A Cozy Weekend of Flavor, Friendship & Fresh-Milled Fun!
Imagine a weekend where the scent of fresh bread fills the air, laughter bubbles over pots of simmering soup, and every meal leaves you feeling nourished—body and soul. This isn’t just a getaway—it’s a reset. A chance to slow down, savor the moment, and stir up joy in the kitchen and beyond.
This retreat blends wellness with warmth, fun with function. You'll not only eat delicious, wholesome food—you’ll learn how to make several recipes, so the inspiration follows you home. Whether you're new to whole food cooking or just want a boost of creativity, this weekend is designed to make healthy living feel exciting, doable, and deeply rewarding.
Whether you’re a kitchen queen or a curious beginner, you’ll leave with new skills, new friends, and a heart full of joy.
Our weekend will be spent in a beautiful custom-built home situated approximately one mile from the southern shore of spectacular Mille Lacs Lake. It's just 30 minutes from Brainerd and 90 miles north of Minneapolis and St. Paul. You will have plenty of time to walk and explore the lake area.
Meet the Culinary Instructor:
Christa Joy Spaeth is a seasoned culinary specialist with over 20 years in a Culinary Test Kitchen! She also has her Masters in Nutrition. She is passionate about gut health and getting back to the roots of how we were designed to eat and live through fresh healthy eating with a little chocolate on the side!
🍴 Weekend Highlights:
-
🧉Create two custom creations to take home - a DIY Tea Blends Workshop
-
🌾 Fresh milled bread baking workshop -yes you can do it!
-
🥣 Bone broth + seasonal soup-making class
-
🍫 Healthy chocolate dessert session
-
🍚 Ancient Grains, 3 delicious ways
-
🥤 Smoothies & fresh milled flour muffins for breakfast
-
🥞 Epic German pancakes your family will love
-
🙏 Sunday morning church service & closing reflection
Every meal is crafted with organic, wholesome ingredients—
featuring fresh-milled flour, whole grains, vibrant fruits & veggies, and quality proteins.
Tentative Weekend Outline
🍇 Day 1: Thursday Evening — Welcome & Cozy Kickoff
🕕 Arrival & Welcome at 6:00 PM
Settle into your beautiful retreat home and meet your new foodie friends. We’ll gather around a bountiful charcuterie board loaded with fresh fruit, artisan cheeses, spreads, and wholesome bites.
🌿 DIY Vanilla Extract Workshop
Create your very own Vanilla Extract and package it beautifully for yourself or a present!
🍞 Day 2: Friday — Culinary Exploration & Hands-On Learning
🍓 Morning: Nourishing Breakfast
Fuel up with a nutritious spread—fresh fruit, whole grains, and warm drinks to awaken the senses.
🥖 Bread-Making Workshop - Fresh Milled Flour
Learn the art of milling your own grains and baking heavenly, wholesome bread from scratch. The smell alone is worth the trip!
🥗 Lunch: Freshly Baked Bread + Seasonal Accompaniments
Savor the fruits of your labor with a flavorful lunch—herb butters, fresh spreads, and a fall salad.
🧭 Afternoon Free Time
Explore the local area, take a nature walk, sip tea on the porch… it’s your time to relax and refresh.
🍚 Late Afternoon Cooking Workshop: Ancient Grains Three Ways
Discover creative ways to use ancient grains in savory, sweet, and snackable dishes. Delicious, doable, and full of inspiration.
🍲 Dinner: Skills-Inspired Feast
Enjoy a hearty, wholesome meal featuring all the goodness we’ve learned and created together.
🔥 Evening: Relax & Fellowship
Gather around the crackling campfire for cozy conversations, reflection, and connection under the stars.
🍵 Day 3: Saturday — Flavors, Ferments & Friendship
🧁 Breakfast: Fresh-Milled Muffins & Build-Your-Own Smoothies
Start the day your way—with customizable smoothies and warm, fresh-milled muffins.
🍃 FREE Time
Unwind, journal, or take a peaceful walk—this is your weekend to breathe deeply.
🌿 DIY Tea Blends Workshop
Create your very own custom dried tea blends to take home—choose your herbs, mix your magic, and package it beautifully.
🍲 Bone Broth Workshop
Learn to craft deeply nourishing bone broth from scratch—perfect for sipping, soups, or freezing for later.
🥣 Lunch: Homemade Soup
Enjoy comforting soup made from our very own bone broth base. Warm, rich, and satisfying.
🥛 Afternoon Cooking Workshop: Fermentation & Homemade Yogurt
Dive into the world of gut-friendly goodness! From tangy yogurt to tasty ferments, you'll leave feeling equipped and inspired.
🧭 Late Afternoon Free Time
More time to explore, journal, or simply soak in the peace.
🍽 Dinner:
A vibrant meal made with today’s creations and the flavors we’ve lovingly prepared together.
🍫 Evening: Fellowship & Fun
Unwind with a simple dessert, food-themed discussions, or meaningful conversation as we close out our final full day.
🥞 Day 4: Sunday — Final Feast & Faith-Filled Sendoff
🍽 Breakfast: Epic German Pancakes + Yogurt + Fresh Juice
Gather one last time for a beautiful brunch: fluffy oven-baked German pancakes, homemade yogurt, local honey, and refreshing fresh squeezed juice.
🙏 Simple Morning Church Service
We’ll close our time with a short, sweet time of worship, reflection, and gratitude.
👋 Farewell & Departure at 11:00 AM
Hugs, happy hearts, and new kitchen confidence. Head home refreshed, recharged, and ready to keep the flavor flowing.
🛏️ Choose Your Cozy Room - Cost includes food, classes and room for the weekend! I am sorry I can't accommodate any special diet requests.
Book now prices go up June 1
We have 4 beautiful rooms available in the retreat house, each with its own charm. Here's how room selection works:
🏡 Main House Rooms:
1️⃣ King Bedroom (sleeps 2)
-
Shared (2 per room): $385 per person
-
Private: $570
2️⃣ Queen Bedroom (sleeps 2)
-
Shared (2 per room): $385 per person
-
Private: $570
3️⃣ Queen + Trundle Room (sleeps 3 max)
-
3 guests: $340 per person
-
2 guests: $385 per person
🚫 This room is not available for single occupancy.
✨ The Loft Suite
Complete with a private living room for late-night laughs, snacks, and deeper chats.
-
3-4 guests (2 per queen bed): $350 per person
-
2 guests (1 per queen bed): $500 per person
💡 Ideal for a group of girlfriends who want their own space to unwind. Please note, the bathroom is on the main level.
👉 Bringing a friend? Be sure to write their name in the “notes” section when registering so we can room you together!
PRICES increase by $50 per person on June 1st and by $100 per person by August 1st.
Save money and Sign up early!
Please note: All purchases for the retreat are non-refundable; however, they are transferable. If you can’t make the retreat, you may contact me to transfer your ticket to another person. Email me at prayer@prayingdaily.org
* Please note, there are three bathrooms to share in the home with two showers so please be patient.
A Quick Note About Booking Your Room
I'm keeping it simple and personal around here—just the way a cozy weekend retreat should be! 🌿
There are only four unique rooms available, each with its own charm and layout. Because I'm not using fancy booking software (yet!), this process is lovingly managed by me, by hand. Once a room is booked, it will be marked as unavailable as quickly as possible.
I appreciate your grace and patience as I work out the quirks of this grassroots system. 💛 If you have any questions or need clarification on which spaces are still open, don’t hesitate to reach out before reserving. We want to make sure you feel confident and cared for as you plan your weekend with us! Email me at Prayer@prayingdaily.org
📆 Don’t Wait—Spots Are Limited & Prices Will Rise June 1, 2025!
This is more than a retreat—it’s a weekend to remember. With only 4 total rooms available and limited space, I expect to fill up quickly!
🗓️ Dates: October 16-19, 2025
📍 Location: Mille Lacs Lake area, Minnesota - 90 miles from the Twin Cities
🔗 Ready to join the fun? Click below to reserve your space and choose your room!
👉 Book now