage of the season and enjoying the weather and fresh produce that this time of year offers? Here are a few ideas for making the most of summer!

Summertime Sabbath Ideas:

-Spend your day outside. Get outside for some fresh air! Not only is the fresh air and sunshine good for your health, but it can make for a more restful day. Being outside means I'm not as distracted by all the things there are to do at home, and my focus isn't on whatever work there is to get caught up on or what needs cleaned up around the house. If you have kids, getting them outside means less mess to clean up later. Time in creation naturally calls our attention to the Creator's ways. Enjoy your backyard, a nearby park, lake, or the beach.

-Fresh fruit. Can you beat the convenience or deliciousness of fresh fruit at this time of year? Make fresh produce a big part of your food intake on the Sabbath and you'll spend less time in the kitchen. Pick up whatever is in season at a nearby orchard, the farmers market, or the grocery store and you have instantly taken care of part of the food you'll need for the Sabbath. Have a big bowl of blueberries out to snack on, or serve peaches or melon for part of the meal, or dessert. Support your health while having less work to do!

-Sprinkler baths. While bathing kids can be a lot of work, sometimes it's necessary on the Sabbath. Why not make it a little easier - and a lot more fun - by swapping out the bathtub for the sprinkler, the hose, kiddie pool, or dip in the lake or swimming pool? Send kids out to swim or play in water and call it good enough. Make this chore into something a lot more fun for kids and more peaceful for you.

-Make ahead salads. In the warm weather, I find cold dishes so refreshing. Most salads are simple to make, and if you're utilizing a lot of fresh vegetables in raw form, they come together quickly. And is there a better feeling when you're hungry of opening up the fridge and seeing something delicious ready to eat? You don't need to be coordinated, just grab the salad when you're ready to eat, no need to heat up the kitchen or making sure the crockpot gets started by whatever time. Make a cold salad or two to enjoy on the Sabbath. Here are some great recipes to get you inspired.

Related posts:
Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath
Get Outside this Shabbat
Summer Salads for Shabbat

Biblically Clean Sheet Pan Meals

In The No-Stress Guide to Sabbath Meal Prep, I mention how sheet pan meals are great to make right before the Sabbath, but really I love these for anytime you don't have much attention or time to put into making dinner, but still want a healthy and delicious meal. Simply place all your ingredients onto a baking sheet and let it roast in the oven! The cleanup is minimal, and your hands and attention are free for other things during the cooking. These recipes are simple, easily adaptable, and made from whole, real ingredients. 

A few pointers for easy sheet pan meals:

-Don't hesitate to use an extra sheet if the recipe makes more than you expected, or you just want a double batch for leftovers.

-Instead of just using chicken breast or thighs, feel free to swap in a whole quartered/chopped chicken. This can save money or be easier for those who eat locally.

-Bake some rice. If you're looking to round out your meal, put some rice in the oven to bake while you're at it. Here's a recipe for making brown rice in the oven. Personally, I don't bother bringing the water to a boil and I just use a pan with a glass lid instead of foil. It takes a bit longer but turns out well for me.

Roasted Harissa Chicken and Potatoes from This Healthy Table

Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables from How Sweet Eats

Garlic Ginger Chicken with Broccoli from Pinch of Yum

Curried Sweet Potato Chickpeas from Minimalist Baker

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki from Half Baked Harvest

Salmon and Asparagus from A Couple Cooks

Kung Pao Cauliflower from How Sweet Eats

15 Minute Kale and Egg Bake from Healthy Nibbles

Nacho Chicken from How Sweet Eats

Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Tacos from A Couple Cooks

Mediterranean Salmon from This Healthy Table

Poblano Chicken Fajitas from Half Baked Harvest

Sheet Pan Cauliflower Curry from A Beautiful Plate

Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga from Pinch of Yum

Easy Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner from A Couple Cooks

Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken from How Sweet Eats

Sheet Pan Salmon from This Healthy Table

Other Biblically clean recipes:
Biblically Clean Tacos
Chinese Food Recipes that are Biblically Clean
Biblically Clean Soups

Biblically Clean Soups

These recipes are for Biblically clean soups. When the weather is chilly, what's better than a comforting pot of soup simmering away on the stove? I especially love making a large batch of soup for dinner on Thursday or Friday and then enjoying the leftovers for Sabbath lunch. It's so simple but still delicious, plus most soups taste even better the next day. You could of course have these any day of the week. Enjoy these great soups!

Many Veggie Vegetable Soup from Love and Lemons

Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Soup from Half Baked Harvest

Pasta e Fagioli from Cookie and Kate

Broccoli Cheese Soup from Pinch of Yum

Braised Short Rib Beef Stew from How Sweet Eats

Corn Chicken Chowder from This Healthy Table

Spicy Ancho Turkey Chili from Pinch of Yum

Thai Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup from Minimalist Baker

Classic Mexican Tortilla Soup from A Beautiful Plate

Spicy Black Bean Soup from Cookie and Kate

Garden Vegetable Soup from A Couple Cooks

Butternut White Chicken Chili from How Sweet Eats

Roasted Garlic White Bean Lasagna Soup from Pinch of Yum

Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup from Half Baked Harvest

Sun Dried Tomato Corn Chowder from How Sweet Eats

Best Lentil Soup from Cookie and Kate

Wild Rice Soup from Pinch of Yum

Chickpeas and Dumplings from from How Sweet Eats

Cabbage Soup from Love and Lemons

Smoked Salmon Chowder from Pinch of Yum

Classic Tomato Soup from A Couple Cooks

Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice from Half Baked Harvest

Butternut Squash Soup from A Couple Cooks

Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup from Pinch of Yum

Easy Hamburger Soup from Salt and Lavender

More recipe ideas for the Biblically clean diet:
Biblically Clean Meal Ideas
Biblically Clean Tacos
Biblically Clean Cookout Dishes

Biblically Clean Make Ahead Salads for the Sabbath

Enjoy a full day of rest on the Sabbath by staying out of the kitchen with these salad recipes that are perfect for making ahead of time and serving later. These recipes are Biblically clean and great anytime of the week. 

Vegetarian Nicoise Salad from Love and Lemons

Greek Chicken Chopped Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Best Egg Salad from Love and Lemons

Classic Caprese Salad from Love and Lemons

Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette from Pinch of Yum

Chickpea Salad Sandwich from Love and Lemons

Greek Salmon with Orzo Summer Salad from Half Baked Harvest

White Bean Quinoa Greek Salad from Pinch of Yum

Herbed Potato Salad from Cookie and Kate

Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Lentil Salad with Feta from A Couple Cooks

Caprese Salad Sandwich from Love and Lemons

Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette from How Sweet Eats

Easy Macaroni Salad from Love and Lemons

Farmers Market Pickled Crudite Platter from Half Baked Harvest

Looking for more Sabbath meal ideas?
Here's my No Stress Guide to Sabbath Meal Prep.
These are recipes to make in a slow cooker.
More great summertime salads!