Summer means weddings, and here come the brides -- 44,230 of them each weekend! Whether it's you, your best friend, or an adored daughter who's counting down to The Big Day, here are five easy steps to ensure you’ll look and feel your best during those final 24 hours -- from the first toast until the final flurry of rose petals.

1. Bloat-proof your belly. Don't spoil the perfect fit of your dress! Avoid anything salty -- from pickles to Chinese takeout -- for at least 24 hours before saying "I do." Limit carbonated beverages, too, which can add sodium and make you feel gassy. You don't want that!

2. Bring on the sleep. Forget the all-night gabfest with your bridesmaids the night before. Instead, have a nice warm bath and, if possible, a gentle massage. Kinda hungry? Have some chamomile tea (mildly sedating) with a drizzle of honey (makes you less alert) and a banana (two sleep inducers and a muscle relaxant).

3. Create a caffeine-free zone. If you need wake-up coffee in the morning, fine. But then stop. Stock up on iced herbal teas, fruit juices, and bottled water. If you've got jitters, caffeine will make them worse. Plus, it's a diuretic, so it'll make you pee a lot (no easy feat in a wedding dress) and could lead to dehydration -- a serious energy sapper.

4. Space out the alcohol. Weddings often mean a nonstop flow of celebratory champagne, wine, and cocktails. But you need to be dazzling, not dim (and definitely not dehydrated, sleepless, or hung over -- all risks of an open bar). So . . .

• The night before: Give yourself a two-drink limit. Or stick with wine spritzers with tons of ice.
  
• The wedding breakfast: Skip the mimosas, and sparkle up your OJ with a splash of seltzer.
  
• The reception toasts: Sip your champagne, don't drain the glass. Pace yourself through to the cake   cutting and bouquet tossing.

5. Eat something! There may be tons of food, but it can be tough for busy brides to get a healthy bite. To keep your energy up, hunger down, and tummy flat, go for the fish, chicken, and salads -- but have a plan B: Ask the maid of honor to stash an energy bar or some Brazil nuts in her purse. Just six nuts give you 4 grams of protein and some healthy fat, a combo that will keep you going.

Curious about just how many years you and your Real Love could spend together? Start by finding out your RealAge -- with luck, you're younger than you think!

Since we’re on the subject of food and love, here are few tasty treats to put you in the mood!

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Lots of heart-conscious consumers and waist watchers have recently rehabbed their steak knives, having found that -- hang onto your knife sharpener -- eating a little red meat doesn't necessarily put you on the fast track to Fat Central. It's not the meat itself; it's the aging, artery-clogging, cholesterol-soaring, saturated fat in meat that you want to minimize. Here's how:

1. Select the best. When you're shopping for meat, choose cuts labeled USDA Select Grade; they  have less fat than Choice and Prime.

2. Go lean. Choose packages labeled "lean" or "extra lean" whenever possible. Lean means the meat has fewer than 8.5 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving; extra lean has fewer than 4 grams.

3. Stay on the grass. Try to buy meat labeled "grass fed" or "pasture raised." It may have 25% to 50% less fat, fewer calories, and more heart-healthy omega-3s than regular grain-fed meat. (It also suggests the animal was raised humanely.)

4. Slice away. Trim external fat before cooking, and use that well-sharpened knife to remove any fat that's still there once it's on your plate. Doing so can slash fat intake by as much as half.

5. Keep it separate.  Broil, grill, or roast meat on grills or pans that drain away fat.

6. Towel off. To remove both grease and calories, blot meatballs and burgers with paper towels after cooking.

7. Know your limits. Minimize meat-centered meals. RealAge recommends no more than one serving of red meat a week. One serving, says the USDA, is the size of a deck of cards, or about 3 ounces.   

How big is the payoff when you lose the fat but keep the meat? How would you like to see fewer candles on your birthday cake next year? Eating a low-fat diet -- and eating healthful unsaturated fats when you do eat fat -- can make your RealAge as much as 6 years younger.

Get even more tips on finding the slimmest, trimmest cuts.

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Fresh, crunchy cucumbers are not only low in calories and high in fiber -- they’re also full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can feed your complexion from inside and out. Here's how:

Refresh and protect. Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants that, when applied to the skin, help fend off wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Vitamin C builds collagen and elastin, protein fibers that give skin its youthful plumpness. "Caffeic acid inhibits cancer cells and protects skin cells exposed to UV radiation," says New York dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD. No wonder many spas offer hydrating face treatments made of crushed cucumber. Home version for kitchen divas: In a blender, barely puree half a cucumber and 2–3 tablespoons of plain yogurt -- it should be thick, not drippy. Pat all over your face and neck, sit back for about 15 minutes, then rinse, and relish how good your skin feels.
 
Deflate puffy peepers. Chilled cucumber slices act like delicate mini ice packs, relieving puffy eyes. One reason: Cukes are 90% water, which helps them stay chilly even on hot spots. "Their cold minimizes the swelling by constricting the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the eye area," says Dr. Wechsler.

Get the red out. Cucumbers' natural anti-inflammatories calm and soothe skin reddened by rosacea or sunburn. "Place thin, cold slices on the 'butterfly' region of your face, starting around your nose and spreading out onto your cheeks -- or anywhere there's redness," says Dr. Wechsler. After a 15-minute lie-down, remove, then apply a light moisturizer. Alternatively, try Peter Thomas Roth's Cucumber Gel Masque, one of those cult beauty products that, even at $45, gets rave reviews from ordinary users.

Pamper every inch. If you're feeling adventurous, try this super skin softener used in Korean bathhouses. Grate a whole cucumber -- including the dark green peel, which is rich in skin-friendly potassium, magnesium, and copper, says Dr. Wechsler. Stir in just enough milk and safflower oil -- two other skin wonders -- to make a thick soup, and warm it in the microwave. Then, using a loofah, scrub down your whole body with the mixture and shower off (make sure your drain’s got a good strainer). Your skin will feel satiny soft, and your bath and body will smell amazing. There's a reason Kiehl's sells a cucumber essence oil.

Discover more foods that make your skin glow.

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Hey, she nurtured you. Made sure you ate your veggies, washed your face, and brushed your pearly whites. So this Mother's Day -- May 11th – say "Thanks, Mom!" with one of these mouthwatering treats. They're guaranteed to nourish her in return. And you'll be her favorite child for another year!

• Exotic Fruit-of-the-Month Club -- Filled with champagne mangoes and strawberry papayas, there's nothing ordinary about these fruit baskets. Tantalize Mom's taste buds, and boost her daily dose of nutrients with fantastical fruits like feijoas (pineapple guavas) and pluots (plum/apricot hybrids). Choose from 3-, 6-, and 12-month memberships at melissas.com, a fave site of food stylists and top chefs.



• Smoothie Maker -- Is your mom a wiz in the kitchen? Regardless of her culinary craft, smoothies are a deliciously simple way to make sure she gets lots of protective phytochemicals to help keep her heart, immune system, and memory healthy. The key: blending together a variety of brightly colored produce -- reds, purples, yellows, greens. Suggest this recipe to get her started. For basic to professional smoothie makers, check out everythingkitchens.com.



• Asian Bamboo Steamer -- For moms who don't have the time (or inclination) to count fat grams, steamers are a must-have for low-fat meals that practically cook themselves while retaining vitamins, nutrients, and flavor. Go for a two-tiered number: Throw veggies (carrots, leeks, bok choy) on one level, and fish (salmon, snapper, tilapia) on the other. Now, that's multitasking. Find bamboo steamers at Asian markets or check out the selection at Williams-Sonoma.



• Tabletop Farm -- You heard right! With this ingenious indoor aeroponic garden (just light and water, no dirt), Mom can harvest her own fresh lettuce, tomatoes, or peppers from her kitchen countertop. Or expand her culinary horizons with a Japanese herb garden that includes shiso and misuba. Both are full of calcium (for her bones), vitamin A (for healthy eyes), and vitamin C (for a strong heart and immune system). Shop and choose at aerogrow.com.



• Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars -- Great salad dressings encourage more salad eating, and few foods are healthier than fresh raw veggies -- all they need is a drizzle of heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil. For a stunning assortment of oils and vinegars, try zingermans.com.



• Gourmet Tea Kit -- Tea is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, so start steeping! Set your mom up with a selection of green, white, black, and herbal teas. Complete the package with an electric kettle -- they bring water to a boil much faster than regular teapots, and they turn themselves off, a bonus for forgetful moms. Find unusual teas at specialteas.com and adagio.com.



• Scrumptious Skin Care -- Outdoorsy moms will adore Korres' natural Watermelon Sunscreen, Yogurt Cooling Gel, or Pomegranate Moisturizer. Yum! Made with botanical extracts, Korres products help bolster Mom's skin defenses without harming the earth. Available at sephora.com or beautyexclusive.com.

So, all you Last-Minute Lulus, grab your mouse and get your Mother's Day shopping done! If you’re really in a time bind, resort to the fruit-of-the-month club. Melissa's will e-mail a gift certificate immediately, and the sweet, juicy fruit will arrive when it's just the ripe time.

Want to give the gift of health to other members of your family? Invite them to take the RealAge Test so they can start living younger.

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