Born in Chengdu and raised between China and the U.S., Jing Gao has turned Fly By Jing into a brand celebrated for bold Sichuan flavors, rich cultural storytelling, and modern Chinese pantry staples. (We’re longtime devotees of her signature Chili Crisp—and just as hooked on her new Classic Soy Noodles, a six-minute, family-friendly staple.)

Now based in Nevada, Jing balances the demands of founder life with raising her toddler son, Kai (you might remember her touching essay on being reborn as a mother). In her Mother Essentials list below, she shares the rituals and everyday comforts that nourish herself and her family—showing how food is both her creative medium and love language. From toddler-approved Chinese music books and her “morning pages” ritual, to her Fly by Jing favorites and local hikes through the red rock canyons, these are the products and practices keeping Jing fueled and inspired every day.

Fly By Jing Classic Soy Noodles. “A key comfort food in our house. They’re quick enough for busy evenings (6 minutes!), flavorful enough for adults, and—because they’re our very first non-spicy noodle—simple enough to share with kids.” Classic Soy Noodles (6-Pack), $30, Fly by Jing.

Bao Bao Learns Chinese. “A great music book for toddlers to learn Chinese via catchy songs. Kai loves listening and singing along to the same Chinese nursery rhymes that I grew up with. This is a playful, accessible, and a sweet way to keep culture woven into our everyday life.” Bao Bao Learns Chinese Vol. 1, $28.99, Amazon.

The Regulars Bundle by Tubby Todd. “My son has sensitive skin, so anything that’s gentle and reliable is immediately an everyday essential.” The Regulars Bundle, $49, Tubby Todd.

Expand Meditation App. “Even five quiet minutes can entirely shift the tone of my day. Being a founder means keeping my calm when things get chaotic, so it’s important to me that this is a part of my daily practice.” MonroeInstitute.org

Morning Pages (The Artist’s Way). “If you’ve ever read The Artist’s Way, you’ll know the power of the morning pages. I’m still dedicated to doing these daily—even years later. The stream-of-consciousness style of writing helps me clear my mind first thing in the morning and, maybe most importantly, stay connected to my inner voice.” The Artist’s Way, $22.37, Bookshop and Amazon.

Hiking the Red Rock Canyons. “Getting outside for me is non-negotiable. Whether it’s a long hike or a simple walk, the fresh air and scenery helps me recalibrate. It’s been fun to share that with Kai as he gets older and begins to appreciate the views as well.” Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Toiro Donabe With Steamer Attachment. “One of the most versatile pieces in my kitchen. I use it for steaming vegetables, seafood, rice—even simmering broths. Steaming in a donabe preserves the natural sweetness and delicacy of ingredients, and when you steam over kombu water or dashi, it infuses everything with deep umami. It makes simple, nourishing family meals feel elevated.” Donabe Steamer, $240, Toiro.

Zojirushi Rice Cooker. “Speaking of rice, one of the most game-changing kitchen tools is a simple rice cooker. It saves me the hassle of manually preparing the rice (so I can prep the other parts of the meal in the meantime), but the end result is consistent and high quality.” Zojirushi Rice Cooker, $55.99, Amazon.

Fly By Jing Electric Hot Pot Starter Set. “Hot pot has always been about the joy of gathering around a table with people you love, but it’s taken on new meaning since becoming a mom. It gives me a bit of extra time and space to spend time with my family at the end of hectic founder days.” Hot Pot Starter Set, $130, Fly By Jing.

The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp. “My cookbook—The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp—offers some really great recipes that are rooted in tradition but adapted for the modern kitchen. It’s easy inspo for elevating your go-to family meals with a little something extra.” The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp: Spicy Recipes and Stories from Fly By Jing’s Kitchen, $18, Amazon and Bookshop.

Ghia. “An easy non-alc beverage everyone loves. I’m a big fan of a quick and easy drink option that makes my at-home meals feel a little extra special. Ghia’s great if you’re cutting back on alcohol. It’s a big crowd-pleaser—so it works equally as well for hosting as it does for nights in with the family.” Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif, $38, Amazon.

Blueland Cleaning Products. “Making meals at home means slightly more mess than ordering in, but I love Blueland because it makes the clean-up process feel extra simple and safe—key for me as a newer mom. I’m partial to their multi-surface cleaner, which is free from parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, and phthalates, and—best of all—is easily refillable.” Blueland Multi-surface Cleaner Starter Set, $16, Blueland.

Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland. “I gifted myself a birthday trip to Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland for a week-long homesteading course. It was transformative. Learning about growing, cooking, and sustaining food systems felt especially poignant as a mother and left me dreaming about starting a farm of my own someday.” Ballymaloecookeryschool.ie

Chiyo. “This TCM-based meal delivery service was originally designed for prenatal and postpartum care, but honestly, I still order from them regularly. It’s deeply nourishing, beautifully prepared food—for anyone, anytime.” WeAreChiyo.com

For more MOTHER ESSENTIALS, peep our recent features with Sarah Fritsch of Studio Tigress, artist Lena Corwin, Hello!Lucky’s sister duo, doula and author Latham Thomas, Carla Wingett of Idlewild Floral, Andrea Faulkner Williams of Tubby Todd, Hana Getachew of Bole Road Textiles, artist & author Carissa Potter Carlson, actress & activist Hilary Swank, the co-founders of Hearth Display, author and organizer Aida Mariam Davis, design consultant Joyce Lee, self-care advocate Rachel Garahan, and DJ and director Va$htie Kola.