This post is sponsored by Butterball as part of the Fresh Air Retreat. All opinions are my own.

A wooden table is set for a formal meal with white plates, blue menus, gold cutlery, crystal glasses, and orange floral centerpieces.

A Fresh Air Friendsgiving with Butterball

I recently returned from the Fresh Air Retreat in beautiful La Jolla, California, and my heart feels so full! The days were spent connecting with fellow creators, learning from inspiring brands, and sharing meals that reminded me how good it feels to gather around a table. Between the ocean air, thoughtful conversations, and truly delicious food, the week was a much-needed reminder of why I love what I do.

Hosted by Liz from The Lemon Bowl and Lauren from The Curious Plate, the retreat brought together an incredible group of food and lifestyle creators in a sun-filled home overlooking the coast. It was a space designed for creativity and connection, where we could slow down, share ideas, and celebrate food in its simplest, most joyful form.

Person carving a roasted turkey at a dinner table set with plates, glasses, and floral centerpiece, while others stand in the background taking photos.

Friendsgiving with Butterball

One of the highlights of the week was a beautiful Friendsgiving dinner hosted by Butterball. The table was set for comfort and celebration, filled with laughter, conversation, and the comforting aroma of a turkey roasting in the oven. As we gathered, I learned about Butterball’s newest innovation, the Butterball Cook from Frozen Turkey.

This new product completely redefines ease for holiday hosting. The turkey goes straight from freezer to oven (!!) no thawing, no prep, and no stress, annnnnd still roasts to a golden brown, tender, and juicy centerpiece. It’s the first of its kind, trusted and tested by the experts at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, and serves six to eight guests with that same classic Butterball flavor everyone loves.

A whole roasted turkey is served on a white platter, garnished with fresh herbs and orange slices.

As someone who builds recipes and rituals around ease, this idea resonated deeply with me. There’s something special about knowing you can create a memorable meal without the overwhelm, leaving more time to focus on the people around the table. That’s exactly what Butterball’s Cook from Frozen Turkey delivers; a way to make the holidays feel full and festive without adding more to your to-do list.

To learn more about Butterball’s Cook from Frozen Turkey and find it near you this season, visit Butterball.com.

A wooden table is set for a formal meal with white plates, blue menus, gold cutlery, crystal glasses, and orange floral centerpieces.

Gathering Around Good Food

Beyond the Friendsgiving, the retreat was filled with simple, beautiful meals and moments that captured the heart of why I love cooking and sharing food. Mornings began with fresh breakfasts featuring the most vibrant yolks from Happy Egg, the kind that make you slow down long enough to enjoy the sunshine and a second cup of coffee. We snacked on crisp SweeTango apples with the growers leaning exactly how they accomplished such perfectly sweet, crisp apple; and spent time learning new ways to simplify mealtime with Grocers List, a tool designed to both grow traffic for food bloggers, while making shopping and meal planning easier for all of us!

An afternoon spent with Current Backyard reminded us that outdoor cooking can be simple and social, and Mediavine shared insights that help creators like me continue to grow in meaningful, sustainable ways, along with Kaitlin Janes, whose discussion about community marketing brought both warmth and ease of the retreat. Each brand brought something unique to the table, but together they reflected a shared theme; that food and creativity are best when they feel accessible, joyful, and real.

A table setting with a box of green tea, a wooden basket of apples, fresh flowers, and colorful place cards arranged neatly.

Connection, Ease, and Gratitude

By the end of the retreat, I felt both inspired and grounded. The experience was a gentle reminder that ease and joy often come from simplicity. A good meal shared, laughter with friends, and time spent doing what matters most.

That’s the heart of Real Food Whole Life and why this partnership with Butterball felt so aligned. Whether it’s a quiet dinner at home or a holiday meal shared with loved ones, it doesn’t have to be complicated to be good!

A pizza oven in a backyard setting with freshly baked pizzas and bowls of toppings arranged on a wooden table in front.

I’m so grateful to Liz and Lauren for creating such an intentional space, to the brands who made it possible, and to Butterball for inspiring a fresh perspective on holiday cooking. Here’s to more gatherings that feel joyful, effortless, and full of flavor!

This post was created in partnership with Butterball. As always, all opinions are my own.