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What Fills You Up?

November 5, 2013 By Lena

The strangest, most unexpected, most satisfying thing happened a few nights ago.

While folding laundry, I heard my little guy holler from the staircase. Since I regularly have visions of the boys tumbling down the steps, I hollered right back, “Get off the stairs! Either up or down, make a decision!”

“But Mommy”, he complained. “I want you to come here.”

Since every battle with a 3-year old has to be carefully considered, I decided to go see what he wanted. I found him on the landing of our staircase, ready for bed in his pajamas. He looked up at me, eyes alive with excitement.

“I want you to take pictures of me,” he said. “I want to model for you.”

At first, I was taken aback. Reid is the worst person to take pictures of – yep, he’s one of those kids who never looks at the camera. So the fact that he willingly asked to be photographed was a surprise in itself. Second, I have no idea where he learned the word “model”. We’ve never mentioned it, and I questioned if he even knew what modelling meant. Still, I decided to play along, and grabbed my iPhone from my dresser.

“Okay,” I allowed. “What should I do?” I asked.
“Just take a picture when I say so,” my wise-beyond-years little guy responded.

And then, he struck a pose. 

Our resident Baryshnikov gave me his best Travolta-esque stance. And just like that, he grew years in my eyes; I no longer saw him as my little baby. He became my little boy. And although the lighting was poor, the flash caused owl eyes and he was decked out in his old pajamas, this instantly became one of my favourite photos of Reid ever.

In this moment, I was fulfilled.

What fills you up? Satisfaction goes beyond just eating food; it’s about being fulfilled, feeling energized and, for 63 per cent of Canadian women, spending quality time with family. (Interestingly, men do not place as much emphasis on family, with only 48 per cent saying that time with their loved ones is what fills them up – a 15 per cent difference.)

Kellogg’s Special K Protein Cereal took to the streets and asked, “What fills you up?”

According to the Special K Protein What Fills You Up Survey, recently conducted by Angus Reid Forum, a remarkable 94 per cent of women know that eating protein in the morning will help satisfy their hunger. However, nearly one in three admit their breakfast doesn’t provide them with enough of this essential nutrient. To provide Canadian women with a protein punch, Kellogg’s has introduced NEW Special K Protein Cereal with 10 grams of protein and nine grams of fibre to help satisfy hunger and keep Canadians filled up.

Okay, so a photo of my budding disco king brings me satisfaction. Tell me… what fills you up? 

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Family, Special K Protein Cereal, Special K Protein What Fills You Up Survey

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy C (Cowan)

    November 5, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Love the picture of your little guy….such a cutie. I would have to say my family fills me up (right down to our 4 furbabies). They make me happy and content!

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:10 am

      Thank you Judy :) And I can’t believe you have 4 furbabies – that’s a lot of fulfillment right there!

      • Judy C (Cowan)

        November 20, 2013 at 10:21 am

        It is and they keep me very busy but wouldn’t have it any other way! They are a big part of our family!

  2. Anne Taylor

    November 5, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    listening to my grandchildren laughter

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:10 am

      Lovely :)

  3. Yash

    November 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Reid looks adorable!

    I am so blessed that I have a hard time picking just one thing that fills me up. For me, it’s:
    1. colouring with my girls on our window seat when the sun is shining in.
    2. date nights with hubby (so so rare but oh so great)
    3. getting mani’s and pedi’s with my mom and sisters (again, way too rare)
    4. parking my butt on the couch while hubby and i catch up on episodes of Homeland

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:11 am

      Ah… you certainly have a most blessed life! That all sounds wonderful Yash!

  4. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    November 5, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    my two beautiful girls spending time with their mommy, fills my heart till it overflows.

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:11 am

      Love it Chandra :)

  5. AC

    November 5, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    1. Variety of food!
    2. Spending time with good company
    3. 80s music
    4. Orange juice, soy milk, water. ;)

    You’re the best Reid! Have you been watching Zoolander lately…

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:12 am

      I’m with you on the variety of food. And perhaps combining that with 2, 3, and 4 :)

  6. Teresa Claire

    November 6, 2013 at 1:56 am

    Spending time with my daughter, Sara fills me up.

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:12 am

      So sweet, Teresa :)

  7. Jenny

    November 6, 2013 at 4:03 am

    Good music and spending time with the family definitely fills me up! P.S. Haha, “Second, I have no idea where he learned the word “model””.

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:13 am

      Two lovely things to keep fulfilled, Jenny!

  8. Marissa

    November 6, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Spending time with my grandchildren fills me up. They bring so much joy and laughter into my life.

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:13 am

      Aw, that’s so sweet, Marissa. I’m sure you bring joy to them too!

  9. Debbie Bashford

    November 6, 2013 at 9:50 am

    It’s different things at different times. It’s not always the same. the latest was getting an unexpected hug and they didn’t want anything.

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:18 am

      Aw, so sweet!

  10. Flora M

    November 6, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Love that photo ! The thing that fills me up most is going over to visit my grandchildren and having them all come running to the door saying “Nana ! Nana ! Nana !”. Even the 4 month old looks around for me now when he hears my voice and the others calling my “name” LOL

    • Lena

      November 7, 2013 at 7:19 am

      Ah, I should show this to my own mom! I’m sure she’d say she has the same experience!

  11. Victoria Ess

    November 7, 2013 at 9:43 am

    That sounds like a beautiful interaction. He’s quite the cutie! I would say making a great meal and sharing it with loved ones fills me up.

    • Lena

      November 16, 2013 at 11:44 am

      Love that. Love anything that involves food, really :)

  12. Kally Zwolak

    November 8, 2013 at 8:13 am

    I was thrilled to have a Girl’s Only” weekend with my daughter, who lives in a different city than I do. It was mom and daughter dinner – a new vegetarian recipe, movies, jigsaw puzzle, laughter, late night talks and constant hugs. That made me full to bursting!

    • Lena

      November 16, 2013 at 11:44 am

      Oh, you’ve painted such a lovely picture!

  13. Darlene Schuller

    November 15, 2013 at 10:30 am

    aww your little man is going to be a huge heartbreaker one day! My family fills me up! In every sense, mentally, physically… they wipe me out, emotionally them girls drain me lol.

    • Lena

      November 16, 2013 at 11:45 am

      LOL! Thank you for sharing, you made me laugh!

  14. Lena

    November 16, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Oh, I don’t think Reid was ever in his shell – it’s big brother Ryder that’s the shy one :)

  15. Tammy Dalley

    November 20, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Spending time with my boys , I cherish every moment!

  16. Jeff Skidmore

    November 20, 2013 at 8:26 am

    spending time outdoors with the love of my life.

  17. Teenatoe

    November 20, 2013 at 8:30 am

    Lots of water with meals!

  18. Nicky J

    November 20, 2013 at 8:32 am

    watching my teenage boys take the time out of their busy worlds to sit down and play with their 8 month old little sister

  19. Jennifer Saarinen

    November 20, 2013 at 8:40 am

    I homeschool my girls and it fills me up when they learn something new, perhaps something they were struggling to understand, and when they finally figure it out or complete the task they are super proud of themselves and full of smiles. “Look mom! I did it!” “Look mom, I can read it!” “Look mom! I figured it out!” Love those moments.

  20. Darrah Bailey

    November 20, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Awww so adorable <3

  21. Isabelle Simard

    November 20, 2013 at 8:44 am

    i was so proud when i see my girls in first grade loving to learn and be really good :) Proud mom

  22. Cathyo

    November 20, 2013 at 9:23 am

    When my 14 year old son walks up to me a gives me a hug for no reason and says “i love you, mommy”. I’ve heard teenage boys go into a non-communicative grunting phase. So far, I haven’t seen it. I will take hugs and an “i love you” any day!

  23. Erin

    November 20, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Getting out with my hubby and two kiddos. Could be a walk, the park, going to a restaurant. Or, just the four of us hanging out on the weekends together.

  24. Amirah

    November 20, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Spending time with my family fills me up! I <3 them so much.

  25. Kim Forbes

    November 20, 2013 at 9:32 am

    When my children do something new and are proud of themselves.

  26. kathy downey

    November 20, 2013 at 9:49 am

    All the beautiful people around me fills me upi

  27. Dayna

    November 20, 2013 at 9:50 am

    Spending time with family, friends and pets fills me full of love, because they are the people and things that I love and I know that they love me. There is nothing more that fills you with love then known that you are loved

  28. cheryl mansfield

    November 20, 2013 at 9:52 am

    spending time with my family. my as my two girls live away from home to attend college and my husband works in Alberta

  29. Stephanie S.

    November 20, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Spending time with my 3.5yo daughter :) She is my wholr world. I love her to peices, she is my.miracle baby !!! She fills me up and keepa me going with her presents ;) My childcare kids alot fulfill alot of excited and joy in my life xx
    We eat special k every mrning. My daughter just lovesss the new protein granola special k which is perfect :)
    Thanks Lena, your son is adorable!!

  30. MyBitsandBleeps

    November 20, 2013 at 11:08 am

    My 15 yr old DD fills me completely…always has and always will.

  31. shon szezendor

    November 20, 2013 at 11:13 am

    spending time with my 3 girls is what fills me up , I dont get the chance so much now that they are grown .one lives on the west coast and im on the east coast and one lives in ireland so just one close at all times.

  32. Andrea Amy

    November 20, 2013 at 11:15 am

    lots of different foods, breads, veggies, fruits, meats, sometimes cookies lol and of course the joy I get from my 5 sons :)

  33. Tara Willoughby

    November 20, 2013 at 11:20 am

    Meaningful interactions with my kids, not just the “come & eat”

  34. Jeannie

    November 20, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Being with my kids fills me up! AT times they bring so much frustration, but they also bring so much laughter!

  35. Cassie Fancy

    November 20, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    spending quality time with my family

  36. Treen Goodwin

    November 20, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    My Grandson Carter fills me up , i love him to the moon and Back !!!!

  37. Jennifer C aka JusticeSadie

    November 20, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Love from Family and Good Friends Fills Me up!

  38. caryn s

    November 20, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    My kids and helping others is what feels me up and helps to ground me at the same time!

  39. shell smith

    November 20, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    I love oatmeal!

  40. Joanna

    November 20, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    Family fills me up. Works everytime– blood is thicker than water

  41. Angela Mitchell

    November 20, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Having fun with family fills me up. Playing games, laughing, and hanging out.

  42. Mir

    November 20, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    that is a adorable! What fills me up is when I get a day off and get to visit my grandma :)

  43. Jennifer M

    November 20, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    My children really do fill me up. My heart overflows with joy!
    and OMG, Reid is adorable!

  44. Jan

    November 20, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Watching my two children finding their way in the world and in their chosen post secondary education success fills me with pride.

  45. Heidi C.

    November 20, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    The laughter of my four children definitely fills me up! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing joy and happiness on their faces!

  46. Holly

    November 21, 2013 at 2:05 am

    My family and friends. Knowing I can count on them any time, any day!

  47. Donnas

    November 21, 2013 at 7:24 am

    I love to bake, so when I take something out of the oven to share with family, that fills me up.

  48. Angie

    November 21, 2013 at 9:20 am

    My teens fill me up completely! Love them dearly. And of course protein early in the morning also does the trick.

  49. Megan

    November 21, 2013 at 11:23 am

    What a pose!! I feel filled up when I see my children use their learning in action. It shows me that they’re really soaking up things even that I don’t notice every day.

  50. Terry Perron

    November 21, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Spending time with my teenage twin boys, when ever I can. At 18 they are not home much so enjoy every moment

  51. Haylie Langwald

    November 21, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    My family fills me up and I don’t mean husband and kids, as they do help, but I mean my whole family. Mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, I love them all and miss them every day now that I live across the country from them.

  52. l p

    November 22, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    music, family, and friends. thanks

  53. Roxanne

    November 23, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    My 3 babies and husband! Scrapbooking!

  54. Karla Sceviour

    November 23, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    my family fills me up,,,and chocolate ;)

  55. Chalbe

    November 23, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Friends & family and Swiss chocolate.

  56. Florence C

    November 24, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    My whole family fills me up. Cute picture.

  57. patricia

    November 26, 2013 at 10:43 am

    nothing beats breakfast food – my hubby’s banana cinnamon oatmeal (recipe found on the oatmeal artist’s website – & it is insanely addictive) with some turmeric tea, a bowl of fruit is what I’ve been craving all the time lately

  58. Tanja Paquette

    November 27, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    If we are talking food, love a good breakfast. Heart wise, have to say having a hug from my kids fills me up on happiness for the day

  59. sarah sar

    November 28, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Your boy is so cute! The post cracked me up. My two gorgeous boys fill me up…dunno what I’d do without them!

  60. Travelbuds

    November 29, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    my kids playing songs for me on the piano. Fills me up until I’m overflowing

  61. Terry Mac

    November 29, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Playing with my grandchildren, and watching my children parent fills me up with pride and love.

  62. Tara Jensen

    November 30, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    my daughter, hands down, she is absolutely everything i strive to be, caring, funny, compassionate, she’s amazing.

  63. stacey

    November 30, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    oatmeal!

  64. Piroska

    December 3, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    Being with my newborn grand-daughter fills me up, as does watching my daughter, interacting with her daughter.

  65. sunshine

    December 4, 2013 at 1:24 am

    Spending time with my daughter, she makes me a better person.

  66. Jo-Anne Pfoh

    December 4, 2013 at 4:24 am

    my son and 3 cats

  67. merissa

    December 4, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    my amazing boyfriend and our 2 fur babies

  68. Soozle

    December 11, 2013 at 6:20 am

    I would have to say spending time with my loved ones fills me up – my mom and I have a tradition of baking our Christmas shortbread together; just a day of her and I. Small things like that mean so much!

  69. Candi

    December 11, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    chicken noodle soup, my puppies and my dad, brother and hubby in no particular order

  70. Janice K.

    December 11, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    My husband, 4 kids and most of all, my faith!

  71. Melinda L.

    December 13, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    Spending time with my family and friends fills me up

  72. Christy Martin

    December 14, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Keeping busy fills me up and this includes spending time with family!

  73. Roseline

    December 14, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    I try to get protein in but often end up grabbing a banana and bran bar which fills me up and keeps me going until break!

  74. Alison Braidwood

    December 14, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    Singing with my choir, and laughing with friends and family

  75. mongupp (@mongupp)

    December 15, 2013 at 7:20 am

    Reading with my kids

  76. Andrew P

    December 15, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    My friends and family!

  77. kathy downey

    August 29, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Reid is such a cutie and growing i see intl a handsome young lad.My family fills me up,i have so much love for them !

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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