Mami's Crunch: Gluten-Free and Good For You

One of the things I find most gratifying about writing Novato Farm To Table is getting to know local food producers who are working hard to bring quality products to our market places. Sometimes, in the process of interviewing my subjects, I come upon a personal back-story that is so compelling it simply must be shared. Such is the case of Naomi Tomoda, a Novato resident and the force behind Mami's Crunch crackers and dips.

I first met Naomi on a Saturday morning as I strolled through the small weekly Marinwood Farmer's Market in Terra Linda, an unplanned stop on my way home from an early morning workout. I'm always on the lookout for vendors who offer something special, and was instantly drawn in by the banner over her booth which read: Eat for Health, Eat for Ecology, Eat for Smile. Of course, I had to investigate.

Standing behind her table, a petite Asian woman with an inviting smile was doling out tastes of her "Mami's Crunch" original-recipe crackers. "Would you like to try a sample?" she asked me, noticing I was hovering curiously to one side. I listened intently as she explained her philosophy for creating nutritious, whole-food based snacks to another equally curious patron. After tasting several selections, I left with two packages of crackers and a date for an interview to learn more Naomi Tomoda and her unique product line.

I caught up with Naomi again several weeks later at the Corte Madera Farmers  Market, where she sells her products every Wednesday.  We began chatting as Djan, her assistant for the day, manned the booth. What I learned about this resourceful lady in the next hour amazed and inspired me.

Naomi's journey to entrepreneurship has been challenging to say the least. Born and raised in Japan, she honed her passion for the food industry as a restaurateur,  gaining a reputation for serving healthy multicultural style food in her restaurant, Anjany. She owned and operated this successful venue in Kasugai City for 20  years.

When her first marriage ended in divorce, she decided to spend some time traveling abroad with her daughter, exploring the regional cuisines of Europe, Greece, Thailand and Tasmania on a self-directed “food tour.” She eventually remarried and moved to the United States, settling in the Hamilton area of Novato with her new husband and daughter in 2006.

Soon, however, her promising new beginning was derailed by troubles at home, and she ended up with her daughter at a local women's shelter. Homeless, isolated, unable to speak the language, and alone with a daughter to care for, she agonized about how she would rebuild her life in this new country and community.

It was at this crucial time that an advocate from the shelter brought her to the  Novato Human Needs Center.

"This was the turning point." she said. "I am so grateful to have found this place."

In the months that followed, the people at Novato Human Needs worked to supply Naomi with the tools she needed to get back on her feet. The most difficult barrier she faced was her inability to communicate in English.

"It was very difficult," she remembers. "I had much knowledge and skill, but I could not get a job because my English was so poor."

The people at Novato Human Needs introduced her to a counselor at College of Marin, where she enrolled in an Intensive English Study Program at the nearby . Gradually, she gained confidence in her fledgling ability to communicate, and made a critical decision: she would use the skills she had developed in her years of food industry experience to pursue a career in that field.

Confident in her ability to succeed, Naomi’s college guidance counselor found her an education opportunity at Bauman College in Penngrove, where she enrolled in the nutrition consultant program. With the help of scholarships and a grant she received from the Sausalito Rotary Club, Naomi completed the intensive course work at Bauman and graduated from the program. As a certified nutritionist, she began charting her course to re-enter the workforce.

Returning to College of Marin with her new credential, she took a business class and developed a business plan. She knew she wanted to use her considerable knowledge to help educate people about the benefits of eating a healthy diet. Although her language skills had improved, she still found communication challenging and lacked confidence speaking with people. Around this time her daughter, Mami, entered St. Mary’s College in Moraga.

In the weeks that followed, mother and daughter spoke frequently on the telephone about college life. During these conversations, Mami often commented on the tasteless, greasy food served in her dorm. Naomi became increasingly concerned about the lack of healthy food options available to Mami in the cafeteria. She knew that to succeed in her new environment, it would be important for Mami to eat nutritious, easily digestible foods that would support optimal brain function. Putting her knowledge to work, Naomi began developing recipes for nutrient-dense, whole food snacks and meals that would provide her daughter with the nutritional support she needed.

One of her favorite recipe creations was a protein and fiber rich, gluten-free cracker served with a tofu-based dip perfect for snacking. Naomi knew that eating something flavorful, with a crunchy mouth-feel, would help curb cravings for less healthy options. Tasting success, she continued experimenting in the kitchen. Then, once a week, she would drive to St. Mary’s to deliver a week's worth of home-cooked meals to Mami.

Word soon got out in the dorm about Naomi's delicious food deliveries, and it wasn't long before Mami's room became a popular gathering spot for other students. The idea for Mami's Crunch was blossoming.

That was a little over a year ago. Today, Naomi Tomoda sells her healthy Mami's Crunch products at three North Bay farmers markets and is building a devoted following of patrons.

"My product is not for everybody," she admits, but for those who are health conscious, or suffer from food allergies, her recipes are a hit. All of Naomi's products are made with organic ingredients, and provide a great alternative to traditional high fat and calorie fare.

Her Mami's Crunch crackers are available in two varieties. The Original Mami's Crunch is made with organic "okara" (soybean husk), a byproduct of tofu production well known in Japan. Her "original” crackers are available in five flavors (ginger, lemon, sesame, seaweed, and carrot) and are high in fiber, protein, calcium, and potassium. They are slow baked at a low temperature to retain maximum nutrient value. These sweet and savory flavors deliver crunch and texture that will satisfy your snack cravings, without being excessively sweet or salty. They are free of gluten, dairy, sugar, and eggs, and are delicious alone or with dips. Because of their high fiber content, Naomi recommends consuming them with fluids. Doing so will help the fiber expand in the stomach, providing a feeling of fullness which can help curb between meal binging. Fiber, she tells me, is the key ingredient for supporting optimal detoxification, balancing blood sugar, and enhancing weight management. My favorite “original” cracker is the Carrot Crunch which is slightly sweet and very pleasing.

Her second variety, Mami's Crunch Black Bean Crackers, are a whole grain treat that is gluten, dairy, oil, egg, and sugar free. Because they are soy-free, these crackers are the perfect snack alternative for people who are sensitive to soy products. High in fiber and low in sodium, they can be eaten as they are, or served with your favorite dip.

Naomi also offers organic, non-GMO protein-rich tofu dips which pair well with her crackers. Her lightly sweet Choco Dip, made with coco powder, coconut milk, flaxseed oil, dried fig, and stevia (a natural plant derived sweetener that doesn't raise blood sugar levels) is a nice compliment to Mami's Crunch ginger or sesame crackers.

Her savory Ethnic Dip is a mix of organic tofu, fresh herbs and six spices--cumin, turmeric, coriander, oregano, sage and fennel--all containing beneficial phytonutrients that support digestion and stimulate enzymes that assist the body in assimilating nutrients.

In addition to her crackers and dip, Naomi produces two unique and nutritious salads: Quinoa Salad and Seaweed Salad. Quinoa is an ancient, protein-rich seed grain that originated in Peru. It contains essential amino acids required by the body for growth and repair, as well as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Blended with lentils, pumpkin seeds, parsley, and vegetables this salad is finished with a light olive oil, Dijon and tahini dressing. It is an excellent source of bioflavonoids, healthy fats, vitamin C, and minerals. 

Her Seaweed Salad is made from wild-sourced Hijiki seaweed, harvested in Korea. Seaweed packs a powerful nutritional punch, and Naomi blends hers with roasted organic sesame oil which balances out the sea vegetables. Easily packed for a nutritious lunch, her Quinoa and Seaweed Salads are a meal in themselves.

Feeling sluggish? Suffering from mid-day droop? Instead of grabbing another cup of caffeine, reach for a Mami's Power Ball. Each individually wrapped orb is packed with dates, figs, coco powder, almond butter, stevia, and coconut. These ingredients are easily converted to natural energy, replenishing your body's stores without the "crash" that accompanies sugary, high carb snacks.   

Today, Naomi enjoys being at her farmers market booth. Seeing people's reaction to her products and sharing her expertise as a nutritionist is very gratifying. She has endured hardship that most of us cannot imagine, but she has triumphed. Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Taking a huge leap of faith, this resourceful Novato woman has overcome significant personal obstacles to bring her healthy product line to market.

You can sample and purchase Mami's Crunch at the Corte Madera Farmers Market (Wednesdays year-round from noon-5 p.m.) in the Town Center Courtyard; Marinwood Community Farmers Market (Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the intersection of Marinwood Avenue and Miller Creek Road; and Sausalito Farmers Market (Sundays, May through October from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) in Dunphy Park.