Today we’d like to introduce you to Manon Lavaud
Hi Manon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Today, I am the founder of Monalilianna, a specialized meal delivery company in Austin, Texas, dedicated to nourishing new mothers through the power of ancient wisdom.
My journey began with my own birth story – one that highlights the crucial gaps in maternal healthcare. Born at 33 weeks through an emergency C-section, I spent my first month in the hospital on antibiotics, while my mother recovered from a challenging pregnancy that could have been prevented with better maternal care protocols.
This experience illuminated a crucial truth: despite our medical advances, maternal care remains significantly underserved and often overlooks the traditional wisdom that has supported mothers for generations. Historically, women had entire villages supporting them through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
My path to founding Monalilianna deepened when I began working with a naturopath in France, discovering the transformative power of intentionally prepared, nourishing meals. After moving to Austin, Texas, I became a private chef for a pregnant woman who introduced me to the profound wisdom of Asian postpartum care traditions.
Today, Monalilianna crafts customized, ready-to-eat meals specifically designed for each stage of motherhood – from fertility and pregnancy through postpartum recovery. We’re creating a modern village that combines ancient wisdom with contemporary convenience, ensuring mothers receive the nourishment they deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a food business is challenging, but Monalilianna operates at a unique intersection of healthcare and culinary arts.
We’re integrating ready-to-eat meals into maternal healthcare – addressing a critical gap in how we support mothers during their most transformative periods. And as a reminder the food is medicine.
Having previously managed other business operations in developing countries, establishing a business in the U.S. has been both rewarding and challenging. Austin’s community has embraced our mission with incredible support and enthusiasm and I am so grateful for it. However, I do feel like there is still a mindset change that needs to happen, even though people living in Austin are often very health focus, for me there are different cultural perspectives around food value – particularly between French and American approaches .
We’re working to shift the conversation around food investment. High-quality ingredients, thoughtfully prepared meals aren’t just about immediate value – they’re an investment in maternal health, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing. And that will pay off in ways, we can’t even imagine.
This perspective is at the heart of everything we create at Monalilianna
We’ve been impressed with Monalilianna , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created Meals for Moms to take the load off mothers’ shoulders during some of the most beautiful, yet challenging milestones of their lives. I cook nourishing, comforting meals that feel like a warm hug through food – not just for mom, but for the whole family.
What makes my approach special is how I carefully craft each meal to support different stages of a woman’s reproductive journey. Drawing inspiration from Asian traditions, I select nutrient-rich ingredients that promote fertility, prenatal wellness, and postpartum recovery. Every ingredient has a purpose, chosen with intention to support your health and well-being.
Here’s how it works: each week, I deliver fresh meals right to your doorstep – 3 days worth of lunches, dinners, bone broth, and snacks. I’ve designed these meals to nourish not just mom, but also her partner and toddler if she has one. Everything is dairy-free and gluten-free, with plenty of high-quality protein (over 80 grams daily) to support recovery and energy levels.
We have packages of 1 week, 1 month, 6 weeks or 12 weeks, that can be purchased by the Mom herself, added to her registry or gifted by family members and friends.
What I’m most proud of is creating something that truly supports mothers when they need it most. You know, it’s funny – everyone focuses on the baby after birth, but who’s taking care of mom? That’s where I come in. No stress about counting macros or achieving perfection – just wholesome, nurturing meals that let you focus on what really matters: bonding with your baby and recovering at your own pace.
Any big plans?
I’m excited to share that I’m launching new maternal care packages for moms within a 24-mile radius of Austin.
I’ve carefully designed these packages to take the mental load off moms – no more weekly meal planning or worrying about feeding the family. When a mom joins my program, I take time to understand her specific needs and preferences, then tailor her meal plan accordingly. Fresh, nourishing meals arrive at her doorstep each week, right when she needs them most. Moms who join get access to special events I host in Austin, where they can connect with other mothers on similar journeys. I’m also building partnerships with local brands that create stage-specific products for mothers, from pregnancy through postpartum.
My goal for 2025 is clear: to become Austin’s most trusted source for pregnancy and postpartum meal support. I’ve chosen to focus exclusively on serving Austin, TX, and this is intentional. While many companies are rushing to expand nationwide, I believe in the power of staying local and personal. It allows me to maintain the highest quality in every meal I prepare, using fresh, local ingredients, and ensuring each delivery feels like a warm hug from a caring friend or relative.
This local focus means I can truly be there for my community of moms, understanding their needs, and adapting my services to better support them. It’s not just about delivering meals – it’s about being a reliable part of their support system during one of life’s most transformative journeys.
Pricing:
- NOURISH Starter: 3 days of postpartum meals for 1 week 1 adult: $212 ($70/day) 2 adults: $382 ($64/day per person)
- NOURISH Monthly – most popular for nutritional support & healing 1 adult: $800 ($66/day – save $48 vs Starter) 2 adults: $1,440 ($60/day – save $88 vs Starter )
- RECHARGE & Thrive – Traditional postpartum confinement 1 adult: $1,100 ($61/day – save $172 vs Starter) 2 adults: $1,980 ($55/day per person – save $312 vs Starter)
- RECHARGE Complete – Lowest daily investment in your maternal wellness journey 1 adult: $2,100 ($58/day – save $444 vs Starter) 2 adults: $3,780 ($52/day per person – save $800 vs Starter)
- We customize each program to your specific stage – whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or on your maternal journey beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monalilianna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monalilianna/
Image Credits
Samantha Guidoin https://www.instagram.com/samantha.guidoin/?hl=en
Based in Florida
