I hope today’s 97% humidity is not affecting your mood or your body. And when you’re going to be tying the knot in a few months, preceded with all the stress of wedding planning, you’ve got to start looking at maintaining a good diet and keep those sucker bugs at bay. We all know how busy life in Hong Kong can be so in our first series of guest posts from Mia, of Graciously Green (who not only is a Yoga Teacher, a Board Certified Health Coach but also a Raw Food Chef!), she’ll be sharing with you some tips on how to achieve that all-important glow on your wedding day. Obviously if you’re a groom reading this, there’s nothing stopping you from following Mia’s tips. Why not be healthy together?

“It’s almost here, your big day in the beautiful sunny destination of your dreams. You’ve worked so hard toning and honing yourself into perfection over the last few months, so don’t let your health slide and get in the way of looking and feeling your best as you float down the aisle. Destination weddings are a beautiful way to celebrate your love, but it is important to be prepared for the change in climate, water as well as food before and during your trip. So here are my top 6 health tips to make sure you’re sparkling with radiant health:

1. Rehydrate, rehydrate, rehydrate – without proper hydration your skin will look crinkled and you will feel sluggish. My biggest tip would be to keep a flask or BPA-free bottle on you at all times, and just keep sipping. Add slices of lemon or lime with a pinch of pink Himalayan salt (full of minerals) to help support your liver. Nature’s best hydration drink is coconut water, so if you’re going somewhere tropical for your wedding, this should be readily available.

Photo credit: Feminspire

 2. Keep digestion going with chia – there’s nothing worse than feeling bloated and sluggish; not ideal on your wedding day. Try adding chia-seeds to your diet a few weeks before your big day and leading-up to the wedding as they are full of fibre and will help to cleanse the system. Try a chia-porridge for breakfast every day – see my recipe here for details. Chia seeds will literally cleanse the gut as well as replenish your omega 3 oils, helping your skin to shine. Plus, they’re very easy to throw in your luggage.

Photo credit: Endurance Films

 3. Eat your raw greens – ok, seems like an obvious and general statement, but if you want your skin, digestion and overall energy to feel amazing on your big day, this is your secret weapon. Raw greens, vegetables and fruits all contain live energy, which are not only cleansing for your system but will also rehydrate and fill you with natural energy. Raw food expert, David Wolfe, says that eating raw foods increases the alkalinity of the body, which alleviates the underlying cause of inflammation and puffiness.

Photo credit: The Raw Chef

4. Cut out the rubbish at least 2 months before the big day – what goes in will show outwards, so if you’re eating lots of processed foods, additives and drinking alcohol, and then suddenly stop a week before the wedding, you will start to detox.  This, coupled with a change of climate and travel, will set you up for a beauty disaster. Things could get worse before they get better. Eating a clean diet all year round is obviously perfect, however, if you’re serious about looking your best on your big day, make sure you go “clean” in plenty of time to allow for any detoxing to complete before you get to your destination.

Photo credit: Heartburn

5. Skin-plumping sulfur for super beauty – foods rich in the mineral sulfur are known to help to ward off wrinkles, promote healthy hair and skin, as well as keep acne at bay. Superfood maca is a great source of sulfur as well as being an adaptogenic herb, meaning it will help your body to adapt to any new and stressful situations. Sulfur is a component of skin-plumping collagen. Foods rich in sulfur can improve the appearance of the skin. Other foods that are high in sulfur include garlic, spirulina, cabbage, radishes, and pumpkin seeds.

Photo credit: Saule Health

6. Get moving as soon as you arrive – even on the plane, implement a bit of yoga stretching. Planes and travel are the worst for tightening-up muscles, digestion and your general wellbeing. Throw your yoga bag or running shoes in you bag and just push yourself to do at least ½ an hour of something as soon as your arrive at your destination, or the first morning. Your health will love you for it.

Photo credit: Wild Thyme Farm

One last bonus tip, don’t be scared to get a bit of unprotected sun – many of the sun-creams out there contain harmful toxins, which can bring you out in rashes as well as pimples. Ten to twenty minutes of sunshine on bare skin will give you a great healthy boost of vitamin D, something most of us lack and is essential for health. If you want to stay out of the sun, a beautiful Audrey Hepburn-style hat is a glamorous and safe bet.

Mia will be hosting some raw-food workshops this month at Sol Wellness in Hong Kong so if you want to see how she can support you on your journey to health and happiness, contact her at mia@graciouslygreen.com.