Always Follow Your Hunch

If you’ve ever had a health problem that couldn’t easily be fixed with a prescription, you know how frustrating the journey to recovery can be. My husband has been ill for over a year and we must’ve seen around 20 different doctors in NYC, both conventional and alternative, but no one could diagnose him. I had to dig deep to find a way.

We weren’t getting anywhere with my husband’s health problems so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I happened to hear Dr. Mark Hyman’s podcast and after listening to his story, I knew I had to take my husband to a place that could figure it out. One place that has everything. I wanted a Mayo Clinic of functional medicine and I found it.

Innovative Treatments for Chronic Disease
Not Available in the US

Dr. Mark Hyman’s podcast is a game changer. Dr. Hyman, a Functional Medicine physician and a New York Times best-selling author, has a wonderful podcast called “The Doctor’s Farmacy.”

For anyone wondering what exactly Functional Medicine means, it’s a form of alternative medicine that focuses on underlying causes of a disease rather than just treating the symptoms.

This whole process involves the patient and the practitioner coming together to decide on the best treatment decisions for both the body as a whole and the disease. It was through Dr. Hyman’s podcast that I discovered what might be the cause of his illness. I’m not really at liberty to go into the details here.

The Sanoviv Medical Institute Is A Dream!

I had heard amazing things about the Sanoviv Medical Institute in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. It took some serious convincing, but we made it on the plane and headed down to the Baja coast.

This functional medicine facility is a fully-licensed hospital that offers patients a mixture of conventional, alternative and integrative programs to help maintain good health and treat a wide range of illnesses. We went in there with high hopes of getting my husband a diagnosis.

Let me tell you, this place is truly amazing! Every room is positioned with an ocean view and we were in bed every night by 8 or 9 PM, if you can believe it. Don’t be fooled, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching Netflix or attempting to access the hard-to-reach Wifi after a full day of detoxing. 😉 But my mind, body and spirit along with my husband’s, really received a much needed rest!

Seaweed Wrap

Seaweed wrap

Through all of Sanoviv’s treatment programs you’ll undergo a series of tests (some of these tests aren’t even available in the United States or Canada). You’ll be seen by a combination of medical doctors, nutritionists, chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, fitness trainers and massage therapists. All of the practitioners come together on a daily basis to discuss your health and to come up with a treatment plan for you based on the root cause of your health problems. You’ll feel really safe surrounded by so many caring professionals.

While my husband was having all of his tests and treatments, I was doing the same!  I was on their detox program. There’s never a dull moment at this place. Every day is scheduled out until you go to bed. Of course, it’s all relaxing activities.

I can’t forget to mention how terrific the food program is. The menu is all organic with some of the ingredients coming right from the on-site garden. No, I’m not making this up! The meals are free of dairy, soy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gluten and toxins. All of the food is meant to nourish your body, reduce inflammation, enhance your immune function and support good digestion. It takes real talent in the kitchen to make food that’s so nourishing and health-focused, taste so good!

We were only allowed one dessert the whole week!

I left Sanoviv feeling refreshed and relaxed. They sent me off with an anti-inflammatory lifestyle program that I was instructed to keep up for at least three months afterward. This meant a lot less alcohol, gluten and sugar in my life. Not an easy feat! It definitely takes an open mind and a lot of will power.

No need to worry about your wardrobe here! We all wore the same sweats provided by Sanoviv.

Before we left Sanoviv, my husband had what’s called an Array 12 blood test. This is considered the most thorough test available for environmental triggers like mold and ticks. After we left, the blood test was sent to a lab in Arizona and a couple of weeks later, BOOM! We have the results. We are still working on a treatment plan for him.

On a tasty side note, since I want you all to share in the feel-good food that I ate during my time at Sanoviv, here’s one of my favorite dishes from their healthy recipe book: 

Salmon with Pumpkin Pesto
Salmon with Pumpkin Pesto
Print Recipe Salmon with Pumpkin Pesto

Ingredients

  • 4 wild-caught salmon fillets (4 to 5 oz each)
  • Unrefined salt to taste
  • 1 lemon, juiced

Pumpkin Pesto

  • 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Unrefined salt and white pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Marinate salmon fillets with the salt and lemon juice for 15 minutes.
  • Blend all pesto ingredients in a food processor or blender. You can also add more olive oil, a little at a time, towards the end. You want the pesto to be blended yet not smooth. It is best with a little texture.
  • Top salmon fillets with the pumpkin pesto.
  • Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minute

I hope this post inspires you to check out the Sanoviv Medical Institute (I’d go back in a heartbeat!) or at least try out a healthy new recipe. 🙂