fighting cholesterol

So Jer and I finally hauled ourselves to a doctor for general checkups not too long ago. I, of course, had a hematocrit at the lowest level of normal, so was told to start taking an iron pill. Because I have a head full of random things, I know that adding iron supplements can have the undesired side effect of constipation, so I've been trying to concurrently up my fiber intake to stave off any problems.

Jer, on the other hand, had high cholesterol. The doctor was very not happy. In fact, she gave him three months to try to get it under control using diet and exercise, otherwise she's going to put him on drugs. He feels that'd be stupid, so he's at least on board with trying to do something about this.

So, I've been telling him that his meat and cheese consumption should probably be reduced and his grains/fiber should probably be increased. Along that line, I whipped up some oatmeal the other weekend and it was well received. I've subsequently started putting together all the dry ingredients for him to take to work in the morning (he used to not eat breakfast) and he uses his insta-hot water at work to make it oatmeal.

So far so good. Not only does him eating breakfast mean he's not starving come lunch time, I'm getting some heart healthy fiber into him, too.

Oatmeal:

½ c old fashioned oats
pinch salt
sprinkle cinnamon
some dried cranberries
1 T brown sugar

Add 1 c water and microwave for a couple minutes, or add 1 c boiling water and let sit for a few minutes.