>>PRESS PLAY TO TAKE A QUICK TOUR OF OUR #PULLYOURWEEDS® PROGRAM<< Introducing the You Are a Gardener® mindset to children a consistent basis is where the real benefits of our program take root! Our virtual #PullYourWeeds® SEL Workshops use gardening vocabulary to help kids identify strong emotions and turn them into empowering and positive solutions! Press Play to take a tour and start spreading some seeds today! Please email flowers@youareagardener.com for pricing and availability.

The first time I had hummus I was a freshman in college and my dear friend, Danielle brought in a big batch from home that her mother had made for a family celebration. The creamy, nutty, rich flavor somehow melted in my mouth and tasted good on everything. Needless to say it was love at first dip! (Scroll down for ingredients & a fun joke : ) These days, this popular Middle Eastern dip can now be found in almost every grocery store and convenient store, but none of the brands I have tried have ever matched the flavor of Danielle's family recipe. So, today on the #PulYourWeeds® Blog I am sharing with you this jewel of a recipe that Danielle and her family shared with me. Not only is this minimal ingredient recipe easy to make, kids love it and it is also fun to put your own spin on it. Enjoy! Danielle's Delicious Hummus ✿ 1 15.5 oz can of chickpeas washed and drained ✿ 2-3 tablespoons of good tahini ✿ 1/4 cup of frsh squeezed lemon juice ✿ 1/4 tsp of salt (or more to taste) ✿ 1/2 teaspoon of frsh garlic (or more to taste) ✿ 4-5 tablesppons of olive oil ✿ 3 to 4 tablespoons of water Mix all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. You may have to add more oil and/or water to reach that creamy consistency. This particular recipe is hard to duplicate. Every batch tastes a little different so taste as you go and add a little more if the flavor isn't coming through. You want to be able to taste each ingredient. Danielle's Pro Tip: Do not double this recipe. Make in small batches. The beauty of this recipe is you can mix it up with different toppings or mix ins. Try these for a fun flavor spin: everything bagel seasoning, paprika, roasted peppers, extra lemon, extra garlic, toasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pine nuts, olive mix, or chopped up jalapenos. #PullYourWeeds | #FamilyRecipes | #TasyTreats -

I have had a lot of requests lately for flyers and information on the roots of the You Are a Gardener® platform. I am extremely grateful for all the seeds so many supportive gardener friends are helping me spread far and wide! If you would like to learn more about what we are doing to help raise a new generation of emotionally empowered kids, scroll down and dig in! Please feel free to share any of our information to your family, friends, schools and organizations! For more information please email us at flowers@youareagardener.com #PullYourWeeds®

We have started a little tradition in our family that anytime we see a Little Free Library® we leave a signed copy of our children's book, You Are a Gardener®. Earlier this summer we left a copy in Sag Harbor Village and recently on our family vacation to Michigan we left copies in Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Charlevoix. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in Hudson, Wisconsin.Their mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. As we drive away we always like to imagine who takes them home! What #littlefreelibrary should we visit next? 🦊 Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com!

Did you know that in the latest episode of Camp Hello Gardeners®, gardeners can earn up to 6 new gardening tool badges?!? As gardeners there are so many tools available to help us proceed confidently and calmly and this new video features some super fun tools for gardeners of all ages! Click Here to watch our brand new video and start earning your badges today! Do you have a particular tool that helps you redirect your thoughts from your weeds to your flowers (positive to negative)-we would love to hear about it-send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com! #weedstoseeds #pullyourweeds #gardeningtools

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 in the fridge for a couple of hours. You can use plastic wrap to mold the shape. Decorate with raw almonds and the stem of a pineapple. Serve with textured crackers. Hawaiian Sliders Make your favorite mini meatballs and add barbecue or sweet and sour sauce. Serve on mini Hawaiian rolls. Garnish with a lei. Pineapple Boat Hollow out half a pineapple and use it to serve a summer salsa and chips! We used a strawberry based salsa....so yummy! Personalized Pineapples are a fun project for the kids! Cut out some fruit slices, grab some cherries and affix with toothpicks! A big mahalo to Anna, Aidan, OuOu & Poppy for putting on such a happy Hawaiian Luau! #HappyDays | #FutureIsFlowers | #YouAreAGardener

I hope you are enjoying your summer, it is flying by! For those of you who are new to this site, my name is Shanna Truffini and my children’s book and social and emotional learning (SEL) platform, You Are a Gardener®️ uses gardening vocabulary to help kids identify strong emotions and turn them into empowering and positive solutions! It's all about turning weeds into seeds! Throughout the past 4 years, I have worked with school districts, parent organizations, non-profits and families throughout NJ both virtually and in-person. My #PullYourWeeds® Workshops are an organic and simplified approach to SEL and infuses easily with pre-existing programs in school and at home. Introducing the You Are a Gardener® mindset to your children a consistent basis is where the real benefits of the program take root! Are you ready to dig into a new SEL mindset to help your children identify, communicate & manage their emotions through an empowering process? I am now opening up my workshop bookings this fall 2021/2022 to include schools, parent organizations, private family sessions, non-profit groups and anyone else who is interested in learning more about how the You Are a Gardener® mindset helps children to identify, communicate and manage big emotions through an empowering process to them proceed confidently and calmly! Here is how you can get started: ❁ PICK YOUR PREFERENCE: -In Person-Present 4 separate 30 minute #PullYourWeeds® Workshops in library or auditorium, combine grades/classes as you see fit (for select schools only, limited space available) -Live/Virtual Via Zoom-All classrooms can log in once a month at a designated time. -Pre-Recorded Monthly Videos-Teachers can use in the classroom at their convenience. ❁ PICK YOUR TIME FRAME: -Monthly (10 workshops) -Bi-Monthly (5 workshops) -Seasonally (4) -General Introduction (1) ALL WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: A private web link for your school with access to resources, classroom activities, visual aids, gardening tool badges and more that support each monthly workshop. A flyer with information to be communicated with parents/ guardians in your school's newsletter on what the gardeners are learning in each #PullYourWeeds® Workshop will also be available. EACH UNIQUE #PULLYOURWEEDS® SEL WORKSHOP FEATURES: -A "Gardener Recap" to encourage the students to feel confident with the vocabulary and mindset of the program. Consistency is key! -A 'Weeds to Seeds' story from a 'Peer Gardener". This interactive process builds conflict/resolution skills, encourages empathy and creates an open communication with a cognitive thinking process. -Introduce students to 2-3 new 'Gardening Tools'. These life skills/tools are rooted in self-compassion, mindfulness, growth mindset, confidence building, positive thinking and self-control. Examples- brain breaks, deep breathing techniques , grounding exercises, mindful moments, origami, DIY activities, guided drawings and more. -All students receive virtual gardening tool badges to collect throughout the year. -All students will receive a digital You Are a Gardener® Certificate of Achievement. ALL OPTIONS CAN ALSO INCLUDE: - A 20-30 min introductory workshop for your staff/group as well as an additional workshop for families-preferably in early September. - A book drive for families at your school or group (a form will be provided to you) with 10% back to your PTO,school organization for any sales of the You Are a Gardener® children's book. Get your school on my schedule today! Send an email to flowers@youareagardener.com Read Some Testimonials From Teachers, Parents, Counselors & More...Click Here! Looking forward to spreading some seeds together! Shanna Truffini #PullYourWeeds | #BackToIt | #DigIn

As we start to gear up for the 2021/2022 school year, we would like to take a minute to reflect on all the kind words, support and love we have been receiving! As our #PullYourWeeds® SEL Programs continue to take root, we have our incredible community to thank for helping us grow. We have so many wonderful additions that we are adding to our workshops/assemblies for this upcoming year. Our goal is to make our resources, tools, and videos easy and accessible for all! ⭐️ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE TESTIMONIALS ⭐️ If you are interested in learning more about our workshops/assemblies for schools, organizations and families, please email us at flowers@youareagardener.com.

One of our family favorite summertime meals is fish tacos! Not only is this recipe packed with flavor and texture, it is super easy to make and clean up! Kids also love this dish because it is always fun to build your own tacos. Scroll down for the recipe! The Gardeners Favorite Fish Tacos -Frozen Battered White Fish -Taco Shells (you can use hard or soft) -Fresh Shredded Cabbage -Green Salsa -Sour Cream -Queso Fresca (you can find this in most grocery stores) *Garnish with lime wedges* Bake the fish per the instructions on the package. Put all ingredients in separate bowls. Construct your own tacos! You can also add some lime wedges for a fresh garnish. What are some of you favorite simple, summertime recipes? Send us an email with photos to flowers@youareagardener.com.

Raising Emotionally Empowered Kids! Dig into a new mindset to help children identify, communicate & manage their emotions through an empowering process! From teachers to parents to entrepreneurs, the You Are a Gardener®️ seeds are spreading far and wide ! Watch our latest testimonial video to see how our programs are taking root! FEATURING: Kim Teschemacher has been teaching 4th grade for almost 5 years now in our home state of New Jersey. She has been using the You Are a Gardener SEL programs in her classroom since her first day of teaching. To watch an episode of Hello Gardeners® featuring Kim Click Here! Kiana Davis owner and founder of Tutor Kids n More has been helping us spread seeds with the families and children she works with. To learn more about Kiana and to see her in a session of Camp Hello Gardeners® Click Here! Our roots with Anne Grossman owner and founder of Rebel Daughter Cookies® go way back! To learn more about Anne and her scrumptious cookie company Click Here! You can also see Anne in an episode of Hello Gardeners® as well as in a session of Camp Hello Gardeners®. Watch Now! We teamed up with Leah, a 15 year old entrepreneur when she was only 14 and had just started her very own company called Homemade Happiness by Leah. She has been an incredible role model for Anna & Aidan and her bath products are the best! You can see Leah in our Entrepreneur Episode of Hello Gardeners® by Clicking Here!! Shanna Truffini’s children’s book and platform, You Are a Gardener®️ uses gardening vocabulary to help kids identify strong emotions and turn them into empowering and positive solutions. Since You Are a Gardener® was published in December of 2017, Shanna Truffini has developed several new social and emotional learning (SEL) programs to help empower children with tools to help their 'gardens' grow healthy and strong. Throughout the past 4 years, Shanna has worked with various organizations and school districts throughout NJ both virtually and in-person. Her #PullYourWeeds® Workshops are an organic and simplified approach to SEL and infuses easily with preexisting programs. All Truffini's programs are rooted in the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds. This universal language helps create a new narrative for children to navigate their emotions through an empowering process that helps them proceed confidently and calmly. To connect with Shanna and start spreading some seeds at your school, home or organization please email flowers@youaregardener.com Thank you to all our gardener friends for helping us spread some seeds! If you have a story about how our programs have impacted you, your family or your students please send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com

Hello Gardeners! Being able to recognize what you are feeling and why you are feeling it can be sometimes be a challenge. Having the ability to stop and figure out what you need in a particular moment is something that takes being honest with yourself, patience and trial & error. To find out what works best for you, is to try out various coping strategies, aka 'gardening tools'. For example, when you find yourself stressed and have some 'weeds' popping up, try taking a walk, doing a quick breathing technique, or playing a game with a friend or family member. Keep track of what works to help you take your mind off your 'weeds' (your negative thoughts) and focus on your 'flowers' (your positive thoughts) but also take note of what doesn't help! Sometimes, we just need some alternate activities to disrupt those weeds from growing. That's why today in this #PullYourWeeds Blog post we are making "#PullYourWeeds® Pinwheels" which is 'positive distraction' tool to help you get out of the weeds and back to your flowers! This flower themed pinwheel can help gardeners of all ages when they are feeling sad, scared overwhelmed, or mad. Just spin the wheel and see what calming or relieving action (gardening tool) you can take to help you try and redirect your thoughts. It's also a wonderful way to introduce new coping strategies at home or in the classroom! What you'll need: Cut a small circle out of one of the paper plates, a slightly larger circle from the second, and cut flower petals from the third. From the scraps cut out a very small circle, poke two holes in the center, and thread through your twist tie. Poke one hole in the center of each of your paper plates. Paint the plate with the petals like you would a flower and the two other plates colors of your choice. Attach all three layers - small circle, larger circle, circle with petals - by poking the twist tie strands through and securing. Then, cut out a square on the small circle and write "I feel..." above the cut out. On the second layer, write some of the difficult feelings you experience - stress, anxiety, sadness, frustration, impatience, etc. Then on the outer layer, write some enjoyable activities or techniques that help disrupt negative feelings and emotions - take a walk, read a book, listen to music, drink cold water, do a craft, talk to someone you trust, 5 minutes of deep breathing, take a bath, play a game... When you feel some of those difficult feelings coming on, spin your #PullYourWeeds® Pinwheel and give that coping strategy a try! Did you do this activity with you students or with you kids? Send us pictures of your pinwheels! This craft is a wonderful example of how to incorporate SEL art projects into your classroom and at home. Thanks for reading along and remember gardeners.... #PullYourWeeds!

As most of you know Social and Emotional Learning plans (SEL) are needed now more than ever in education and many progressive schools are introducing new ways to infuse SEL programs throughout the entire school day. Research indicates that students receiving quality SEL instruction demonstrated better academic performance, improved attitudes and behaviors, fewer discipline issues and reduced emotional distress. When children can manage their feelings and emotions, they are better equipped to handle the academic day. According to Dr. Lisa R. Gleason our Assistant Commissioner Division of Academics and Performance at New Jersey Department of Education she states that, "we have to make sure our focus is on the social and emotional needs of the students and staff first, so they think of school as a safe place, before getting back to a new normal. In efforts to get school the school year off to a bright start, Shanna Truffini and the #PullYourWeeds® team are now booking a variety of SEL school workshops, assemblies, in-services and pre-services intended for students, educators, and parents to further spread the seeds of emotional and social wellness. Our #PullYourWeeds® Program embraces the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds. This universal language helps create a new narrative for children to identify, communicate and manage their emotions through an empowering process to help them proceed confidently and calmly. Throughout the past 3 years, Shanna has worked with school districts throughout NJ both virtually and in-person. Her #PullYourWeeds® workshops are an organic and simplified approach to SEL and infuses easily with pre-existing programs. Shanna is now booking the following workshops for the 2021-2022 school year: Student Workshops/Assemblies: Interactive SEL workshops featuring a book reading, mindful moments, grounding exercises, sensory activities and other SEL tools (in class or virtual) Teacher Professional Development Workshops: Teacher in-service and pre-service workshops including resources for successful implementation of the program Parent workshops: Provides parents and families communication tools and systems to use at home with key takeaways from the program We encourage you to plant the seeds of social and emotional wellness for your students and take the next steps to book the #PullYourWeeds® Program for your school. To directly connect you with Shanna for a quick virtual tour of her programs, please send an email to flowers@youareagardener.com >>To learn about Truffini's recent experiences with the Riverview School in Denville, NJ you can read more by clicking here << >>Find out more about the programs Truffini implemented this May and June for the Central Ave School in Madison, NJ by clicking here <<