Photo credit: Krista

Are you ready for Shark Week? It’s an annual tradition on the Discovery Channel and features everything you could imagine related to sharks. In 2016, Shark Week began on Sunday, June 26 so if you haven’t yet, be sure to set your DVRs or TIVOs! This week features shows, videos, and documentaries all about sharks. On the Discovery Channel website, there is a “Sharkopedia” of shark trivia facts and trivia games. Shark Week has official partners like Southwest Airlines, with a vacation to Mexico sweepstakes, and Coldstone Creamery, with a “Shark Week Frenzy” ice cream treat. There’s also an online store with official Shark Week Fan gear. Be prepared for social media to be swimming with the hashtag #sharkweek in the coming days.

Speaking of sharks, one of my favorite TV shows is Shark Tank on ABC. In the spirit of Shark Week, this post is a roundup of products I use that I discovered by watching Shark Tank.

Scrub Daddy

Scrub Daddy is a happy-looking, scratch-free sponge that works wonders on cleaning your dishes and a variety of other items. Since originally airing on Shark Tank in October 2012 (Season 4, Episode 7), the founder of Scrub Daddy, Aaron Krause, has added to his family of products with new items like Scrub Mommy, Big Daddy, and Sponge Daddy. Shark Lori Greiner made a deal with Aaron Krause. In May 2014, the TV special “Swimming with Sharks” named the Scrub Daddy the “Most Successful Product Ever” that aired on Shark Tank. The original Scrub Daddy has a unique FlexTexture^TM, is scratch-free, does not start to smell, and rinses clean.

Image credit: Scrub Daddy on Instagram @thescrubdaddy | Aaron Krause, Founder, and Lori Greiner.

In our home, we use a Scrub Daddy to wash our dishes. However, after reading other ideas of how people are using the Scrub Daddy products to clean their barbeques and car windows, I am eager to try some of these ideas for myself. Scrub Daddy products are at hardware stores (like Home Depot, Lowes, and ACE) and other retailers (like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Walmart). Check the official Scrub Daddy website for additional retailers.

ReadeREST

ReadeREST is an example of an ingenious invention that you wonder why it took so long for someone to figure out. If you’re like me, and the countless of other people with “aging eyes”, you depend on “reading glasses” or some other type of glasses to help you see more clearly on a daily basis. I typically wear contact lenses, but I have found that I need reading (or cheater) glasses for close-up work like reading, crafts, or being on a computer/electronic device. Since I don’t need to wear these glasses constantly, I need a convenient place to store them on my person. Many people will put their glasses on top of their head or stick one arm of the temples in their shirt. I’m not a fan of these options so I was very excited when I discovered ReadeREST, “The Magnetic Eyeglass Accessory”, during an early 2012 (Season 3, Episode 6) episode of Shark Tank.

Image credit: www.visionmonday.com | Founder of ReadeREST, Rick Hopper.

The founder of ReadeREST, Rick Hopper, designed them to keep reading glasses from falling on the floor when loosely left in a shirt pocket. However, the product has “quickly turned into the ultimate accessory for eyewear, ear bud wires, badges, and much more!” Shark Lori Greiner made a deal with Rick Hopper for this simple yet innovative product. The style of ReadeREST I use has clear crystals – gotta love bling! ReadeREST products can be found online, at Bed Bath & Beyond (and other retailers).

Kodiak Cakes

Kodiak Cakes by Baker Mills are whole-wheat “hot cakes” mixes that can be made by only adding water. The “Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix” is the original product that launched in 1995, based on an old family recipe. The mix has no added fat, sugar or cholesterol. The flapjacks (a.k.a. hot cakes or pancakes) made from this mix are amazingly light and tasty. Kodiak Cakes made its Shark Tank debut in April 2014 (Season 5, Episode 22), but did not get an investment from the Sharks. Nevertheless, Kodiak Cakes are delicious and I suggest you try them.

Image credit: www.shop.kodiakcakes.com

Today, the Baker Mills product line includes Flapjack & Waffle Mixes, “Flapjack on the Go”, Minute Muffins, Granola Unleashed, Oatmeal Unleashed, Dessert Mixes, and Gourmet Syrups. In our home, we make the protein packed Flapjack & Waffle Mix: “Power Cakes” and we buy it at Target. We like the added protein that doesn’t compromise the tastiness or texture of the pancakes. Kodiak Cakes also offer a gluten-free flapjack mix along with other versions, including an organic mix. More and more retailers are beginning to carry Kodiak Cakes, but if you are looking for the specialty products, you may have better success online. There is also a “Store Locator” tab under the “Products” tab on the official Kodiak Cakes website.

Define Bottle

Define Bottle is designed for fruit infused water to go. From its website: “Give up your plain water habit and define what’s in your water bottle.” With limitless combinations of fresh fruit, teas, and herbs, the Define Bottle provides an alternative to plain water and takes away the temptation of sugary drinks.

Image credit: Define Bottle on Instagram @definebottle|Carter Kostler, Founder.

In March 2014, a 15-year-old entrepreneur named Carter Kostler made his pitch on Shark Tank (Season 5, Episode 20). His pitch was smooth and impressive, but the Define Bottle did not get an investment from the Sharks. Now at 18-years-old, Carter Kostler continues to grow his company and his Define Bottle offers an easy and delicious way to stay hydrated. The Define Bottle that I bought is an exclusive one called the “Calia Bottle by Carrie Underwood” that is only available at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The rest of the Define Bottle product line is on the official website.

Scratch & Grain Baking Co.

Scratch & Grain Baking Co. offers kits packed with all the ingredients you need to make gourmet homemade cookies in your own kitchen. For some cookie recipes, you need just a pinch of this or a dash of that. It’s a hassle to buy a big quantity when just a little is all you need. The cookie kits from Scratch & Grain Baking Co. solve this problem because the exact quantity you need is included in the box. You’ll save money and time – the package has the pre-measured ingredients you need to make one tray of about 9 to 12 delicious cookies. When and where possible, the ingredients are locally sourced and organic. Scratch & Grain Baking Co. debuted on Shark Tank in January 2015 (Season 6, Episode 13). The co-founders, Taya Geiger and Leah Tutin, got an investment from Barbara Corcoran.

Image credit: Scratch & Grain Co. on Instagram @scratchandgrain | Taya & Leah, Co-Founders.

After seeing Taya and Leah from Scratch & Grain Baking Co. on Shark Tank, I bought one of the peanut butter cookie kits at Sur la Table. The cookie recipe was easy to follow and the cookies were yummy. The official website has a “Store Locator” tab that shows that the Scratch & Grain cookie kits are available in Target (San Diego, CA). Simply enter your zip code to see where you can purchase them in your area. You can also buy the cookie kits on the official Scratch & Grain website.

 Are you a Shark Week fan? Do you watch Shark Tank?

What are some of your favorite Shark Tank products?

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Note: Post Updated Jan. 9, 2018 to remove affiliate links.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” (Disclosure status updated Jan. 9, 2018)