Getting in shape during the 30 day challenge with Cuic Suarez

CUIC SUAREZ was born and raised in beautiful Mexico. For over two decades Cuic performed and has taught in all mediums of dance in the most prestigious theatres in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, as well as in the United States and Mexico; with Compania Nacional de Danza, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Joel Hall Dancers, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre. His unfurling love for dance has been met with international praise. While touring Asia with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Cuic was invited to perform for the Prime Minister of China during a special performance in his honor.

On stage Cuic has appeared in the musical touring productions of “West Side Story” and “Guys and Dolls”. He served as the choreographer for the production of “BEN-HUR” The Musical, premiering in Orlando, Florida; as well as the spanish version of “Saturday Night Fever” in Mexico City. Currently he stages numerous live musical shows for Disney’s theatrical productions. Using elements of ballet, jazz, lyrical, Latin and modern dance, he has created works for the Orlando Ballet and Ballet Monterrey among other dance companies. In addition, Cuic serves as a guest professor and choreographer throughout different colleges and universities across the United States.

It was his passion for dance and his commitment to fitness and wellness that inspired him to create LatinCARDIO and BodyBallet. Recognized as an authority in the dance and fitness industry, Cuic has been invited to appear as a presenter at international workshops and seminars for dance and wellness throughout several conventions around the world. Some of the leading organizations which have benefited from his work are; Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance in Disney Shoes, SCW Fitness, Star Power Dance, ACE FItness, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, Marriott Int’l, Mannatech, Canyon Ranch Spa and Georgetown University, among others. Cuic has been featured on network television including CNN International, FOX NEWS, TELEVISA, and TELEMUNDO. He is the producer and director of the Latin Dance World Congress which has taken place in the United States as well as Mexico. Cuic holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from the Academia de la Danza de Mexico. 
Join us for 30 day of hard work and fun:
 30 Day Hair, Fitness and Health Challenge.

Here is a preview of the classes:
Latin Cardio 

30 Day Hair, Fitness and Health Challenge

As I sat on my couch and got ready for the gym, I didn’t feel very motivated nor excited about my workout, eating habit and over all healthiness. I grabbed a chocolate protein bar and headed out the door and I though,  “I need something to challenge me”. I wanted to get motivated to eat better, feel better and look better. I have always been one to rise to the occasion, so I began to put plans together for a fit  and Health challenge but as I gathered information, I knew that I needed a swift kick in the butt on my hair routine as well. Although I knew, exactly what it was going to take to keep my hair properly moisturized and healthy, Lately, I barely made an attempt to take care of it. Well, I was ready to challenge all of the hair growth remedies as well as the definite instruction on proper moisturizing. 

When I completed the program and talked to my family and friends, they all wanted to join. I though “Maybe we all needed a jump start for summer”, and that is how #naturalchula30days was started.

This challenge will consist of the Dr. Ox 2 week detox meal plan and then transition over to the 2 week High protein meal used by the NPC Bikini Competitors. We will take the weight of then build and tone your body.

We will have a set Hair regimen in place and it is a lot of work.  However,  the key to the 30 days is Moisture and protection. If you have a good routine, you can stick with that just follow the following rules

-Protective style all 30 days.

-Deep Condition once per week (20 min under dryer).

-No heat (except to deep condition on low).

-Massage hair every night for 30 days.

-Protein/Henna/Cherry Lola treatment once in the 30 days.
-Wear satin scarf to bed.

We will implement a fitness plan that will get your body ready for the summer! So who wants to join?

The Challenge starts May 5, 2014 you can join in all of the fun @ Join the #naturalchula30day

Natural Chula’s Rose Water Moisturizing Mist

Rosewater is really a natural moisturizer that can reinstate your hair. Here are some of the benefits:

-Adding rosewater to your last hair rinse will offer soft and shiny hair.

-Nourishing and moisturizing properties recover the quality of hair.

-Treats mild scalp inflammations, and dandruff caused my fungal infections.

-Down to its natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties, rosewater efficiently eliminates mild scalp inflammation.

-A regular rosewater massage promotes blood circulation in the scalp. Improved circulation not only enhances the shine and strength of your tresses but also triggers the hair follicles to produce more robust hair. Rosewater massage is also found to be very helpful in fixing the hair loss issue.

  Natural Chula’s Rose Water Moisturizing Mist

Ingredients and Procedure:
-2 table spoon of rose water
-2 drops of olive oil
-2 drops of sweet almond oil
-1 cups of aloe vera juice
-2 drops of glycerin
-Small spray bottle
Add all items to a spray bottle and Mix them. Make enough for one week.

Spray mist on hair every night.


                                            Make your own Rose Water:
Ingredients:
1 cup of fresh roses or rose petals
Distilled Water


Put 1 cup rose petals in a large pot. Pour in distilled/bottled water, using just enough so the petals are covered. Put the pot on low and heat (do not boil) until the rose petals lose their color. Rose oil will start skimming over the water surface. This takes about 1 hour. Allow the water to cool, then strain water using a fine kitchen strainer, and pour the pure rose water into a spray bottle. Discard the rose petals. This method lasts even longer when oils are added to the water, keep refrigerated.

Why should you Pre-Poo: Pre-Poo Recipe

Why should you pre-poo

A “pre-poo” is  an oil treatment applied to hair, before shampooing or co-washing. Pre-pooing helps keep Moisture in the hair. Curls and waves, kinks and coils are always in need of moisture - and a pre-poo treatments are a sure way  to give them the added, extra moisture when applied. Seasonal stress on hair such as heat, humidity, wind, salt water, etc, can leave curls extra dry. Adding a prepoo treatment to hair helps to restore lost moisture.

Though we all want our hair to be clean, sometimes, “squeaky” clean can be too much. Shampoos and other products can often strip the necessary oils that our curls need for shape, shine and definition -  prepoo treatments help restore those oils and protect hair follicles. Pre-pooing is also good for detangling hair and removing tangles. After a pre-poo treatment you should notice soft, shiny hair. Your hair and scalp will be  have restored moisture. . Making prepoo a part of your regular routine will show great improvements to your hair’s texture and sheen.

Natural Chula’s Pre-Poo recipe

1/2 Cup of Olive Oil

½ Cup of Coconut oils

1/2 cup of Honey I’m Strong by herbal essence

Heat up coconut oil and olive oil in Microwave then let cool. Add conditioner then seal in a container.

Directions
Thirty minutes prior to showering, wet your hands with the mixture and rub it into your scalp and hair from roots to end. Finger Detangle hair. You can also leave it on overnight for a conditioning treatment.

To cut or not to cut.

“I am growing out my hair, so why would I cut it?” those were my thoughts as I worked so hard at growing my hair.  It was such "a thing" when I relaxed to get the ends cut ever 6-8 weeks.  I would watch my hair grow, only to have it snipped right back off by my hairdresser. When I went natural, I followed those same principles. But as I began to read through blogs and forums, I realized that if I didn’t have split ends or damaged hair, then what was the point of clipping my ends, so for three years I just let it grow,  My hair grew long and big, and while I was not really doing much to damage my hair, I had quite a bit of split ends. When I braided my hair the braids were thick at the top and slender at the bottom.  I never was able to wear a “fro”, because my ends were jagged and thin. What is the point of having long hair if it is not healthy? So slowly I began to cut my ends.

 

 My hair was Jagged with uneven hairs 1/13/14.

The first time I took ¼” off. Then the next month, I took 1” off. 

This is the next cut 2/9/14

As I began to see how healthy my hair looked, I shaped my hair, taking a total 2” off.  

 Now when I do my hair I have no small break offs in the sink or in my hands. And I was able to wear my fro and let it blow in the wind!

Only cut your hair when it is needed,  here are some clues that it’s time for a trim.

-when you see hair shedding that is broken off pieces versus full pieces of hair.

-Your braids are thick at the root and thin at the ends

-Your hair will not grow and stays the same length.

-you have uneven jagged edges

Using Cantu for my dry braid out.

I have been trying to find the right curl cream to perfect a dry braid out. I used cantu, and this is my result. It frizzed within 3 hours,  altough it was raining I expected to make it through the night. Back to the drawing board. What are you using for your dry twist/braid out?

Big hair don't care.

Ok, so as I'm getting my hair prepped for my co-wash, I took my hair out of my protective style and began to pick it out. then Bam, I had a Afro! I rocked it to the grocery store, Chaka Khan was playing as my sound track. I feel so excited about www.facebook.com/naturalchula , every hour we feature beautiful hair, our hair! This icons have inspired me to love and accept my hair. So I am rocking this fro, well just at the grocery,  and then it's back to protective mode! #bighairdontcare

Wash and go using Cantu products!

This is a 3 day old wash and go using Cantu products, find out the pros and cons in my next you tube review, have you tried this yet?

Hair growth remedy

Here is another hair growth remedy. Who's going to try this?

30 day protective hairstyle

Ok, so I am on my way to work out and here is how my hair held up, it's a bit frizzy but I have not had to do anything all week. I used a spray made of rose water olive oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil and aloe Vera juice every night.

3 strand twist out

The 3 strand twist boast to give awesome definition, but is it really better than a braid out. Today we will post pix and tutorials at www.facebook.com/natural Chula to learn more about this technique.

Week 2 of protective hairstyling.

I am back to 30 days of protective hairstyles. With this I kept the victory roll in front but added chunky twist.

Vintage hairstyle

I decided to go vintage with two victory rolls.

More Omega-3's

Add more omega-3's to your diet by eating walnuts, yum!

Leave heat out of your routine!

I have decreased using heat to 95%, 5% is deep conditioning, I truly see a difference in the moisture of my strands.

To cut or not to cut.

“I am growing out my hair, so why would I cut it?” those were my thoughts as I worked so hard at growing my hair.  It was such "a thing" when I relaxed to get the ends cut ever 6-8 weeks.  I would watch my hair grow, only to have it snipped right back off by my hairdresser. When I went natural, I followed those same principles. But as I began to read through blogs and forums, I realized that if I didn’t have split ends or damaged hair, then what was the point of clipping my ends, so for three years I just let it grow,  My hair grew long and big, and while I was not really doing much to damage my hair, I had quite a bit of split ends. When I braided my hair the braids were thick at the top and slender at the bottom.  I never was able to wear a “fro”, because my ends were jagged and thin. What is the point of having long hair if it is not healthy? So slowly I began to cut my ends.

 

 My hair was Jagged with uneven hairs 1/13/14.

The first time I took ¼” off. Then the next month, I took 1” off. 

This is the next cut 2/9/14

As I began to see how healthy my hair looked, I shaped my hair, taking a total 2” off.  

 Now when I do my hair I have no small break offs in the sink or in my hands. And I was able to wear my fro and let it blow in the wind!

Only cut your hair when it is needed,  here are some clues that it’s time for a trim.

-when you see hair shedding that is broken off pieces versus full pieces of hair.

-Your braids are thick at the root and then at the ends

-Your hair will not grow and stays the same length.

-you have uneven jagged edges

Am I supposed to spend Hours on my children’s natural hair too?

For those of us who have gone natural, it’s not hard to expect this desire for our children. Weekly, I spend no less than 10 to 12 hours on my hair, so multiply that times 3 (myself and my 2 girls)…….that’s another job! So I think that it is normal to not put as much effort into your children’s hair. But here are some basic tips to help you have a more satisfying journey with your children.

Understand their hair type. Do they have high or low porosity hair?

 Check out my blog on the porosity of hair.The porosity of your hair. 

Once you understand that, you will then understand how to keep their hair moisturized.

Once a month the hair should be washed, and if they have heavy build-up then twice a month is sufficient. The hair should be co-washed once a week and a good deep conditioner at least twice a week. It is very important to understand the PH balance of the hair and products, take a look at my blog on PH Balance:

Understanding ph of your hair.

Now for the hair type distinction,  If your child has High Porosity hair ( open cuticles) the hair needs a way to close the cuticles tight to keep in moisture. 

Using an Acidic product like aloe vera juice mixed with distilled water and olive oil will cause the cuticle to close and follow up with the LOC method, (a leave-in conditioner, then an oil and finally a crème) from there you can twist up the hair, or place them into braids. If your child has Low Porosity hair (Tight cuticles), then you can introduce an Alkaline product such as baking soda to the routine to get moisture , then end with the LOC Method.

Here is a link for the cherry Lola method which is an alkaline product.

 Frizz free defining curl treatment/Cherry Lola

It is important to detangle, the hair once a week.  Place the hair in 4 sections, prior to the wash and take coconut oil and gently finger comb it through the hair, smooth out all knots and gently pull out any fallen hair that has tangled into the curls, then co-wash as usual.

Start out with the Shea moisture products based on your child’s type of hair.