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Taking Control of Your Health
When East Meets West offers readers a self-care toolkit derived from both Eastern and Western practices. Can you share with us a little about the research required to put this book together?
I have spent many years learning about complementary care, alternative medicine, and integrative healthcare. I completed a course on Complementary Therapies in my graduate program and a class on Hypnosis in my doctoral program. In preparing to write this current edition of the book, I spent months reviewing the literature on every topic in this book. Although many of the topics do not have strong research evidence, there are many anecdotal articles about the potential benefits and harms of the various self-care practices. This book serves as an introduction to the various practices and readers are strongly advised to consult with their healthcare providers and do their own research before incorporating these practices into their health and wellness plan.
What is one misconception you believe many people have regarding self-care?
One misconception regarding self-care is that it can replace modern medicine which can result in harm to self or others. I think it’s important to integrate self-care practices into your daily health and wellness regimen. For example, if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) it is vitally important to treat it with antihypertensives that are prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, it is also important to eat healthy, exercise, and reduce stress. The use of meditation, essential oils, and journaling can help to decrease stress levels. This is an example of how to integrate self-care practice.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from When East Meets West?
I hope readers will understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to their health and well-being and that reading this book will serve as a starting point in this journey. Taking control of one’s health and knowing you have the power to do so is so important. You may not be able to prevent certain illnesses but you can manage them betterwith a holistic/integrative approach.
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Discover the empowering world of complementary and alternative medicine in this approachable, informative guide to enhancing your health and well-being. Drawing on personal experience as a critical care nurse and lifelong learner, the author blends scientific understanding with holistic wisdom to offer a balanced, practical path toward integrative care.
Inside, you’ll explore the benefits, uses, and precautions of:
Essential oils and custom blends for mood, relaxation, and vitality
Herbal teas and tinctures that nourish the body and soothe the mind
Superfoods that can help optimize wellness from the inside out
Mind-body practices like meditation, journaling, therapeutic touch, and self-hypnosis
Energy work techniques to help restore balance and harmony
Whether you’re looking to complement traditional (Western) medical treatments or explore Eastern-inspired wellness methods, this book provides both the knowledge and inspiration to create your own personalized self-care plan. You’ll also find real-life stories-ranging from easing anxiety with meditation to surprising experiences with therapeutic touch-that illustrate just how transformative these practices can be.
This book is not a replacement for medical care-it’s an empowering companion for those who want to take a more active role in their health. With a “best of both worlds” approach, you’ll learn how to blend the precision of modern medicine with the timeless wisdom of holistic practices-helping you not just manage illness, but truly thrive.
When East Meets West: An Integrative Guide to Self-Care
When East Meets West is a warm and wide-ranging guide to self-care that blends Eastern and Western practices into an easygoing daily toolkit. Author Deborah Dolan Hunt walks readers through teas, essential oils, tinctures, foods, body-based therapies, mind-centered habits, and spiritual practices. She mixes personal stories with straightforward explanations. The book moves from herbal infusions and oils to yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and folk traditions. It also highlights the need for safety, moderation, and collaboration with a healthcare provider. The author urges readers to build a personal wellness plan that is realistic and kind.
I appreciated Hunt’s honest tone. The simple way Hunt describes her own anxiety and how meditation helped her made the material feel real. I liked how she shared moments of discovery, such as learning therapeutic touch or making her own tea blend. Her writing is plainspoken, almost conversational. It felt like sitting at a kitchen table with a friend who wants to help you feel better. The long lists of benefits were helpful, though I sometimes wished for clearer examples or stories to bring them to life. Still, the variety kept me turning pages because I never knew which soothing idea might show up next.
I found myself reacting emotionally to the mix of family warmth and practical advice. The book is full of heart. I smiled when she talked about her kids asking for her “magic” and felt moved when she described using energy work to help a friend’s dog. Some sections felt dense because of the many bullet points, yet the gentle spirit underneath held it together. I appreciated that she never positioned these methods as cures. She consistently framed them as supports. That made the book feel grounded and trustworthy.
I would recommend When East Meets West to anyone who wants a simple and friendly introduction to holistic wellness. People who enjoy herbal teas, gentle rituals, or calming daily routines will find a lot to try. Readers who feel overwhelmed by jargon-filled health books will, no doubt, enjoy the down-to-earth voice here. It is welcoming and steady. It would suit beginners, busy people who want small habits, and anyone curious about blending modern care with old traditions.
Pages: 144 | ASIN : B0G18V65H7
So Many Unknowns
Deborah Dolan Hunt Author Interview
I enjoyed the simple but in depth explanation of the other dimensions. Why was this an idea you wanted to help kids learn about?
I have always been intrigued by the dimensions and time travel and the possibility of the existence of a mirror-world. There are so many unknowns in this area and I think the concepts in this book will be quite interesting to kids and they may want to learn more about this topic.
The kids in the book show an interest in science, which is something rarely expressed in other books. What were some themes that you felt were important to highlight in this story?
Some of the themes in addition to science and technology I felt were important to highlight in this story were acceptance, friendship, problem-solving, and to open one’s mind to possibilities.
What is the next project you are working on and when will it be published?
I have several exciting projects. I have a new middle-grade book entitled “Hannah and the Hobgoblins” that will be released this July 2020 and a picture book biography about Dale Earnhardt that will be published in 2021. I recently signed a contract with Isabella Media for a picture book entitled “Booch the Pooch” but do not know the publication date. I am also working on several other projects which include two picture books and an early reader series.
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The Keating kids are shocked and intrigued when a tiny visitor suddenly appears during a lightning storm. Once they realize the visitor is friendly and needs their help to return to his dimension they do everything in their power to help him. As time is running out they enlist the help of others, but someone is working against them and not with them. Will they be able to help their traveler return to his own dimension or will he be stuck in this dimension forever. You can find out when you read The Visitor from 4-D.
