Hello friend,

Thank you for taking the time to nibble on your monthly dose of nutritious banana bites!

We kindly ask you to notice your breath, slow it down a notch, and sit under the banana tree with us for a moment. It’s not just about ticking off another task; this newsletter is your oasis of peace for the next five minutes.

Let’s embark on a journey of calmness, kindness, and creative renewal together, as November celebrates all facets of kindness.

Kindness Benefits Us All

We have some notable World Awareness Days surrounding us, starring kindness, stress awareness, tolerance, children, and the elimination of violence against women – leading all the way to Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect time to spread a dash of kindness and make the world a tiny bit better. Research shows that acts of kindness benefit not only those around you but also boost your own happiness and resilience, reduce stress, and might even help you live longer!

Go full bananas on this unbelievable claim

Expressing Emotions Through Art

This issue, we explore how compassion can take many forms: a gesture, a tool, or even a brushstroke. Our fabulous artist of the month, Dr. Vasu Tolia, bridges science, empathy, and color through her art, supporting causes from mental health to child protection. Let’s get inspired not only by her wonderful creations but also by her thoughtful contributions to charities that support emotional well-being and vulnerability.

But Remember:

You can’t pour from an empty banana smoothie cup! So, we have some book recommendations to help you dig deeper and fill your cup first, guiding you to embrace the creative way and to understand that rest is resistance.

As we focus on calmness this month, we invite you to peel your eyes away from the screen – because we’re recommending some physical tools this time.

And Last but Not Least:

We have a little challenge for you: shower yourself or others with kindness.

Ready to sprinkle some kindness around? Put your favorite reading goggles on, and let’s jump into the banana sauce of it!

P.S. If you have some feedback or ideas on the newsletter, please reach out to us! We’d love to hear from you!

Blue Banana Bites this November

SOUND BITE
ART BITES
BOOK BITES
TOOL BITES
HOT BITE OF THE MONTH
AWARENESS BITE
TL;DR (jump here, if it’s too overwhelming)

SOUND BITE

Music on – World off

Check out the YouTube channel Calm Connection, created by a teacher and mom on a mission to whip up soothing sounds for the classroom and spark some marvelous sensory imagination.

ART BITES

Meet the Artist

I am Dr. Vasundhara (Vasu) Tolia.

As a physician for over three decades, I understood the science of healing. But when I picked up a paintbrush, I discovered something deeper – art’s power to heal the parts of us medicine can’t reach.

Today, I create healing-focused, story-rich art that speaks to people in transition: women balancing roles, families facing loss or change, anyone seeking a calm refuge in a busy world. My paintings transform living spaces into sanctuaries that soothe, inspire, and invite reflection.

Check out her website

"Creativity quiets the noise of the world – and amplifies the voice within.”

Mosaik of Movement – Your eyes' playground when your brain needs a break

For neurodivergent individuals, art offers what words sometimes cannot: a way to process overwhelming sensory input and communicate complex inner experiences. A simple color choice can signal emotional state. A repetitive pattern can restore calm. A collaborative mural can teach connection.

Creative practice isn't an escape – it's engagement on your own terms. It transforms self-care from obligation into dialogue, allowing the mind to regulate, express, and heal through color, texture, and movement.

When the world feels too loud, art creates space to simply be.

Go full bananas on research about creativity and neurodiversity

What inspired you to connect art and well-being?

My journey from Pediatric Gastroenterology to Fine Art began as a search for my own wholeness – navigating between Indian heritage and American life. Art became my own healing practice, and I realized this universal language could serve others – especially neurodivergent individuals who often think and communicate differently. The connection between art and well-being isn't just professional observation; it's deeply personal.

Luminescent Bloom - From “I Can’t” to “Watch Me”

Which colors or materials help you find balance?

Four Squares – Structured Chaos (the neurodivergent sweet spot)

Blues and turquoises consistently bring me calm – there's something about those oceanic tones that quiets mental noise. I'm drawn to acrylics for their versatility and mixed media for the tactile engagement. Texture matters enormously; sometimes I need smooth, flowing brushstrokes, other times the resistance of palette knife work grounds me.

The process matters more than the product – it's the physical act of moving color across surface that restores my equilibrium.

What small act of kindness or creative ritual brings you peace this time of year?

Every morning, before checking emails or starting work, I draw five circles and fill them with colors matching my emotional state. It takes two minutes but sets my intention for the day.

This November, I am creating 12x12" collaged artworks that capture gratitude and moments of beauty.

Woven Stories – Soothing patterns for focus-friendly spaces

Each acknowledges that even in challenging times, there are threads of light. I gift these to people unexpectedly, extending the kindness outward.

More from Vasu

Check out Art for Neurodivergence: A Guide to Healing Through Creative Expression by Dr. Vasu Tolia: Your gateway to a colorful journey of self-expression! This guide reveals how art can help neurodivergent adults tackle sensory overload and express their thoughts through creativity. With fun prompts, from mandalas to playful color exercises, it beautifully combines artistic techniques with neuroscience principles. So grab this guide and your art supplies, and let the self-care practice begin!

Discover Dr. Vasu Tolia's Art Guide for Children with Neurodivergence, where creativity meets calm. This guide invites families and educators to explore fun activities that help neurodivergent kids express emotions, boost confidence, and strengthen connections. From mindfulness with an Emotion Color Wheel to sensory adventures in texture painting, each page blends scientific insights with inspiring art. Download the guide and uncover the creative side of your kids!

BOOK BITES

Stay Calm and Keep Reading

Are you struggling to keep your eyes glued to that book you’ve been dying to read? We totally get it! We’ve found some brilliant tips to help you stay focused. Find your favorite strategy here and prepare to lose yourself in a world of words and wonder!

The Creative Act^*
Rick Rubin

This book is filled with digestible, bite-sized information about creativity. Rick Rubin asserts that everyone is a creator, even you, as creativity is a fundamental part of being human.

He reflects on his ideas from his experiences in the field. It serves as a survival manual for artists navigating uncertainty, providing guidance on various creative stages and effective coping strategies when dealing with challenges.

A good read for anyone eager to enhance their artistic journey.

Rest is Resistance^*
Tricia Hershey

Best-selling author and wonderful Tricia Hersey wrote a call to reclaim rest and stillness as acts of self-kindness and activism.

She's the founder of the Nap ministry, and argues that you don't have to be productive in order to be worthy. You are enough now.

Naps provide a portal to imagine, invent and heal, but this book offers much more than just an invitation to take a nap. It represents paradigm shift toward a politics of refusal. It's a push back against a system our bodies aren't made for.

^*We’re part of the affiliate program on Amazon. We only recommend products that we or our community tested and loved.

TOOL BITES

Sleep Like a Baby

If you’re on a mission to conquer sleepless nights, meet your new best friend: the White Noise Machine^*! With a charming array of soothing sounds, it’s not just a dream come true for babies but also a secret weapon for tired parents and those with ADHD.

Why it works: It masks background noise by emitting a full range of frequencies, creating a soothing soundscape that helps drown out distractions and promote relaxation. A throwback of the days when bad radio reception was all too real!

Go full bananas on white noise for ADHD

Your Own Little Cosmos

Are you ready to transform your space into a dreamy wonderland? Say hello to the love of my life, the Galaxy Projector^*!

Whether you're looking to set the mood for a chill evening or need a colorful backdrop for your creative endeavors, this projector's got your back. It’s like having a little piece of the galaxy right in your home!

Why it works: Creating a sensory-friendly environment, starting with cozy lighting, can help neurodivergent folks feel more at ease and in control. Sensory lighting, with its soft colors and gentle movements, cuts down on visual chaos, which is super helpful for those who get easily overwhelmed by bright or flickering lights.

Go full bananas on bright lights vs. ADHD