INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A forward contract is like a futures contract or derivative. It is an agreement to buy or sell a currency at a fixed price on a certain date.  Here's an example:  Dave is worried that the price of the dollar is going to plummet relative to the British pound. He has $1,000,000 in cash, which would fetch him about £600,000 at the then-current exchange rate. Dave wants to use a forward contract to lock in the exchange rate of the dollar relative to the pound. Here's what Dave does: Dave offers to sell Vivian $1,000,000 of US currency in exchange for £600,000 of British currency in six months. Vivian accepts the deal. This is a "forward contract." Let's continue with our example of Dave offering a forward contract to Vivian. In six months (the agreed-upon time), there are three possible outcomes regarding the price of the dollar relative to the pound.  Each of these possibilities affects the forward contract:  The price of the dollar goes up relative to the pound. Hypothetically, let's say one dollar now fetches .75 pound instead of .6 pound. Dave pays Vivian the difference between the current price of exchange and the price agreed upon in the contract:  ($1,000,000 x .75) - ($1,000,000 x .6) = $150,000. The price of the dollar goes down relative to the pound. Hypothetically, let's say one  dollar now fetches .45 pound instead of .6 pound. Vivian agreed to pay Dave .6 pound for each of his dollars six months ago, so Vivian has to pay Dave the difference between the price agreed upon in the contract and the current price: ($1,000,000 x .6) - ($1,000,000 x .45) = $150,000. The exchange rate between the dollar and the pound stays the same. No exchange happens between partners in the contract. Like any derivative, a forward contract is a great way to ensure you don't lose a lot of money if a currency you have a sizable position in drops in value. Here's how Dave came out by using a forward contract:  If the dollar gained in value, Dave is a winner, although he still has to pay out. If one dollar fetches .75 pound instead of .6, Dave has to pay Vivian $150,000, but his million dollars suddenly buys a lot more pounds. If the dollar fell in value, Dave isn't a loser. Remember, Vivian owes him the exchange rate they agreed upon at the beginning of the contract. So it's as if the value of the dollar never fell. Dave takes the payout, none the poorer than he was before.

SUMMARY: Purchase forward contracts. Evaluate the forward contract at the agreed-upon time. Use forward contracts as a way to hedge against currency drops and spikes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Specialized griddle-cleaning sops will make cleaning your griddle a breeze.  If you cannot locate a specialized griddle-cleaning soap from your local home good store, use an extra-strength soap, or one that is designed to cut through layers of grime and grease. A griddle sponge is specialized type of scrubbing device for griddles.  Its surface will scour your grimy griddle to remove caked-on bits of grease and burnt material.  Griddle sponges are available with varying thicknesses.  The more cleaning your griddle needs, the thicker your griddle sponge should be. Do not use steel wool or other abrasive cleaning devices to clean your griddle. For larger griddles, or griddles with grime and crust that simply won’t budge even when scrubbed with a griddle sponge, you’ll need to invest in something more heavy-duty.  For this kind of cleaning, get a griddle brush from your local kitchenware store.  A griddle brush is a stiff-bristled brush, typically with a wooden handle, that will help you remove even the most tenacious griddle grime. A griddle scraper is a kitchen tool that resembles a paint remover.  From the comfortable handle, a fan-like blade extends outward to a straight edge.  It is this edge which is used to scrape the griddle of residue and stuck-on bits.

SUMMARY: Obtain griddle soap. Obtain a griddle sponge. Obtain a griddle brush. Get a griddle scraper.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: As soon as you rise, begin your day with 8-16 ounces of water. This hydrates your body and helps to get your digestive juices flowing. Then, continue sipping throughout your day. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2% fewer calories than you should. Try to drink 50% of your body weight in ounces (200 lbs.= 100 ounces). Caffeine is a stimulant to your central nervous system, and as such, helps to speed up your metabolism. Consuming coffee in the morning can boost your metabolism 8-12%, meaning you’ll burn 98-174 extra calories per day.  Beware of adding things to your coffee. Additions like creamer, half and half, or sugar can be high in simple carbohydrates, calories, and preservatives. Try taking your coffee and tea black. Calcium deficiency can slow your metabolism. Be sure you are getting enough calcium each day by including a glass of milk with your breakfast. You can also get calcium from other dairy products (like yogurt and cheese), or from green vegetables (like spinach, bok choy, and green beans).

SUMMARY: Start with water. Drink coffee. Drink some milk.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Adjust the oven rack so it's about 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the broiler's heating element. Then, place as many slices of bread as you want to toast directly onto the rack. Heat the bread until it looks golden brown on top or as toasted as you like. Keep the door open so you can watch the bread as it broils. If your broiler won't operate with the door open, close the door but check the toast after it's broiled for 1 minute. Turn off the burner and use tongs to remove the toast from the oven rack. Set the toast on a plate and butter it. If you prefer, top the toast with jam, avocado, a poached egg, or bruschetta. Although you can store leftover toast in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, it will become stale and chewy the longer it's stored.

SUMMARY:
Lay slices of bread on the rack below the broiler. Broil the toast for 60 to 90 seconds. Remove the toast and butter it or add your favorite toppings.