Recommended by a food industry pro – the second freezer that locks in flavor and transforms your life by helping you save both food and time!
We interviewed Ms. Momoka Akiyama about how she uses her TOMIN Magic second freezer. Ms. Akiyama is a medicinal cooking nutritionist who develops recipes and shares meals that are good for the body and mind. She distributes her own brand of amazake (sweet sake) called Kokototo.
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Save money and gain flavor by incorporating a second freezer into your life
The idea of a second freezer for people has recently started gaining popularity among people with hectic lives. More and more people are bringing these appliances into their homes for the purpose of storing frozen and prepared foods. Ms. Akiyama finds it easy to use the TOMIN Magic as a second freezer at home. She simply places food between the fluid-filled packs for rapid freezing! Because the food freezes much more quickly than it would in your typical air freezer, its wonderful original taste is preserved.
Is your life different now that you’ve incorporated a second freezer into your household?
＞Ms. Akiyama
Previously, I could only buy as much food as I could use before the expiration date, but now I can stock up on closeout sales and buy in bulk at the store. Because of this, I don’t need to make as many trips to the supermarket, which means I save both time and money. When we talk about saving money, we usually conjure an image of living a modest lifestyle. But with the way the TOMIN Magic preserves flavor, I think of what I’m achieving in my life is actually a delicious way to save.
Has the TOMIN Magic changed the types of products you freeze?
＞Ms. Akiyama
It certainly has! I used to mostly freeze foods that would be blended after thawing, such as fruit for smoothies or veggies for soup. I always had the impression that freezing food in a regular freezer diminishes the flavor, texture, and nutritional value. That’s why I limited what I froze to foods that didn’t need to maintain their original characteristics.
The TOMIN Magic has overwhelmingly increased my options for freezing food, and I use it for all kinds of ingredients. It comes to the rescue particularly on the days when I suddenly find myself very busy. I think to myself, “Oh thank you, TOMIN Magic, for inserting this time back into my day!” (She laughs.)
The TOMIN Magic difference that topples conventional freezing wisdom
Do you see any difference between the TOMIN Magic and a conventional freezer?
＞Ms. Akiyama
The first thing that surprised me was the texture of the food. There was one occasion when I made too much sauteed lotus root and froze the leftovers in the TOMIN Magic. A few days later, I wanted one more dish and suddenly remembered I’d frozen that meal. When I thawed it out and took my first bite, I was so surprised by how crunchy it had remained! The flavor and texture were just as if the meal was freshly made.
I’d say frozen food is not held in high regard. Over time, the quality, flavor, and texture of freshly made food deteriorates after freezing. Freezers are indispensable in our modern lives, but I’ve never had high expectations of what they can do. However, the moment I first tried the sauteed lotus root I had frozen in the TOMIN Magic, I was very surprised and realized that the type of freezing technology used really can make a big difference. My impression of frozen food has certainly changed.
TOMIN Magic sets up a diet that’s good for the environment and your family
What stays at the forefront of your mind when it comes to food, or to life in general?
＞Ms. Akiyama
In any decision I make, I think to myself, “Is this choice being driven by convenience or love?” This is true when choosing which words are best to use with someone or when choosing something that’s good for the environment. The simple thought that a behavior is wasteful can cause you to reduce food waste. You start to change the way you do things such as eating the peel and root and the entire vegetables before they go bad or hydroponics for plants that will grow again. These are all small steps, but I think having fun and saving money through such actions is ultimately good for the environment.
What benefits have emerged in your life through the TOMIN Magic?
＞Ms. Akiyama
I think everyone has had the experience of going through their freezer and finding something they’d forgotten about, or throwing something away because it didn’t taste so great after thawing. The result is often food waste. With the TOMIN Magic, the food’s original delicious flavor remains even after freezing, making for a fun way to reduce food waste. The TOMIN Magic also maintains the nutritional value of the food. It even enables the freezing and storage of homemade food that is free from colorings and additives, providing a safe way to feed children and safe options for people with food sensitivities.
I think that by incorporating the TOMIN Magic into our lives, we can continue to appreciate a delicious and enjoyable diet that is good for our families and for the environment. Personally, my aspiration is to continue developing recipes while being conscientious about cutting down on food waste by using the TOMIN Magic.
Ms. Momoka Akiyama, medicinal cooking nutritionist
After living in Australia, the world’s most advanced major nation in terms of organic practices, Momoka Akiyama understood the connection between mind and body and determined that a healthy mind begins in the kitchen. Once she returned to Japan, she studied to gain certification in medicinal cooking and to learn how to foster good health in accordance with Japanese cultural practices. Using her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal cooking, she is engaged in activities such as developing recipes and sharing meals that are good for the body and mind. Momoka now sells her own brand of amazake (sweet sake), called Kokototo, which is intended for use during periods of fasting that are designed to reset and improve the body and the mind. She also provides counseling and support services.
