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It's possible to trade profitably on the Forex, the nearly $2 trillion worldwide currency exchange market. But the odds are against you, even more so if you don't prepare and plan your trades. According to a 2014 Bloomberg report, several analyses of retail Forex trading, including one by the National Futures Association (NFA), the industry's regulatory body, concluded that more than two out of three Forex traders lose money. This suggests that self-education and caution are recommended. Here are some approaches that may improve your odds of taking a profit. Prepare Before You Begin Trading Because the Forex market is highly leveraged -- as much as 50 to 1 -- it can have the same appeal as buying a lottery ticket: some small chance of making a killing. This, however, isn't trading; it's gambling, with the odds long against you. A better way of entering the Forex market is to carefully prepare. Beginning with a practice account is helpful and risk-free. While you're trading in your practice account, read the most frequently recommended Forex trading books, among them Currency Forecasting: A Guide to Fundamental and Technical Models of Exchange Rate Determination, by Michael R. Rosenberg is short, not too sweet and highly admired introduction to the Forex market. Forex Strategies: Best Forex Strategies for High Profits and Reduced Risk, by Matthew Maybury is an excellent introduction to Forex trading. The Little Book of Currency Trading: How to Make Big Profits in the World of Forex, by Kathy Lien is another concise introduction that has stood the test of time. All three are available on Amazon. Rosenberg's book, unfortunately, is pricey, but it's widely available in public libraries. "Trading in the Zone: Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline and a Winning Attitude," by Mark Douglas is another good book that's available on Amazon, and, again, somewhat pricey, although the Kindle edition is not. Use the information gained from your reading to plan your trades before plunging in. The more you change your plan, the more you end up in trouble and the less likely that elusive forex profit will end up in your pocket. Diversify and Limit Your Risks Two strategies that belong in every trader's arsenal are: Diversification: Traders who execute many small traders, particularly in different markets where the correlation between markets is low, have a better chance of making a profit. Putting all your money in one big trade is always a bad idea. Familiarize yourself with ways guaranteeing a profit on an already profitable order, such as a trailing stop, and of limiting losses using stop and limit orders. These strategies and more are covered in the recommended books. Novice traders often make the mistake of concentrating on how to win; it's even more important to understand how to limit your losses. Be Patient Forex traders, particularly beginners, are prone to getting nervous if a trade does not go their way immediately, or if the trade goes into a little profit they get itchy to pull the plug and walk away with a small profit that could have been a significant profit with little downside risk using appropriate risk reduction strategies. In "On Any Given Sunday," Al Pacino reminds us that "football is a game of inches." That's a winning attitude in the Forex market as well. Remember that you are going to win some trades and lose others. Take satisfaction in the accumulation of a few more wins than losses. Over time, that could make you rich!

THE BEST BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

THE BEST BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
I first posted this muffin recipe over three years ago. It was long overdue for some updated pics and a re-share incase you all missed it the first time.

Here is the original post: 

YOU HAVE TO TRY THESE MUFFINS . . . . I LOVE THEM! 

I was watching an episode of America's Test Kitchen the other day and they were making these blueberry muffins. Great, just another blueberry muffin I thought. I was just about to turn the channel, when I heard it . . . music to my ears. . . . they were using fresh blueberries and turning them into smooth jam. If you know me, then you probably know that I have a big problem with fruit. I LOVE the flavor, but it's the texture that I struggle with. I can eat fresh pineapple, fresh strawberries, fresh apples, sometimes grapes and a few other fresh fruits. Other than that, whether fresh or cooked, I can't stand to bite into it. It sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it. 
I love blueberry muffins, but I always pick out the chunky berries. Now, I can eat a muffin, which I love and have all that delicious blueberry flavor without chunky berries. (The recipe actually adds fresh blueberries in addition to the jam, but I left them out). 

These muffins have the perfect texture, not too cakey and not too heavy. The blueberry flavor is just right and the sugar topping adds just enough lemon flavor to know it's there, but not to overpower the blueberry flavor. 

These are best eaten on day one or two. I keep them in the muffin tin overnight and loosely cover them with a clean kitchen towel. I have tried storing them in a zip-top bag before, but the tops get sticky and I am not a fan of sticky top muffins.
THE BEST BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
adapted from: America's Test Kitchen

Topping:
  • 1/4 c. sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
Muffins:
  • 2 c. fresh blueberries, picked over
  • 1 1/8 c. + 1 tsp. sugar
  • 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 Tbl. unsalted butter, melted & cooled slightly
  • 1/4 c. vegetable oil
  • 1 c. buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  1. For the topping: Stir the sugar and lemon zest together in a small bowl until combined; set aside. 
  2. For the muffins: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a standard muffin tin with vegetable oil spray (or line with paper liners and spray). Bring 1 cup of the blueberries and 1 tsp. of the sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, mashing the berries with a spoon several times and stirring frequently, until the berries have broken down and the mixture is thickened about 6 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature, 10-15 minutes. 
  3. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the remaining 1 1/8 cups sugar and eggs together in a medium bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in the butter and oil until combined. Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg mixture and the remaining 1 cup blueberries into the flour mixture until just moistened (if adding whole blueberries - I don't add them). The batter will be very lumpy with a few spots of dry flour; do not overmix. 
  4. Fill muffin cups 1/2 full with batter and top with a teaspoon or so of the cooked berry mixture. Use a toothpick and swirl together. Divide the remaining batter between muffin cups. The batter should completely fill the cups and mound slightly. Divide the remaining cooked berry mixture between muffin cups. Use a toothpick and gently swirl the berry filling into the batter using a figure-eight motion. Sprinkle the lemon sugar evenly over the muffins. 
  5. Bake until the muffin tops are golden and just firm, 17-18 minutes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through. Cool the muffins in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool 5 more minutes before serving. Yield: 12 muffins. 

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