I stopped eating icecream, processed foods, ate more fruits and veggies...dropped 30 pounds by doing just these three things...no pills, no special diet, no special exercises. 

breakfast, Oatmeal was my staple,made with chunks of apples, cinnimmon*good spice for choloseterol* and 1%milk.

snack...almonds, fruit veggie

lunch, less breads, more veggies, low fat cheeses, fruits

snack few crackers, ricotta cheese, fruit/veggie

dinner light, cooked with extra virgin olive oil only....garlic, very little red meat, mostly fish, salmon best, saute chicken, turkey all non-processed foods...throw in some frozen veggies, have over some wild brown rice or no yolk noodles. frozen yogurt for desert...by portion size...90cal compared to bowl sizes of icecream.

best secret was to eat all day, drink water, and realize I'm human and diserve my space and my time too. child went to bed specific time...I had the night, yes at home, but I didn't do any work, that was always done in morning or after work time...after dinner was our time together, after child in bed was my time to do hobbies, read, whatever I wanted....I also stopped presuring myself to do more and more by keeping up with daily weekly and monthly tasks to prevent stress

this is the best site! http://www.realage.com/health_guides/cholesterol/introduction.asp

http://web.mit.edu/athletics/sportsmedicine/wcrvitamins.html

Stress is the leading cause of high blood pressure and you are more likely to suffer a stroke than a heart attack.

Anything you find relaxing is great for the body - including playing with the kids - having a good old roll around on the floor having fun, tickle fights etc are great stress releases

Yes kids do cause stress which can lead to all sorts of problems - but they can also be used to releive stress - its all in the way you look at it

:)

play with your kids - it is actually good for everyone.

My husband comes froma family high in the high risk for heart attacks, he keeps physically fit but also ensures his low in foods that cause cholestrol build up. He also had found that oats as in porriage and now new oaty brits help and he uses Flora Pro-active margarine and with the exception of occassional milkshake he uses skim milk (we all do ahve done for years).

To reduce stress talk a brisk 1/2 hour walk or some other form of exercise, take up a hobby like reading... something that interests you and allow at least 1/2 hour a week for it...mediatation.... or massage is incredibly relaxing. In short its anything that makes you feel better...it may even be a nanna nap. For my hubby its music.

So far our four kids havent killed of their dad with stress and as young adults they've put in plenty of stressful moments, remember youre a person first a parent second, look after yourself, work on ways to relax, watch your diet and take walks.

Best wishes