Smell the Flowers Week 1: Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) in Turkey Run State Park, Indiana by Daniel Schwen at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arisaema_triphyllum_flower_2.jpg

Week 1, including the week of 1/7 through 1/13 of the Spring 2018 Smell the Flowers fitness challenge at Woodleaf United Methodist Church, highlights jack-in-the-pulpit. This flower, also known as Arisaema triphyllum, is of the Arum or Araceae family. This perennial plant thrives in shade, grows to a height of about 2 feet, and typically blooms March and April. It can be found in the mountains, Piedmont, and coast of North Carolina.

For more information about jack-in-the-pulpit, click here. Have you ever seen a jack-in-the-pulpit?

"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed." Genesis 2:8

2018 Smell the Flowers Fitness Challenge

Smell the Flowers Spring 2018 Fitness Challenge by Woodleaf UMC Health Ministry

Woodleaf United Methodist Church's health ministry presents our Spring 2018 Free Fitness Challenge! This challenge begins Sunday, January 7 and continues for ten weeks through Saturday, March 17. Our fitness challenges seek to nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits. Each week, we will focus on a different flower found in North Carolina along with a Bible verse mentioning a flower or garden for reflection.

The challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes/day; you are welcome to set your own individual fitness goals for the challenge if you prefer. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of weight-bearing exercises weekly. Children exercise recommendations by the CDC include at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with muscle-strengthening activities at least three times weekly. For more information on CDC exercise recommendations, click here.

Types of exercise may be any activity that gets your heart pumping harder, breathing deeper, and/or working your muscles. Examples from previous challenges include walking, group exercise classes, yard work, cleaning, weight lifting, use of machines such as an elliptical, and water exercise. You may wish to mix up your exercise routine to accommodate weather patterns and any special needs. Woodleaf United Methodist Church offers eight free group exercise classes per week - feel free to join us for some classes this spring.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, email NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com. Each week runs Sunday through Saturday; participants submit how many minutes they exercise each week by Tuesday at noon of the following week. Submissions may be via email, in person at the church, or by phone. If you wish to use the form to keep on track, feel free to pick one up at the church or print the form in this article. Weekly results are displayed in graph form on our blog - no names are published with the results. Children should get the permission of an adult to participate. Anyone with any health issues should consult a healthcare provider to determine what types of exercise are safe for him or her before starting a fitness challenge.

Although we are currently in winter months, spring and all its glorious flowers are preparing to dazzle us with their beauty. Come, smell the flowers, and join us on this healthy journey!

Printable Time Recording Sheet for 2018 Smell the Flowers 10-week Free Fitness Challenge

Lights of the World Week 11 Totals

Week 11 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from November 5 through November 11, 2017. Seventeen participants turned in totals early for week 11, our final week of the challenge. Great job to everyone!

Some weeks may be better than others, but it's better to look at exercise over time, identify trends, and develop a plan that works well for you. What works may change with the seasons or with life changes, so it is helpful to evaluate new needs as they appear.

May each of you find a healthy lifestyle that you can continue for years to come!

Here are Week 11 totals:

Lights of the World Week 11 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 10 Totals

Week 10 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 29 through November 4, 2017. Twenty-seven participants turned in totals for week 10.

Here are Week 10 totals:

Lights of the World Week 10 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 11: Synchronous Lightening Bugs

Photo by Radim Schreimer at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photinus_Carolinus_Fireflies.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 11, starting November 5 and ending November 11, features the Synchronous Fireflies (or Lightning Bugs as most of us southerners prefer to call them) of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Although difficult to predict exactly, the unusual light show displayed by these luminous beetles typically occurs for about two weeks beginning in late May through early June. The timing seems to depend on temperatures, soil moisture, and brightness of the moon.

The flash pattern of lightning bugs seem to help the males and females with mating. Males tend to fly and flash while females tend to stay stationary and flash. Fireflies may flash in waves and randomly; however, this particular species may begin to flash synchronously, all at the same time, in short bursts that end with abrupt dark periods.

If you want to travel west in our state of North Carolina to see this popular natural light show in person, make reservations and have your name added to the list early. A limited number of parking passes are distributed through a lottery each year.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Thanks to Sponsors for the 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge!

Thanks to Sponsors of 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge

This spring I started asking local businesses if they would be willing to donate a prize as an incentive for our fitness challenge. This fall, I again asked various local businesses if they would donate prizes as incentives for our fitness challenge participants. Many businesses responded with incredible generosity, and I wish to thank each of you for encouraging people to become or remain physically active in our 11-week fitness challenge.

I have listed the prize sponsors and contact information for the 2017 Fall Lights of the World Fitness Challenge hosted by the Woodleaf United Methodist Church health ministry below. THANKS!!!!!

Subway 11735 Statesville Blvd. Shop 5, Third Creek Station Cleveland, NC  27013 704-278-0073      Four $20 Gift Cards	West Rowan Restaurant 8870 Statesville Blvd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-278-9330      $25 Gift Certificate
Mario's Family Style Restaurant 8850 Statesville Blvd. Cleveland, NC  27013 704-278-4444      $20 Gift Certificate	Blue Bay 2050 Statesville Blvd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-639-9500      Two $10 Gift Certificates
Woodleaf Lanes 1811 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-633-5342      Free bowling pass for 6	Jimmy Clean's 1010 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-310-5844      35 Free Car Washes
Jimmy John's 121 Brenner Ave. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-310-5602      Two $10 Gift Cards	Jersey Mike's Subs Alexander Point 850 Jake Alexander Blvd. West  Ste. E Salisbury, NC  28147 704-642-0111      Four Free Subs
Harris Teeter 850 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-1658      Two $10 Gift Certificates	Food Lion #10 525 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-636-7615      $20 Gift Card
Olive Garden 1425 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-633-6198      $25 Gift Card	Longhorn Steakhouse 1371 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-636-2857      $20 Gift Certificate
Hibbett Sports 1345 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-647-0935      10 Drawstring Bags	Dick's Sporting Goods 125 Tingle Dr. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-273-3363      Six $20 Gift Certificates  & 3 Coupon Books
Subway 1804 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-8605      Five Free Subs	Mykonos Grill 1714 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-762-9590      Free Lunch Entree
Food Lion #1 123 Mahaley Ave. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-639-9240     $20 Gift Card	Sam's Car Wash 1022 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-4256      Free in/out Car Wash
Stitchin' Post 104 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-637-0708      $10 Coupon & Mirror	Thread Shed 133 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-1159      Four Large Tumbler Cups
Sidewalk Deli 120 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-637-3354      Free Lunch	Piedmont Players Norvell Thretre 213 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-5471      Two Free Tickets for a Norvell Show
Queens Gift Shoppe 221 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-7988      Two $10 Coupons & 2 Candles	Sam's Car Wash 800 E. Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-636-8101      Free in/out Car Wash
Panera Bread 825 E. Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-738-0165      Ten "You Pick Two" Coupons	Walmart 323 S. Arlington St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-639-9718      Two $25 Gift Cards
El Patron 1030 Freeland Dr. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-636-5300      $20 Gift Card	Cracker Barrel 1070 Freeland Dr. Salisbury, NC  28144-5173 704-636-1873      One Gold Card for 2 free meals
Tinsel Town Cinemas 305 Faith Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-639-1342      Two Movie Passes	Applebee's 205 Faith Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-639-1988      Two Free Desserts or Appetizers
Food Lion #932 1388 Hwy 601 South Mocksville, NC  27028 336-751-9913      $20 Gift Card	Sagebrush Steakhouse 1562 Yadkinville Rd. Mocksville, NC  27028 336-936-0021      $20 Gift Certificate
Walmart 261 Cooper Creek Dr. Mocksville, NC  27028 336-751-1266      Two $25 Gift Cards

Lights of the World Week 9 Totals

Week 9 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 22 through October 28, 2017. Thirty-one participants turned in totals for week 9 with more than 8,000 minutes of exercise altogether. Two more weeks to go - finish strong!

Here are Week 9 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.