While helping out on the customer service team for Wild Oats, I found the inquiries and feedback from customers incredibly educational. I continue to be surprised, though, on the steady flow of calls asking if Wild Oats Certified Organic Products are also Non GMO.

Those calls remind me that I am often too close to the trees to see the forest.

The simple answer is, “Yes, our organic products are Non GMO because they are organic.” But the lingering confusion requires a deeper explanation.

One of the basic provisions in the organic regulations is a category entitled, “Excluded Methods.” This is what it says:  methods that cannot be used in organic production. This definition includes “methods used to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes and are not considered compatible with organic production.”

Other sections of the regulation provide more specific details. For example, organic farmers are not only prohibited from using GMO seeds, they must also use certified organic seeds if those seeds are available. The certified organic feed that is a requirement for organic livestock producers means that cows, chickens and other animals can never nibble one bite of GMO corn, soy or alfalfa. Additionally, those animals can never be administered growth hormones or antibiotics.

And, the organic regulations require periodic testing of crops to make sure that producers are complying with those rules.

Yes, organic means Non GMO. In fact, organic means Non GMO, and much more.

As we build the future of Wild Oats, we will continue to use customer feedback and concerns to drive our line of affordable organics in the right direction. Thanks so much for all your thoughtful comments and support!

According to our friends at the Organic Trade Association (OTA), 2015 was a record-breaking year for U.S. organic industry growth. In fact, total organic product sales hit a whopping $43.3 billion in 2015, up 11 percent from 2014 sales!

There are a number of reasons cited for this gain, including people becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, various health considerations and a belief in the merits of organic agriculture. In fact, a recent Consumers Report survey showed that 84 percent of American consumers would choose an organic product over the same conventional product.

As many of you know, Wild Oats has long been a pioneer in the natural and organic foods industry having introduced the brand back in 1987—before it was mainstream to talk about the health and wellness benefits of everyday foods.

We are thrilled to continue to be a part of the organic movement by offering our expanding line of affordable organic products. We appreciate all the wonderful support from our loyal customers as we utilize our tools and learning to take the Wild Oats brand to the next level!

Read the full article about the record-breaking organic growth here.

For the last year, I have spent a lot of time interacting with Wild Oats wonderful customers. In this time, I have connected with devoted, sincere people and heard countless stories of how Wild Oats affordable organics have positively impacted lives.

It’s amazing to me how many of you have taken the time to write to us about your experiences. Customers have shared how they have lost weight, elevated their health and finally have been able to purchase organic food because of Wild Oats reasonable prices.

We have also received thoughtful feedback about how we can improve. Customers have voiced that they want Wild Oats products to be more readily available and they miss some of the discontinued products. These are constant subjects in Wild Oats meetings because we take customer feedback very seriously.

In fact, it is because of the ongoing support of our customers that we have decided to launch a loyalty program so that we can reward you for your opinions and more readily put your concerns and suggestions into action.

Please take a moment to join our eNewsletter to connect and learn more about upcoming loyalty member opportunities.

Are you single and ready to mingle or attached and want to add some fire to your relationship? Using simple crystals and stones helps to revive the energy around you and invite great things into your life—even love and romance! Check out some of the best crystals and stones to attract summer romance and share your own experiences in the comments below!

How do crystals and stones work?
One explanation for how crystals and stones work may be found in the common quartz movement we encounter in watches. Quartz crystal helps to enable watches to keep time by vibrating very quickly in response to an electric charge. The “vibration” or energy of various crystals and stones, like quartz, may be how these beautiful gems express their power. You can use your crystals and stones in different ways including carrying them in a left pocket, using them in meditation or simply placing them in your surroundings. Be careful about giving other people crystals and stones because it can create an unwanted “binding” energy between you.

Crystals and Stones for Love and Romance

Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz is known as the love crystal because it helps to comfort and heal the heart. It is also thought to help to balance emotions and facilitate love with self and others by producing a gentle, constant love that fills a space with warmth. You can find rose quartz in many jewelry pieces including necklaces and charms. It is also available as loose cut polished and raw stones.

Amethyst
Amethyst is a great all-around crystal because it helps to increase the positive energy around you and bring more abundance into your life. It also is a mind stone and helps to create a more keen awareness of your surroundings. It is especially good to help those who might feel that they are always attracting the wrong lovers and want to clear the pathway for something different and more fulfilling.

Goldstone
Goldstone is a power stone that can make you feel more sexy and alive. It is great to wear on a first date when you want to make the best impression because it helps you to tap into your natural confidence. It was first created and utilized centuries ago by French monks. Legend has it that they had special secret uses for the stone that were lost through time.

Pink Tourmaline
You can’t help but feel the love when pink tourmaline is around. This heart based stone is known to positive influence the heart chakra and literally draw love and joy directly to you. It is known to help to lift depression and sadness and help people discover a renewed optimism. Interestingly, it contains high amounts of lithium within its stunning crystal formations.

Please note: Before using your crystals for your own personal use make sure to “clear” them by putting them in the moonlight overnight or covering them with sea salt in a bowl. This is meant to clean out any previous energy so that the crystal is ready for you.

You don’t need to be intimidated about using your cast iron skillet outdoors.  Cast iron works perfectly on an outdoor grill.  So for the Independence Day holiday, why not put your cast iron skillet to the test and grill up some cast iron 4th of July favorites?

The wonderful thing about cast iron is that it can take the heat, so I regularly use my cast iron pans on my outdoor grill.  Your imagination is the only limit to what you can cook in a cast iron pan. Here are a few delicious recipes to round out your meal.

Cast Iron Spicy Roasted Red Potatoes

What goes perfectly with any kind of BBQ?  Why taters, of course! Chuck the boring, bland, potato salad– and opt for this spicy recipe instead.

2 lbs small red potatoes, quartered

1 large sweet onion, quartered and cut into half-moon rings

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon crushed fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons fresh thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste

Method:  Place a 12-inch cast iron skillet on grill pre-heated to medium.  Close lid and allow skillet to heat for about 10 minutes, until very hot.  Add potatoes and onion to hot skillet and drizzle with olive oil.  Add herbs and seasonings.  Close lid and cook, stirring occasionally until potatoes are browned and cooked through, about 30-35 minutes.  Serves 6 hearty eaters!  CAUTION!  Cast iron skillet will be very hot!  Always use an oven mitt to handle hot cast iron.

Skillet Fried Corn

Sweet summer corn is the perfect complement to any 4th of July meal.  Here’s a new take on a traditional southern favorite.

6 large ears of fresh corn, shucked, and kernels cut off the cobs. (How-to here.)

3-4 strips of thick-cut bacon

1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and sliced

1 small green pepper, diced

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste

Method: Pre-heat grill to medium . Put a 10-inch skillet on the grill.  Add bacon slices and cook until crisp.  Remove bacon slices, reserving drippings.  Crumble bacon and set aside.  Add corn and all other ingredients.  Saute, stirring frequently until corn is cooked through, sizzling and beginning to brown.  Top with crumbled bacon and serve warm.  Serves 6.  CAUTION!  Cast iron skillet will be very hot!  Always use an oven mitt to handle hot cast iron.

Easiest Ever Blackberry Cobbler

Your 4th of July dessert should be something special–but easy enough for you to enjoy all the festivities, too!  Don’t have blackberries on hand?  Substitute peaches, raspberries, blueberries–or just go crazy and use all of them!

2 pints fresh blackberries

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 stick butter

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup whole milk

Vanilla ice cream for serving

Method:  Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet on the grill, pre-heated to medium.  In a bowl, toss blackberries with 2 tablespoons of flour.  Stir in half of the sugar and half of the brown sugar, lemon juice and nutmeg.  Put butter in cast iron skillet on grill.  Melt butter until it starts to sizzle and brown around the edges. (The butter must be sizzling hot!)  While the butter is melting, stir together remaining 1/2 cup of flour and remaining sugar, baking powder and salt.  Add milk and stir until a batter forms.  Batter will be lumpy and about the consistency of pancake batter.  Pour batter over sizzling butter in hot skillet.  Do not stir.  Immediately spoon blackberry mixture on top of batter.  Close grill lid and cook cobbler for about 30 minutes, until crisp and golden brown.  Remove from grill and allow to rest for about 15 minutes.  CAUTION!  Cast iron skillet will be very hot!  Always use an oven mitt to handle hot cast iron. Serve cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.  Serves 6-8

Now you know just how easy it is to use your cast iron skillet on the grill.  So what are you waiting for…get grilling!