Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Dr. Sears / Zak! Designs Feeding Gear CLOSED



Seeing as my son was a picky eater straight out of the womb, I have to be uber creative in the kitchen. Not just with the recipes and presentation but also with the feeding supplies. The more fun and exciting a meal looks, the more likely he is to try it. I'm willing to attempt just about anything to get some food in his belly. Yes, this includes hopeless games of "Airplane", singing "Party in My Tummy" or "Try It, You'll Like It" from his favorite TV show, and other kooky sounds from Mommy's mouth.

Being a big fan of Dr. Sears, I was thrilled to see that he has partnered with Zak! Designs for a new line of toddler feeding gear, intended to promote healthy eating habits. All pieces are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free for easy cleaning and safe eating.




I purchased the Nibble Tray (top left, ARV $7.99) and Smoothie Sipper (bottom right, ARV $5.99) for Nate for Christmas last year as a stocking stuffer.

The Nibble Tray has six compartments for a variety of healthy snacks, including fruits, veggies, bread, cheese and fish. It also features a detachable stay-cool dipping section for up to 3 different dips. The dipping section and nibble tray both come with translucent lids for easy view and storage. The pineapple design is not only adorable but functional as well. At the beginning of the day, I throw in some fresh fruit, cooked veggies, shredded or chunks of cheese, crackers or cereal and dressing or yogurt. In between meals, I will set out the nibble tray so Nate can graze. When he's finished, I top it with the enclosed lids and put it in the fridge to keep it fresh. At the end of the day, I can just toss it into the top rack of my dishwasher for cleanup. This tray makes snacking so easy. I don't have to scrounge around for snacks on a whim and I can make sure Nate is getting nutrients from all of the food groups, thanks to the fun food guide faces at the bottom of each compartment. Two thumbs up!

I also bought the Smoothie Sipper with the hopes that I could sneak some more fruit and veggies into Nate's diet, inconspicuously. Unfortunately, Nate hasn't quite gotten the hang of the straw just yet so it is a work in progress. I love the pear shape, generous size (11 oz.) and non-skid bottom but I wish the straw could somehow lock in place. Nate has a habit of taking the straw out, which not only makes a mess but could cause it to be lost. I would also like to see replacement straws, as I have a funny feeling ours may disappear with more use. All in all, I think it will be great when Nate is just a little older and can resist the urge to play with his food.

After seeing more adorable items added to the product line, I was eager to expand our collection. So, I was delighted to have the opportunity to review the matching Sippy Cup and Flatware set.

The Sippy Cup (ARV $4.99) features a unique, patent-pending Flo-Control Valve, which allows parents to adjust the flow of the liquid. The cup is spill-proof and leak-proof. Of course, I fell in love with the whimsical grape design. I only wish I would have found this cup sooner! The soft spout and handles make for comfortable sipping and carrying. The customizable valve allows you to choose minimal or maximum flow, depending on your child's preferences, making this the perfect cup from infancy through toddlerhood. The only issue I have is that the valve has been knocked loose and even fallen out several times after Nate tosses the cup. That being said, when the valve is in place, the cup is absolutely leak-free, which makes for a happy Mommy.



The 2-pc. Flatware set (ARV $4.99) includes a spoon and fork in cute carrot and broccoli designs. The utensils are designed specifically for toddler hands. I love that there are ergonomic grooves underneath to encourage proper holding technique. Both are very easy for Nate to maneuver and they are quite durable, despite Nate's purposeful biting and chewing. I love that the fork is more of a "spork" hybrid, which makes for easy balancing of tricky or slippery foods. Here is Nate enjoying his vanilla yogurt to the fullest (excuse the Flock of Seagulls hair, he had just woken up from a nap):




Bottom line: I would highly recommend the Dr. Sears/Zak! Designs feeding line if you have an infant or toddler learning to self-feed. The products are original, innovative and super duper cute.

Next, I want to try the divided bowl with lid (which is a clever watermelon design) and the 3-pc. snack container that resembles an apple. Is there anything they haven't thought of?

BUY IT: You can purchase the Dr. Sears/Zak! Designs feeding line online at Amazon.com.

WIN IT: Zak! is generously giving away one sippy cup and flatware set to one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Zak Designs website and tell me what your favorite product is from the Dr. Sears line. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Make mealtime fun with an ultra-cute sippy cup and flatware set from Dr. Sears and Zak Designs @kris10chumley! Ends 4/30 http://bit.ly/dAdIt3

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Visit the Dr. Sears website and tell me one of his many feeding tips for infants and toddlers. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Dr. Sears on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on April 30, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I received the sippy cup and flatware from Chris at Zak Designs to facilitate my candid review. I purchased the nibble tray and smoothie sipper on my own. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review and solely mine. Your experience may differ.

77 comments:

Chrissyb said...

I really like the 3pc Detachable Snack Container. Thanks for the chance!
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

One Feed tip is to buy organic fruits and vegetables when making your own baby food.
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

RSS feed reader subscriber
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Stuff Parents Need said...

i really love the divided bowl with lid. I would use that daily!

Stuff Parents Need said...

I'm an RSS subscriber

Teresa said...

My favorite item is the divided bowl with lid
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

I am a follower
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

I am a subscriber
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Monica said...

I love the Nibble Tray with lid.

Thanks!

mverno said...

the 3pc Detachable Snack Container mverno@roadrunner.com

Ames said...

Nibble Tray with Lid and Detachable Stay-Cool Dipping Section

That is SO COOL!!

Benita said...

I like the 3 piece detachable snack container.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I follow via GFC.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Dr Sears says: Be careful of big globs of food, such as golf ball-sized, pasty globs of white bread or spoonfuls of peanut butter. Even though these foods are soft, babies can choke on them. Don't spread peanut butter too thick, and monitor how quickly the bread gets packed into the mouth. The more whole grains in a bread, the less likely it is to form a pasty glob.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Brn2lisn said...

The 11 oz. Smoothie Sipper

Unknown said...

I love the 8 oz. Sippy Cup with Flo-Control Valve

hellasaunders@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

subscribed RSS w yahoo reader

hellasaunders@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

recieving email subscription

hellasaunders@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

following you on twitter

hellasaunders@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

tweeted : http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12303342086

Unknown said...

Became a fan of Dr. Sears on Facebook

hellasaunders@yahoo.com

Meredith said...

I like the divided bowl with lid.

Deborah said...

My favorite item in the Dr. Sears line is the Nibble Tray with Lid and Detachable Stay-Cool Dipping Section.

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12359643953

skgaff said...

My favorite is the 3 piece detachable snack container
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/skgaff/status/12371720940
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Divided Bowl with Lid looks great

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12437372312

Nicole C. said...

I like the 11 oz. Smoothie Sipper.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12466087069

mogrill said...

I love the Divided bowl with lid.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

wantsandwishes said...

I like this it is so cute: 3pc Detachable Snack Container

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12535519717

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12593287185

Becky said...

The flatware set looks adorable!

Becky said...

Fan of Dr. Sears on Facebook.

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12677200134

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12705115974

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12774312816

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12825204242

Jolee said...

Love the flatware set. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...

Good tips on nutrional deficiency. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12896248395

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/12952291106

Lisa Garner said...

My favorite product is the 8 oz. Sippy Cup with Flo-Control Valve.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm already an email subscriber. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm following you on Twitter user lisalmg and Tweeted this giveaway. http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/13012938761
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

One tip from the Dr. Sears website is: Pasta Picking
Place a pile of spaghetti or a few pasta squares or shells on baby's tray and sit back and enjoy the show. To minimize problems with allergies, begin with rice pasta before introducing wheat. Wait till around one year of age to add tomato sauce, as tomatoes are one of the more common allergens.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm a fan of Ask Dr. Sears on Facebook user Lisa G.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/13026494224

Linda said...

I also like the 3pc. Detachable Snack Container.
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

My favorite is the Divided Bowl with Lid. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow your blog
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/13087333757

beshe said...

Divided Bowl with Lid

bemiss2@gmail.com

Lisa Garner said...

Daily Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/13108400068
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/CricketSaunders/status/13138355028

Charlene S. said...

I like the 3pc Detachable Snack Container. I like the color & its dishwasher safe :)

Charlene S. said...

Follower on GFC

Charlene S. said...

email subscribe

Lisa Garner said...

Daily Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/13143439148
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lindsay said...

The flatware that looks like veggies is soooo cute!

cman said...

Divided Bowl with Lid

Tylerpants said...

I love the cute Nibble Tray with Lid and Detachable Stay-Cool Dipping Section! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm a subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

A good tip is to offer a nibble tray since toddlers like to graze. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Kathy P said...

my favorite is the 8 oz. Sippy Cup with Flo-Control Valve

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/13156016395

Kathy P said...

Burping the night feeder. Many breastfeeding babies nurse less anxiously at night. They swallow less air and don't need to be burped. Even if you do need to help your baby bring up a bubble after nursing in the side-lying position, there's no need for you to get out of bed or even sit up. Prop baby up with his head and tummy against your body and pat his back until he burps.

Kathy P said...

sears fan on facebook Kathy L Pease

susansmoaks said...

my favorite is the 8 oz. Sippy Cup with Flo-Control Valve

skooterbear said...

my favorite has always been 8 oz, sippy cubs I'd love them!~ thanks

trixx said...

I love the adorable 11 oz. Smoothie Sipper!

trixx said...

I'm an email subscriber

trixx said...

One tip I learned is to invite over a friend who is the same age or slightly older whom you know "likes to eat" if your child is a picky eater. Your child will catch on since group feeding lets the other kids set the example.

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