You can't really blame us. For a music video that elicits two types of reactions — people are either clutching very desperately at their pearls or can't stop cheering for more — there are an awful lot of references to food in there. And we're not the only ones who noticed either.

Since Queen Bey herself uttered the phrase "Red Lobster" in the perfection bomb she dropped this weekend, the seafood eatery has seen a nice little uptick in sales. That the restaurant chain trended for the first time ever on Twitter this weekend in the post-Bey fog the video left in its wake only goes to show that a word from Beyoncé's lips goes straight to the ears of the food gods themselves.

More: Skinny king cake recipe: A low-fat way to indulge in the colorful treat

Red Lobster wasn't the only mention of food, though. Here's what else Beyoncé made us hunger for in the "Formation" video.

1. "I got hot sauce in my bag"

Hot sauce is the Lord's own condiment, so we really can't disagree with Beyoncé on this one. It has the tendency to make everything from that roach coach hot dog you had to buy because you had no time to eat real food on the way to the airport to those unbelievably pretentious tapas your unbelievably pretentious blind date recommended palatable. We should all follow suit and keep hot sauce near to our hearts and hips in a cute little crossbody bag.

Or you could keep your hot sauce in this bag Beyoncé has already provided for you.

2. "I like cornbreads and collard greens"

OK, well Big Freedia does. Collard greens are truly not for everyone. For me they have a certain bitterness. That's probably why they are usually accompanied by and tempered with cornbread, which I think we can all agree is extremely tasty and best eaten cold for breakfast.

Be right back, securing cornbread for tomorrow's breakfast.

More: 18 Bourbon Street-worthy sips to celebrate Mardi Gras

3. "Sippin' Cuervo with no chaser"

The great thing about tequila is that long after you swear you will never drink it again because you slammed back one too many Dixie cups of it when you were at your friend's going-away party that one time, you'll often find yourself returning to it.

And while there are many people who will tell you that you need to buy an extremely expensive "sipping tequila," we have to agree with Bey here. Cuervo neat satisfies just as nicely. Best served with cornbread. For breakfast. At a reasonable hour.

More: Fat Tuesday hangover cure shake will save your Wednesday

4. "I take his ass to Red Lobster, 'cause I slay"

Not that you have to slay to frequent Red Lobster, but it definitely helps. Of course, we can't just breeze over why Beyoncé is taking her gentleman friend to Red Lobster; it's a nod to his excellent performance between the sheets. Red Lobster might not be everyone's first choice for post-coital noms, but there's no denying that some delicious Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a far sight better for at least your lungs than the traditional post-doin' it cigarette.

You know what? We may not all agree on Bey's politics, but I think we can all unite behind her vision for dinner. Always stay gracious!

She didn’t believe me when I told her I could take Aunt Mary’s place. She tapped my hand with a placating look that let me know she wouldn’t hold me to my word. But one week later, the letter arrived in her mailbox, like I told her it would.

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A letter that took me over an hour to write because I hadn’t actually written a letter since high school, and now I was in my late 20s and writing to my 80-year-old grandmother.

But I had to. She looked so sad when her sister Mary, her pen pal for more than 30 years, passed away. They had begun writing to each other after they each got married. Mary had moved to Massachusetts while my grandmother stayed in New York.

When my aunt died, I held my grandmother’s hand in mine and told her that I would like to take Mary’s place, if she’d let me.

That first letter turned into over a decade of letters between us. My grandmother would write one week; I would write the next.

A deep love grew for her in those words that I don’t think would have ever been possible in person. We shared our fears, our hopes and our regrets.

More: How the world is changing — one inspiring woman at a time

She told me stories that made tears fill me eyes, like how she and my grandfather created a secret language during the war so he could tell her where he was stationed without anyone else knowing. Or how she dealt with the pain and devastation from having a stillborn baby.

My heart skipped a beat each time I saw a letter in my mailbox.

It was those letters that not only taught me about my grandmother, but also about myself. While going through a divorce, I found solace in her words. She was a woman who had lost a husband to cancer, who taught herself how to drive and how to manage a bank account. A woman who raised three children whom she adored. Every letter embodied a love that I needed. A love to fill the pain happening in my own life.

But it’s not just the emotions that I remember the most about her letters. What always put a smile on my face were the bits of advice scattered throughout. From making sure to wear slippers on hardwood floors, to pushing the hair out of my face because I look younger when it is pulled back. Each of her letters were guaranteed to make me chuckle. And I often stood at my mailbox, laughing by myself.

She wrote me when I was down and depressed. She wrote me when I got back up and found happiness in myself. She wrote me when I started dating again and when I found love on a bocce ball court. She gave me wedding advice for my second wedding and even cut out informative articles from the Pennysaver about parenting when I was pregnant.

And she wrote me as she started to battle dementia and her heart began giving out. She wrote me until the end.

Then on Mother’s Day, 2012, I kissed her on her forehead and told her I loved her. That I couldn’t say thank you enough for all that she had given me in those letters.

More: Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?

That would be the last time I would see her. There would be no more letters, no more advice and no more funny observations of reality dance shows.

But instead of tears, I focus on the treasure box I keep inside my office. The box that is filled with each of those letters. The words that changed my life.

And someday, when I have a granddaughter who needs a bit of help in her life, I’ll pull those out and make her smile, and maybe, in reading them, she’ll even offer to put the pen to paper herself. And I probably won’t believe her either. Until I open that mailbox.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Though the show is currently placing the Hapstall's adopted daughter, Catherine, and Mr. Hapstall's secret biological son Phillip as the center of this mystery, one theory that fans haven't quite shaken yet is that Caleb could be the real culprit — and playing everyone around him. (Hey, he's pretty easy on the eyes. It wouldn't be that hard.) 

Caleb may have claimed his innocence to new maybe-girlfriend Michaela, but some fans are calling BS on how easily he found the murder weapon in the Hapstall mansion — a move that implicated his sister. He was also conveniently out of the house when their aunt was killed in her car. He feigned innocence back then, but as for proof, we still haven't gotten it outside of Caleb's word — and as we know from Season 1 of How to Get Away With Murder, everybody lies.

More: 11 Predictions for How to Get Away with Murder Season 2

Of course, Caleb being a total sociopath isn't the only theory fans have going into the second half of Season 2. Here's how else things could have gone down on this show: 

Catherine, Phillip, and Caleb are in on it together

This theory comes from Reddit user Jenja1974, who thinks that all three Hapstall siblings worked together to carry out the crime. The theory makes plenty of sense — in this scenario, Catherine and Caleb wanted to get rid of their aunt and parents so they could obtain the entirety of the Hapstall fortune. When they found out about Phillip, they decided to team up with him so they could get exactly what they wanted. According to Jenja1974, Catherine and Caleb killed the parents, but blamed it on Phillip, knowing that he could get away with a plea of insanity because he was the child of incest. Phillip would then go to a mental institution for several years, and upon leaving the hospital, would be given a third of the fortune as a "reward." It is certainly a depressing theory, but hey — money definitely corrupts.

More: HTGAWM spoilers: New cast additions could hold the key to Annalise's past

Helena Hapstall killed her brother and sister-in-law

Could the aunt who was found murdered in her car have committed the heinous murder for monetary gain? It's possible — and the fact that she's already dead means she's not exactly being investigated as a suspect. Still, Helena already has a few marks against her when it comes to being a possible murderer: she desperately tried to blame the murder on her niece and nephew, and had a secret affair with her own brother. (Ew. So much ew.) She may have even called upon her biological son, Phillip, to assist with the crime — only for him to turn on her and kill his own mother.

The Hapstall murders were really a murder/suicide

This is possibly the darkest theory on the books, but the show has dropped quite a few hints about it over the course of the season. We know that Grant and Helena Hapstall had an incestuous relationship (the ick factor is strong) that led to the birth of Phillip. Phillip has been out of sight for his entire adult life — and yet, somehow, he ends up palling around with Grant's daughter, Catherine? It doesn't make much sense, unless you consider that Phillip showing up could have led to Grant's death. Perhaps Phillip finally met his father and his biological family only for Grant to reject him. Phillip then threatened to tell everyone the truth about his parentage, which led to Grant having a breakdown and killing his wife and then himself. In order to make sure that Phillip would get the inheritance — and that Catherine and Caleb would be blamed for the murder — Helena, who was on property at the time, could have arranged the scene to make it look like a double homicide instead. Because this family is just that crazy.

More: HTGAWM: [Spoiler] shot Annalise — is she their mom, too?

So will any of these theories pan out? We have a lot of mystery to dig through in the second half of Season 2, but no matter what happens on this show, you know it's bound to be seriously shocking.

How to Get Away with Murder returns Thursday, Feb. 11 at 10/9c on ABC.

More: 5 Snowy activities to do on a winter girls' weekend

1. Excellent Skiing

Whitefish Mountain Resort ranks ninth in skinet.com's picks for Top Western Ski Resorts for 2016. The 3,000 acres, 2,253 vertical feet and 105 marked trails are reasons enough to go. But the best part is that skiing and accommodations here are affordable, with short lines and great views of Glacier National Park. The highest elevation is about 6,800 feet, so it’s easier to adjust to the altitude, and the base elevation is just 4,400 feet. You can be on the slopes in 45 minutes or less when flying into Glacier Park International Airport.

2. Glacier National Park

This is one of America’s great wonders. While the entire park isn’t open during the winter, you can enter at various points to see some highlights, such as Lake McDonald on the west side. Make plans to go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on your own or with a guide. The constant weather changes — snow squalls, fog, sun and clouds —create magical views over the lake and the mountains. Bring your camera.

3. Outdoor Adventures

Alfresco enthusiasts can enjoy all of the other activities offered in this winter wonderland, such as snowboarding and snowmobiling. If dog sledding is on your bucket list, check out Base Camp Bigfork for a hands-on experience where you can drive your own team of Inuit sled dogs. How about a breathtaking sleigh ride through the snow? Bundle up, and enjoy the ride at Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish.

More: How to take a family-friendly vacation

4. Arts and Theatre

When it’s time to head inside after a full day of outdoor fun, you'll find an impressive arts and theater community in western Montana. The MCT Center for the Performing Arts in Missoula is home to the world-renowned Children’s Theatre and a talented group of adults performing plays and musicals throughout the year. The Missoula Art Museum features local and Native American artists in ever-changing exhibits. When in Kalispell, visit the Conrad Mansion Museum. Built in 1895, this beautiful home is a well-preserved example of 18th-century life for the upper class in Montana and the former home of Charles E. Conrad, one of the city's founders.

5. Dining

The motto is Small Towns, Big Eats in this part of the state, and it certainly delivers. With an extensive list of restaurants that features locally sourced meats, seafood and produce, choosing a place to dine can be a tough decision. There are 25 restaurants alone in the small town of Whitefish. Big breakfasts are a favorite, with huckleberry pancakes and syrup a local specialty. Not to miss are the locally raised game meats such as elk and yak. After a ski day on Whitefish Mountain, make plans for a special evening enjoying the tasting menu offered at Cafe Kandahar by four-time James Beard–nominated chef Andy Blanton.

6. Wine and Spirits

Wine in Montana? Yes, thanks to Mother Nature and the changing climate, grapes are now grown here, and many of the wines are quite good. Stop in at Ten Spoon Vineyard & Winery in Missoula for a tasting of their organic wines. Be sure to try the Flathead Cherry, made with the beautiful cherries grown along neighboring Flathead Lake. Distilleries and breweries are also popping up in nearby towns. Enjoy the tasty cocktails made with the spirits produced at Montgomery Distillery in Missoula, or if you prefer to imbibe beer, there’s a great selection of craft beers at Kalispell Brewing Company.

Western Montana — don’t miss it!

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More: A timeline of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green's relationship, pre-split

Megan Fox made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week, where she confessed that she has some deep-seated fears about getting older.

"When you're young, that sounds so old," Fox, who celebrates her 30th birthday in May, told DeGeneres. "When you're in high school or even when you're in your early 20s, it still sounds like, 'By the time I'm 30, I should just give up.' What's the point of going on at that age?"

She continued, "And then you turn 30 — I'm turning 30 later this year — you don't feel any older at all."

That's when things got uncomfortable. DeGeneres, eager to offer her take, joined the conversation.

"I agree with you," DeGeneres said. "Because when I was younger, I would think somebody 50, 60 years old was, you know, just like..."

"In a hospice?" Fox interjected.

Ouch. Because what Fox apparently failed to realize is that DeGeneres is 58.

More: Did Megan Fox skip out on a Beijing premiere due to the vile pollution?

"I'm just saying!" Fox quickly added, trying to save face. "When you're young, that's what you think."

Luckily, DeGeneres, veteran talk show host that she is, took the unintended insult in stride and defused the seriously awkward moment.

"I wouldn't go that far," she said, "but certainly close to going to a hospice, yes."

Check out the video of the whole uncomfortable exchange below:

More: Megan Fox, Brian Austin Green's divorce details are pretty surprising

Do you think Megan Fox's embarrassing moment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show was scripted? Or do you think she actually dissed DeGeneres that badly? Head down to the comments to share your thoughts.

Remember, it's the simplest things that can go a long way in your relationship.

• 100. Send your sweetie a sweet, short and sexy text or email. (Not to a work email!)
• 99. Leave a little note in his/her briefcase or laptop bag so they will find it when they get to work.
• 98. When your significant other gets home, be waiting in the bedroom dressed in your favorite sexy lingerie (or nothing at all!) … you know what happens next.
• 97. Plan a surprise outing! Start with dinner at your partner's favorite restaurant, then reveal tickets to a show or sports game.
• 96. Take a hot air balloon ride together.
• 95. Surprise him/her with that special something they have been coveting (no matter how big or small).
• 94. Send flowers or cookies for no reason at all.
• 93. Take the dog for a walk or complete another "chore" your partner usually tackles.
• 92. Stock the fridge with his/her favorite beer or wine and the shelves with his/her favorite snacks.
• 91. Stop by your sweetie's office around lunchtime with his/her favorite noontime nosh.
• 90. Take a drive together — car trips provide some of the best time for talking one-on-one.
• 89. Snuggle after sex — even if you are tired.
• 88. Give a back massage.
• 87. Offer a foot rub — without asking for one in return!
• 86. Fill up your partner's gas tank.
• 85. If he/she comes home after a night with friends WAY past the time he/she said they would, let it go.
• 84. Make breakfast in bed.
• 83. Stay in bed all day — pajamas optional.
• 82. Take a late-night, hand-in-hand stroll around your neighborhood.
• 81. Sign up for a class you know he/she has been wanting to take together.
• 80. Make up silly nicknames for each other that you ONLY call each other in private!
• 79. Make a mousepad (or a mug or a calendar) with your picture on it (or your pet's picture).
• 78. Start a new hobby together.
• 77. Do something nice for his/her mother, brother, sister, etc.
• 76. Let him/her pick the movie this time.
• 75. Make a special dinner.
• 74. When your sig-o gets home, hand him/her a glass of wine, sit down together and talk about your days.

• 73. Do chores or errands without being asked and without complaining.
• 72. Put the toilet seat down (or up) with funny/cute/snarky Post-it note.
• 71. Leave a note on the bathroom mirror so he/she will see it first thing in the morning.
• 70. Send a sexy picture message.
• 69. Leave a note for your sig-o to meet at his/her favorite bar or club. When he/she arrives, do some fun role-play and pretend you are meeting for the first time.
• 68. Wash his/her car and leave a love note on the air freshener.
• 67. Do his/her laundry if you don't usually own this chore.
• 66. Recreate your first date — then recall all the feelings you had for each other that very first night.
• 65. Make a creative coupon book (free massage, free night out with the guys, etc.) without an expiration date!
• 64. Book a couple's massage.
• 63. Plan a romantic getaway to a bed and breakfast.
• 62. Dedicate a day to the one you love — plan a day filled with his/her favorite things.
• 61. Plan a surprise party.
• 60. Send him/her a nice (or naughty!) card. Even if you live together, mail it!
• 59. Take out the trash. Again, this only works if you don't usually do it.
• 58. Buy a calendar and fill it with important dates (our first dinner together, our three-year anniversary, etc.).
• 57. Have a romantic/sexy photo session done together or have sexy pictures taken of yourself and make a private album for him.
• 56. Make a big deal out of the holidays.
• 55. Scatter rose petals on the bed
• 54. If he/she has to work late, have his favorite take-out delivered to the office, and pre-pay, of course!
• 53. Have a talk about the future and let him/her know that he/she is a part of it (even if you're married, this is a nice reminder).
• 52. Buy his/her favorite perfume or cologne, and simply put it in the medicine cabinet for him/her to discover.
• 51. Declare a day of the week "your" day — always spend that day together, even if you just snuggle on the couch together.

Up next: 50 More romantic ways to show your love on Valentine's Day

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• 50. Take him/her home to meet the family.
• 49. Propose.
• 48. Go on a picnic.
• 47. Explore your adventurous sides together — do something daring that neither of you have tried before, such as bungee jumping or sky diving. The experience will bring you closer.
• 46. Designate a place as "yours" — your favorite restaurant or bar — and vow to frequent it together often.
• 45. Volunteer together. Work side-by-side at your local animal shelter, nursing home or as you gather donations for your local food bank.
• 44. Take him/her to an art gallery or art walk.
• 43. Arrange to have a house cleaner come to his/her place and spruce things up!
• 42. Introduce him/her to your best friends. Actions speak louder than words.
• 41. Walk him/her out when he leaves for work. In long-term relationships it's easy to get in the habit of forgetting a kiss goodbye. So, start it again.
• 40. Make him/her a special bag lunch with a note written on a napkin inside.
• 39. Get a subscription to his/her favorite magazine.
• 38. If he/she has a business trip, offer to drive to the airport.
• 37. Leave a sweet note on a post-it on his/her car windshield or steering wheel.
• 36. Flirt with him/her unabashedly.
• 35. If your sig-o has been working out extra hard or dieting, compliment their weight loss or progress.
• 34. Rent some silly comedies and spend the night laughing together.
• 33. Take a shower together.

• 32. Offer to shave his face or ask him to shave your legs. Sounds weird, but it's known to be very intimate.
• 31. Offer him/her the last bite of the dessert you're sharing.
• 30. Go stargazing. Bring a bottle of champagne.
• 29. Try an activity that he/she loves that you don't usually do together.
• 28. Get up early on the weekend and do some of the chores on your partner's list.
• 27. Laugh at his/her jokes.
• 26. Compliment his/her new hairstyle, shoes, outfit, etc.
• 25. Frame a picture of the two of you during a special trip.
• 24. Ask his/her mother for the recipe to his favorite dish that she made growing up.
• 23. Take him/her to a sporting event for his favorite team — extra credit, splurge on front-row seats.
• 22. Leave a note on your pillow when you're not there.
• 21. Get his/her oil changed and brakes checked.
• 20. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
• 19. Buy him/her something quirky that shows how well you know him/her.
• 18. Buy your partner a new tie or something he/she wears often.
• 17. Iron his/her clothes and leave sweet, simple notes in the pockets.
• 16. Feed each other dinner. Or better yet, dessert.
• 15. Sneak a sexy note into the pocket of his/her pants.
• 14. Kiss when you leave in the morning and when you get home at night. Small gestures of love go a long way.
• 13. Brag about him/her to his/her friends.
• 12. Tell his/her mother how smart you think he/she is during conversation. Reminding your partner you're on their side is essential.
• 11. Go on a bike ride — extra credit for using a tandem bike.
• 10. Baby him/her when they are sick.
• 9. Leave lipstick kisses on the bathroom mirror.
• 8. Go to the park together (even if you don't have kids). Go down the slide, play on the teeter-totter and go on the swings.
• 7. Let him/her teach you a new skill.
• 6. Buy a little gift and surprise him/her at the end of a long week.
• 5. Go hiking together.
• 4. Take a trip to the beach.
• 3. Watch the sun set or rise together from your backyard or nearby park.
• 2. Share the morning paper and some mimosas over the weekend.
• 1. Grab your sig-o spontaneously and kiss like you mean it.

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 2/9/2016

I've never been a Valentine's gal. I've never pinned a bunch of hopes and wishes on one day that really doesn't mean anything. To be honest, I'd rather my husband skip the flowers and jewelry and expensive dinners (chocolate is totally fine, though — I never need an excuse to be given more chocolate).

But I understand the allure the "holiday" has for many. I also understand the many "anti-feminist" issues folks have with it: that it supports a heteronormative, patriarchal idea of love; that it allows men this "out" of a day to step up as if they don't need to the rest of the year; that it's a super classist "holiday"; and more.

More: I'm a woman voting for Bernie Sanders — and yes, I'm still a feminist

I agree with all of that. One of the biggest downfalls of Valentine's Day is it conflates showing your love with commercialism, as if the only way to visibly prove how much you love someone or are loved is with gifts and cards. However, I see no problem with celebrating love. You can do that without falling into all the trappings of Hallmark and the gift-giving industry. In fact, why not go the extra mile and create a Valentine's Day fit for a feminist?

1. Make homemade cards: Who doesn't love receiving a handmade Valentine's card? But instead of the usual syrupy sonnets, why not include a quote or two by some kickass feminists? These kinds of cards are good for everyone, not just your sweetie.

More: 10 Inspiring quotes from women of color

2. Make a mix tape:  Everyone loves a fab mix tape! Okay, I guess in today's terms, it would be a Spotify station or an iTunes playlist, but the same rules apply. Pick songs that make your heart sing. And while you're at it, include some fabulous feminist artists, as well, like Erykah Badu, Grimes, Pussy Riot and a little "Formation" by Beyoncé.

3. Cocktail hour: Show your sweetheart or besties you care by setting up a little cocktail hour in your home. You can make non-alcoholic drinks for those who abstain and add a little hooch for those who don't. Get creative and name the drinks in honor of some of history's most fabulous feminists. Or you can make some feminist cocktails that everyone will love — just make sure to stock up on male tears beforehand.

4. Treat yourself: Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to pamper yourself (not that you should ever need an excuse). Book a massage or facial, or create a spa day in your own home. Light some candles, fill a tub, play some sweet tunes or catch up on your favorite Netflix series while relaxing.

5. Chocolate: Seriously, you can never go wrong with chocolate. Just, you know, make sure it's the fair-trade, organic kind (which usually tastes better than the waxy stuff they try to pass off as chocolate in those heart-shaped boxes).

In the end, the Valentine's Day that's being marketed to us today isn't super feminist-y, it's true. But that doesn't mean you can't make the holiday your own. Find your own way to put a feminist spin on it. As long as you're celebrating love, in all its various incarnations, you're doing it right.

More: Ahem … This is how people can tell you're a feminist

Some people wear their gym-induced soreness as a badge of pride. ("I'm sorry if I'm walking funny, I just squatted 350 pounds. Did I tell you I just squatted 350 pounds? Because I just came from the gym, where I squatted 350 pounds.") And yet for others it's just one more indignity they have to suffer through as their body adjusts to a new workout routine. ("Why am I walking funny? Because my spin teacher is a sadist, that's why.")

I still remember, with some fondness, the first time I got so sore it affected my life. After a tough leg day at the gym, I tried to lower myself onto the toilet and had to fall the last few inches after my quads just gave out. Getting "toilet sore" became a new goal of mine, because apparently I'm nuts.

More: 10 Weightlifting exercises for beginners

However you look at it, soreness is just a part of exercise. Science has good news, though: the post-workout pain lessens over time, until the only time you get really sore is if you try something new and difficult or make a big change to your routine. This is because our bodies are amazing, adaptable machines and part of why exercise is so beneficial, says a new study from Brigham Young University.

Researchers wanted to study what they call the "repeated bout effect," or why exactly it is you're less likely to get sore the more you exercise. Scientists have known for years that it has to do with the fact that exercise slightly injures your muscles, and as your body rebuilds them, they are remade to be stronger. (This is why you need to have rest periods between your workouts!)

But no one was sure exactly how this happened. To find out, they put 28 men and women through a super-intense workout and took muscle biopsies. And then they made the poor souls do it all again a few days later.

More: Why sleeping in on the weekends may be doing you more harm than good

They discovered something surprising in the overtaxed muscles the second time: T-cells. Yes, these are same kind your immune system sends out to fend off illness or infection. It turns out our bodies respond to strenuous exercise like they would to any type of inflammation, sending T-cells to heal the small tears in our inflamed muscles. But even cooler, these T-cells are quick learners and get better and faster at healing us the more times they have to do it.

"Many people think inflammation is a bad thing," said lead author and grad student Michael Deyhle. "But our data suggest when inflammation is properly regulated, it is a normal and healthy process the body uses to heal itself." This may also have something to do with why other studies have shown that regular fitness boosts your immune system, making you less likely to get sick.

And this is why you shouldn't take pain meds before a workout, even if you're worried it's going to be a tough one, Deyhle added. Not only will they probably not help prevent soreness, they may actually hinder your muscles getting stronger.

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"Some people take anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin after a workout, but our study shows it may not actually be effective," he said. "The inflammation may not be directly causing the pain, since we see that muscle soreness is reduced concurrent with increases in inflammation."

So, just remember this the next time you're sweating through a grueling weightlifting session: Workouts cause pain, but it's pain with a good purpose!

O'Day confirmed that she is dating one wild and crazy reality star, and we can't help but scratch our heads when we think about it. Are you ready for this?

Aubrey O'Day is dating Jersey Shore star Pauly D.

For real, you guys.

More: Bobby Flay's love life is reportedly heating up with Hollywood A-lister

So how did this unlikely pair meet? On a reality show, of course: They were introduced while filming relationship rehab show Famously Single.

"I didn't know that I would be as successful as I was with finding someone," Aubrey told E! News. "So yeah, we met on the show. The show is about all of us coming together, dating, learning through a dating coach how to go out there and approach people that are better suited for us and kind of get over the issues that we were having. And it ended up just like becoming like this chemistry happened within the house with a few of the cast-mates and Pauly and I were one of them. Which everybody always laughs [at]. I feel like people think we're completely different but ended up being pretty alike in a lot of ways."

So maybe not that odd of a couple after all?

"We connect in a really interesting way. I mean, it's definitely something you're gonna want to tune in and watch — we have a very funny relationship," she said. "Pauly makes me stay in the moment and get out of my head. I'm so analytical and I have to assess risk everywhere I go and Pauly's taught me how to lighten up and enjoy life."

More: Vicki Gunvalson has been showing off her new man very publicly (PHOTOS)

Exactly how serious is this fledgling romance? Let's put it this way: She won't quite call him her boyfriend.

"[Our] label is always 'enjoying the moment.' That's the label I feel comfortable with," she said. They are spending an awful lot of time together, though, including two pretty fabulous vacations coming up.

"We leave actually tonight to go to the [Caribbean]. Pauly has a gig out there and it's my birthday next week so we're gonna go have a little vacay. And then I'm gonna be in Vegas with him for Valentine's Day," O'Day revealed.

Neither have commented or shared any snaps on Instagram or Twitter yet, but we'll be very interested to see how this affair unfolds when Famously Single premieres this spring.

More: Kim and Kourtney Kardashian are at war over a man

Around age 4, many children begin to develop dark and unsettling fears about things adults can't always understand. And what they fail at explaining to us during the day doesn't always just go away — it often pops up at night, in the form of nightmares about boogie men, vampires, shadows that chase them or creepy-crawly spiders and bugs that won't leave them alone.

More: 20 Ingenious tricks to get your kids to open up about their school day

Of course, even these horrible dreams are a sign that our children are developing and acquiring normal and healthy anxieties about the world around them and things they can't explain. Let's face it: The universe can be a frightening and phenomenal place that brings stress upon the most put-together of adults, so why would we not expect our children to work out their emotions through the occasional bad dream?

Instead of cursing our children's bad dreams and all the sleepless nights and nights spent in Mom and Dad's bed that go hand-in-hand with them, we should start thinking of dreams as a priceless guide that give us insight into our little ones' mental well-being. As Dr. Barbara Condron, an author who has been teaching dream recall, interpretation and lucidity through her association with the School of Metaphysics since 1975, explains, when equipped with the right tools and knowledge, parents can help their kids overcome their nightmares and the fears that create them.

Condron interprets what eight common nightmares mean and how we can help our children deal with their dreams and jitters.

More: 21 Diverse children's books that aren't just about "dogs and white boys"

1. Nightmares about bugs and spiders in the room or crawling on their skin

"Nightmares of bugs and spiders point to the development of habits that your child is resisting," Condron says. "This could be anything from brushing teeth every morning to the task of learning multiplication tables at school, or perhaps resisting telling 'little white lies.'"

Remedy: "Clear your child's sleeping space by changing the bed linen with your child, as this empowers them to make a change and to take charge by doing something productive."

2. Dreams about monsters/ghosts that don't exist

"Monsters can appear in dreams at any age. These imaginary creatures reflect an ego that seems beyond our control. For a child, this can be pretending to be more or better than what is true or reacting to feeling pushed into a role, like the first day of school. Ghosts are usually tied to something that occurred in the past that is returning inappropriately. A context that might bring this dream could involve a divorce. Daytime memories of 'what was' can be painful to a child and appear in a nighttime dream as ghosts."

Remedy: "Watch and wait, while engaging your child completely in the present time rather than the future or past."

3. Dreams in which they are left all alone and can't find a parent

"These dreams are archetypal. They are rites-of-passage dreams where the child is stretching during the daytime, being expected to reference the self for answers and direction, while still feeling the need for security."

Remedy: "Use this as an opportunity to separate day dreaming — we (the parents) are not going anywhere — and night dreaming. This dream is actually about how you grew up in unexpected ways yesterday."

4. Dreaming that a big animal, like a lion, is trying to eat them

"Most animals in a dream symbolize the dreamer’s habits. The Dreamer’s Dictionary states, 'The lion who scares you in a dream may be indicating your resistance to your own courage.'"

Remedy: "Suggest your child act out the dream. Dream re-enactment is an honored tradition in many indigenous populations to free the dreamer from fear. It works, try it!"

5. Bad dream about one of their toys coming to life

"These dreams are often media-driven. In other words, the child has seen this scenario in a cartoon or movie, the idea 'stuck,' and now it appears as a symbol in the dream."

Remedy: "Be choosy about the images you expose your child to."

More: 7 Mom-tested tips to get kids to sleep in their own beds

6. Nightmare that they have no friends at school or everyone starts laughing at them in class

"When Riley relocates to San Francisco in [Disney film] Inside Out, her anxiety about the first day of class reaches into her dream that night. This illustrates what I call the 'dream consciousness circuit,' the link between day dreaming and night dreaming that taps into who we really are as spirit, mind and body. Understanding this link is priceless in self-development at any age."

Remedy: "Talk openly about your child’s day and listen to their dreams without prejudice. NEVER say, 'It was just a dream.' Most children know better."

7. Dreaming that someone or something is chasing them and they can't get escape

"This is one of the top 10 most common dreams at any age. When your child has this dream, look for someone or something that she or he is avoiding. Maybe someone at school, perhaps a task or accomplishing a goal will give you a place to begin."

Remedy: "Watch, ask questions and listen."

8. Dreaming of falling

"Another of the top 10 most common dreams, falling is a dream symbol reflecting a lack of control or ease in expressing the Self. This can be lacking the right words to say, or knowing how to act, in a situation. This is a common experience for children who are just learning how to meet life face-to-face."

Remedy: "Encourage your child to fly in the dream!"

Despite new claims by transgender model Mia Isabella that Tyga tried to seduce her, Jenner believes her boyfriend has been 100 percent faithful — so much so that she is pressing for the ultimate commitment for Valentine's Day.

"She's just really hoping that Tyga proposes to her on Valentine's Day," a source told Radar Online. "She already showed him the ring she wants!"

More: Tyga makes a big confession about Kylie Jenner on Kocktails with Khloé (VIDEO)

This despite the screen shots of some extremely NSFW sexts that Isabella posted on Instagram yesterday, purporting to prove Tyga has been cheating on Jenner.

"I have 3.5 years of truth I could spill in a tell all but I won't. People should know all the messages were real including this one," Isabella wrote. "I was never checking for you yet you stayed chasing me like a puppy begging for treats with an appetite no piece of pussy can ever fill for you. Your bisexuality for women and Trans women is highly common in heterosexual men. Own your shit so nobody can ever use it against you again." [sic]

More: Kylie Jenner's week just got worse with these new Tyga rumors

This seems to be of no concern to Jenner, who, according to the source, really, really wants that marriage license.

"Kylie and Tyga have moved past that whole entire episode," the source insists. "She is just really convinced that Tyga is the man she is meant so spend the rest of her life with, and there is nothing that anyone can say or do to change that." [sic]

But it seems Tyga is in no such rush, so she probably shouldn't hold her breath.

"Nah, no time soon," he told Us Weekly when asked if wedding bells are ringing for the couple. "I mean, we all gotta walk the aisle one day. I think, whatever makes you happy in life, you gotta do it. You can't plan in life too much.

"I'm just focused on building my own brand."

Should be interesting to see what sort of gift Jenner is showing off on her Snapchat on Valentine's Day.

More: Kylie Jenner's boyfriend accused of targeting an underage girl online

Marriage really is for better or for worse, but it’s the ‘for worse’ that offers an opportunity to learn essential relationship tools, including how to operate as a team, compromise and stop the blame game. Take these couples, for example:

Trying to have a baby

“Our troubles started when Ted and I tried to get pregnant in 2012, three years into the marriage. Month after month, the stick didn’t turn blue,” recalls 35-year-old Susan. Fertility testing led to what she admits were “obsessive” efforts to conceive. “I know I was hard to live with. I’d cry if I saw someone breastfeeding a newborn, I’d berate Ted if he didn’t seem as driven as me to have a baby … He responded by saying he didn’t feel I cared about him at all, just whether he could be a sperm donor!”

The key here is to stay united as a couple. Blaming each other, hurling comments that make one’s spouse feel ‘lesser than,’ focusing more on the goal than the partnership — these are relationship killers. Susan and Ted took a step back. “We decided to put our baby goal on the back burner and start enjoying one another’s company again … Sex became something fun again, not an increasingly stressful ‘job.’ ”

Ironically, four months after deciding to temporarily table getting pregnant, the stick turned blue! Seven months later, the couple was thrilled to welcome a gorgeous daughter. Says Susan, “Looking back at that tough time, I realize I started looking at Ted more as an adversary than a partner who wanted the same thing I did! He’s my teammate, and I won’t forget that again.”

When one cleans, the other doesn’t

A recent study involving 220 newlywed couples linked high marital satisfaction to a perceived egalitarian division of household chores. Well, at least the wives’ satisfaction.

Case in point: After six months of marriage, 23-year-old Amy was so enraged by Ben’s slovenliness and disinterest in doing any chores outside of taking out the garbage that she found herself hurling the “D” word during a particularly nasty argument.

Amy quickly backed off the cliff but realized this was a serious matter for her. “I told Ben it was super essential that he take my needs seriously and not keep making empty promises about doing laundry or cleaning the toilet. He responded by saying he was so used to having everything done for him it just was taking him a while to realize his mother was no longer around to clean up his messes.”

The two came up with a chart of rotating chores. “Each Sunday, we look at the chart and fill in what tasks we feel like doing that week. And it’s agreed that he never has to do the ones he hates — toilet cleaning, making the bed — so long as he takes on an extra two jobs a week.”

Flexibility is important — if he doesn’t fold laundry the way you prefer, at least he’s folding laundry. And never underestimate the freedom that can come from hiring a housekeeper.

Married to a mama’s boy

Transitioning from someone’s child to someone’s spouse can be a process strewn with divided loyalties and confusion. Clear communication is needed to set boundaries and priorities.

When Carly married Ric four years ago, the now 25-year-old knew he was deeply attached to his mother. “She’s a nice woman, but she and Ric’s dad lived close to us à la Everybody Loves Raymond, and she’d barge in at all hours. When I asked Ric to tell her to call first, he would hem and haw and say, ‘It’s my mom. I can’t do anything to hurt her feelings.’ ”

Carly’s response for many weeks was to emotionally withdraw. “I felt so hurt and betrayed I didn’t want to talk.” When Ric asked what was wrong, she’d say, ‘I’m fine.’ ”

Then came a revelation: “As I tossed and turned one night, I looked over at my sleeping husband and thought, We are really in crisis. I have to confront it or eventually drift out of his life.” That evening she began the most important conversation of their marriage, “Honey, marriage is about two people, not three or four. If you don’t set boundaries with your mother and let her know your first loyalty is now to your wife, that is something I might not be able to forgive.”

Ric was shocked at the strength of his wife’s feelings. He told his mother she’d have to call before coming over.

Carly adds: “I learned a marriage cannot thrive unless you’re willing to take the leap and communicate to your partner what is in your heart!”

More: Paris Jackson's finger may have just confirmed her marital status (PHOTOS)

Paris Jackson seemed to have a case of the Mondays when she posted a rare, nostalgic shot to her Instagram, showing herself and her brother, Prince, as toddlers.

Seventeen-year-old Jackson, whose now 18-year-old brother shares the same mother, Debbie Rowe, captioned the shot simply, "Monday bluezz."

Followers loved the snap, flooding its comments section with heart emojis and encouraging words.

"Such a beautiful picture. God bless you dearest Paris. Stay strong and wiser everyday," one follower wrote. Another added, "Gorgeous. Your dad would be so proud of his 3 children. You don't owe anything to anyone darling, live your life how you want to and don't feel like you have to answer to anyone. You seem like an intelligent, strong, and mature young woman who should be extremely proud of how you carry yourself. Please try and not let people get to you, just do you."

More: Paris Jackson's latest Instagram move starts marriage rumors (PHOTO)

The post comes just days after Jackson posted an expletive-riddled rant to her Instagram account, responding to users she said were bullying her on the site. In her post, she revealed that she attends AA meetings.

"This is f***ing ridiculous. i am expected to literally sit on my ass all day replying to comments people leave me (positive and negative)?" she wrote in the lengthy post, which has since been deleted. "i have aa meetings to go to. family obligations. PERSONAL obligations. its so f***ing selfish that i am literally attacked on every f***ing thing i post just because people that i DONT EVEN KNOW aren’t getting what they want. I don’t know any of you. I appreciate the love and support, but the expectations are f***ing ridiculous. the expectations for my DAD were f***ing ridiculous. he didn’t owe you anything, yet he was ripped to shreds DAILY. i will not let that happen to me."

More: Paris Jackson makes confession about attending AA (PHOTO)

What do you think of Paris Jackson's throwback pic?

YES, I am a feminist

"I believe in equal treatment for all people. I have a teenage daughter, and I want her to grow up demanding equal pay and equal treatment for herself. Feminism is about equality, so, yes, I'm a feminist." — Rachael Moshman

"I am a feminine feminist. I believe very strongly in the power of my feminine essence and all that makes me a lady, woman, girl, broad, goddess — however you say it. I have done things in my life I was never supposed to even dream of doing and been successful at them. That I am a woman doing it makes it all that much more special for me." — Kalisha Buckhanon

"You're damned right I'm a feminist! As a female business owner, I had to be. I'll never forget when I signed my first lease on an office in New York City. It was a pretty well known office building, and when the representative from the moving company came to my old office on Long Island at the time, I greeted him. He asked for "the president," and I said "Yes, can I help you?" And he said, "No, the president — isn't HE here?" And to make matters worse, I gave the building blueprints of how I wanted the office renovated. When the contractor had a problem, he said I should come in so they could show me the problem as I probably couldn't read a blueprint. And who do you think drew them up in the first place?" — Jane Coloccia

"Since I aspire to create a life that speaks to every part of my being, regardless of societal norms, I would definitely consider myself a feminist. For me, feminism is defined as the power of women to create their version of what it means to be a woman." — Marquita Goodluck

"Yes but also a male-ist. I support humankind in general and each person living to their maximum potential." — Bonnie Bruderer

"Why must feminism still be seen as the exception to the rule rather than part of human rights? So, I'm a feminist because I'm a humanist." — Jessie Weiser

"I celebrate equality among all, men and women, and even more so celebrate the cultural shift that is allowing us to explore and embrace new opportunities to support each other and open new channels for collective growth. Feminism isn't a brutal word anymore."  — Katy Blevins

NO, I am not a feminist

"I don't consider myself a feminist because I feel that feminism is not inclusion, intersectional, and it's often used for the privilege." — Andrea Imafidon

"I am all for women getting the same equal rights as men in the workplace. I don't think we need to be called feminists. IF we want equality, than women need to stop acting as if they are better than men. Notice the word — equal." — Stephanie Dolce

MAYBE, I might be feminist

"The feminist movement has helped women to achieve success in the workplace, socially, as well as in marriage to gain equal rights, and those values resonate with me as a woman. I prefer to use the term Goddess when it pertains to relationships and the true female power." — Dawn Michael

"If believing women are just as talented and capable as men makes me a feminist, then, yes, I am a feminist!" — Ashley C

Now it's your turn! SheKnows and the Ms. Foundation have teamed up to host a video contest on The F Word — Feminism. You can submit an original two- to three-minute video describing what feminism means to you by Feb. 19. You’ll be entered to win up to $5,000 in prizes, including $4,000 cash and a trip to NYC. Learn more about the contest, and read the official rules.

These responses have been edited for length and clarity.

This simple copycat version of Olive Garden's minestrone soup uses vegetables like green beans, tomatoes, carrots and onions that are slow-cooked in vegetable broth. I added in some small-shaped pasta and lots of Italian herbs, but I also added my own little spin by throwing in lots of fresh baby spinach.

Serve this hearty soup nice and hot with a big slice of freshly baked Italian bread (or breadsticks if you're really going for the Olive Garden experience!) for dipping.

Copycat Olive Garden minestrone recipe

Serves 6 – 8

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 4 hours | Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4-1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can green beans
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasonings
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
• 1 cup penne or small-shaped pasta
• 2 cups fresh spinach, plus extra for garnish (optional)

Toppings

• Fresh grated Parmesan
• Fresh chopped spinach, for garnish

Directions:

1. To the bowl of the slow cooker, add all the soup ingredients except for the pasta.
2. Mix, and set the cooker to cook on high for 4 hours.
3. The last 30 minutes of cooking time, add in the pasta and the spinach, and stir well.
4. Once the pasta has completely cooked, spoon the soup into bowls, and garnish with grated Parmesan and extra fresh chopped spinach.
5. Serve warm with homemade garlic bread, if desired.

More slow cooker soup recipes

Slow cooker chicken wild rice soup
Slow cooker enchilada soup
Slow cooker Italian wedding soup

The inspiration came from an article I'd written about a school in Charlotte, North Carolina, that had banned teachers from saying "please." The instructional method, known as "No-Nonsense Nurturing," claimed to give kids positive reinforcement and clear boundaries, which seemed like a genius idea for in the home. I was eager to see what results I'd have, and — if I'm honest — all too happy to experiment secretly on my children.

Day 1

Today was filled with mistakes. I am a please-aholic, a please-hole if you will. I say please even when please isn’t necessary. Like when it was time to get my almost-18-year-old up for school. He’s days away from turning 18! What the hell am I doing even waking him to begin with, let alone asking him to “please wake up"? I need to rethink my mom skills.

As my 16-year-old was walking out the door to the bus stop, I reminded him to text me when he found out what time he got off work tonight.

“Hey, please, no, not please. I didn’t mean ‘please.’ Just let me know what time you’re off tonight, okay?” I said. Damn it. Has "please" become an automatic filler word in every sentence I say to my kids?

I must do better tomorrow.

More: "This is not a day care": College president's rant about kids today goes viral

Day 2

“I need you to wash the dishes after dinner,” I told my youngest son shortly after school. I was firm, and direct, but not mean.

“Okaaaay,” he replied. He had a wide-eyed look as if I’d just yelled at him for being alive. This was his passive-aggressive way of letting me know he was irritated with me. For a moment I was tempted to tell him I'm experimenting with direct communication, and will go back to my regularly scheduled requests once the week is over, but I didn’t.

Instead, I smiled and walked to my oldest son’s room. I knocked first because even if I’m not saying please, I learned long ago that walking in a teenage boy’s room unannounced was traumatizing for all parties involved. That’s something you don’t want to experience twice.

“You room smells like fermented gym socks,” I told him. I think I smiled and said “Hey” before I nagged, but I can’t be sure. “Clean up in here and when you’re done, take out the trash for me.” 

I felt more in charge somehow, more firm in my authority.

“All right,” he replied. He didn’t even flinch. That was almost too easy.

More: Mom takes out newspaper ad to celebrate her son's coming out

Day 5

Days 3 and 4 were just like day 2, except my youngest gave me less shit about telling him what to do, which I liked.

I’ve also noticed something else that’s pleasing about the no-please thing: I no longer feel like I’m begging my kids to help around the house. Granted, I haven’t really used this new super power for anything other than chores, but I definitely feel that when I speak, the kids are quicker to listen.

Light bulb moment: Maybe all the exhaustive negotiating about housework was actually my fault? By saying "please" before telling the kids what I needed them to do, was I inadvertently telling them they had a choice in the matter?

Day 6

My dad arrived in town yesterday, in preparation for my oldest son’s 18th birthday. I decided not to tell him about my experiment — mostly because I think he’d tell the kids.

When we came back from the airport (and a quick stop at Whole Foods) I made the kids help me with the groceries. Instead of: 

“Hey boys! Can you please help me with the grocery bags?” 

I said: 

“Boys! Help me carry the groceries!” 

Not only did they help, they came to my aid quicker than normal. Interesting.

Day 7

I was so busy celebrating my oldest son’s 18th birthday yesterday that I totally forgot to keep tabs on my experiment efforts.

More: I won't help my kid with her homework, even if it means she gets it wrong

From what I remember, between laughter, cake, presents and a night of poker (my son’s initiation into manhood) was this one moment where the proper use of "please" finally dawned on me. I needed to borrow my younger son’s phone charger because I couldn’t find mine. This was a true request, one that deserved an introduction of "please" to show that he had the ability to choose, and that I was polite enough to remember it.

“Absolutely,” he said. He was happy to help, and I was grateful he was so willing to share.

Day 8

This morning I told the kids what I had done over the past week. Neither of them had really noticed a difference.

“You didn’t think I was being rude?” I asked.

“Not really. Maybe a bit bossy, but that’s normal,” my youngest replied.

More: School lets parents change their kids' grades if they don't like them

Conclusion

My experiment wasn’t life-changing. Not really. It was, however, illuminating. Using "please" in every direction didn’t make me sound more polite as I had believed. Instead, it diluted my instructions and made them seem optional to my kids.

From now on, I’ll be more thoughtful about how I communicate with them. If there is an expectation, I won’t use "please" to soften the blow or create a false sense of choice. "Please" forevermore will be a word kept on reserve, used only when I’m asking for something in kindness, not when I’m telling my children to do a chore.

Little Bei Bei (the most apropos name for a baby panda ever) is only five months old, but if you know these babies at all, you're well aware that's old enough to get into all kinds of trouble. Thankfully, like any good mom, Mei Xiang always has an eye on him so he can't go too far without her right on his tail. Case in point, watch the cutest interaction between mother and baby animal I've seen in recent memory.

More: Giant rescue rabbit is looking for his forever home (PHOTO)

This video gives me cuteness shivers all over. Even though he makes frustrated little grunts, as if to say, "Back off, Mom! I got this!" she doesn't step away for a second. His safety is all that matters to her, but she doesn't just grab him out of the tree like some animal moms would. She lets him do it, all while carefully supporting him, just like a human mom might do when her kid tries biking without training wheels for the first time.

Based on his track record, it definitely won't be the last time Bei Bei's mom will have to rescue him. Here are some other, hilarious/adorable/mischievous Bei Bei moments sure to give you all sorts of feels.

See? I told you the tree climbing was far from over.

Oh, you know he's up to something here.

And the classic "bothering mom while she's sleeping" routine.

First steps! You know what that means — running's next.

More: Tiny polar bear shines light on big global issues

Baby Panda meets snow for the first time!

As Bei Bei continues to grow, he'll get more active. The folks over at the Smithsonian's National Zoo say he's eating more solid foods now, like bamboo and sweet potatoes (yum), but he won't be fully off his mom's milk for another year. When he's not awing viewers with his climbing skills, he's hanging with his mom and big sister Bao Bao. If you're not a D.C. local, you can check out his antics on the Smithsonian Zoo's livecam.

More: Squirrel completes a Hollywood-inspired obstacle course (VIDEO)

During a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Nicotero teased some pretty major moments in Sunday's midseason premiere. So what's in store for our favorite apocalyptic survivors? Let's speculate, shall we? (Danger, Will Robinson! Spoilers ahead.)

1. It's going to be a total cluster, uh, frick... a clusterfrick

In the best possible way, naturally. "The first half of the season we introduced the quarry and the fact that the walkers had escaped from the quarry, and then we followed our group through all the trials and tribulations of trying to get back to Alexandria, protect Alexandria, and protect each other," Nicotero said. "And episode 9, basically, takes all of these various storylines and slams everything together in an epic man against the undead battle that is unprecedented in the history of The Walking Dead." Nicotero also revealed there are over 1,300 walkers in the episode. Yowza!

More: Lauren Cohan nearly left The Walking Dead over this heinous moment in Season 3

2. It will be a departure

I mean this both physically and metaphorically. Not only will the gang be leaving Alexandria, but that will signal a shift in the entire show's vibe moving forward. "It's one of those episodes where we tie up a lot of loose ends, and what's exciting about the second half of the season is it really launches the show into a different direction, which I know a lot of the producers and a lot of the cast are very excited about." We already know Negan is coming, and that will certainly alter the intensity of the AMC series. But I predict even before Negan's arrival there will be a pervasive darkness in the second half of Season 6 that comes from losing friends, their idyllic town and, yes, a little hope as well.

3. The danger of accidental casualties will grow

It's a strange thing — and perhaps testament to the fortitude of our survivors — that the biggest threats of danger have largely been from nefarious humans, such as the governor or Negan. While the walkers are definitely a real concern and have killed far too many allies, the truth is the survivors (at least, the original group) have a pretty solid handle on dealing with the undead. Or they did. In the midseason premiere, we'll see them get thrown a curveball when the horde descends upon their encampment at night. Says Nicotero of the scene, "I didn't want it to feel like, 'Oh, here's another scene with a bunch of walkers in broad daylight in the sun.'" But because our heroes aren't used to battling on such a major scale in the dark, and we know the Alexandrians aren't, it seems safe to assume there will be a few "human error" casualties.

More: New The Walking Dead teaser hints at major trouble for Rick and company (VIDEO)

4. Favorites will die

I've said it before and I'll say it again — some of our favorite survivors are bound to die sooner or later, and the "sooner" part of that equation is quickly approaching. If you're a fan of the comic world, you already know who dies, when they die and how they die. Or, at least, how they do in the comic series. Since we have no way to know for sure if the show will follow the comic series verbatim, there is a chance not all of the survivors will kick the bucket according to their comic fates. However, it's inevitable some will die, and we're a bit overdue for a huge, heartrending loss. Plus, in a recent interview, Norman Reedus (who plays Daryl Dixon, obvi) divulged, "We don't all survive, and we don't all take it very well."

5. The scope will narrow

This may seem like a contradictory statement, given that I just told you there will be 1,300 walkers in the midseason premiere. However, something coexecutive producer Denise Huth said in a video interview struck me: She spoke of "a couple [of episodes] in the back half that are a little bit smaller and more intimate as far as the number of characters involved. Although we knew new characters will be introduced, I feel as though the focus will return to our core group before the fabric of their world really begins to change." This sentiment seems to be echoed by Steven Yeun's recent comments, in which he referred to how the journey is about individual survival, yes, but also about how this group of individuals could not survive in this world without each other.

6. Negan will be as bad — or worse — than we think

Although it pains my heart to say it, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is about to become everyone's worst nightmare. We've been hearing the inklings of Negan's arrival and we know it is imminent. Based on the comic series, we also understand he is a no good, very bad, horrible, naughty man. Hunky, but terrible. Super foxy, but maniacal. OK, OK, you get the idea. And while there's always the potential AMC will dilute the character's villainy, the cast hints otherwise. "It's a part of the comic book that I've been looking forward to getting to," said Andrew Lincoln, aka Rick Grimes. "We do face the most formidable and terrifying threat." Le sigh.

More: The Walking Dead: 9 Things to know about Negan, next year's threat

So, here are some real women who did it and why.

"It suddenly clicked he was the least romantic man on the planet"

Mary (all names are changed), 36, walked out on her husband of five years last Valentine’s Day. “Something clicked in me when we were sitting on the couch watching a Law & Order: SVU rerun and eating nachos," she said. "And this was more romantic than the previous year because he’d at least given me a card and a handful of chocolate kisses. Still, suddenly I couldn’t sit on that couch a moment longer.”

Considerately, she waited for a commercial break to announce her departure. Mary’s husband was shocked, tears appearing in his eyes as he asked, “Can we talk about it when the show is over?”  Shockingly — not! — his wife was out the door before Mariska Hargitay and company were back on the air.

More: 14 Breakup tattoo ideas to mark a new beginning

Mary doesn’t regret her impulsive decision, which really wasn’t impulsive. The sadness and fear had been building, unexpressed, for years. If she’d voiced her needs earlier, perhaps the relationship could have been saved. But by the time of her pronouncement, Mary's feelings had eroded to the point where she was mentally outta there.

"Made myself a love resolution."

For many women, Valentine’s Day is the romantic equivalent of New Year's — a time to set goals. Suzanne had told herself for years that she didn’t want to continue living with someone who had cheated on her. The 45-year-old, who was married a decade until she left her husband on Valentine’s Day 2010, says, “He wasn’t the monogamous type. I knew it and hated it but hated the idea of being alone more. So I stayed.”

Until the day for lovers, when Suzanne told herself this was the last Valentine’s Day she wanted to be trapped in a bad marriage. “I kicked him out of the house that night and filed for divorce the next day.”  Now happily remarried, she says, “If Valentine’s Day and all it represents hadn’t given me the courage to go for true love, I’d still be there.”

More: Why I hate having sex on Valentine's Day (and it's OK if you do, too)

The lesson here is not to remain in a marriage solely out of fear. Staying trapped in dysfunction means you will never open the door to happiness. Taking the leap is scary but can lead to positive change — healthy love.

"He brought me one dozen roses, not two dozen."

Cindi walked out on her husband on their first anniversary — coincidentally Valentine’s Day. “Our wedding was the most amazing experience I’d ever had,” the 33-year-old recalled. “I was convinced nothing would ever live up to it.”

Her belief led to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although her husband took her to an impossible-to-get-tickets-for concert and a lavish dinner on Valentine’s Day, she mulled all day that the flowers she’d received that morning weren’t "loving" enough. Her blood pressure boiling, she finally exploded: “If you really loved me, you would have wanted to make this anniversary as perfect as our wedding. I don’t see how we can work out.”

She made him stay at a hotel that night. But the next morning, she calmed down and begged him to come back. “I was throwing away a perfectly good man for a ridiculous fantasy,” she admits.

Marriage is between two imperfect beings. Your spouse is not there to be Prince (or Princess) Charming, a cartoonish being who will sweep you away and fulfill every desire for the rest of your life. Your life partner should do the best he/she can to make you happy, as you should do back. The best romantic stories involve two people giving to each other.

There's a fine line between expressing yourself through dress in order to subtly call back to a bygone era and pay homage to the charming fashions of the Victorian age (which is used to describe the time period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 1837 until 1901) and throwing everything Victorian, including the Louis XV sofa and kitchen sink, on your body and hoping you look on point.

With the help of a few fashion experts who know their stuff, here are six tips on how to wear the Victorian clothing trend without looking like you recently arrived here from another century.

1. Choose one Victorian trend and work it in a thoroughly modern way

Stylists Nikoleta and Vicky Lirantonakis of Best Dressed caution against trying on every Victorian trend at once. Instead, zero in on one you absolutely love and pair it with modern pieces for a look that's all yours. "The traditional ruffle, lace, and floral design of Victorian fashion can be made modern by focusing on one aspect, instead of all three," Lirantonakis says. "We really love the lace, see-through, high-neck trend with a bold lip. It can be really sexy. Florals are always on trend, especially in the spring. To avoid looking like you time-hopped, keep the look airy and light. The less fabric the better." (Anthropologie, $420)

More: 14 Jewelry pieces that will make you feel fearless

2. Express your Victorian style with jewelry

Trendy jewelry and accessories are a commitment-phobe's dream come true. If you aren't up for investing in Victorian fashion, Helena Krodel from TrueFacet, an online jewelry retailer, offers five tips on how to make Victorian jewelry work for you:

1. Add a cluster of brooches.
2. Add one important cameo brooch or necklace. If the cameo looks dated to you, add a black diamond bead necklace to modernize it.
3. Layer multitudes of bracelets, beaded and otherwise, in deep dark, sexy colors.
4. Try a maroon cocktail ring in blackened sterling silver — it’s a statement piece that is actually very easy to pull off.
5. Stick a brooch in your hair. A small sparkly brooch made to look like a hair clip is an unexpected yet special way to update your look this season.

3. Pair a duster coat with slim pants

A duster coat or jacket in a light fabric that flares out at the waist is the perfect Victorian piece to add to your wardrobe this spring because you can, literally, wear it with almost anything you own. "Duster coats can be worn over pants, jeans or dresses," says BJ Wilson who is owner of BJ Wilson & Company, a wardrobe consulting firm. "Keep pants and jeans slim fitting and narrow at the ankles. Dresses should be short, at or above the knee so as not to compete with the volume of the coat." (Misguided, $77)

More: 11 Fashionable ways to wear knee-high boots

4. Think velvet

A velvet blazer is anything but stuffy. The sexy texture pairs beautifully with a tougher pant, like leather or flared denim — but is also perfectly romantic when thrown on top of a short floral dress. (Misguided, $77)

5. Shoes, shoes and more shoes

The minimalist in you will love the idea of a little black dress or wide black slacks and sweater styled with ornate open heel pumps in a luxe fabric. Bonus: You can get away with wearing the craziest Victorian-style shoes to the office — you can't say the same for a lace bustier. (Poetic License, $100-$150)

6. A corset and a circle skirt

You may think you can't wear a corset in public — or in the daytime — but Maria Calautti, master tailor and founder of Le Grand Chic Italia School of Fashion, says otherwise and we'd all be wise to listen. "A daywear corset look is the base that can be paired with a semi-circle or circle skirt (with or without a crinoline), a matching hat and even peplums are a good addition," Calautti says. The structure of a fitted corset, which cinches the waist, is the ideal piece to complement a full circle skirt — it's all about playing with proportions and flattering your figure.