If you thought 2017 was off to a slow start, here's some news that should help buck up your year. According to a newly released synopsis by AMC, war is imminent on The Walking Dead. And, damn, it's about time.

Granted, Negan and his Saviors have only really been on the scene for just shy of one season, but the fact that he's such a royal jackhole who killed our favorite character at the start of this season (someone somewhere pour one out for Glenn) has basically made the series as of late feel as though it's operating in dog years — it's only been one season, but it feels like seven.

More: The Walking Dead's new Season 7 teaser photos are weird AF

So excuse me for a minute while I praise Jesus for bringing us to this point: the precipice of "All Out War."

Let's get to the gritty details then, shall we? It's worth mentioning the fact that AMC also released three new photos along with the mysteriously generous synopsis for the second half of Season 7, but truth be told, there's nothing terribly special about the actual photos. Womp-womp.

Instead, let's dissect the surprisingly lengthy synopsis and speculate about what the hell is about to go down for Rick and friends.

1. Shit's about to get real

The synopsis starts, "The first half of Season 7 saw Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the group broken by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), forced to fall under his will and brutally convinced to live under his rules. The second half of the season will focus on preparing for war and gathering the supplies and numbers to take Negan down once and for all."

More: [SPOILER] died on The Walking Dead mid-season finale, and war is on the way

This is pretty straightforward and seems like a pretty clear sign that we could soon see one of the comic series' most iconic issues, "All Out War," come to life on screen. Of course, some of the players are different because in the comics Andrea is still alive and shacking up with Rick at this point (B-b-but, what about Michonne?!) and Daryl doesn't even exist. For shame.

2. We may meet new characters... again

Image: Giphy

The synopsis hints, "Rick’s group will find out yet again that the world isn’t what they thought it was. It’s much bigger than anything they’ve seen so far." And you know what "bigger world" sounds like code for, right? More people. I'm all for spicing things up with a new character from time to time, but for feck's sake I'm still referring to newbies this season as "that guy who wears the fake armor" and "the all-lady commune leader."

3. More King Ezekiel, yay!

Listen, one measly episode devoted to King Ezekiel simply wasn't enough. I'll take watching a CGI tiger all day long if it means I get to hear Ezekiel wax poetic about how life can still be noble and kind in the zombocalypse more often. It looks like I could be getting my wish, since the synopsis states, "While they have a singular purpose — to defeat Negan — it won’t come easy. More importantly, victory will require more than Alexandria. They need the numbers of the Kingdom and the Hilltop, but, similar to how Rick felt, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) do not want bloodshed. To convince them otherwise will take more than speeches." The longer it takes to convince Ezekiel, the more we'll see him around and I am here for it.

4. We're gonna see Rick and the gang kick it old school

Remember back in the OG days of The Walking Dead when the gang was still so scrappy and new? They would do things like fish bloated walkers out of drinking wells and other sorts of desperate yet inexplicably entertaining shenanigans. Is it just me, or does this line from the synopsis make you think we're going to see some of that old-school resourcefulness again? "The lengths Rick and the group will have to go to in order to find weapons, food and new fighters is nothing short of remarkable."

5. We're in for at least a few legitimate surprises

According to the synopsis, "We’ll see Rick and the group tested in ways we’ve never seen before." I mean, you think you've seen it all when you've watched the characters wear gut parkas and suffered through a guy's eyeball popping out of his head after being hit by a baseball bat. I fear to speculate over what new challenges the group may face.

6. There's a traitor in the ranks

"We'll see treachery from people we trust," the synopsis ominously teases. Well, shit. If I could go ahead and put my special request in now, could it not be Jesus? I was just really starting to like the guy. Other than that, everyone is fair game. Er, other than Michonne, Daryl, Sasha, Carol, Maggie, Morgan, Carl, Eugene, Rosita.... OK, fine — no one is allowed to make this prophecy come true. My tender heart can't take betrayal so soon after losing Glenn and Abe.

More: TWD scenes between Negan & Carl echo the comics, but will it stay that way?

7. Rick will rise like a phoenix from the ashes

So foretelleth the synopsis: "Rick is confident as he will see his group and many others band together with the common goal of taking down Negan. But no amount of planning will prepare the group for all-out war with Negan and his army." All hail the return of savage Rick! And if I'm really being honest, I'm also pretty stoked to see how far the extent of Negan's sociopathic behavior will stretch during wartime.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Image: AMC

A quick chat this morning made me think about why I choose to live away from my parents. I am from Azamgarh, a small city tucked in the far east in India, and away from the modern metros. Papa came to Azamgarh for his first job, got married and that’s how this city became our hometown. There were good schools and we had what we needed for the first 17 years of our life. But it did not have much to offer in terms of what I wanted to do, and the kind of exposure my parents wanted me to have.

More: Travel is actually more fun now that I have a toddler

To become an engineer, I had to take entrance tests and in those days, there were many exams and the best chances were via the state entrance tests or the national ones. There was B.Tech, then my interest in VLSI and then the first job in Bangalore. There was no looking back once I left.

I chose to live away from my parents and they wanted me to leave their nest and grow wings of my own.

Papa never picked me up and dropped me to Greater Noida when I was studying. I learned how to get a reservation and travel on my own. There were no online reservations back then and flights were out of question. With a seat or without one, I learned how to talk to other students, manage things, and safely come home for Diwali. Then I'd travel back to college.

Mum and Papa never came to my hostel to check and inspect the food that was being provided. Mum told me to keep a bottle of jam and have it with parathas if the curry was too spicy. They knew I would be able to manage.

They told me to save time and hire help to wash my clothes, so I did. I was able to invest time in teaching others. They taught me what to delegate and what to own.

They told me to take care of my health and eat well. I never cared if the other girls laughed at me when I walked into the kitchen with a five rupee coin to get a glass of milk after dinner. I learned to manage my expenses without missing my glass of milk.

More: Kids can't only be taught to care about issues that affect them

When I applied for jobs, I failed. But my parents stood by me and let me handle it on my own. When I did get a job, I had to travel another 1000 kms. Again, they did not come to drop me and find a suitable paying guest accommodation. They knew I would be able to figure it out on my own. The wings that they wanted me have were there and I was able to fly on my own.

They did not ask where was I spending my salary, they just spoke of saving well.

I was a 17-year-old when I left home and if I hadn’t, I would not be the person I am today. I do miss my family. Who doesn’t want to come home to parents with the first salary of your life? Who wants to come back from work and not ring the bell? I celebrated success with friends and called my parents at every milestone.

Now being married, I have another home but I still miss my parents. I can’t visit them over weekends, walk over for a quick chat or dine with them when I want. This year I went back home after four years but I meet my parents every year. Their love and trust makes me strong.

I long for my family and the life many of my friends have but I chose to live away to make a life of my own. Longing for family has been my strength as that brings me closer to them. I don’t think or talk about this often because I want to stay strong and let my wings grow as much as they can.

More: I love my kids – but I don't want to spend every waking moment with them

Originally published on BlogHer

In a new interview with Marie Claire U.K., Natalie Portman revealed Ashton Kutcher was paid three times more than she was in their 2011 film No String's Attached.

"I knew and I went along with it because there’s this thing with 'quotes' in Hollywood… His [quote] was three times higher than mine so they said he should get three times more. I wasn’t as pissed as I should have been. I mean, we get paid a lot, so it’s hard to complain, but the disparity is crazy."

More: Everyone loves Mila Kunis' 'makeup-free' cover, but guys, she's not makeup-free

Especially when you consider that by 2011, Portman had three Star Wars films, an Oscar win for Black Swan and two Golden Globes for her work on Black Swan and Closer.

Kutcher agrees the divide is unfair.

Shortly after the interview was released, Kutcher tweeted his support for Portman's equal pay advocacy.

Kutcher should support pay equality in Hollywood. He is married to actress Mila Kunis, after all.

More: Natalie Portman's Harvard speech glossed over a big problem for women

Portman added in her interview, "Compared to men, in most professions, women make 80 cents to the dollar. In Hollywood, we are making 30 cents to the dollar."

In fact, she was so fed up by the divide between men and women in Hollywood that she refused to sign on for the role of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an upcoming biopic until she was assured the film's director would be female.

"I don't think women and men are more or less capable, we just have a clear issue with women not having opportunities," she explained. "We need to be part of the solution, not perpetuating the problem."

More: Natalie Portman will never win an Oscar again thanks to her recent comment

Are you surprised Portman was paid so much less than Kutcher?

Nick Viall's first round of dates with his ladies of The Bachelor Season 21 revealed that they might be the craziest bunch of girls we've ever seen from the show. And that's saying something.

More: Why are they casting women so much younger than Nick Viall on The Bachelor?

Turns out, we weren't the only ones raising our eyebrows over their scandalous behavior.

Former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky was also disappointed by what she saw. On her blog Ali Luvs, Fedotowsky gave her take on all the sexy behavior in the second episode.

"Man, I was a bit shocked by how some of the girls were behaving," she wrote.

Girl, we feel ya.

More: Come on, Andi Dorfman, give us all the dirt on the new Bachelor Nick Viall

"Overall, I am pretty disappointed with how some of the girls are handling themselves. Brittany asked Nick whose boobs were better – hers or Corrine. Corrine got naked on her first date. And Lacey said 'what if I had taken my shirt off, would I have gotten the rose?'" Fedotowsky continued. "I know she was trying to make a point suggesting that’s what Nick wants (and I think Lacey is very sweet). But in general there is just too much focus on sexuality this season already. Even the boob birthday thing at the end. It was funny and I can appreciate humor, but again, it seems like too much for it only being the 2nd episode. As a mom, I sat there and watched the showing thinking, 'I never want my daughter to think she has to behave this way to find a good man.' I’m not trying to put the girls down by calling them out on this either. It just makes me sad I guess. I hope they all know they are better than this."

She even said she didn't think Viall would ultimately be impressed by that kind of behavior either. And, as someone who knows Viall, that's a vote of confidence.

More: Bachelorette's Chad Johnson & Robby Hayes trash-talked Nick Viall so hard

Best of all, Fedotowsky suggested that Corrine got the first group date rose thanks to some urging from producers!

Do you agree that the ladies of The Bachelor Season 21 are too sexual?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

We've seen a lot of romanticizing of President Obama in the final few days before Donald Trump's inauguration. Some of that is to be expected; Democrats and many Republicans are terrified of the implications of a Trump presidency. For some, even George W. Bush is starting to look like a mighty fine president in comparison to what lies ahead.

More: New Samantha Bee theory: Donald Trump can't read — and it totally makes sense

Also, there's just something charming about all those Obama-Biden memes and pictures of Obama hanging out with babies and toddlers. It's harder to imagine a cute picture of Trump with babies (although he did used to hang out with Grimace).

And then there's the speeches. Barack Obama has always had the ability to transfix a crowd with the power of the spoken word. Such was the case yesterday, when he gave a farewell speech that had people on both sides of the aisle wishing for another eight years of Obama in the Oval Office.

More: 8 times Samantha Bee has positively owned late-night television

The dread of a Trump presidency is leading some liberals to look at the entirety of the Obama presidency with rose-colored glasses. Former critics seem to have forgotten the very issues they took Obama to task for just a few short years ago. Not Samantha Bee — she's happy to remind us that, in some ways, a Trump presidency wouldn't look as different from an Obama presidency as we think.

Bee's chief example? Immigration. For all his talk of forcing Mexico to pay for a wall (talk that he has backpedaled a bit on in recent weeks), Trump's immigration policy is actually just an extension of what has already been happening these past few years, although, to be fair, he would probably ramp it up.

During tonight's episode of Full Frontal, Bee reminded those who have been busy glorifying Obama that he definitely had his issues, and that in many ways, he has made it easier for Trump to take action via executive orders. She primarily focused on the issue of immigration, highlighting the many deportations that took place while Obama was in office.

More: Yes, Cleveland police union's head said Samantha Bee would be a good hooker

Bee makes a good point. Yes, Democrats are bound to think fondly of Obama after he is no longer president, but remember: there were some real concerns about his presidency. If we regard politicians with rose-colored glasses, we're less likely to hold them accountable when they fall down on the job. Instead of wasting time with nostalgia, it's time to move forward and deal with a Trump presidency as best as we can.

Are you feeling nostalgic now that President Obama is about to leave the White House? Comment and share your opinion below.

Would you offer your teenager a glass of wine with dinner? Buy them a six-pack of beer when their friends come round on a Saturday night? If your answer is, "Don't be ridiculous," there's a new study that suggests giving your kids booze at home isn't the worst idea in the world.

More: Perfect Facebook post captures the highs and lows of new motherhood

Most adolescents are curious about alcohol, and it can be tempting to take the hardline approach, lest our kids develop a taste for the hooch that quickly escalates into heroin addiction.

But it we relaxed our attitudes a little, we might just be able to save our kids from alcoholism. At least, that's the theory put forward by a major new study. Researchers at the UNSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre analysed data from almost 2,000 children and their parents over a four-year period. The results, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, suggest that children who are given alcohol by their parents are three times less likely to binge-drink, compared to kids who are given alcohol by someone outside the family.

The study also found that the kids whose parents gave them alcohol are statistically more likely to drink less in one sitting.

More: Amazon Echo's Alexa is turning out to be a bad influence on our kids

Before you go taking your kid's orders for a nightcap, be aware that the study also found that children who are given alcohol by their parents are much more likely to be drinking full serves of alcohol by age 15 or 16. However, getting alcohol from non-family members, such as peers or other adults, also doubled the chance of adolescents drinking full serves a year later.

The research was inspired by the "European model" of introducing children to alcohol. In many European countries, including France, Spain and Italy, kids are encouraged to try small quantities of alcohol at meal times and on special occasions.

The lead author of the study, Professor Richard Mattick, was quick to stress that the message from parents to their children should be to delay drinking for as long as possible, due to the potential negative effects of alcohol consumption on developing adolescents.

More: Mindfulness techniques to help your kids reduce their school anxiety

Kim Kardashian West is finally ready to return to the public eye: She'll be making an appearance in Dubai this week and she seems to be pretty excited about it.

More: The developments in Kim Kardashian West's robbery aren't exactly good for her

Kardashian West and Scott Disick left for Dubai on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and according to TMZ they "breezed" through Los Angeles International airport (which we can only imagine means they were very relaxed). They were also accompanied by four security guards — so they aren't taking any chances when it comes to their personal safety.

More: There's been a major breakthrough in Kim Kardashian West's robbery case

Kardashian West will be attending The Masterclass, a makeup tutorial with her longtime beautician, Mario Dedivanovic (which was initially scheduled for Oct. 14, but her terrifying robbery just weeks earlier meant she was unable to make it). However, three months on and she's reportedly "in a good place," this according to an Us Weekly insider, who added, "She's fully back now."

Kardashian West appeared excited ahead of her trip, and took to Instagram to share a photo of herself and Disick (it no doubt helps having a family member close by her side) prior to their 16-hour flight. She captioned it with "on our way #dubai."

More: Kim Kardashian West is just trying to fool you with that sneaky social media gag

Disick was also active on social media and shared a photo of himself inflight, looking super relaxed. He captioned the picture (which shows him with his leg up) with, "This commercial thing is a real leg up."

Are you glad to see that Kim Kardashian West is ready to return to the spotlight? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

After a fun-filled wintry day of playing in the snow, it's time for a relaxing soak in a hot tub. Don't have one? Make one of your own using cake and Kit Kat bars. True, you won't fit into it — but your kids' dolls will.

Here's how to create this humdinger. Don't worry — it couldn't be simpler and you can totally pull it off.

More: 18 cakes that will make you drool

Hot tub cake recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 9 Kit Kat candy bars broken into 36 segments
• 2 (16 ounce) containers blue frosting (or vanilla frosting tinted with blue food coloring)
• 20 inches black ribbon
• 3 Barbie dolls, legs removed

Directions:

Bake two round cakes following the directions on the box. Once the cakes have been baked and cooled, you can start assembling.

1. Place a dollop of frosting on your base, which can be a cake board or a cake stand.

2. Place the first layer of cake on the base and frost the top.

3. Place the second layer of cake on top of the frosted layer.

More: Make this rainbow tie-dye T-shirt cake, because you're feelin' groovy

4. Frost the sides, making sure that there is enough frosting to hold the Kit Kats in place but not so much that it squishes out when the candies are placed.

5. Place the Kit Kat bar segments around the cake vertically (like you're building a fence).

7. Using a piping bag, pipe frosting over the top of the cake.

7. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting roughly so it resembles water.

More: Write your own message on this notebook paper cake

8. After removing the legs from the dolls, press them into the cake, taking care not to place them too close to the edge of the cake.

9. Use the offset spatula to fix the frosting around the dolls.

Watch the video to learn more about this cake.

If you use Instagram, chances are you've seen Buddha bowls popping up everywhere (sorry, smoothie bowls, but it turns out most people like to actually chew their food).

But what are they?

Also known as abundance, power or nourish bowls, these tasty meals combine a variety of veggies, whole grains and usually plant-based proteins to create a meal bursting with flavor and nutrients.

And though the concoctions you see on social media may look too good to be true, it's actually surprisingly easy to whip up a healthy bowl on your own. These five tips will teach you how to make eating a healthy, nutritious meal easier and more satisfying than getting takeout.

More: 20 toothsome ancient grain recipes to satisfy your autumn appetite

1. Cook ingredients in batches

Eating healthy sounds great, but you need to make sure that putting together a nutritious meal is as easy as hitting up the drive-thru, or your resolve might crumble.

To do this, prep the ingredients for your bowls on the weekend, and then assemble your bowls each day.

You can cook up a big batch of your favorite whole grains, roast a sheet pan of veggies, and pre-chop a variety of fresh veggies, then assemble your bowl at lunchtime or before you leave for work in the morning.

2. Use your blender

Having a great dressing makes eating a bowl of grains and veggies even more appealing. Blender dressings are the easiest way to make sure you have something tasty to drizzle over your healthy meal — just throw the ingredients in the jar, blend and presto! Try a lemon-cashew dressing, raw ranch dressing, or orange tahini dressing to start.

3. Buy pre-chopped veggies

It's an indulgence, but if you're really strapped for time, look for pre-chopped vegetables in the produce aisle of your grocery store. It'll make it super-easy to add chopped bell peppers, carrot and celery sticks, roasted beets and even lentils to your bowls in seconds.

More: These gorgeous hot cereal bowls will inspire your mornings like nothing else

4. Use quick-cooking whole grains

Whole grains are delicious, but they can take forever to cook properly. If you don't feel like cooking up a big batch on the weekend, look for short cuts.

Trader Joe's sells packages of farro and barley that cook up in just 10 minutes, which is a huge time-saver.

You can find microwaveable pouches and bowls of brown rice and quinoa in the grain aisle of your grocery store, and you can usually find frozen brown rice and quinoa in the freezer aisle too.

5. Add variety with this simple formula

Don't get stuck making the same bowl every day. The beauty of power bowls is that you can mix things up! Use leftover roasted veggies or grains from dinner, add a bit of goat cheese or some chopped chicken breast for extra flavor and protein, and keep multiple dressings on hand so you can customize your bowl every day depending on what flavors you crave.

You should also make sure to include a variety of textures in each bowl. Here's an easy formula:

• Something soft (roasted veggies)
• Something crunchy (fresh veggies, toasted nuts)
• Something chewy (al dente whole grains)

Now that you have the basics down, it should be easy to create your own nourish bowls. You can follow a recipe or get creative — either way, what you make is bound to beat an overpriced restaurant salad or lackluster sandwich.

More: What we'll be eating in 2017 according to people who are paying attention

Drake and Jennifer Lopez are a thing — they even have the celebrity nickname DraLo — and although their romance has only been a few weeks, that hasn't stopped Drake from lavishing his new lady with love...and expensive gifts.

More: DraLo is for real but Jennifer Lopez isn't trying to make Drake her BF

According to an Us Weekly source, Drake recently splashed out on a $100,000 platinum and diamond Tiffany & Co. Victoria necklace for Lopez. And she was clearly taken with the gift, because she reportedly wore it to Drake's New Year's Eve concert at Hakkasan in Las Vegas.

This isn't the first time that Drake has done something special for Lopez: he previously staged a prom for her (after finding out she never had the chance to go to one) when he decorated a Los Angeles church in a winter wonderland theme. His actions certainly seem to suggest that he's pretty serious about Lopez, so serious, in fact, that he even wanted to let Lopez's father know his intentions.

More: Rihanna allegedly thinks Drake is just using Jennifer Lopez for revenge

A Hollywood Life source revealed that Drake and Lopez's father recently had a phone conversation about just how much Drake cares for his daughter. According to the source, Lopez was on the phone to her father when Drake asked to speak to him, and proceeded to promise him that "he'd never hurt his daughter."

"Drake wanted ensure [sic] him that he's a good man and has JLO's best intentions [sic] at heart," the source continued. "She's really special to him and he's really into her and going out of his way to let everyone in the world know that."

And apparently the sweet moment made Lopez's heart melt.

More: DraLo fans have nothing to worry about, even if Drake is texting Nicki Minaj

According to Us Weekly, the pair haven't been able to spend much time together since the New Year's party because of Lopez's hectic work schedule, but a second source said that she feels the fling is "still going really well," and "They talk all the time." Adorable, right?

What do you think of Jennifer Lopez and Drake as a couple? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below!

My parents argued that I was susceptible to pre-cancerous polyps — that my sister was only 30 when she had several small growths removed from her body. She was already a wife, already a mother, so the thought of foreboding cancer growing somewhere in her body was terrifying.

But I wouldn’t go. I didn’t understand — and I actively refused to — how my sister’s health impacted my own. I was less than enthralled about the bowel-cleansing prep involved in pre-screening and even less enthusiastic about the rather unpleasant procedure itself. So I wouldn’t budge.

More: Why I shared my colonoscopy on social media

The general rule of thumb is to get a colonoscopy 10 years before your relative was diagnosed. So if my sister was 30 when her polyps were removed, I should theoretically be getting my first colonoscopy at 20, which serves to support my parents reasoning. But should we really be looking at this even younger?

In fact, when a relative is diagnosed younger than 50 (which is the normal age when colonoscopy screenings are encouraged), the risk of a family member developing colorectal cancer increases to three to six times more than if the disease didn’t run in the family.

More: Colon cancer awareness month: A perfect time to shake your family tree

In order to do this, a screening is required. Ask yourself the questions below to find out if it’s time for you to get your first colonoscopy.

• Does colon cancer run in your family?
• If so, at what age was your relative diagnosed with cancerous or precancerous polyps?
• Do you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or any other gastrointestinal disease?

More: Colorectal cancer: What you need to know

If you responded yes to any of these qualifying questions, it may be worth discussing with your doctor to get an official medical opinion.

By Stephanie Osmanski

Originally published on HelloFlo.

The first ever bumblebee in the United States has been declared endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

At the turn of the century, the rusty patched bumblebee was a common sight across 28 states, but its population has dramatically declined, and today it can be found in only 13 states — and in those states the volume is low.

More: SeaWorld is absolutely to blame for Tilikum's death

The bumblebee's plummeting population is believed to be due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss, intensive farming, disease, exposure to pesticides and global climate change.

"Our top priority is to act quickly to prevent extinction of the rusty patched bumblebee," said Wildlife Service Midwest regional director Tom Melius. "Listing the bee as endangered will help us mobilize partners and focus resources on finding ways right now to stop the decline."

It's not just the rusty patched bumblebee that is at risk of becoming extinct. Other species of bee have greatly reduced in population over the last 20 years.

None of this is good news. We need our bees, people; they can't be dismissed as annoying creatures who buzz around our al fresco dining tables during hot weather. In fact, if it weren't for bees, those tables would be bare.

More: How much does it actually cost to own a cat?

As one of the world's hardest-working insects, bees are essential to our ecosystem and food supply. As pollinators (like birds, bats, beetles and butterflies), they transfer pollen and seeds between flowers, fertilizing plants to enable growth and food production. Cross-pollination is responsible for at least 30 percent of the world's crops (including apples, berries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, alfalfa and almonds) and 90 percent of our wild plants.

Environment America’s Christy Leavitt told it like it is. "If bees go extinct, it’s simple: no bees, no food," she said.

It won't only be our stomachs that take the hit if bees become extinct. The cost of bee decline on the global economy is estimated to be as high as $5.7 billion per year. (U.S. honeybees produce around $150 million in honey annually.)

It might not be too late for the rusty patched bumblebee, but it is the last chance for this species. To do your bit in your little corner of the world, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends growing a garden or adding a native flowering plant to yards; minimizing pesticide use, leaving some areas of your yard unmowed in summer and unraked in fall to give bumblebees a safe place to build their nests; and leaving some standing plant stems in gardens and flower beds in winter. If you come across bumblebee nests, leave them alone.

More: These are the airlines that allow pets to travel in-cabin with you

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship is serious: They're not afraid to flaunt their love for the whole world to see, they spend all their spare time together (they've also made their romance international), and Markle has even got the approval of Queen Elizabeth II. So we really wouldn't be surprised if an engagement was in their future.

More: Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle is the modern-day princess we need

And apparently, fans of the couple aren't the only ones who feel that an engagement is in the cards, because an E! News source recently revealed that those close to the couple believe there will be an engagement announcement sometime this year.

According to the source, "Harry is truly in love," and "They're very serious."

This isn't the first time that the word "engagement" has been mentioned with regard to Prince Harry and Markle. A source previously told E! News that Harry's more serious about Markle than he has been about any woman before and that they wouldn't be surprised if the prince had already thought about an engagement.

Living life in the public eye can have pitfalls when it comes to relationships, and the constant scrutiny is no doubt difficult, but Prince Harry and Markle seem to have found a way to keep their relationship pretty private (when they're not strolling down the street flaunting their affection). Most recently, they enjoyed a trip to Norway, and over New Year's the couple spent time together in London.

More: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle took their relationship out for a stroll

And with things going so well, the next logical step would be an engagement, right?

Do you think Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make a good pair? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Sure, some people wouldn't turn down an orgasm from penatrative sex, but there are tons of other ways to get the job done — which is great news for the large part of the population who are unable to climax from penetration alone (not to mention those whose sex lives don't involve men at all).

"The most valuable thing you can do is find ways to bring more clitoral stimulation into your sex life," says sex therapist Vanessa Marin, who is actually launching an online training program to teach women how to orgasm (bless her heart).

There is a universe of sexual possibilities that some women never explore. Here are eight of the best ways to get started so you can get off without sex.

1. Masturbate in front of one another

Instead of treating your partner like a machine whose job it is to give you an orgasm, heed the advice of Dr. Carlen Costa, a sexologist and relationship expert from Canada, and change your attitude first. "You are supposed to own your orgasm," Dr. Carlen says.

And the number one way she suggests increasing your sexual confidence and taking control over your orgasms is by partaking in a naughty bit of "adult show and tell" and masturbating in front of one another. Whether you choose to discuss in advance the fact that you're about to give your partner the thrill of their life or surprise them by letting them come home and "catch" you rubbing yourself on the Jennifer Convertible sofa, is entirely up to you. And though you may be tempted to let him jump in and finish the job, Dr. Carlen suggests restraining your passions and enforcing a "no touching" rule for as long as possible — which will only make things hotter.

2. Sex toys

Sex toys have come a long way since your mother's dildo (sorry, not a sexy image). Marin suggests trying a couples' toy like the We-Vibe or, if you prefer going at it alone, the Eva by DAME products, which is an actual hands-free vibrator that stimulates the clitoris with zero effort — yay for that!

Kait Scalisi, a sexual and reproductive health educator, writer and consultant, is also a huge fan of toys like the We-Vibe Touch, as well as G-Spot toy Je Joue Uma and arousal oils like ON Arousal Oil, which she says brings blood flow to the vaginal area and makes it easier to become aroused and achieve orgasm.

"I highly recommend all women have a high-quality lubricant," Scalisi said. "Water-based lubes like Sliquid Organics are great for toys while silicone-based lubes like the one by Pjur are better for intercourse, oral sex and fingering. The amount of natural lubricant a woman produces is not indicative of her level of arousal as everything from stress to dehydration to medications can affect the body's ability to get wet."

3. Direct stimulation

Ugh, how many times have we been told the number one way for women to achieve orgasm is by getting oral sex? It's as if some sexperts have never been inside of the mind of a woman who has insecurities. Look, we're not saying to stop your partner when they want to go down on you because cunnilingus can be one of the most pleasurable experiences on the planet. But so much attention has been put on oral sex that Dr. Carlen says it's easy to forget that women don't always come this way.

"More women are more self-conscious when they have someone in between their legs," Dr. Carlen says. "They worry about what they taste or smell like. Instead, direct stimulation is the number one way women orgasm."

Chances are, you are well versed on all things clitoris and know both light touching and applying more pressure to this sensitive spot can result in orgasm. But Dr. Carlen reminds us to encourage our partners to explore the entire vagina — including the labia and vulva, which has the second-most nerve endings after the clitoris and the U-spot, the area on and around the urethra.

4. Dirty talk

The brain is our largest sex organ and we're doing ourselves a huge disservice if we ignore this fact. It's completely possible to orgasm or get so worked up you could come in seconds without any physical contact at all by taking the time to engage in a little filthy talk before or even instead of sex.

More: The reason we love dirty talk — finally explained

If you've never tried this before with your partner, Dr. Carlen says to take your time and take it slow.

"You don't have to jump in with the dirtiest thing because it can come across as awkward or unauthentic," she says. Instead of whispering in his ear that you want to have an orgy with him and 15 members of a football team, Dr. Carlen says tried-and-true dirty talk includes saying things like "I love it when you do (fill in the blank)," and the universally hot, "Oh, baby, I'm coming."

And if you're feeling shy about it, the expert says a great way to build your sexual confidence and test the waters is by sexting your partner. Setting up a scenario via text like, "When you get home tonight (fill in the blank)" is a surefire way to fan the flames.

Next Up: Frottage

Originally published December 2015. Updated January 2017.

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5. Frottage

Nope, this isn't the name of a decadent dessert — it's something many of us probably did when we were teenagers. I'm talking about good ole dry humping, rubbing and grinding — the kind that takes place when both partners are either fully or partially dressed — or, oh what the hell, totally naked works too.

The beauty of frottage is that it's exciting because it's an unexpected thing to do with your partner when you're over the age of 21. There's no pressure to perform, no worries about birth control (assuming all of your clothing is on!) and a rare opportunity for both you and your partner to get off at the time from the very same act.

6. Tantric sex

If you haven't heard of the ancient Indian tradition of tantra, brace yourself: There are some fortunate individuals and couples out there who have tapped into sexual energy in a way that can result in them having an orgasm within minutes — with absolutely no physical contact. But Patricia Johnson, who has 15 years of experience teaching tantra with her husband Mark A. Michaels and with whom she has written a book called Partners in Passion: A Guide to Great Sex, Emotional Intimacy and Long-Term Love, says anyone can learn how to channel that energy we all have into a powerful orgasm.

More: Everything you need to know about tantric sex

"First of all, imagination is the key," Johnson said. "Studies show that orgasm actually originates in the brain, so attitude matters more than technique. Imagine that you're having an orgasm and that will get you on the road to the real thing. Tantra is more about attitude than a particular skill or past experience."

7. Breast orgasms

We pay so much attention to how our breasts look that some of us forget these babies are not only lovely, but — regardless of our cup size — functional and one of our very best friends when it comes to orgasm. Our breasts actually swell up to 25 percent when we feel aroused and even change color, according to Dr. Carlen. When our partner stimulates our nipples by licking, massaging or even tapping them rhythmically, it can have the same exciting effect on our brain as clitoral and vaginal stimulation.

8. Spanking/role playing/BDSM

Big fan of Fifty Shades? If you've been wondering how it feels to get spanked or act out your submissive fantasies, Scalisi highly recommends that women fill out a yes/no/maybe list of options that exist in order to get ideas about what they could do in the bedroom and decide if it's right for them. Thanks to Christian Grey, Scalisi says there's never been an easier time to broach this topic with a partner.

More: BDSM sex tips for 'vanilla' couples, no red room needed

"A woman could say, 'You know how in the book Christian did X? What do you think of that? Would you be open to trying it?'" Scalisi said. You don't have to go to extremes while experimenting, either. A great pair of leather handcuffs by Crave provide the thrill of being tied up without it being too intense, Scalisi said. It's all about doing what makes you comfortable and exploring a side of you that you didn't know existed — and that can tip the excitement scale to instant orgasm.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

For Billie Lourd, life seems to be going back to normal.

More: Billie Lourd's stepfather has the sweetest message for her

The Scream Queens actress has stayed understandably silent since her mom, Carrie Fisher, and grandmother, Debbie Reynolds, died just one day apart in late December. But now, she's started posting on Instagram again, starting with some sweet tributes to the stars.

One photo, shared late Wednesday night, showed Lourd as a little girl posing with a smiling Fisher in the backseat of a car.

She captioned the sweet pic with one of her mom's famous quotes: "If my life weren't funny then it would just be true and that is unacceptable."

Lourd added, "Finding the funny might take a while but I learned from the best and her voice will forever be in my head and in my heart."

That post came one week after the first time Lourd made any public statement about the deaths of her mom and grandmother. In another post to Instagram, she shared a photo of herself as a young child sticking out her tongue next to both Fisher and Reynolds.

"Receiving all of your prayers and kind words over the past week has given me strength during a time I thought strength could not exist," she wrote. "There are no words to express how much I will miss my Abadaba and my one and only Momby. Your love and support means the world to me."

Fisher died Dec. 27. She had spent multiple days hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest on a plane. Reynolds died just one day after Fisher.

More: Billie Lourd beautifully remembers Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Wasting no time whatsoever, late last night the Senate took the first step toward repealing Obamacare, with a nearly unanimous vote from Republicans on a budget that would do away with existing health care law. While this impacts many Americans, there are several aspects that will profoundly affect women.

In an attempt to save some of the parts of Obamacare that would fall victim to the repeal, Democrats proposed 17 amendments, which were all defeated over seven hours of voting.

More: No, Republicans: Defunding Planned Parenthood definitely will not save money

One of the unsuccessful amendments — proposed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand — would have required insurance companies to cover the cost of contraceptives. This now leaves 55 million women without access to no-copay preventative services, including birth control, STI screenings and preventative services such as breast cancer screenings and pap smears.

It gets worse.

It’s hard to believe that only a few years ago insurance companies were allowed to consider pregnancy a preexisting condition, precluding people from coverage. Thanks to our friends in the Senate, pregnant people will not be protected from increasing premiums under whatever new health care plan is implemented next.

More: Kentucky lawmaker tells women that unplanned pregnancies are an "opportunity"

Gillibrand’s amendment also included provisions ensuring that women are not charged more than men for health care solely based on their gender and that insurance companies include coverage for maternity care — two things Republicans clearly oppose.

Also on the list of affected programs are Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and protections for rural hospitals.

Fighting against attempts to be drowned out by a Republican gavel, all-around hero-boss-wonderperson Senator Elizabeth Warren shouted, “On behalf of the Republicans and Democrats who worked for a decade in Massachusetts to bring health care to 97 percent of our people, I vote no.”

More: 3 things you need to know about Ohio's new abortion law

The budget resolution is also expected to pass in the House as early as tomorrow, then goes back to the Senate for more possible amendments and another vote before it lands on the desk of the president-elect.

Noooooo, Jessica Alba. Say it isn’t so.

Honest Company — co-founded by Alba and Christopher Gavigan — is a brand beloved by parents willing to pay a hefty premium for natural, chemical-free, nontoxic lifestyle and baby products. There’s just one problem: Honest Company can’t seem to keep up its end of the bargain.

The company just voluntarily recalled all bottles of its organic baby powder in the U.S. Why? It’s not pretty: Recent reports of eye and skin infections from microorganisms found in contaminated bottles.

More: Talc may cause cancer and it's not just in baby powder

"With the full knowledge and under the guidance of the FDA, we've decided to voluntarily recall this product out of an abundance of caution," Gavigan said on Wednesday. The baby powder, hailed as a natural alternative to traditional baby powder, has been sold in stores since April 14 and comes in 4-ounce containers. (We’ll give you a minute to check your medicine cabinet.)

This isn’t the first time Honest Company practices and products have caused unwanted scrutiny of the brand. In 2015, social media was abuzz with complaints about the ineffectiveness of the company’s sunscreen, with many consumers outraged that their kids had been burned to a crisp while wearing the product. If that weren’t bad enough, a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed serious concerns about Honest Company’s detergent. There's more: The company was involved in a lawsuit that claimed the Premium Infant Formula contained at least 11 synthetic ingredients — making the product decidedly not organic. (To be fair, that lawsuit was dismissed by the court, although the decision is being appealed.) 

More: Commercial baby food is even more disgusting than you'd think

Alba is involved with numerous charities, most notably Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. Her co-founder, Christopher Gavigan, is the former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World, a national nonprofit “empowering parents to protect their children from toxic risks.” We're wincing at the irony.

Hopefully, this is the last misstep for Honest Company — which scored Alba a place on Forbes’ wealthiest self-made women list in 2015. Alba’s net worth topped Beyoncé’s in 2015 at $340 million compared to Bey’s then-$250 million. Who knew that organic baby powder had such star appeal? (Sorry, Bey.)

You’ve probably heard theories about how carbo-loading in the morning can help you lose weight, but fascinating new research proves that what time of day you eat really does matter. Eating exclusively between the hours of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. might help you lose weight more easily, according to a small study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

More: The best postpartum workouts for each type of childbirth

In the first human study of early time-restricted feeding, researchers recruited 11 participants and observed the differences in how their bodies worked during a series of days when they ate their meals between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., versus days of eating exclusively between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.. On days when participants didn’t eat after 2 p.m., their appetite levels were more even (read: fewer cravings), they burned fat faster and more efficiently for several hours at night, and their metabolic flexibility, or ability to switch between burning carbs and fats, improved. If weight loss is your goal, that’s not too shabby.

More: How Nutritionists Avoid Gaining Weight in Winter

“Eating only during a much smaller window of time than people are typically used to may help with weight loss,” said Courtney Peterson, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “We found that eating between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. followed by an 18-hour daily fast kept appetite levels more even throughout the day, in comparison to eating between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., which is what the average American does.” The researchers also noted that the human body has an internal clock, and metabolism is, in many ways, at its optimal functioning in the morning. So it makes sense that eating earlier in the day, in tune with your body’s circadian rhythms, would have positive health results.

Of course, not eating from 2 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day is a long period of fasting, and if you’re the type whose blood sugar drops if you don’t snack for an hour, this might not be for you. And since the study was small and over a short period of time, the researchers say more studies need to happen before we’ll know more about how effective this strategy is.

In the meantime, if you’re trying to slim down, you could try front-loading most of your food in the early part of the day—though ultimately, we’re not advocating anything too extreme. At the end of the day, you should eat when you’re hungry and don’t when you’re not! And if you’re absolutely not the type to fast after 2 p.m. (raising my hand), then you can at least make your dinner super-healthy with one of these awesome recipes.

More: 7 Low-Effort Ways to Stay Fit When it’s Cold

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

Kendra Wilkinson has done a pretty decent job of staying out of headlines lately.

More: Kendra Wilkinson reveals medical issue that's keeping her baby weight on (VIDEO)

At least until now.

Wilkinson was reportedly downing tequila shots on a plane before she got into a tiff with another woman that stopped just short of someone throwing punches.

"I almost got in a fight with this woman on a plane. We’re coming back from Vegas, it was a 45-minute flight — we’re a little drunk," Wilkinson told TMZ at the airport, clearly still tipsy from her tequila-fueled flight. She told the site that she had been taking tequila shots with another passenger when a woman behind them got upset that they were being loud. Wilkinson has her own theory though. She said the other passenger "was jealous as fuck that she couldn’t party with us."

More: VIDEO: Kendra Wilkinson on farts, pregnancy and her lack of intercourse

No physical confrontation happened, and Wilkinson ended up getting off the plane without any other issues, which is kind of impressive if she was actually shooting enough tequila fast enough to almost get into a fight on a 45-minute flight.

Her reps didn't release any comment about the incident, but Wilkinson replied personally to reporters on Twitter, writing, "I was fucked up," with a few laughing emojis.

Love her or hate her, you've gotta respect the way Wilkinson plays the game. That's a pretty epic level of zero fucks given.

More: Kendra Wilkinson's mom has had enough of being badmouthed on TV (VIDEO)

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Hey, we like a good Kardashian update like anyone else. And Kim Kardashian West has been notably MIA on social media since her terrifying armed robbery in Paris this past October. So we were super-chuffed to see Kim back on Instagram, sharing family pics (including her OMG-THOSE-CHEEKS son, Saint West, who turned one on Dec. 5).

More: Kim Kardashian West isn't taking chances with security on her first public appearance

But, uh, Kim? What’s with the blurry 1973 Polaroid filter? Where are you? Where has all your furniture gone? PLEASE GET OUT NOW BEFORE THE GIRL FROM “THE RING” COMES.

The recent string of pics is apparently part of a “new photo series” by Kardashian’s husband Kanye West’s creative director, Eli Russell Linnetz. (Say that three times fast and you automatically become a Kardashian.) Kardashian has been breathlessly sharing Linnetz’s oddly meh images with fans, both on social media and her paid app.

In the series, the Kardashian-West posse seems to exist within the confines of a bizarre, impoverished, wood-paneled vacuum. The foursome poses aimlessly inside and outside an abandoned shack — er, retro-rustic-minimalist environment — with Kardashian, West and North clad in white and Saint sporting a Santa-red velour tracksuit.

More: Kim Kardashian West's back and she's still got major selfie game

The photos mark a decidedly different look at the famous family: West eats cereal standing alone at a sink.

North and Saint attempt to play in the dim lighting.

Kardashian listlessly observes her children as they clutch at a windowed door, presumably trying to escape. (Go, North! Go, Saint! Before it’s too late!)

We're a little confused. You’re the Posh Spice of the Kardashians, Kim. A fade filter and a haunted cabin do not a masterpiece make. A Linnetz is not a Leibovitz. You know these things, girl. We know you know.

And yet, according to an insider, “Kim is obsessed. She loves the way they look.”

Us Weekly has also drunk the creative Kool-Aid, referring to the images as “striking photos.” Um. OK. And plenty of fans are praising the photo style.

Some commenters, though, are less impressed with the photo series. ”This isn't your house. We know you wouldn't buy this couch for your living room," one fan commented. One fan had concerns about the carpeting, asking, “Where tf are they. And is that a bug” on a shot of Kardashian watching Saint play on a not-quite-clean shag rug.

Well, if Kimye is happy, that’s all that matters. Still, you guys really might want to vacuum first next time. And maybe bring in a medium, just in case.