Q: Pour the milk into the pot and set the burner to medium low heat. Do not make the milk too hot. Let it become lukewarm. Check the milk with your finger to make sure it is lukewarm. If the milk is too hot when you add the yogurt, it will be watery and not set. Once the milk becomes lukewarm, add the curd and mix it in well with a spoon or a whisk. Alternatively, you can pour milk from one container to another 2-3 times so the curd mixes well with the milk. Don’t let the dahi set in the pot you cooked it in. The heat of the pot will not allow the dahi to set. Choose a glass container or a metal container with an airtight lid. You can also set the curd in individual cups. By your oven or on your kitchen counter are good places for the dahi to set.  If you live in a warmer place, the dahi will likely set within 5-6 hours. If you live in a colder place,you can set the dahi in a casserole dish and add more starter yogurt, about 1 tablespoon. Then, you can cover the container with a thick towel or cloth. You can also preheat the oven to 180 degrees C for two minutes. Then, switch off the oven and keep the dahi in the oven for 6-7 hours or overnight.  If the curd does not set after 6-8 hours, or overnight, you likely used too little starter yogurt, the milk was not warm enough, or the temperature was not warm enough. So adjust these in your next batch of dahi. It will become firm after 2-3 hours. If you leave the dahi out longer than 8 hours to set (unless you live in a cold climate) and do not refrigerate it, it will become sour.  If your curd comes out stringy and gooey, the temperature of the milk was likely too hot or too cold. So adjust the temperature to lukewarm for your next batch of dahi. To avoid the dahi from getting watery or “breaking”, always level off the dahi if you break it and take a piece of it. Don’t let the dahi sit with a slanted top. Dahi tastes great with simple ingredients like cut up fruit and nuts in the morning, as well as an additive to Indian curries.
A: Place a small round pot on the stove. Warm the milk. Add 1 ½ teaspoons yogurt. Transfer the dahi to a container with a lid. Let the covered dahi set in a warm place for 7-8 hours. Refrigerate the dahi. Enjoy the dahi in a curry, a lassi, or on its own.

Q: While the recipe calls for 10, you may need fewer or more, depending on their size. And depending on your smoothie craving!  It'll be easiest on your blender if you cut off the tops and then cut them in half. Make sure you're using a clean knife and cutting board! A Magic Bullet or food processor will work, too. 2% will make for a creamy, thicker smoothie, but non-fat, soy, and almond work, too. If you don't have milk, yogurt works as well. For a thicker, colder smoothie, throw the ice in the blender with everything else. However, if you'd like your smoothie to be more concentrated (at least initially), you can just put the ice into the smoothie when it's finished. Decisions, decisions. Depending on the strength of your blender and the size of your ice cubes, this should take anywhere from about 15 seconds to a minute. It may need a stir to get the last chunks of ice smoothie-ready, so break out your spoon if need be. Did someone say taste test? If the strawberries are sweet enough, you may not need the extra zing. Or if you'd like something more natural, honey is a great alternative. It's a good idea to try it out and see. If you add too much, you can always add more strawberries or milk! Cut a strawberry in half, then slice half of it so you can put it on the edge of the glass for a garnish. Grab a straw, your cocktail umbrella, and you're set. A chilled glass is even better -- it keeps the smoothie from becoming runny too quickly. Keep one in the freezer for the next time a smoothie craving strikes without warning. The recipe above makes one strawberry smoothie. Watch out -- smoothies have been known to bring boys and girls to the yard, too. Hope you have extra ingredients on hand for when you're expected to share!
A: Cut your strawberries into pieces. Pop them into a blender. Put the milk into the blender. Add ice. Blend until liquefied. Put the sugar in, blending a few seconds more. Pour the smoothie in a glass. Enjoy!

Q: Communication is the most important element of any relationship. If you don’t communicate, you won’t know each other’s problems and concerns. As a result, you won’t be able to form a relationship that is respecting of both of your unique qualities. Both parties need to define boundaries and come to a mutual agreement about each other’s space, independence, and autonomy. You need to understand what your elderly person is comfortable with when it comes to being assisted or being subtly monitored to make sure they are okay.  Talk to them about their expectations about your relationship. What do they expect of you in terms of assistance and interaction? Discuss use of shared space like the bathroom, kitchen, or living room. Come to an agreement about under what circumstances family or friends will visit. Discuss use of each other's personal belongings, like dishes, appliances, and even food. Figure out who pays for what ahead of time. Having finances decided and agreed upon ahead of time could save you from a headache or even legal fees in the future. Records will make a big difference here, so if you start out knowing who pays for what, and have it written down, you are ahead of the game. Also, consider the following:  Include relatives in discussions about money. If you’re going to be living with an elderly family member, make sure to speak with your other relatives to be transparent about your financial agreement. Be open to their feedback, especially if they will be contributing to the cost. This will help you avoid problems and resentment in the future. Consider the cost. If you will be covering the cost of your elderly relative, be informed about the costs. One recent study found that caregivers spend about $5,500 per year caring for elderly relatives. Another study concluded that caregivers spent almost $15,000 a year caring for their elderly relative. Avoid treating the person like a child. Older people have experienced life much more deeply than we often appreciate, and have many more life experiences. Ask your elderly person questions about their life, what they think, and what they care about. When possible, they should have as much privacy and personal space as it is practical to allow. Don’t turn yourself into a caregiver or a nurse without need or invitation and don't violate their personal space. Always communicate first if you are concerned about your elderly roommate. Let him or her make their own choices and do not substitute your own judgement for theirs. Every adult has the capacity to make at least some, if not all, of his or her own decisions, so help enhance the person's capacity to do and choose as much as possible for himself or herself. Don't assume merely because of advanced age that people cannot manage their own affairs, even if you do not agree with them. You’re the younger person with less experience. Your elderly roommate probably has wisdom and experience well beyond your own. Talk to them and ask them for guidance on issues that pertain to both of you.
A:
Communicate with your elderly roommate. Define boundaries. Figure out finances. Give the person respect as an individual. Give the person privacy. Support the older person's autonomy. Appreciate their wisdom and life experiences.