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Meet The Mama: Jessica Phan, Co-Founder of Ritual Meals

We're starting off with a new blog series called, Meet the Mamas, where we will be interviewing a handful of mothers to get a glimpse of their postpartum experiences, hear some of their rituals, and receive insightful advice about early motherhood. And the first mama, we will be interviewing is Jessica Phan, our very own Co-Founder of Ritual Meals.

Meet Jessica Phan

Meet Jessica Phan, our very own Co-Founder of Ritual Meals and first time mother in San Francisco Bay Area.

Co-Founder Jessica Phan

Ritual Meals Co-Founder, Jessica Phan and Baby at 3 months

How many months are you postpartum?

I am 9 months into my postpartum. While it’s been months, I’m still not quite settled into my new role and body as a motherhood, however I feel like I'm getting there.

How long was your recovery after giving birth? Did you run into any challenges? What helped your recovery the most?

My recovery was a month long. After a month, my perineal area had healed and I was able to walk and lift more than 10 pounds again. Even though I had recovered, I knew I still had to be gentle with myself so that I wouldn’t undo my progress.

What helped my recovery most was:

  • My Placenta Encapsulation: While there isn't strong data that placenta encapsulation helps with recovery, I can say the placebo effect helped me recover. I had a local doula, Fabienne of Fabulous Birth, create placenta pills for me using the Traditional Chinese Medicine method. 
  • Healing Food and Elixir Teas that my Mother-in-Law had prepared for which includes the Jujube & Goji Berry Tea and Ginger Chicken Porridge
  • Rest:  I slept when the baby slept. At times I struggled with this because all I wanted to do was look at baby photos that I took that morning. 

What are some products or support you wished you had when you got home that first week after giving birth? What was really helpful in making your life easier as a new mom?

I wished I had some lactation and healthy snacks like the goji energy balls or the milk-making nut bombs the first week I got home after birth. Because I was breastfeeding, I was always hungry. And because I was always breastfeeding, I didn’t have time to sit down and enjoy a large meal. 

For early motherhood, here are my top favorite products:

  1. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow: It made breastfeeding much easier!
  2. A Henley Nightgown: A friend had gifted me a henley nightgown and it was by far my most used gift. It was much easier to breastfeed and tend to my perineal area after a natural childbirth.
  3. Magnetic Me Onesies: Another friend had gifted our baby with these magnetic onesies and it made life so much easier. It’s a little pricey, but SO worth it. With all the diaper changes during night, you’ll have more time to rest without fussing with buttons and zippers on your newborn.

What are some of your favorite self-care rituals to do postpartum?

During my postpartum ritual, I practiced the Traditional Chinese rituals where I held off on showering for a month. While I did a lemongrass and ginger sponge bath starting my second week into postpartum, it was definitely not pleasant. The first day I took my first shower after delivery, which was my 4th week into postpartum, that was my happiest day. I felt so refreshed and rejuvenated. I have to say that warm shower was my favorite self-care ritual.

I would love to hear your thoughts/experiences with getting help from family or friends. Did you have help, and what was it like?What would you have done differently in terms of getting help from family or friends?

I had help from my mother-in-law. A week into postpartum, my husband and I moved into my in-laws home while she prepared a lot of Chinese Postpartum Meals and rituals and we stayed there for a month. While I’m extremely grateful for everything she has done, not being in the comfort of my own home was a bit difficult. If I could have done something differently, I would prefer to be recovering in my home.

Did you experience any baby blues or postpartum anxiety or depression? Do you have any advice for new mothers struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression?

Like many of my mama friends, I’ve shed a few tears throughout my postpartum. No one ever told me transforming into motherhood was hard. For me, it was the hardest thing that I have ever experienced. While the postpartum sadness and anxiety could be because of the imbalanced hormones, but I felt that had lost a part of myself. It wasn’t about myself anymore, nor was it just my husband and I anymore. I became a completely new person with a new set of priorities and a new mindset about life. My life was changing drastically before my eyes. 

What's the worst advice you've gotten for postpartum & early motherhood?

The worst advice I’ve gotten for early motherhood was “just let someone else feed the baby so you can rest.” Breastfeeding is hard and it’s not for every mother, but once you overcome the challenges of it, it’s one of the most delightful and beautiful bonding moments with your baby and it allows you to rest and recover. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, the two hormones that relax the mother, which also helps with uterus contraction and reduces bleeding.

What's the best advice you've gotten for postpartum & early motherhood?

The best advice I’ve gotten for postpartum is from a doula that created my placenta encapsulation. On the third day of motherhood, she dropped by and told me “don’t forget to be gentle with yourself and give yourself a bit of grace.” Today, this is the one advice I share with all new mothers as well because it’s a good reminder that for me to take it easy on myself, on my body, and on my new journey as a mother.

Any closing advice for someone who's just about to be a new mom?

You are the specialist of your own body and your own child. Trust your instincts on what’s right for you and what’s right for your baby, because everyone -- every mother and every baby is different.

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Interested in being featured in our Meet the Mamas Series? Contact us at info@ritualmeals.com.

 

FAQs

Have more questions about Ritual Meals? View our frequently asked questions below.

  • What is Ritual Meals?

    Ritual Meals is a postpartum meal delivery service. Our signature postpartum meal delivery product is The Postpartum Program, which includes meals, snacks, and teas shipped weekly to your doorstep. Customers receive orders with all the fresh meals, snacks, and teas you need to enjoy nourishing postpartum food prepared by our chefs. We save you the time and energy of going to the grocery store, finding new recipes, meal planning, and portioning.

    Our talented chefs work with our Wellness Team to create new menus each week for you, based on what’s seasonally available from our community of local farms and ranches. We use the highest quality ingredients which are organic or pesticide free produce and grass-fed or pasture-raised animals.

  • What are the benefits of postpartum food and Ritual Meals?

    We understand that, as a new mom, you've got one of the hardest jobs in the world—so we created The Postpartum Program to help you heal and feel your best after giving birth. Our postpartum meals are nutritionally designed to support your physical recovery, energy levels, hormonal balance, milk supply and quality, and mood. At Ritual Meals, we are serious about supporting your postpartum nourishment and postpartum wellness journey. Everything we cook is made with the highest quality, whole food ingredients, good for you and your baby, whether or not you are breastfeeding.

    Our postpartum nutrition philosophy is focused on food as medicine.

    Our postpartum meals include both plated food and soups and stews which are more easily digestible and improve absorption of essential minerals and vitamins that the body needs to repair, restore, and fortify after birth or surgery. Grass-fed and pasture-raised animal stock are the base of all of our soups and stews, supplying essential nutrients, lean protein, and collagen to boost energy, support and heal connective tissues, and support healthy metabolism.

    If you are breastfeeding, our postpartum meals can provide measurable benefits for your milk supply and quality. Our postpartum meals often include galactagogues (ingredients which support milk supply and quality), including flax seeds, oats, tahini, brewer’s yeast, and more. We also avoid ingredients that could be associated with colic or sensitivities for breastfed babies, including cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and hot peppers.

    * This program is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with your doctor prior to starting this program if you have a medical condition or are taking any prescription medication or nutritional supplements.

  • How much does Ritual Meals Cost?

    The Postpartum Program at Ritual Meals is priced starting at $176 per week. Meal frequency per week can be customized, which changes the cost of the program. As well, if you opted into our Subscription option, you can save up to 10% each week and receive free delivery with promo code FREESHIPPING.  Customize your postpartum plan to view prices.

  • What kinds of ingredients does Ritual Meals use?

    All meals are made to order and made from scratch with the highest quality ingredients. We prioritize local and organic produce and use only meat sourced from local farms that sustainably and humanely raise their animals. Our animals are always grass-fed or pasture-raised. Our produce is plant rich, organic or pesticide-free, low gluten, no refined sugars, and non-GMO.

    Organic or pesticide-free, whole, unprocessed foods are both more nutritive and more flavorful. We thoughtfully pair ingredients based on complementary benefits. For example, these pairings—lentils and red bell pepper, sesame and salmon, pasture-raised eggs and leafy greens, and chicken and quinoa—allow you to absorb more nutrients and experience their healing benefits.

  • What if I have allergy or dietary needs?

    Due to the small size of our culinary team, we are currently unable to offer substitutions in our menus, which are set weekly. To receive weekly email notifications about our upcoming menus which lists our full ingredients, please subscribe to our newsletter below.

    Please note: our Postpartum Program is not intended for severe allergies. If you have any questions about how we can support your dietary needs, please reach out to our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com

  • How do you keep food fresh in transit? What if I am not home?

    We pack the postpartum meals fresh with care using 100% recyclable, insulated boxes and drain safe gel packs designed to keep your food refrigerated on the way to your doorstep.

    We understand that when it comes to birth, timing may not always happen according to plan. We highly recommend recruiting the help of a friend, neighbor, or family member so that if you aren’t able to get to your food when it arrives at your doorstep, they can help you store it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy them.

    The delivery driver should leave the package for you at your door with no signature required. We package our postpartum meals in 100% recyclable insulated liners with drain-safe gel packs, so that your food stays refrigerated in transit. If you have any concerns with the temperature or condition of your meals once delivered, please contact our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com.

  • Where does Ritual Meals deliver?

    We ship across the continental US to your doorstep! If you have any additional questions, you can contact our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com.

  • How do I get started with Ritual Meals?

    You can get started by selecting your program options on the Postpartum Program page

    If you would like any help choosing a program that works best for you, please email our Wellness Team at info@ritualmeals.com and we’d be happy to help!


Nourish your body. Thrive postpartum

Before your actual delivery, plan your postpartum meal delivery.

Plan Ahead
Postpartum Meal Delivery
Women-owned Business
Women-Owned

Founded and created by two women of color, our goal is to create more opportunities to other women.

Locally Sourced
Locally Sourced

We source as locally as possible from our community of local farms and ranches.

Whole Foods
Whole Foods

We commit to using organic or pesticide-free, 100% whole food ingredients in all our products.

Sustainably Made
Sustainably Made

We commit to environmental responsibilty through our low waste practices both inside and outside of the kitchen.

Gives Back
Gives Back

We donate 2% of our sales to organizations that support and empower women or work to reduce food insecurity.