Making a Healthy Lifestyle Change can sometimes feel like a monumental task. Recently, an online client I work with sent me an update that I wanted to share with you. Not only does it show the funny side of change, it also speaks to the way our eyes open to new things when we are giving ourselves the time we deserve.

Candace,

I wanted to give you an update…I’ve done GREAT and I’m very determined, but these are some ramblings I want you to know:

1. My urine is no longer yellow
2. I never knew cardboard (Ezekiel bread) could be so damn good.
3. I’ve increased my aerobic exercise running to the bathroom in every house, store, business this side of Alabama.
4. It is rather boring from 5 – 7 without a cocktail, however I’ve learned to enjoy my green tea hour.
5. I would kill for some Triscuits and cheese.
6. I’m very tired of salmon.
7. Once a week wine is something to really, really look forward to.
8. It is impossible to eat 4 egg whites, but 2 is manageable
9. When you drink a lot of water you are full most of the time.
10. Days pass more slowly when you’re watching what you’re eating…which isn’t a bad thing.

Just an update, but I’ve been hugely successful this first week and want to look at this as my new healthy lifestyle. I was weighed and measured on 1/13 and will not weigh or measure again until I have a month under my belt. I’ve learned from past mistakes. I do feel stronger and a little more lean, sort of like letting a tad of air out of a balloon. Thank you for devising this plan for me. I go to your website often to get more inspiration. My family and friends are very supportive. I’m determined to drop 30 but probably 40 would be better. Thanks again; I’ll let you know my progress next month!

Are you ready for your healthy lifestyle change? What are you waiting for???

* If you are craving CHOCOLATE, your body may be low in MAGNESIUM Try eating more raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in CHROMIUM. Try eating more broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, chicken.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in CARBON. Try eating more fresh fruits.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in PHOSPHOROUS. Try eating more chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in SULFUR. Try eating more cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in TRYPTOPHAN. Try eating more cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach.

* If you are craving BREAD & TOAST, your body may be low in NITROGEN. Try eating more high-protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, beans.

* If you are craving OILY/FATTY FOODS, your body may be low in FAT or low in CALCIUM. If you are meeting your good fat requirements, try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in PHOSPHOROUS. Try eating more chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in SULFUR. Try eating more egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in NaCl (SALT). Try eating more sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad).

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in IRON. Try eating more meat, fish and poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in PROTEIN. Try eating more meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in AVENIN. Try eating more granola, oatmeal.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in CALCIUM. Try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in GLUTAMINE. Try eating more glutamine powder (a supplement) for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in POTASSIUM. Try eating more sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens.

* If you are craving CHEWING ICE, your body may be low in IRON. Try eating more meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries.

* If you are craving BURNT FOOD, your body may be low in CARBON. Try eating more fresh fruit.

* If you are craving SODA & CARBONATED DRINKS, your body may be low in CALCIUM. Try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving SALTY FOOD, your body may be low in CHLORIDE. Try eating more raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt.

* If you are craving ACIDIC FOODS, your body may be low in MAGNESIUM. Try eating more raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits.

* If you are craving LIQUIDS RATHER THAN SOLIDS, your body may be low in WATER. Try to drink more water flavored with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day and more when it’s hot or you are exercising!

* If you are craving SOLIDS, RATHER THAN LIQUIDS, your body may be low in WATER. Try to drink more water. Long-term, chronic dehydration results in losing your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day and more when it’s hot or you are exercising!

* If you are craving COOL DRINKS, your body may be low in MANGANESE. Try eating more walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries.

* If your cravings are PRE-MENSTRUAL, your body may be low in ZINC. Try eating more red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in SILICON. Try eating more nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in TRYPTOPHAN. Try eating more cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweat potato, spinach.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in TYROSINE. Try eating more Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in VITAMIN B1. Try eating more nuts, seeds, beans, liver and other organ meats.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in VITAMIN B3. Try eating more tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seeds and legumes.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in MANGANESE. Try eating more walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in CHLORIDE. Try eating more raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt.

* If you are craving TOBACCO, your body may be low in SILICON. Try eating more nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches.

* If you are craving TOBACCO, your body may be low in TYROSINE. Try eating more Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables.

Compiled by Colleen Huber with additional credit to:
1. Lectures, Cheryl M. Deroin, NMD, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Spring 2003 (healthy food recommendations)
2. Benard Jenson, PhD, The Chemistry of Man B. Jensen Publisher, 1983 (deficiencies linked to specific cravings and some food recommendations)