Boy did this day end with a bang!! I am a lucky girl.
My test went really well – I think I aced both of them today….hope I don’t jinx myself!
I arrived home at 8:15 to find two mysterious packages. (Don’t look down yet!)
First, some background:Joleen send me some PB2 a week or so ago and it came in a Garmin box. She joked in her note that she hoped I wasn’t fooled by the box with PB2 inside, and I wrote back to her that I was for a second 🙂 She asked me if I wanted a Garmin (casually) and should I drop some hints to the company on the blog, and I said yes, because who doesn’t want one!? but that we are trying to save up right now. So tonight when I saw the same shape box with Joleen’s name on the return…my heart skipped a beat.
FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joleen, you rock!!! 
But it gets better. VeggieGirl and I emailed back and forth about this No Onions shirt last week. She emailed it to me, and of course I went nuts over it.
I went nuts again when I found it in my mailbox today!!! I love VeggieGirl 
You guys are too kind to me. Really.
F O O D.
I ended up eating my cheese + crackers during Foodservice, my almonds before my test, and my mango around 6:30. I skipped the bar. But I did have a Sprite Zero compliments of my buddy Travis, and a chocolate egg from my friend Rebecca after I saw one on Tina’s blog and got a craving!
When I got home at 8:30, I was so wound up with joy that I wasn’t really hungry. So despite all the talk about split pea soup, I decided to have some cereal instead 
I mixed together Pumpkin Raisin Crunch (~1/2 cup?), AgavePlus Granola, and this new Aztec Crunchy Corn and Amaranth Cereal by Erewhon I received as a sample to try. Plus vanilla soy milk – the ultimate cereal topping.
This was a great combo – big flakes, tiny crunchy granola and the huge amaranth-corn puffs. The amaranth was like Captain Crunch but totally unsweet and of course much more wholesome. I loved it it kind of stuck to my teeth and had lots of chew to it. It’s light and airy – a volume eater’s dream 🙂 And it’s also gluten-free if you’re allergic to wheat (we just learned about that last week!)
I am exhausted from a very long day and need to get some sleep so I can go on a Garminrific run tomorrow!
Nite! 
haya (living and learning) says
so jealous of the garmin! i am thinking of getting one when my polar dies (since you can’t replace the batteries in the strap of the f4)
don’t know whether to get the 305 (cheaper) or the 405 (nicer/smaller, more watch like)
what a good day.
Sharon says
Hahaha, totally love the shirt! That is so awesome!
JT says
Isn’t Garmin just the best!!!! I got one for Christmas and I love using it. I work in event industry and do a lot of walking every day so now instead of a normal watch I wear my GARMIN all the time. Actually this year for our annual meeting I bought all of my staff pedometers and at the end we measured who walked the most in three days of the show and the one with most miles got the award 🙂 Enjoy it…
Kath says
haya (living and learning),
I’ve had the battery in my F4 replaced before – it’s in the watch part, I believe?? The straps are pretty cheap, so if there’s another one in there, I’d just get a new strap. Or a Garmin would be fun too!
K
Kristy says
That shirt rocks! My husband is allergic to onions…I showed it to him and he said it is now his all-time fav shirt 🙂
Heather says
Congrats on the tests… I’m sure you did great! And what a fun way to end the day with the gifts!
Cereal for supper – YAY! I love the random days when you simply eat how you feel. So fun 😀
allijag says
You are one super lucky girl today! 🙂 Nice loot!! Make sure to share with us your experience with the Garmin!
Ali says
Wow, that was really, really generous of her. Especially since you don’t even run that often!
Michelle Hisae says
You are SOOOO lucky! Those are ex-pen-sive! It’s a gift for all the hard work you put into blogging!
Lisa says
Oh wow! Just proves that college students – undergrad and grad – are always happy to get mail. And the mail you received today is lovely!
Another thing college students have in common – brinner (breakfast for dinner!)!
Victoria says
Wow. Very nice gifts. That t-shirt cracks me up!
zestycook says
ok ok ok – I am jealous! I never get any goodies like that! What is wrong here. 🙂
haha teasing. Glad you aced the tests!
zest!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
I might need to buy that shirt for the fiance!!! That’s seriously generous of Joleen… I’m jealous! I love gadgets! You deserve it though, for sure.
Our little project officially went into the works today! My dad got the sketches and started working 🙂
Bear says
wait, isnt this supposed to be a healthy eating blog? you get free stuff and eat cereal for dinner…
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
haha that t-shirt is perfect — awesome!
Sometimes cereal for dinner is unbeatable, looks like yours was delish tonight 😉
Adi (oatonomy.com - repaired!) says
Niiiiice swag!! That’s awesome!! Love the blogging community, eh?
Lisa D says
wow! what great presents! Although, I frickin love onions, so mine would say onion breath! onion breath! onion breath!
Sarah says
wow- you are a lucky girl! I’m so jealous!
melissa (fitnessnyc) says
Words can not describe how jealous I am. I have probably spend 20 hours over the last month debating garmin/polar garmin/polar. I know it is definitely a worthwhile investment while I train for fall marathons, but I don’t want to make the wrong decision. Congratulations and enjoy!
Nicole says
Wow, you are one lucky lady!
Susan says
Congrats on the tests!! Enjoy your Garmin…I LOVE mine, and I know you will too!
Beth says
Wow; you will love the Garmin; got mine awhile back as my “reward” for completing my very first half-marathon and now can’t live without it. Congrats!
So now you have to become a real runner, girly!! When’s the marathon? 🙂 Hope this amazing gift will give you the inspiration to make that commitment! We know you can do it…26 is one of your lucky numbers, right? Only .2 more and there’s your marathon! 😉
Whitney says
Kath. I freaking love your house. The more pictures I see, the more I swoon. If you ever get bored/feel like doing this out of the kindness of your heart you should take pics and give your viewers (aka me) a photo tour (aka I’m begging you!). I know it doesn’t really have anything to do with food, but I LOVE what I’ve seen of it and I hope to have something like that when I grow up (aka…next year…eeek!)
Mandy says
A Garmin!! I’m SO jealous! I’ve been wanting one for a while now and am thinking of rewarding myself with one when I finish my first half marathon (and as motivation for my full marathon training). Let us know how you like it!
Priyanka says
Lucky girl, those are some rocking gifts!
Glad that the tests are over!
Kim says
A free Garmin? SWEET!
Cereal for dinner is also pretty sweet 😉
Christine says
Oh man have fun with the Garmin!! Those seem really neato, though my frugalness has been keeping me from getting one!
Kara says
So fun! Can’t wait to see how the garmin works out!
Jenn (eating bender) says
You are such a lucky girl 🙂 I can’t wait to hear your review of the Garmin. I’ve heard nothing but positive things, and if the same goes for you, it is definitely going on my wish list for my birthday next month!
Love that VeggieGirl, too!
Hangry Pants says
Now that Garmin is exciting news! I would have been overwhelmed with joy too!
Jaimejoy says
I LOVE ONIONS!!!!!!!!!!
Biz319 says
Wow – you are a lucky girl! AND I NEED TO GET THAT NO ONION SHIRT! I applaud your distaste of onions! Now if we could just get the rest of the world to change their minds! 😀
Katy says
I got a garmin about a month ago and LOVE IT!!!
One tip – download the SportTracks software – its free and it is SO MUCH BETTER than the garmin software.
http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/
have fun with your new toy – and feel free to email me if you end up downloading that software and have questions on it – I just set mine up recently =)
haya (living and learning) says
yeah i’ve replaced the battery in the watch unit of my polar as well, but there is a battery in the strap that can’t be replaced in the lower end models (i think the f11 has a removable one) but i decided that since i’d have to buy something new and since the polar isn’t that great as a standalone watch AND has no lap features which i have recently found to be really useful, i think i’ll go with the garmin. (which seems better than the higher end polars anyway)
let us know how you love it!
Run Sarah says
What awesome gifts! And yay for brinner – I had it tonight too 🙂
Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) says
That t-shirt is awesome! And cereal for dinner. I love it. The weeks that I am teaching a bunch of cooking classes- my nights off I love cereal for dinner.
Darrell says
Wow, some people are really jealous. Anyways, enjoy your thoughtful and generous gifts, I’m sure you’ve helped out enough people with your blog that you deserve them. Geez, I’ve gotten so many nutrition ideas and recipes from here I should be sending you a Garmin LOL (but don’t hold your breath, I’m broke AND unemployed haha). But seriously, yay you for getting through your exams!
D-
Kori (All Things B.) says
I hope we can expect a Garmin review soon! I’ve started the research into this cool gadget too, but I really rely on real people for the honest review!
Love the cereal combos- i wish they would sell cereal in the bulk bins so you could mix your own! I end up with 5 boxes in the pantry just so I can make different combos!
Kelsey says
Whoa, garmin! :]
Hallie says
Can’t wait to hear your review of the Garmin! I want one, but unless and until I do some serious training for something, I can’t justify it.
Love the shirt. I should get one that says, “No Cheese” cuz that’s what I don’t like. And it could have double-meaning…yes, I’m clever 😀
Moran (The Running Addict) says
LUCKY YOU!
Danica says
You ARE a lucky girl! What an awesome day for you – congrats on the tests, the new T and the Garmin. I have no doubt you will love it. I have had mine for 4 years and STILL use it every time I run.
Rachel says
Holy crap, I need that no onions shirt! That’s hilarious!
amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) says
That shirt is 100% amazing! How nice are people? So sweet!
sue says
YAY for doing well on your test! and what great gifts to come home to 🙂
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
I don’t want a Garmin, because I choose to believe the highly inflated numbers my treadmill is quoting me.
How can one actually be a Captain of Crunch?
Ashley says
You’re lucky ma’am but very deserving! I have a Polar that I received for Christmas and am still trying to master that:) The cereal dinner looks great. Sometimes that just hits the spot! 🙂
Scoop says
That Garmin is the bomb! Please do share your review after you have tested it out. Would like to get one myself but cannot justify the cost at the moment.
Danielle says
You’re loved my dear 🙂
Angie says
Yeah! Really cool gifts! Can’t wait to hear what you think! I’m sure you did great on the tests!
Alison says
Lucky girl indeed! Enjoy it, new toys are so motivating!
So wait, who is Joleen? Another blogger?
Sidi says
You are lucky, indeed! Love the shirt colors!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Awesome gifts!
sarah (ghost world) says
enjoy the garmin! i am totally dependent on my polar to give me my stats as i run. both are great!
Meghann says
That’s funny because we were all talking about the garmin on the phone on Monday. 🙂
You are going to LOVE it! I can’t run without it now, its addicting to constantly compare your stats
VeggieGirl says
Hooray!!! You’re rocking that shirt!! 😀
Anne P says
Damn the Garmin is all over the place recently! I actually got one of them two years ago… I’m so cutting edge! I was telling Jenna about it when I was in Florida and I’m taking credit for the recent Garmin craze 😉
JENNA says
cool gifts 🙂
K says
Hooray for gifts – you’ve got some generous readers!! As a volume eater myself, I’m going to have to pick up a box of that!
Nanette says
Hey WTG on your tests!
I’m curious about the Garmin and what info it tracks for you while you do yoga or weights. Maybe you can give it a try and let us know? I’m debating on what my next purchase will be as well….
Have a great day!
Elina says
You are one lucky girl! Those are the best gift ever!!! Where can I get one of those onion shirts? I want one too 🙂
Elina says
Nevermind… just saw you linked to it. Thanks!
Chelsea says
Yikes! Who spends that much money on a complete stranger? That’s a little creepy, Kath…I’d be a bit worried about giving my address out if I were you. You never know…I hope you have P.O. Box!
Meg says
Definitely a lucky girl! How fun!
MaryBe says
What sweet friends you have!
Your flowers still look great!
tina says
I have the same Garmin! It’s SWEET! Let me know if you figure out how to use it! 😉
Laura says
So jealous of the swag….
I LOVE my Garmin. It has really helped with my training.
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
Wow! Awesome gifts!! I just bought my husband the same watch and he loves it!
Anon says
Chelsea,
Agreed. Pretty, um, weird.
Martha Carlson says
Hi Kath, I have been reading your blog for awhile now but have never commented….You do a fantastic job of sharing your healthy lifestyle with everyone. I think it’s wonderful to know that people share gifts out of the kindness of their hearts, not because they are “weird”. Keep up the great work, I have lost 10 pounds since I started reading your blog, you give so many great ideas on fun, healthy eating.
Kath says
I will let you all know what I think of the Garmin!! Remember, though, that I can’t run long distance because I had foot surgery on a birth defect in my joint. So as much as I’d love to run 26.2, it’s probably not the smartest choice for me if I want to keep running till I am old.
Lisa D,
LOL.
Whitney ,
I promise more videos when school is out!
Biz319 ,
You gotta get one too!
Katy ,
Thanks for the tip!
haya (living and learning),
Bummer. Will let you know how it is!
Darrell ,
LOL. No need to ever send anything – just keep reading!!
Kori (All Things B.),
Great idea – I wish they did too. And then we could try them out before buying a lot.
Martha Carlson,
Thank you and welcome!
Kath
Kelley says
YAYYY! I have that Garmin, and it’s amazing! It changes the whole way you run. The distance is so accurate, and it tells you your pace in real time. It’s great!!
brandi says
we just got garmins, but not that one, and love them!
healthy ahsley says
Glad your exam went well!
And I just love those adorable kissing smilies! How cute!
Leah A. says
MY BF loves his Garmin Forerunner 305, my only complaint is that it doesn’t calculate calories burned based on the heart rate monitor. It bases it on distance and pacing and stuff so it tends to be slightly less accurate, I feel. But overall, it’s a great running tool! He doesn’t go for a run w/o it now!
Jess says
I cannot believe someone sent you a Garmin! I have the 405. You will soon be addicted (after you stop being annoyed by it).
Anon says
Martha,
I agree that gifts are great. Several hundred dollar gifts on someone you don’t really know = weird.
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
O.M.G. I am DYING to get a garmin!! Lucky you!!!!
Fancy says
I agree with Whitney….I would love to see a video tour of your house! It is so beautifully decorated!
Chelsea says
I hope you know that that Chelsea isn’t me. Ummm…we’ve exchanged addresses! You’ve been 2 blocks from my house-I would’ve had you over if I wasn’t in the middle of a renovation.
Anyway-I have that Garmin, I love it, but it does take some getting used to. You can customize it so that it shows you HR which is essential. The only think I don’t love about it is it’s size.
Katie says
*faints*
I’m sooo jealous of your Garmin!
As a fellow onion hater, I adore the t-shirt. Wear it with pride!
Diana says
love the t!
diana
ri'chele says
Congrats on the gifts. I like your blog and enjoy checking in to see what is coming together from your kitchen.
Great inspiration from your Best of Stess post at gather. Have you never procrastinated? Or is this a learned skill? Just curious.
Kath says
ri’chele,
Thanks!
I never have procrastinated. It makes me too nervous!
K
Liesl says
Oh, so jealous of your new Garmin!
I would do just about anything to have one…I’m training right now and I do it all with the old fashioned stop watch. I actually think I found mine in the parking lot of the YMCA.
Hoping for one for my birthday..but we’ll see. 😉
Enjoy!
Katrina says
I need one of those NO ONIONS shirts! I’ll take a Garmin, too! ; ) Lucky, Girl!