Q: While it may be tempting to rehash old arguments, once you're friends, it's time to let it go. You don't have a right to criticize how he spends his time or how she likes to dress. Be supportive, and try not to move into old patterns of criticism. Talk through your feelings with the other person and then try your best to move on. That is, if you were friends before you got together, think about how you interacted then. That can help you forge ahead with a new relationship. Don't jump into going out three times a week. Stick with a couple a times a month at first. Too much too quickly could force the friendship to break apart. If you try to do the same things you always did as a couple, you're likely to find it awkward. You associate those places with the romantic side of the relationship, and you're trying to create a different type of relationship. Therefore, it's best to pick new things to do together, especially things that won't leave you alone together. Try going out with a group of friends, for instance, or heading to somewhere with a big crowd, such as big concert. You don't have the same conversations with a lover that you do with a friend. If you want to keep your ex at a friendship level, you need to keep the conversations there, too. Focus on general topics such as current world news instead of very personal ones like your dog passing away. " Your ex may decide he or she doesn't want to be friends with you, and that's fine. Sometimes, you just have too much history with a person to move on in a different capacity. If you're constantly having to deal with questions about why you're still friends with the person, it can hinder your friendship. Tell your friends and family that you are going to be friends with the person, and you expect them to support that decision.
A: Let the past stay in the past. Think about how it was before. Move slowly. Pick your meet-ups wisely. Skip the intimate conversations. Be prepared for "no. Make it clear to your friends and family.

Q: While it may be difficult to change your environment, understand that certain environmental cues can actually lead to higher rates of smoking. You may want to limit time around social groups that revolve around smoking. Instead, find new places and activities to enjoy. If you enjoy having a few drinks and smoking on the patio at a local bar, you might find it hard to sit on the patio and not smoke. In this case, try moving inside where smoking is not allowed. This will add a level of inconvenience to smoking since you'll have to leave the group you are with to go outside. Give yourself the rule: no smoking in the car. Smoke before or after the car ride. Make smoking as inconvenient and uncomfortable as possible. While this isn't an overwhelming change, changing brands may help you reduce your nicotine intake. For example, if you smoke Marlboro Red 100's, try switching to shorts or to a more "natural" brand of cigarettes like Sherman's. Do not let the word "natural" make you think these cigarettes are safe. They are most definitely cigarettes which still contain nicotine. Look for cigarettes based on their nicotine content, which are generally: low-nicotine: filtered cigarettes with the words "Ultra Light" medium nicotine: filtered cigarettes with the words "Light" or "Mild" high nicotine: filtered or unfiltered cigarettes that don't say "Light" or "Ultra Light" Another way to reduce cigarette smoking is by smoking a quarter or half of a cigarette. Then wait until your next cigarette break to smoke the second half or quarter. This way, you smoke as often as you normally do, but only half a cigarette at a time. You still get to take your smoking breaks, but it cuts your cigarette consumption in half. If you tend to chain smoke in certain settings like a bar or while sitting outside chatting with friends, try setting a timer. It can be easy to lose track and just light another cigarette when you are having a good time. After each cigarette, set a timer on your phone for a time limit of your choosing. Wait until the timer goes off before smoking another cigarette. As time goes on, try to increase the amount of time in between cigarettes. For example, if you set the timer for 20 minutes, push yourself to wait an extra 2 minutes. If you and your friend are both trying to cut down, you can make it into a small competitive game on who can wait longer. Sometimes it is the oral stimulation that needs to be satisfied in addition to the nicotine craving. Carry things like breath mints, gum, mouthwash sprays, small hard candy, sunflower seeds, or other small (ideally healthy) snacks for whenever you feel the urge to smoke. Avoid high sugar or fattening treats that will just fill you up. Make sure not to use treats as an oral substitute for the long-term.
A: Change your environment. Change cigarettes. Don't smoke the whole cigarette. Set a timer. Satisfy the oral fixation.

Q: This is more of a coconut shortbread-type cookie. Because there is no egg in this recipe, the dough may seem a bit more crumbly. If your dough is too dry and crumbly after beating the ingredients together, add 1 to 2 tablespoons cream or soft butter. Add them in 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough looks wet and sticks together. It's also important to measure out all the ingredients properly. Use metal or plastic measuring cups for the dry ingredients. Do not tap or shake the cup when measuring. Instead, level off any excess amount by running a straight edge knife across the top of the cup. To prepare the butter for this recipe, make sure it is softened but not melted. If possible, let the butter sit at room temperature 30-45 minutes before you plan to make the cookie dough. If you are using an electric mixer to beat together the ingredients, use the mixer bowl. If you are beating the ingredients together by hand, use a regular mixing bowl. Pour 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups butter, softened, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon vanilla into the mixing bowl. Beat the ingredients at low speed until well mixed. Scrape the sides of the bowl often with a spatula. Make sure the coconut flakes are the sweetened kind to add the right amount of sweetness to these cookies. Shape each half into a 12 x 2 inch log. Refrigerate both logs for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough. Then, take out the logs and place them on a clean work surface. Place each slice 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. This recipe should make about 8 dozen cookies. If you want to make less than 8 dozen cookies in one sitting, halve the recipe. The edges should be lightly golden and brown. Then, place the cookies on a cooling rack. Enjoy your traditional Scandinavian coconut cookies!
A:
Keep in mind this recipe does not use any eggs. Take out a mixer bowl or a large mixing bowl. Combine all the ingredients, except the flaked coconut. Stir in 1 cup flaked coconut with a spatula or wooden spoon. Divide the dough in half with a knife. Wrap each log in plastic wrap. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Use a knife to cut the logs into inch slices. Bake the cookies for 10-14 minutes. Cool them for about a minute on the cookie sheet.