So, I have a very good friend who often has these moments when she has a craving for ice cream, drowned in syrupy caramel sauce, accompanied by crispy french fries. She'll have these moments when she wants nothing else . . . and there is no chance she is "in a family way"! ;-)

To me, it's an interesting pairing, one I haven't seen anyone else connect together. It does have that sweet and salty combination going for it - which I love, but still....

So it made me think about interesting food cravings people have. Each of us has a unique pallet. My kids don't like any kind of food that has too much spice, or too complex a flavor variety - bland to me, but their mouths will water at a turkey and cheese sandwich. Hold the mustard, hold the lettuce, tomatoes, etc. Turkey. Cheese. Mayo. Bread. That's it.

I love food. I think discovering new and unique foods is like an adventure. One of my favorite ways to order in any restaurant, is to ask the server, "What's good here?" Specifically, I want to see a sparkle in her eyes when she talks about her favorite dish, and I think, "Jackpot!" I don't think I've ever been disappointed. I'm the kind of person who, if you put something I've never seen before in front of me, will reach for it and eat it, just to see what new taste sensation I can experience. If it moves, or is something you might see on "Fear Factor", then maybe not. But that's another story...

I even love things like opening a can of sardines or anchovies, putting them on a Ritz, and snacking on them while I'm deciding what to make for dinner.

So, what do are unique food cravings say about us? Let's explore...

So, what do your food cravings really mean? According to one article, food cravings often act as a mirror to our internal life - they tell us how we feel and what we need to satisfy an inner need. Our bodies create a craving to help us deal with emotional issues effectively. For example, when we dream of ice cream, we are desiring less stress in our lives. I'm sure that comes as an incredible surprise to most of us, right? Similarly, our craving for cookies signifies a need for a quick boost of energy.

Personally, I crave cookies because they taste so amazingly good. I love the crispness, the texture, the smell, the sweet chewy taste. Hmm. Excuse me for a moment . . .

Chips? You're thirsty, and having something salty triggers the desire for liquid. Chocolate? You're craving relaxation. Pizza? You need a break. Burgers? You're craving happiness.

Now, medically speaking, according to this article, the foods you crave may signify medical conditions that need your attention. For example, cravings for tomatoes, ice, pretzels and carrots could signal an iron deficiency. The pregnancy craving, it follows, occurs because all kinds of crazy signals are going on and your body is saying "Go left! Go right! Turn around!" and those unusual desires point you to whatever deficiency needs attention.

And then, of course, there's food that is a substitute for depression, loneliness, etc. And food becomes the pleasure that you're not getting from inner peace and happiness, other pleasures, etc.

For a list of food cravings and healthy alternatives to those food cravings, check here.

So what are some other famous food oddities? Here's a list I gathered from a number of sources - please feel free to add your faves in the comments section!

• Deep fried twinkies - they have these at the State Fair; makes my stomach churn thinking about it!
• French fries with mozzarela cheese and brown gravy after drinking
• Ranch dressing and anything (pizza, french fries, etc.) - one of my kids favorites
• Pickles with peanut butter and/or on turkey sandwiches
• Cap'n Crunch cereal and Cool Whip
• Tuna sandwich with potato chips inside
• Sushi and cheese
• Sardines and oranges
• Cooked apples and duck meat
• Cold pizza dipped in gravy and covered with hot peppers
• French fries and chocolate syrup
• Cantaloupe and chili powder
• Peanut butter and tuna
• Chocolate chip cookies dipped in tomato salsa
• Peanut butter and banana (reportedly an Elvis favorite!)
• Cheese-flavored popcorn and Cocoa Puffs
• Peanut butter on pizza
• Pickled pork and peaches (I think Peter Piper picked this one...)
• Peanut butter and bacon sandwich
• Macaroni and Cheese topped in baked beans
• Chocolate chip cookies topped with gorgonzola cheese
• Peanut butter and onion sandwich

Okay, that has to be enough to turn any stomach! In the spirit of food being an adventure, who knows? Being one who absolutely loves sushi of any kind, and doesn't even mind food with little tentacles (provided they're not still moving - see the "Fear Factor" reference above!), I encourage healthy experimentation for everyone.

Bon appétit!