Articles written by Anthony Francisco

What is Helium

About me - Anthony Francisco

A writing enthusiast by heart, I was immediately attracted to Helium for it's hobbyist appeal. As a former sports reporter for a local newspaper, I am drawn to anything involving sports, nutrition, and fitness. I am, however, willing to venture out of my box

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Sports & Recreation > Basketball Coaching & Skills Why basketball is a great sport: 1 of 21
If you take some time to look at the nucleus of a sport, or what makes a game a sport, several characteristics of basketball immediately stand out. It's competitive, fun, and requires teamwork for any one team to be successful. Yet, a solo player can spend hours of work fine tuning his or her skills. How many other sports can... More..
Hobbies & Games > Card Games How to play a draft of Magic the Gathering: 1 of 10
When it comes to Magic the Gathering, the ability to draft a good deck is what separates the best players from the recreational enthusiasts. During a draft, players are only allowed to play the cards they choose from a set of three packs (per player). So, each player's final deck will consist of what that player has drafted f... More..
Sports & Recreation > Running Tips to make long runs easier: 2 of 16
When it comes to running, the ability to go long distances is the ultimate challenge. Any endurance runner can attest to the perils of hours on the grind and the grit required to get to the next step. A thrilling experience worth the aches and pains that is sure to follow. This can be especially true for the prospective marat... More..
Health & Fitness > Diet Tips I need help with dieting: 1 of 8
With diet programs popping up everywhere, you would think any average Joe with the right motivation can instantly shed "x" amount of pounds in "x" amount of days. With all the one week, four day, and 48 hour sensations out there, you would think every American worthy of poster boy status. America's hunger for hard bodies has ... More..
Health & Fitness > Alternative Exercise Is Crossfit exercise a good alternative: 1 of 8
As a dedicated practictioner of Crossfit, I am a firm believer of the Crossfit philosophy. So, what is the Crossfit philosophy? Simply, the program consists of "constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements" that aims to prepare each trainee for the unknown or the perils of real life situations. By combining the var... More..
Health & Fitness > Diet Tips Combating your cravings: 2 of 13
Let's face it, we have all been there before. Hours of effort and hard work, blown on one weak moment, a hiccup on the road to success. We have all suffered through this paradigm, the inability to control our cravings. Rep after rep, mile after mile, but results remain few and far between. I have seen it happen too many times... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Babies (Other) Should parents bring baby to the movie theater?: 3 of 14
As parents, we are obligated to make the proper decisions regarding our babies. Unfortunately, the fine line that separates what is appropriate in our society is not always clear. However, the prospect of bringing a baby to the movie theater is easily justified and can be argued, even against the most stubborn individuals. So... More..
Sports & Recreation > Martial Arts Types of submission moves in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: 1 of 4
For Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners, the art of submission consists of the most complicated finishing moves in martial arts today. These techniques have become highly televised over the past decade due to the national recognition of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) and our current obsession with Mixed Martial Arts ... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Cooking & Meal Planning Which is better whey protein or soy protein?: 1 of 4
When it comes to protein, nothing can measure up to the purity of Whey. Derived from cow's milk, Whey is a natural, high quality protein that provides all of the essential amino acids needed by the body on a daily basis. In the world of sports nutrition, Whey protein is the foundation of supplementation. Considered a must hav... More..
Sports & Recreation > Basketball Players Assessing the impact of the Allen Iverson trade: 2 of 6
The Allen Iverson trade can simply be described as the deal that ruined a franchise. The Detroit Pistons, once a shoe in for the Eastern Conference finals, barely made it to the first round for 2009. Not even a monumental descent from the top, just a complete and utter collapse. When did this all happen? Right around the time... More..