Micro Drone 3.0: Flight in the Palm of Your Hand

America, meet Dan Lamoureux! After a six-week national search, the Crock-Pot® brand has selected this 37 year old video editor from Thornton, Illinois as its 2014 Ultimate Crock-Pot Crock-Star. This year’s search played on America’s selfie obsession, prompting aspiring Crock-Stars to submit a one-minute “video selfie” prepping an original recipe with a Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. America then voted for their favorite videos/recipes, which narrowed the pool of submissions to five finalists. Among those, Crock-Pot® brand executives selected Lamoureux. Watch his winning video here!
Lamoureux’s recipe for “Red & Gold Beef Stew” proved to be his ticket to crock-stardom, earning him $5,000 in prize money, a feature on Crock-Pot.com and of course bragging rights as the 2014 Ultimate Crock-Pot Crock-Star.
“America voted for five great finalists, all with flavorful and inspiring original slow cooker recipes,” stated Cheryl Punk, Group Consumer Marketing Manager for Appliances at Jarden Consumer Solutions. “While it was a difficult decision, we ultimately felt that Dan best captured the essence of the Crock-Pot® brand in his creative, seasonal and delicious version of slow cooker beef stew, and his video was creative and engaging too! We appreciate everyone who took the time to enter this year’s contest and encourage slow cooking fans to visit our robust online community to gain inspiration year-round.”
Crock-Star Lamoureux is a self-professed Crock-Pot® king and the proud owner of two Crock-Pot® slow cookers which he uses twice a week. His repertoire of recipes includes a go-to favorite, Crock-Pot® Beef Sandwiches, perfect for parties and tailgating. Just add rump roast, beef broth and giardiniera for an instant crowd pleaser!
Join the Conversation
Be sure to follow the Crock-Pot® brand on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for special product offers and delectable recipes. Crock-Pot® Slow Cookers can be purchased online at Crock-Pot.com and at retailers including Wal-Mart, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Dan Lamoureux’s Winning Recipe:
Red and Gold Crock-Pot Beef Stew
Red & Gold Crock-Pot Beef Stew
¼ cup Flour
1½ teaspoons Paprika
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper
1½ cups Beef Broth
2 pounds Stew Beef
1 Onion
2 large Potatoes
1 Butternut Squash
1 Red Bell Pepper
Add the dry ingredients to the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker, then add 1½ cups of beef broth. Stir everything until the dry ingredients have dissolved.
Add 2 pounds of stew beef to the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker.
Cut onion into medium/large sized bits.
Cut potatoes into large chunks.
Cut the ends off the butternut squash, peel it, and scoop out the seeds. Cut the squash into large chunks.
Cut the red bell pepper into large chunks. Scrape out all the seeds and remove stem parts.
Add all the vegetables to the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker and stir all the ingredients together.
Set the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker to high, cook for 4 hours. Or set to low and cook for 8 hours.
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I received an Aerie gift card as part of my relationship with the Quality Blue Community. All opinions expressed are my own.
Did you know that there are 9 Bras that every girl needs?! This is new to me…lol..I own a few types, an underwire (you know the uncomfortable one that you can’t wait to take off when you get home) in full coverage & demi, a couple sport bra types…my fave, but not so much the hubbies. But I’m pretty clueless when it comes to finding the right bras.
I absolutely LOVE that Aerie created this super simple infographic that you’ll find details on bra types, fits, quick fixes, and more!
I love the information the info graphic gives on what each bra type is for. That is extremely helpful for someone searching for just the right thing! I usually go into the bra sections and walk out without anything, the selections can be overwhelming and if you don’t even have a clue what you are looking for it’s even worse! I plan on hitting the store for a few of these now that I know what to wear with what. The Layering Bra is definitely one on my list! But first thing’s first…the after baby sizing..ugh!
Do you own all 9? Which tip or fact from the graphic can you relate to the most?
If you post a photo of yourself in an Aerie product or any Aerie product with the hashtag #aeriereal on Instagram or twitter, your picture will appear on the Aerie website. We encourage you to do so!
To Read more fabulous tips and facts on bras and sizing visit the Aerie / AE blog.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links with fund the Mom of 4 Boys blog. All opinions seen in this publication are those of the writer and may differ from your own. Momof-3boys.com received an Aerie gift card as part of my relationship with the Quality Blue Community. All opinions expressed are my own.. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to have your product featured on Mom of 4 Boys, email Becky at [email protected].

It’s been a few weeks, and I’ve had time to process all the awesomeness that took place on my trip to Anaheim for the D23 Expo & Disneyland Diamond Celebration. This was a once in a lifetime event that I will never forget. Myself along with 24 other bloggers were invited by Disney to attend this event August 13-17 2015. If you live within 100 miles from me, you probably heard me open the invite email! I was so excited to be invited back ( Last trip was in February to the McFarland USA Event ) and to such and amazing event.
I could hardly contain my excitement even though there was only a two week time period between the invite and the trip. Since this was after all a Disney Expo, I couldn’t help but pass up the opportunity to dress up and do a little bounding! So I spent my two weeks putting together outfits and making costume/bounding accessories. Then had my son take this photo of me dressed with a sign that reads D23 Expo or Bust, and with many of us doing this it landed our group in the Orange County Register!! AMAZING!
That’s a great start to the trip right!!
The big day finally came, and I was headed out the door to catch my flight to Anaheim! I was so excited I could hardly stand it! Only 5 hours between me and magic! Well at least that’s how it was supposed to go…but my hour layover in Houston, turned into 6 hours due to a plane malfunction. A little tired and worn down, I finally reached the Hyatt Regency Orange County Hotel around 8pm. It’s a good thing the group was grabbing a drink and a bite to eat at the bar, because lord knows I needed both!
DAY 1
The Expo day is here!! It’s time to get ready to head to the most anticipated event of the year, D23 Expo! Tink was wide awake too, ready to see all the magic and fan-fasim.
We got there a little early because we had an exciting opportunity to sit in on a small showcase for the new Playmation games coming this fall…Let me tell you, this game is going to rock this house!
After that we headed down to check out the exciting new show The Muppets have created…okay, the men behind The Muppets created it, but let’s be real…it’s all about those furry little things and has been since I was a kid. When it came time for Q&A, you could tell just how much these little puppets have ment to people from all over the world.
After that amazing panel…yes you will hear amazing a lot in this post…we were able to explore the show floor and let me tell you, the creativity of the costumes blew me out of the water!
There were plenty of booths to check out with Disney, Marvel and LucasFilm inspired products. You know I just had to stop by American Tourister to check out the new Star Wars Line ( Review to come! ) and I found a few other gems along the way like the SMS Audio headphones…who wouldn’t want a pair of those!?
We ended our first D23 Expo day at the Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter panel. I was taken back by just how many people were in this panel! 7500 people were waiting to hear the latest announcements and surprises from Disney and Pixar Animation Studios! They did not disappoint! So many announcements, a few special guest, and a surprise birthday celebration for Toy Story to end it all! It was all to much to put here, but you can read more about the amazingness in my Animation post.
So how do you end an amazing first day…why, you head to Disneyland to enjoy the Diamond Celebration of course!! This was my first time to Disneyland, and it’s been like 16 years since I’ve been to Disney World, so I was stoked!
We jumped right in and grabbed out fast passes for Indiana Jones, grabbed some dinner & Dole Whip, then headed over and rode The Pirates of the Caribbean! After Pirates we rode Indiana Jones then ran to catch the Light The Night Parade. Both rides are amazing by the way…a must do! The Light The Night Parade was spectacular, so many lights and of course the characters that you know and love!
After the Parade we stuck around to watch the Firework Spectacular! I’ve seen Disney fireworks before, but you forget just how magical they really are. Disneyland has taken them to a whole other level for their Diamond Celebration!
CONTINUE TO DAY 2 ==>
Check out all my panel posts to learn more about each:
Animation Film Slate | Parks & Resorts | Silly Symphony | Playmation | The Legacy Collection |Disney Shorts | Live Action Film Slate | Disney Interactive
This event was part of an all expenses paid press trip to Anaheim for the #D23Expo, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.

If you are a regular reader you have read about the Dr. Fischer Baby products that I reviewed a few months ago…I was recently lucky enough to get the chance to review his Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set for Mother’s Day! There’s nothing better than a spa-like experience at home, and that’s exactly the way I feel thanks to the rejuvenation I get from the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set products!
About Fischer Pharmaceuticals
Fischer Pharmaceuticals, one of the most beloved brands in Israel, has launched its dermatologist-recommended Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Mineral Spa products in the U.S. and these unique, high quality items are a great gift idea for Mother’s Day!
Dr. Eli Fischer is a scientist, a successful international industrialist, philanthropist and an international brand. After his first innovation for treating glaucoma, he founded Fischer Pharmaceuticals in 1965, specializing in the fields of ophthalmology and dermatology. Currently his spa products have been sold in over 40 countries and have received rave reviews worldwide.
Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set includes four beauty products specially priced at $47.95. (Purchased individually these products have a retail value of $74.) I have been using these four products for two weeks & I am happy to say that I absolutely love them! They give me that calm and relaxing feeling that every mom deserves.
First I tried out the Mineral Shower Scrub & Mineral Creamy Shower Mousse..Now this was two different nights so that I could get the full effect of each one…I liked the lightly fresh scent of the Mineral Shower Scrub and how it exfoliated the dead skin from my body, without feeling harsh. It left my skin silky soft and feeling rejuvenated!
Product Description:Three Actions in One – Cleansing, Peeling & Moisturizing. Contains Dead Sea Minerals, Jasmine Extract, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel and Pro-Vitamin B5.
The Mineral Creamy Shower Mousse was definitely new to me, I had never heard of a shower mousse before. I liked that it only took two pumps to work up a nice lather and its light and fruity scent left my skin feeling soft, and smelling wonderful, even the hubby noticed, what?! Yep, the husband noticed something!
Product description: Gentle Cleansing & Active Moisture, Soothes & Rejuvenates the Skin. Contains Dead Sea Minerals, Olive Oil, Cotton Oil, Almond Oil, Fig Extract, Vitamin E & A, Omega 3 & 6.
The next thing I tried was the Hand Cream..I really like that it gives me that soft and rejuvenated feel that doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky or weighed down my a heavy cream. It’s great to keep it in my purse so I can use it any time I need a “get away”, which with 4 kids out in a store…is almost every day!
Product Description: Hypoallergenic * Sensitive-Approved * Emollient Enriched Dead Sea Minerals – Omega 3 & 6 – Silicon Aloe Vera & Chamomile Extracts – Vitamin E
The last thing I tried in the set was the Body Butter…The body butter totally exceeded my expectations! Normally a body butter feels, well, like butter, greasy & sticky, and sticking to whatever clothes you are wearing. Well not the Dr. Fischer’s Mineral Body Butter!! It gave me a satin like feel on my skin and it WASN’T greasy at all! My skin absorbed it quickly and left my skin smooth and smelling ahhmazing! The scent was so relaxing, I couldn’t get enough of it!
Product Description: Intensive Moisture Complex for Healthy & Younger Looking Skin. Contains: Dead Sea Minerals, Vanilla, Patchouli Fragrance, Cotton Oil, Omega 3 & 6, Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Almond Oil, linseed Oil, Vitamin C & E.
The Dr. Fischer Gift Sets are packed by women with special needs at Bayit Cham-The Centers for Mental Wellness. When you buy these gift sets you are helping to support this special group of women.
For more information about these and other Dr. Fischer products visit www.Dr-Fischer.com.
One lucky My Sparkling Life Reader is going to win the The Mothers Day Prize Pack listed above! This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 11:59 PM EST.
The Fine Print: Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Each household is only eligible to win this prize via blog reviews and giveaways once. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Many will enter, few will win! Please allow 8-12 weeks for delivery of prizing. My Sparkling Life is not responsible for any lost or misdirected packages. Prizing provided and shipped by Big Honcho Media. In the rare occasion that a prize does not arrive (which has happened), please notify me and I will try to contact the sponsor.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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: This post contains affiliate links.
Lucky You! If you have been waiting for the perfect time to become a Julep Maven, now is the time! The St. Patrick’s Day Welcome Box is FREE for new subscribers and it includes three “pinch proof” nail colors, a fan favorite beauty product and even a fun sheet of nail decals bringing the value of the box to $58 – just pay $2.99 shipping.
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Become a Maven by March 9th to get this welcome box before St. Patrick’s Day! Join Maven and get the St. Patrick’s Day Welcome Box FREE ($58 value) – just pay $2.99 shipping with code PINCHME.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. 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.”

The NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl Contest, which is in its eighth year, is part of NFL PLAY 60, which challenges kids across the country to get active for 60 minutes a day. At NFLRUSH.com/play60, children can pledge to PLAY 60, get tips from NFL pros and learn ways to rally their community to get active and healthy.
In this years NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl Contest, Pittsburgh Steelers fan and Troy Polamalu doppelganger BOBBY SENA has been chosen as this year’s NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid. Sena learned the news from Steelers defensive end BRETT KEISEL during a surprise on-field visit before the January 3 Steelers-Ravens playoff game. On February 1, he will hand the game ball to a game official moments before kick off of Super Bowl XLIX.
Thousands of young fans nationwide entered the NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl Contest online at NFLRUSH.com, the NFL’s official website for kids. To be eligible, Sena pledged to be active for 60 minutes a day and submitted a video where he spoke about why he is “passionate about eating healthy and playing outside.” Sena also participated in video interviews and ultimately received the most votes among three finalists on NFLRUSH.com. Sena’s submission
video and interview are posted at NFLRUSH.com/superkid.
You can Watch Bobby’s video to see why he is this year’s Super Kid!
Sena, 12, plays football and golf. “I started playing football and can’t stop. It’s just an addicting game,” he said in his interview. An avid Notre Dame fan and an advocate for health since he was in elementary school, Sena participates in campaigns including Fuel Up to Play 60 and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Sena established Fuel Up to Play 60 clubs in both his elementary and middle school and has acquired grants to grow gardens in his community.
In addition to his trip to the Steelers game, Sena will travel to Los Angeles, Calif. prior to Super Bowl XLIX and spend time at NFL Network for a behind-the-scenes studio experience. During the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIX, Sena will visit NFL Experience Engineered by GMC – the epicenter for NFL fans in Arizona during Super Bowl week and attend Super Bowl XLIX Media Day Fueled by Gatorade at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
“I really think that being a super kid doesn’t limit you to playing for 60 minutes and eating healthy, but also giving as much effort as you can in school and academics, as well as being nice to others,” said Sena, who lives in Orlando, Fl.
The two other NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl Contest finalists, Devlyn Williams, 11, from Mississippi, and Zac Ventola, 7, from Massachusetts, will receive NFL PLAY 60 prize packs and two tickets to a 2015 regular season game.
Congratulations to Bobby S, the NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid!
Stay connected to NFL PLAY 60 by visiting Facebook.com/NFLPLAY60 or following @NFLPLAY60 on Twitter.
source: NFL