I feel like we didn’t get much of a spring this year. Our temperatures bounced from winter to summer and back again without only a few pauses for spring-like weather. Although the summer solstice is a few weeks away, since Memorial Day weekend already is behind us and we will be turning our calendars to June on Monday, I’m definitely feeling like it’s summer. 
Before summer really heats up, I thought I’d share five new things I am loving for this summer.
1. Orange Mud HydraQuiver. I first heard about this product on Twitter, and knew I had to try it. I was so frustrated with my fuel belt during my spring races–I feel like I was constantly readjusting it and you can see in my race pictures that it had slid around to the side again during my push to the finish. I had resolved to use my Nathan hydration pack for races, but wasn’t completely satisfied with that plan because it’s more than I need for shorter runs. The Orange Mud HydraQuiver is the best of both products, since it is a backpack style but holds a water bottle.
It is easy to grab and replace the water bottle while I’m running. The straps can be adjusted for a snug fit, and so far I haven’t had any issues with chafing. There is a large, thin zipper pocket behind the water bottle (which fits my iPhone 5S in its case), and the straps have stretchy pockets on the front that expand to fit my bulky car key and even my phone.
2. SLS3 Compression Socks. You know I love compression socks, so when SLS3 offered me an opportunity to review their line of butterfly compression socks I didn’t hesitate. They are designed to provide 20-30 mmHG of graduated pressure to help increase bloodflow and provide muscle stability. They are made with a fabric that’s designed to absorb less moisture, which is important for summer running.
Check out all the cute colors on their website!
3. Blue Diamond Nut Thins Crackers. As a Blue Diamond Tastemaker, I was offered an opportunity to review Blue Diamond Nut Thins crackers. Luckily I’ve had them before because my husband demolished the boxes they sent me before I had a chance to do anything fancy with them. He ate them right out the box–probably instead of chips–so I guess that’s a pretty good endorsement!
There were just enough left to take this picture!
4. Blue Diamond Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Almonds. After that experience with the crackers, I made sure to hide the Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt almonds that Blue Diamond sent me to review.
I think the dark chocolate variety goes nicely with a cup of coffee to fend off runger!
Serving both together satisfies that sweet and salty craving!
It works great on zucchini and cucumbers, and even handled sweet potatoes with a bit of effort.
29Baked sweet and white potato hash browns.
Curious? Use these Amazon affiliate links to check out the Veggetti Spiral Vegetable Slicer
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Have you zoodled?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I totally agree, what happened to Spring?!
Karen @karenlovestorun
I just bought that vegetti for a friend ( mostly cus I wanted it). I got mine at Bed Bath and beyond and worried about the quality of it. Has yours held up okay?
I’ve used it a few times and it’s fine.
Compression socks are a life saver. I would be crawling around on my hands and knees if I didn’t own compression socks. 🙂
ooh those choc almonds look great and I already love the rice crackers. Interesting hydration belt. I go back and forth on a few of mine. Sometimes they really bug me bc they slip around.
This solves that problem with the back pack style!
I have not zoodled! I need to join the crave! Those almond crackers look yummy!
I didn’t know Blue Diamond had so many products! I want to get something like a Vegetti too for my farmer’s market finds this summer.
Great idea. It’s fun to do cucumbers for salads too.
I like that hydration backpack, looks like it would be a lot more comfortable to use! Oh and those flavored almonds? Yum!! I’ll have to check those out!
Yumm, those crackers look great and almonds too! I love my spiralizer although mine isn’t handheld, I probably could have saved a few bucks and bought the vegetti and it would have done the same job, lol.
I’ve been really loving almonds lately too. Such a good snack!
I think I might like the HydraQuiver but always thought it may be hard getting the bottle back in it’s pocket. It’s not? Yes for chocolate almonds…or chocolate anything.
It’s really easy to grab and replace – the “funnel” shape of the holder helps and it’s not a tight fit (but it doesn’t bounce) so you don’t have to force it.
I’m pretty sure I’m the last person on the planet who hasn’t zoodled yet. So the hydr-quiver doesn’t make your back hot? I cringe thinking of marathon training in the heat this summer.
For longer, hotter runs I’d use my Nathan and have frozen water in the bladder to cool me off.
I’m addicted to flavored almonds – I haven’t tried the chocolate ones yet…must happen!
What are you waiting for? 😉
I love zoodles but I always overcook them and they turn to mush. I still haven’t tried compression socks but I want to.
They do cook quickly!
We were just saying the same thing about the weather this year. I’m kind of pissed about it. ;o) And I have that veggetti thing. I need to actually try and use it LOL.
Maybe you could get one of your kids to do the veggett-ing.
those dark chocolate almonds sound amazing! I’m going to have to look for them.
I’m a huge fan of almonds, and those cocoa roasted almonds are my favorite. Almost guilt free, right?
Of course!
Hi Coco!
I am stopping by to let you know that I featured your blog on my Shout Out Saturday blog of May.
Thank you for sharing so many great posts!
Thanks!
The dark chocolate almonds are amazing! It’s hard not to eat the whole bag 🙂
Seriously! They really are fantastic.
Yes! Blue Diamond Nut Thins Crackers are my new faves too! Picked them up when I was in Austin and hooked.
we definitely didn’t get much of a spring, unfortunately. 🙁 i know what you mean about disappearing food!
Love NutThins. they are my GF go to cracker.
I feel like this year just kinda skipped out on spring and went straight to summer! The only thing alerting me that it’s still spring-ish is the horrible-horrible allergies I’ve been having (thanks a lot, pollen!). :O
I love nut thins, and those almonds look delicious! :]
That hydration pack would be a great in-between option for long runs! I have a hydration belt for marathon training and a backpack for trail runs, but sometimes I need a little more than the belt holds but don’t like wearing my big backpack.
That’s exactly why I got it. And getting sick of messing with my belt version during races.
I love using the Vegetti for zucchini noodles! Great post 🙂 thanks for linking up!
I have it just in time for the zucchini growing in my mom’s garden!
I love the Almond thins also! Thanks so much for linking up with us today!
Thanks for hosting! I love hearing about new things.
Glad you dig the pack!
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