New Podcast Alert 🎧

Cue the drum roll, grab your headphones and put your feet up! Today I am sharing with you an episode from the Stress Nanny's podcast that I was featured on last month. 🎧 PRESS PLAY TO LISTEN NOW 🎧 I am always so honored when I am asked to do a podcast or a speaking engagement, especially when I am asked back for a second episode! It was so inspiring to reconnect with Lindsay Miller, the host of the show and a fellow SEL advocate (I will put the link below for the 1st episo

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#bestdayever

The ingredients that make up the recipe for the #bestdayever are unique to everyone's taste. For me, this past Saturday at Bottle Hill Day in Madison, NJ certainly whipped up to be one of the most exceptional days we have had in a long time...the weather was perfect, the community was welcoming, friends came out to support us, we sold lots of books, we planted seeds for our workshops and most importantly our family was together doing something we absolutely LOVE! Gardener An

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It's Tiki Time 🍍

Who's ready to tropic like it's hot... because today's post is all about saying aloha to some easy and fun ideas to turn your next backyard adventure into a lovely little Luau! This past weekend Gardener Anna and Gardener Aidan teamed up with their Grandparents to host a sweet summer celebration with a Hawaiian theme. Scroll down to learn some fun tricks to party like a pineapple: Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread Mold your favorite cheese spread into an oval shape and let chill

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Cracker Creations

This week on the radio we heard that Ritz crackers were trending on TikTok. In honor of all the buzz we are sharing a mini clip of Camp Hello Gardeners® where Gardener Aidan shows us multiple ways to make a basic Ritz® cracker not so basic. Getting young kids involved with meal preparations is wonderful for their social and emotional development. Taking responsibility for healthy and fun food choices helps boost their self-confidence, self-awareness and teaches life skills

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Land of the free...

There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for, especially our freedom. Freedom to live, love, express, create, include and freedom to be ourselves. As we stand on the brink of one the most nostalgic childhood holidays, may we celebrate and give thanks for our independence and freedom that so many brave individuals stood up for. Land of the free, because of the brave. Freedom lies in being bold. ~Robert Frost Happy 4th of July, Gardeners! #PullYourWeeds #PlantYourSeeds

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Get Your Gardening Tool Badges

Here's a fun gardening fact...every #PullYourWeeds® workshop introduces children to 1-2 new 'gardening tools' for kids to use when they encounter uncomfortable feelings and emotions. As gardeners there are so many tools available to help us proceed confidently and calmly! Check out some of our favorite 'Gardening Tools' (exercises & activities to to help redirect their thoughts from negative to positive) that we introduce in our #PullYourWeeds Programs. Introduce kids to the

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This is a sign...

If you have been interested in spreading some seeds at your school, home or organization then consider this your sign to reach out for a free demo of the #PullYourWeeds® Program today! Raising a new generation of emotionally empowered kids starts with each and everyone us! Let's work together to plant the seeds for a brighter future for this younger generation! If you were waiting for a sign, this is it... flowers@youareagardener.com #PullYourWeeds | #SignsEverywhere | #You

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Ring In Spring

Hello Gardeners! Today on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog we are sharing a fun way to freshen up old flower pots! So, if you are looking for a fun project to do outside on a nice day or inside on a rainy day, we've got you covered with our Ombré Watercolored Paper Plate Vases! Who knew the paper plates in your kitchen cupboard could be so stylish?! take a minute to . . . ✔︎Paper Plates ✔︎Stapler ✔︎Scissors ✔︎Watercolors ✔︎Small Terracotta Pot If you don't have any watercolors y

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Do you see what I see?

Wherever your ’growing’ this week or weekend take a moment with your kids and look at something you see everyday and explore it from a new perspective. Take out a pen and paper and write down each other's observations. This exercise allows one to see that there are many ways to look at the same thing. Empowering kids with the ability to see their way around a situation or challenge from different perspectives can help them navigate to a calmer state of mind. It allows one t

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Plant-astic Bulletin Boards!

Hello Educators! You Are A Gardener® started as a small seed in 2017. Since then, we have taken root and grown faster than we could have ever imagined! What started out as a children’s book and a way to encourage open communication between parent, teacher, and child, has now grown into an entire social-emotional learning (SEL) platform dedicated to empowering kids with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to help them grow forward feeling confident and calm! Check out our fun we

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Stamped Gardens!

Hello Gardeners!! This past week, we officially welcomed Spring and we couldn't be more excited for the blooming flowers, strong sunshine, and warm weather. We can start off this fresh, new season with a little Spring Cleaning, or with some new Positive Affirmations, or with an awesome new craft! Today we are making Stamped Gardens using cardboard tubes and a little bit of finger painting! If you'd prefer to use a paintbrush, go for it! This is a craft that can be adjusted

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Make Your Mark(er)!

Hello Gardeners! We are just on the cusp of Spring and with that comes a chance to restart and refresh. Spring has always been a symbol for new beginnings - we are just about to see the bare and brown environment explode into bright greens and yellows and pinks right before our very eyes. For us gardeners the Spring can be a great time to set new goals and intentions and there's no better time to plant seeds to help those ideas blossom into reality. To get us in the sunny, S

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Change The Channel 📺

Do you ever find yourself watching something on TV that makes you feel so uncomfortable you change the channel? With just one click of a button you can find yourself in a calmer, more relaxed state. What if I were to tell you, you have the same power to do this with your own thoughts! An exercise our family likes to practice is called "Change the Channel". Whenever we find ourselves watering our weeds, (thinking/focusing on negative thoughts and emotions) it's time to cha

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The Missing Piece

When Aidan asks about the day he was born I always tell him it was like finding the missing piece to the puzzle. It was as if our family was waiting for him to complete the picture. So, it comes as no surprise that this kid LOVES doing puzzles! Did you know that puzzles are one of the best educational toys you can give a child? The benefits that puzzles provide, support a child's cognitive, physical, mental and emotional development. Benefits of Puzzles For Kids ✔︎ Improve

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Pretty In Pink 💕

Today we are giving our classic hot cocoa a makeover with a pretty pink twist! The sweet thing about this recipe is you only need a few ingredients, it is super easy to make and kids of all ages love it! Scroll down to Get The Recipe! Pretty in Pink Hot Cocoa ❅ 4 Cups of Milk ❅ 1 1/2 Cups of White Chocolate Chips ❅ 1 1/2 Tsp of Vanilla ❅ 2-3 Drops of Red Food Coloring Or Beet Juice Combine milk and chips in a sauce pan over low to medium heat and stir frequently until the ch

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Plant Your Dreams 🌱

Just as a garden starts with one seed, so does a dream. Encouraging young gardeners to nurture their dreams and follow their passions helps them to build confidence and character. So today on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog we've got some tips to help gardeners Plant Their Dreams! The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~Elanor Roosevelt -SCROLL DOWN FOR TIPS TO HELP A GARDENER PLANT THEIR DREAMS- Tips To Plant Your Dreams Find Your Seed-Identify wha

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The Seeds That Sprouted🌱

Since You Are a Gardener® children's book was published in December of 2017, Shanna Truffini has developed several new social and emotional (SEL) programs to help empower children with tools and skills to help their gardens grow healthy and strong. 1. Hello Gardeners® & Camp Hello Gardeners Videos 📽 One of the first programs to sprout was the video series, Hello Gardeners®. This idea came from Shanna Truffini's daughter, Anna when she was only 8 years old. She had the idea

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Meet #GardenerKelsey | Illustrator & Videographer

Hello Gardeners! We are so thrilled to formally introduce you to our next #GuestGardener, Kelsey Jordan (formerly Kelsey DeLaney)! Where to begin? Kelsey and our author, Shanna, were friends long before You Are A Gardener® bloomed into what it is today. Kelsey's journey with #YouAreAGardener started with those beautiful illustrations you find throughout the book. She perfectly captured the spirit of our message portraying friendship, blooming gardens, and colorful spaces.

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Meet Guest Gardener Anne from Rebel Daughter Cookies®

Hello Gardeners! Camp Hello Gardeners® is in full bloom and we are having so much fun spreading seeds and connecting with 'gardeners' all across the country! Every camp session features 3-4 'Guest Gardeners' that include amazing educators, inspiring entrepreneurs, and strong #SEL advocates. Today, we are introducing a very special gardener friend, Anne Grossman, owner and founder of Rebel Daughter Cookies. Rebel Daughter Cookies in Wilton, CT was born out of the hunt to c

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Vines of Kindness

Hello Gardeners! There are a handful of plants that love to climb tall, spread their reach far & wide, and create strong woven networks by wrapping around itself. Have you ever seen them? They are called vines! When vines are healthy they can grow extremely large and very quickly. What if the energy that fueled the growth of vines was kindness? Kindness spreads by sharing something thoughtful with a friend, helping a stranger, smiling when you walk down the halls, or enco

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The #PullYourWeeds® Blog was created by Shanna Truffini for the You Are a Gardener platform as a resource for families, teachers, educators and therapists to access tools, activities, crafts and inspirational messages all rooted in the foundation of helping young kids manage their emotions. The You Are a Gardener® programs are rooted in spreading the seeds of social and emotional learning skills (SEL) for kids to be able to positively identify, communicate and manage their emotions. You Are a Gardener™ and the #PullYourWeeds® Blog uses gardening vocabulary as emotional metaphors to help children talk about and respond to what they are feeling. The Pull Your Weeds® Blog help kids manage stress with productive and positive conflict/resolution skills and mindfulness practices.

You Are a Gardener® is not responsible for any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or resulting from the acts, errors, misuse or omissions while participating in any of our programs and activities including the #PullYourWeeds Blog, Hello Gardeners®, Camp Hello Gardeners and educational services.

For more information, to be featured as a guest gardener or to book a #PullYourWeeds Workshop

please email flowers@youareagardener.com

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For more information, to be featured as a guest gardener or to book a #PullYourWeeds Workshop

please email flowers@youareagardener.com

Morristown, New Jersey USA