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Posted on February 11th, 2009 by Henry
Minnesota is known as “the fittest state in the nation”. Our state’s fine climate, its friendly folks, and its famous hot-dish hospitality combine to keep the overall health of Minnesotans well above the national norm. Sadly, however, we are below par in one important area of health: obesity. In fact, here in the North Star State, almost 61% of the population is overweight or obese.
And while looking bad is a consequence of obesity, it’s far from the worst. Obesity kills people, both by wrecking their health and by destroying their spirit. Elevated blood sugar levels and coronary problems aside, the shame and self-hatred felt by many of the obese can lead to serious psychological problems – even suicide.
Unfortunately, many Minnesotans try gimmicks in an attempt to slim down — fad diets, exercise programs, so-called weight-loss pills, etc. Most of them quickly regain any lost weight later on. Yet many obese people ignore or are unaware of the best method of losing weight: a medically-supervised program of dietary changes and increased activity. Experience has shown that such programs work well for most people who want to attain a healthy weight.
For some extremely obese people, of course, things are too far advanced for a 100% lifestyle-based obesity therapy. Fortunately, another option exists: weight loss surgery.
Surgical weight loss procedures – also known as bariatric surgery — have been proven to help ease –or even cure – many co-morbidities, which are health conditions related to obesity. It can also help those who are obese but have no co-morbidities to reach their ideal weight, and guard against future health complications.
The three main types of weight loss surgery are malabsorptive, restrictive and combination surgery, each with different risks and benefits. Malabsorptive procedures alter the patient’s intestinal tract, changing the way the body absorbs food; restrictive procedures create a small pouch that limits the amount of food a person can eat; and combination procedures, like the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, create a small stomach pouch and alter the intestinal tract.
For those with morbid obesity, weight loss surgery can mean the difference between life and death. It is not, however, magic. Recovery from obesity is a whole-life process; patients who fail to alter their lifestyles after surgery may regain any weight lost. Weight loss surgery is a serious step. The risks associated with these procedures are real, and should always be discussed beforehand in consultation with a physician.
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Filed under: General, Sport
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Posted on January 10th, 2009 by Fred Peters
Minnesota is a fantastic place to play golf. The many fine Minnesota golf resorts located in various parts of the state are perfect destinations for your summer get-away. Listing all the Minnesota golf resorts and their amenities would be quite lengthy and the space of this article does not permit that degree of detail. Instead I will highlight a couple of favorite Minnesota golf resort destinations, but rest assured that there are many other fine locations across the state.
Perhaps the premier Minnesota golf resort destination is the Brainerd lakes area. Golf Digest magazine agrees and lists this area of Minnesota as one of the top golf destinations in the USA. Madden’s, Cragun’s and Grand View Lodge are just a few of the Minnesota golf resorts in the Brainerd lakes area and represent the larger golf resort experience. But what if you want a smaller experience? Here is a suggestion; why not check out Birch Bay Resort which has it’s own 9-hole golf course along with cabin rental as well as water activities for the entire family.
The Alexandria area is another favorite destination and another fine Minnesota golf resort is the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center on the shores of Lake Darling. You can experience golf at Atikwa Golf Club at Arrowwood as well as the many fine area golf courses that call Alexandria their home. Alexandria is also the boyhood home of PGA Tour player and past USA Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman.
The Detroit Lakes area is another hidden gem in Minnesota and a golf resort that doesn’t get nearly enough attention from the Twin Cities population base is the Fair Hills Resort featuring the Wild Flower Golf Course. As with the Arrowwood Resort near Alexandria you can stay at Fair Hills and make this your home base while you spend the week discovering the other fine local golf courses just a short drive away.
The Old Barn Resort and Rivers’ Bend Golf Course is a Minnesota golf resort that specializes in a wide variety of family activities. Nestled in the Root River bluff country near Preston, which is located in southeastern Minnesota, this is a camping and golf experience that will have you coming back again and again.
Thumper Pond, near the city of Ottertail in northwestern Minnesota, offers the complete golf resort experience. In addition to the golf course there is also a spa, indoor waterpark and of course lodging and dining facilities.
As you can see there numerous choices offered in Minnesota golf resorts such as areas of the state to stay and play as well as services offered at each facility. This is just a small listing of what Minnesota has to offer as you plan your next golf get-away.
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Filed under: General
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Posted on December 4th, 2008 by Micheal Joness
Shopping is defined as the examining of goods or services with the intent to buy. It is the activity of selection and purchase from a retailer, and can be traced back to many civilizations throughout history. There is record of shopping lists used by the Romans in ancient Rome. Shopping can be considered as an economic activity, but is most commonly seen as an activity of leisure or recreation. A person will travel from store to store in search of a suitable product to purchase at a suitable price. Shopping is not always a leisure activity for everyone, however. A number of people see it as a task of inconvenience and stress. Long lines, high prices, and bad encounters with employees or other customers are a few reasons why some may look negatively upon the activity. Although changing one’s attitude would most likely solve this negative viewpoint, many people turn instead to online shopping, preferring to buy things from the comfort of their own home using a computer and the internet.
When it comes to shopping in Rochester, MN, many people still enjoy the experience of traveling to the store to buy what they need. There are a number of stores and shopping centers in the city that are able to cater to practically anyone’s needs. One will find everything from shopping malls to antiques to the unique and unusual. Being one of the larger cities in the region, having such a rich history, and being home to a medical facility that is known throughout the world, it is no surprise that such diversity of shopping centers exists. A large number of people come through the Mayo Clinic, each with their own needs and tastes, resulting in shops and stores throughout the city that try and meet those needs and tastes. Although many residents of Rochester stick to the large shopping areas such as Apache Mall or large department stores, there is a section of town that may go undiscovered by many a resident. Right downtown, among the buildings of the Mayo Clinic and hotels, lays a treasure trove of small unique and specialized stores. The stores are close and convenient to those visiting and working at the Mayo Clinic, and are accessible through skyways and the subway. With items from every corner of the globe, the specialty stores offer a much needed window shopping break, or can provide that unique home decoration one has been looking for.
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Filed under: General
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Posted on November 6th, 2008 by Kathy Austin
Minneapolis is located across the river and is also home to many artistic and business ventures. People who live in the state of Minnesota are known for their kindness toward everyone that they meet. Once you visit Minnesota, you will want to visit again. If you have a family, this is a great place to vacation as there are many activities for children and adults. The Mall of America also attracts many people to Minnesota. It is the country’s largest mall and features over 400 stores. The mall is not only for shoppers, with great food choices and even amusement park type rides within the building. People travel from all over the world to experience the largest mall complex humans have witnessed. The mall keeps getting larger and provides jobs for over 1200 people in Minnesota. Other cities in Minnesota include Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Minnetonka. These cities are not as large as St. Paul or Minneapolis, but they have their own unique charm. You will be able to eat in small diners, visit local historical attractions, and see the farmland. People in Minnesota participate in many outdoor activities that include hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, and others depending on the weather. Your family will have a great time visiting parks, seeing plants and animals in their own habitat, and more. The nightlife in Minneapolis and St. Paul will allow you to unwind and have a good time. With many restaurants and bars in the area, you will be able to relax and meet some new people. There are also dance clubs and lounges that feature local music. Many famous musicians got their start playing in small clubs in Minnesota. The state has an appreciation for music that you will find appealing.
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Filed under: General
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Posted on October 9th, 2008 by Tera Warner
There are a number of Minnesota casinos scattered throughout the state, either located on Native American Tribal land or under Native American jurisdiction. Minnesota has 22 tribal-state regulations for Minnesota casinos, which allow blackjack, slots, craps, and other video gaming machines, while separate tribal agreements allow poker and bingo. The Mystic Lake Casino, in Prior Lake, is the largest in Minnesota, with 125,000 square feet, 4,000 slots, 84 table games, four restaurants, and a hotel. The Treasure Island Resort and Casino, in Welch, is another large casino, with 116,000 square feet of gambling area, 2,500 slots, 44 table games, seven restaurants, and a small hotel.
Another popular Minnesota casino is Jackpot Junction, in Morton, with 80,000 square feet, 1,650 slots, 28 table games, with blackjack and poker, as well as nine restaurants and two hotels. In addition, Minnesota casinos include the Grand Casino Hinckley, with 54,800 square feet, 2,170 slots, 47 table games, six restaurants, and four hotels; and the Grande Casino Mille Lacs, in Onamia, with 54,800 square feet, 1,885 slots, 24 table games, five restaurants, and two hotels.
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