Last fall, I sat across from my doctor, a brilliant man who has helped me balance my thyroid and navigate multiple seasons of flare ups and fatigue. 

Mostly, I was bone-tired and feeling shaken up by the divine mystery that is female hormones. 

He flipped through a thick packet of lab results, highlighting and marking up the pages so I could leave with a better understanding of how it all connected. 

As he thumbed through each system of my body in the report, I was surprised to find that for the most part, things looked good. In fact, these were some of my best lab results to date. 

Cue the confusion. This is not what I’m used to hearing.

“So if my hormones look balanced on paper, why am I feeling all of these things?” I puzzled. 

“Your body may be asking you to optimize your hormones even further,” he shared, cool as a cucumber. “Things look okay, but you may be needing even more support to get through the daily stressors you’re facing.”

We talked through strategies and supplements and some ways I could work to help support my body and mitigate these wild symptoms. This, surprisingly, included my favorite prescription to date.

“There’s a compound called Diindolylmethane (DIM) that supports female hormone function. Cruciferous vegetables are one of the highest sources of DIM—I highly recommend you eat more broccoli and cauliflower.” 

I lit up. “Oh my goodness, I LOVE broccoli!” I exclaimed. 

The truth is, I crave broccoli all the time. I always want it. This roasted, toasted, sea-salted roasted cruciferous candy delights me. Much to Mitch’s chagrin, I reach broccoli more than any other veggie.

My doctor raised his eyebrows.

“Hm. I wasn’t expecting you to come in here today and say you love broccoli, but it makes sense—your body is asking for more DIM through this craving. Your body likes the support it gets. That’s something to pay attention to. Please notice any other big cravings, preferences, and desires you have. Your body is always communicating to you.”

Now I raised my eyebrows.

This hit me.

And I still think about it all the time.

The cravings inside of us aren’t random—they are very much intentional and purposeful. For our health. Our gifts. Our work. Our families. Our entire lives.

I’m often quick to brush off what I really want, like, or prefer, thinking it’s selfish or unimportant, but this divine appointment showed me those desires come from above, and they are worth listening to. 

Our seemingly random vegetable craving? It could be the key to unlock more balanced hormones, health, and days.

Our nudge to write and share? That could absolutely encourage someone else and change their perspective, faith, or life. 

Our inclination to wear a certain color or style? It could reframe our creativity, inspiration, and/or mental health.

We never know what could happen when we step forward in pursuit of a desire or dream. 

After that meeting with my doctor and the prescription of broccoli, I’m more convinced than ever to lean in. Listen. And let myself seek out those little things I’m craving.

This, I’m finding, is the most honest, authentic, and beautiful way to live this one life I’ve been given. Be it broccoli or building a business or calling that one friend on my mind—the desire isn’t random or accidental. I need to honor it. 

Here’s to seeing what God does with our prescription of broccoli—or sunshine or music or skydiving or writing. It’s not for nothing.

A List of Little Things I Love (and so does my body)

— Broccoli
— Fresh rice
— Multiple little walks a day
— Sitting in the sunshine
— Stretching before bed
— Detox baths
— Mocktails
— Fresh basil
— Warm soup on a cold night
— Cozy blankets (I LOVE this one)
— Listening to Mat Kearney and Drew Holcomb and Roo Panes
— Writing every morning
— Reading before bed
— Bone broth

Post Scripts

— On this note, how baking cookies is a ministry—

— Some little things that can make life feel more special in the middle of winter (including how we fold our pajamas and what we read)—

— A love letter to tiny cappuccino spoons—

— Cutie cat-eye, tortoise sunglasses for $15—