Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with Hewlett Packard for their Sprout by HP machine. I received compensation for participating in this campaign but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

I always love trying new ideas and apps that make life easier. A really great app that my daughter has been using is the free Sprout Stop Motion on our Sprout by HP computer. I watched her get really excited and easily figure out how to make a video with her own toys from start to finish. I got to thinking, if she can do this with her toys why don't I try it with my fun school lunches?

I played around with it a bit this weekend and created my first lunch tutorial video using Sprout Stop Motion. You can watch the video above! I started with the basic features for this video, but I it was so fun I can't wait to make another one using some of the more in depth options that the app offers. 

What makes it amazing is that you can scan in your own physical objects (like food) using any one of the three cameras. From there you can add other digital objects, personal pictures, artwork, etc. Then you can also insert a background for your video. I just used white for my first video but you can insert any background picture you like. From there, it is as easy as pushing a button to start the stop motion fun. You can also set a timer with delay so your only job is to move the physical and digital objects around the mat.

As far as the lunch recipe, you will have to watch the video above to see how I made it, but here are the ingredients I used: Long grain rice, ham, sweet peppers, hard boiled egg, dried apples, trail mix, fruit leather, pretzel sticks, and chocolate sprinkles. I made it all in an Easy Lunch Boxes container. Make sure and follow me on all of my social media channels and check out the Sprout website for more details on this awesome machine.

6 Netflix #Shelfies that Parents Need to Catch Up On Now

How many times have us parents heard or said themselves, "Aint Nobody Got Time For That!" It seems to be the parental anthem that governs our lives as we sprint from school to tutoring to swim lessons. Even after our bodies have given up for the day our minds never stop. How many times have you tried to catch up on your favorite Netflix shows and ended up snoring on the couch? It's okay, you can admit it. 

That's why I'm joining Netflix in declaring that all parents need to save a little time to relax and catch up on their favorite "Shelfies." What is a shelfie? I'm glad you asked. The official definition is: "The shows you’ve been wanting to watch but they’ve been sitting on the virtual shelf because…well, because you’re a parent and who has the time?"

So dust off those shelfies, grab your favorite snack, and head grab a little parenting break. Because we need to stop saying we don't have to for a few minutes of relaxation and start reclaiming our right to let loose some popcorn and our favorite show! My wife and I couldn't agree on what series to catch up on first so we each made a list. Here our top 6 parenting shelfies to catch up on this Fall:

My List:

Gotham

Because this prequel to everything Batman grabbed my attention from the beginning. Too bad life got in the way of me finishing the first season. I loved watching the backstories of all

Learn to Make a Fall Apple Tree Lunch

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post partnering with Smarty Pants Vitamins. I received compensation but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

I love Fall. The problem is where I live in the San Francisco bay area actual seasons seem to be illegal. When I lived in central Washington, it was amazing to see the colors change and feel the weather cool down enough to sip on some hot chocolate at night. Here in the bay, Fall is pretty much like any other season. So in order to give my own kids a little of the real Fall experience I made a lunch based on one of the four best seasons around. 

I also had the chance to use my kids' favorite gummy vitamins in this lunch. They have been loving trying out Smarty Pants Vitamins plus they make a great healthy alternative to fruit snacks. This variety happens to be my son's favorite. I liked them because they were perfect for apples! Learn how to make the whole lunch by following my instructions below. Make sure to not miss anything by following me on all my social media channels. Just click the buttons on the right.

Ingredients
5 Red Smarty Pants Vitamins

Lunchbox Dad's September Family Product Picks

Here are my Monthly Family Product Picks for September. These are 10 products that my family has loved using over the past month or two. From food, to tools, to toys, to household items, we are showing you stuff that will make your lives more enjoyable. Some of these items were given to us for free to try while others we found and paid for ourselves. I have NOT been paid to write about any of these products. These are just things that have been fun to use, or made our lives easier.

1. Pretzilla Pretzel Buns

I have been raving about these on social media for awhile now. If you aren't using their buns for hamburgers, you're doing it wrong. If you have a get together, tailgate party, or just cooking for yourself get these. Especially if you are cooking for yourself because then you get all of them. Pretzilla makes burger buns, sausage buns, mini buns, and pretzel bites.

2. ZoomKit

I know It's probably just my kids that spill everything everywhere, so maybe I'm the only one

A Celebrity Chef Gave Me This BBQ Recipe and My Family Devoured It!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post partnering with National Honey Board. I received compensation but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

Have you ever discovered a recipe that was so good you kicked yourself for not finding it sooner? Yeah, I thought so. I recently had a chance to talk with celebrity chef, cookbook author, and TV host and National Honey Board spokesperson David Guas about BBQ and fatherhood. I learned some great tips about cooking and came away with a tasty recipe for Honey Five-Spiced Chicken Thighs. Read all about the exciting things happening with Chef Guas and then check out my family's new favorite BBQ chicken recipe!

In the past few years you've written a book, opened a second restaurant, and been the host of American Grilled on the Travel Channel. What have been some of your favorite recent experiences?

"Opening a second restaurant is something that I've been working on for 2 1/2 years and it finally became a reality when we unlocked the doors May 12. My second cookbook Grill Nation just came out in May and it was a lot of fun to work on that."

You wrote your first award-winning book on desserts. Your second book and TV show is about grilling. How did you go from desserts to grilling, what is the connection?

"I call myself the "Accidental Pastry Chef." Coming out of school I took whatever job was available and that happened to be in the pastry department. I fell into that. Later on I wanted to get back to more casual food. Grilling was what my dad did growing up and I was always his helper. He was the one who passed the passion of grilling on to me at a young age."

You talk about your dad's influence on you. My daughter loves to cook and took some classes this summer. Do you have any advice for kids who want to learn more about being a chef?

Learn How to Make Teddy Bear Pancakes!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post partnering with Hungry Jack. I received compensation but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

My family loves breakfast for dinner, breakfast for lunch, breakfast for breakfast, ok really just breakfast at any time of day ever. One of my kids' favorite meals are pancakes. They pretty much will request them all the time so I am always looking for ways to make pancakes easier. 

When I saw that with Hungry Jack's new Protein Pancake and Waffle mix you only have to mix it with water, I knew this was the mix for our family! Not only that, but their new syrup makes it possible to heat the bottle in the microwave. It couldn't be easier. I put the mix to the test and my family loved the taste! Of course being the Lunchbox Dad I couldn't just serve pancakes, I wanted to make it creative and also show you how to make Teddy Bear pancakes for your own family! 

Ingredients
Hungry Jack Protein Pancake and Waffle Mix
Hungry Jack Original Microwaveable Syrup
3 Banana slices
8 Raspberries (other other favorite berries)
3 Chocolate chips

Directions
1. Prepare Hungry Jack Protein Mix as directed according to instructions on box. When cooking, make one medium sized pancake and two smaller pancakes per person.

2. Place medium pancake in middle of plate. Put smaller pancakes halfway under the medium pancake towards the top for ears.

3. Arrange banana slices as shown. Put one on each ear and one in the middle of larger pancake. Place two chocolate chips as eyes and one as the nose in the middle. Lay the berries in a circle around teddy bear head.

4. Pour warm Hungry Jack syrup over pancakes and serve!

3 Ways to Teach Your Kids Why the 80's Were So Radical

I am a little bit obsessed with the 80's. Sometimes I even feel like every other post I write, that isn't a recipe, has something to do with the 1980's. For awhile I felt weird about that, but now I embrace it. Why? Because as a child of the 80's, I think there were some totally radical things about that decade. As a dad, and card carrying fan of the 80's, it is my right and my responsibility to help my own kids experience the great parts of the 80's. So sit back, chill, throw on some Poison or Run DMC, and listen to some ways in which you too can share the 80's experience with your children.

The Toys

I know authentic 80's collectibles are pretty expensive but you don't have to dive deep into your bank account to get the banging 80's toys you always wanted as a kid. I distinctly remember saving up for months for the Cobra Nightraven jet from G.I. Joe (pictured above). When my parents finally took me to the store I was devastated to find it wasn't carried there anymore.

I still haven't found the Nightraven, but my kids have very much enjoyed playing with new releases of toys from Star Wars, Transformers, American Girl, etc. So get on the floor with your kids and break out the Stormtroopers, Decepticons, and Strawberry Shortcake!

The Shoes

Let's be honest, no one needs the clothes from the 1980's. Seriously, those need to be burned. I know

How to Make a Shaun the Sheep Lunch

My daughter just turned 9 years old last month and to celebrate we had a party at the movie theatre. We had a chance to see the new Shaun the Sheep movie which my daughter and her friends thought was hilarious. I didn't get to see the whole movie because I had to pick up pizza and cake, but I heard nothing but good reports. I knew I would have to make a lunch for my kids because of how much they liked it. 

If your kids haven't seen it yet, you might want to keep a lookout for it. Until then, here is how to make a Shaun the Sheep lunch. The shapes are very basic and should be fairly simple to make. I created it in an Easy Lunch Boxes container. 

Please make sure and follow me on all of my social media channels for all the latest news and ideas you need to know. The buttons are on the right. I have some fun idea, recipes, and posts coming up this month so keep checking back here as well! 

Ingredients

Sourdough bread
Black or dark wheat bread
3 Black olives
Snap peas
Slices of meat for a sandwich
1 Slice cheddar cheese
1 Stick of string cheese
Carrot sticks
Broccoli
Toothpicks
Optional: Edible modeling dough, candy eyes, or another method for making the animal eyes. You could use white cheese and nori or food coloring.

Directions

1. Cut piece of sourdough bread into four small circles. You will also need an oval for

Summer Movie Spectacular Lunch Recipe and $100 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway!

What a summer for families at the theatre! My kids and I had so much fun experiencing all the great new movies. In fact, I can't remember a summer where I had more fun with my kids being thrilled watching characters come to life on the big screen.

In honor of this season I am partnering with Fandango and Designer Daddy to bring one lucky Lunchbox Dad reader a $100 gift card to Fandango so you can take your family to see the movies coming out this Fall and Winter. How would you like to go see shows like Hotel Transylvania 2, Pan, and of course the new Star Wars movie for free? All you have to do is make sure and enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Of course to enter you are going to have to visit Fandango Family to find out what ingredients I used to represent the movies in the lunch above. You will also get the step-by-step directions to make the lunch for your kids. 

Want even more good news? You can also enter over on Designer Daddy's site. You know Designer Daddy, the father who draws incredible lunch notes for his son. See his latest work in the same Fandango Post then visit his blog to win another $100 Fandango gift card over there as well. 

That's a chance to win $200 to Fandango just for guessing the ingredients I picked over at Fandango.com. So head on over to Fandango and come back to enter using the widget below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway