{pageBreak}

The Sun in Sagittarius is the perfect time for broadening your horizons and exploring the world both physically and metaphysically. People often think of Aries as muscle-bound and hardheaded, but a lot of brainy types were born under Aries — people like Emma Watson and Rachel Maddow. The pursuit of knowledge for knowledge sake will be very powerful over the next four weeks, so enroll in that course, attend a workshop or crack open a book that promises more intellectual heft than Fifty Shades of Grey. Everyone knows that one of the sexiest parts of the body is the brain.

Up next: Taurus horoscope

{pageBreak}

Anything that looks like it’s too good to be true usually is. This is something that you will want to keep in mind while the Sun (currently passing through that part of your solar chart that pertains to investments and joint holdings) is squaring illusory Neptune from Nov. 22 through Dec. 1. You are especially vulnerable to pyramid schemes, get-rich-quick scams and desperate emails from friends you didn’t know were traveling overseas asking for money. Being the savvy Taurus that you are, you’ll see through most of these ruses; however, a financial pitch on Nov. 30 could prove too irresistible. Resist it anyway. Just because it’s dressed in facts and stats doesn’t make it any more substantial.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

{pageBreak}

Ruling planet Mercury in your opposite sign of Sagittarius appears to be stirring up some nasty rivalries. Thankfully, the Venus/Uranus trine on Wednesday will give you the clout you need to smack the hands of grabby partners and competitive co-workers. But what really matters is that you stop tap dancing in and out of your professional obligations. It sends the message that you’re on the fence and invites competitors to poach on your territory with impunity. Make a point of re-establishing your boundaries and patrol your borders. That way people will think twice about messing with you.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

{pageBreak}

Unforeseen developments will push you into the spotlight at work this week. Maybe a client requests you by name, a supervisor resigns, thereby leaving a vacancy, or you’re asked to take over for an indisposed colleague. It’s all very exciting and dramatic, except that nobody’s talking money. You can’t assume that higher-ups will broach this topic on their own, which means it’s up to you. Take the next two weeks to research going rates and salaries so that you know what you’re talking about when you sit down to negotiate your raise or promotion in late December.

Up next: Leo horoscope

{pageBreak}

Make sure that you’re not reading too much into an offer or opportunity on Nov. 26. Situations often appear both alluring and elusive when the Sun squares phantasmal Neptune. Now this isn’t to say that you’re fooling yourself. You really are on to something, but you need to figure out how much of this is real and how much is playing on your hopes and wishes. Take things one step at a time. If what you’re after hasn’t vanished by Dec. 4, then rest assured that you can pursue what you want with the expectation of getting it.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

{pageBreak}

If you’re going to finalize that sale, make that huge investment or pay off an enormous chunk of debt, then you’ll want to do it early this week when Mercury is under the rays of Saturn. Part of you may feel queasy about this kind of outlay, but it couldn’t be better timed. Saturn changes zodiac signs on Dec. 23, and you won’t have this kind of financial latitude for a while. Now this doesn’t mean that things will be tight. It means that you’re entering a time when just about every expense will be spoken for.

Up next: Libra horoscope

{pageBreak}

Showing your true face makes you recognizable to those who travel a similar spiritual path. That’s why it’s time to jettison that role you’ve been playing and embrace the authentic you when ruling planet Venus trines Uranus this week. This is bound to bring new friendships into your life — people who will support and embolden your newer and truer self. It will also hit home in quite a different way on Nov. 26 when you are shown an unexpected side to someone you assumed you knew only too well. This could even give you cause for hope.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

{pageBreak}

Co-workers will assure you that everything is signed, sealed and delivered, but the Sun/Neptune square on Nov. 26 begs to differ. This is one of the more wonkier planetary aspects, and it’s famous for creating mistaken impressions, false memories and fuzzy math. People may think they made that phone call or inked the deal, but it’s unlikely. Moreover, their oversight could cost, which is why you’ll want to double check the details. Review matters with all the scrutiny of a Talmudic scholar, and your timely intervention could rescue a situation from the brink of disaster on Dec. 1.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

{pageBreak}

You’re at the peak of your powers when the Sun is in your zodiac sign (Nov. 22 – Dec. 20). It’s the perfect time to launch a project, begin a relationship or make a significant move or purchase. You can expect enormous strides — once you navigate the Sun/Neptune square on Nov. 26. This creates a slippery combo. It’s like making a grand entrance and then stepping on a banana peel. You could wind up on your derriere if you don’t check to see what potential pitfalls lie underfoot. You’ll be in the free and clear after Dec. 4.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

{pageBreak}

You have high expectations and you ask a lot of yourself. However, painting a picture that’s gloomier than the reality also acts as a psychic buffering mechanism. It’s your way of bracing yourself for the worst. If you expect the worst and get the worst, then it’s a zero sum game. No hope ventured, no disappointment gained. However, if you expect the worst and things turn out for the better, then you can celebrate your fortune in good conscience — until you find something new to worry about. It’s neurotic, but it’s your version of a security blanket.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

{pageBreak}

A sibling or friend was recently maligned. Being a loyal Aquarian, you came to this person’s defense and successfully turned around people’s opinions. It was a long and hard fought victory. On Nov. 25, however, a piece of information will come to light that will call into question the credibility of the person you just defended. What to do? Do you sweep it under the rug or do you divulge all? You have always believed in total transparency, which means that you must share the information you have. Surprisingly, this could elicit sympathy and even more support.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

{pageBreak}

So what’s wrong with being a big fish in a small pond? People talk a lot about ambition and doing whatever it takes to scale that ladder of success. They make all kinds of sacrifices and push themselves to try harder. But what does success really bring them in the end? More money begets more bills; more accolades bring more pressure. You, on the other hand, like where you are and you enjoy what you’re doing. It may not be everything you want it to be, but at least this little corner of the world is yours.

More in horoscopes

Weekly love horoscopes: Nov. 24-30
What's your hair horoscope?
What's your color horoscope?

{pageBreak}

It looks like you'll be sparking some unexpected romantic interest on Nov. 26 when Venus trines revolutionary Uranus. This is a very passionate cosmic combo. There will be an immediate attraction that neither of you can resist. However, you won't take it seriously because of certain mitigating circumstances. Maybe he's only in town for the night or he's in the middle of a nasty breakup. Keep in mind that lifelong love affairs have launched on less. What starts off as a fly-by-night encounter could turn into something out of the ordinary if you're willing to take a gamble.

Up next: Taurus horoscope

{pageBreak}

You'll know within five minutes of meeting that this will be a quick fling. Your practical side will say walk away, but you'll probably wind up hooking up instead. Does this mean you're self-sabotaging or that you have low self-esteem issues? Hardly. Your ruling planet Venus tends to be more recreational than romantic when she's traveling through Sagittarius. Enjoy your brief time together because it will be exhilarating and sensational. And when the roller coaster comes to a complete stop on Dec. 4, hop off and move on to the next ride. You don't want to overstay your welcome.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

{pageBreak}

Who slipped the mickey into your cocktail? That's what loved ones and friends will be wondering when you share with them some questionable decisions regarding your love life. These could range from walking out on the guy who has stuck by you through thick and thin to wanting to move halfway around the world to be with some fellow you met online. You have the Mercury/Neptune square on Nov. 30 to blame for this colossal lapse in judgment. It would be a good idea to heed the advice of people who see things more clearly than you do now.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

{pageBreak}

Forgiving your partner's errant behavior may have been noble at first, but it's also put you in the position of having to supervise his behavior 24/7. Now you may say you have to do this out of necessity, but you don't. Mercury conjunct Saturn on Nov. 25 shows that this would be a good time to let him out of the doghouse. You're never going to rebuild that trust if you're stuck having to play the parent in your relationship. You signed on for love replete with all its bumps and lumps; not a job as his babysitter.

Up next: Leo horoscope

{pageBreak}

Venus in Sagittarius will trigger all of your "anywhere but here" tendencies and its trine to Uranus on Nov. 26 shows you acting on them. This could lead you to take off for parts unknown. You may book a trip to an exotic destination, fall in love with a stranger from another country, or embark on an impromptu spiritual pilgrimage. It's all very romantic except you won't find what you're looking for by decamping from your own life. At some point you need to accept that the secret to the happiness you're searching for lies hidden deep within.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

{pageBreak}

The sun/Neptune square on Nov. 26 brings a sinking feeling that everything is at loose ends. This will make you want to pin people down to specifics. You'll want to firm up agreements, lock in commitments and get emotional reassurance. This won't be happening anytime soon. In fact, it may take until Dec. 12 for you to feel the ground beneath your feet again. Meanwhile tread water and give people plenty of leeway. They're deluged with their own pressing matters now and they simply can't be there for you in the way that you would like them to be.

Up next: Libra horoscope

{pageBreak}

Your boyfriend had better not let you out of his sight this week. Your ruling planet Venus is positively magnetic when she's traveling through Sagittarius — and this will get even more crazy when she trines electrifying Uranus on Nov. 26. You'll have so many men following you around that you'll feel like Carmen Electra in a frat house. It's a real ego boost and you should enjoy every minute of it. But like I said, your boyfriend should keep his eye on the store. And if he doesn't? Then you'll find plenty of guys who would be only too happy to take his place.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

{pageBreak}

Make sure you're not provoking him to do the very thing that you don't want him to do this week. Mercury under the exacting rays of Saturn on Nov. 25 will make you suspicious and paranoid. This could lead you to doubt a love interest's love and then cross examine him like a Grand Inquisitor. This will cause him to push you away at a time when you need his reassurance. Insecurities are never easy to manage. That's why it's best to be honest about them. Besides, it's not like you're telling him anything he didn't know.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

{pageBreak}

The Venus and Uranus trine on Nov. 26 shows that the time has come to bend — if not break — the rules of love. You've been living with blinders on for too long and need to re-embrace your spirit of adventure. This will become abundantly clear when you find yourself attracted to someone you would never have seriously considered dating before. Romantic comedies are built around these kinds of kooky mismatches which is why you should give it a go. You may find that it's the person you least expected to fall for who winds up becoming the perfect partner.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

{pageBreak}

Venus traveling through that part of your solar horoscope that pertains to secrets often brings clandestine affairs. Usually you'd pass. You know you're a big hit with the married men crowd and that they're ripe for the picking. However, you also learned a long time ago that you were better at being discreet than they were which is why you don't indulge. However, there is this one guy you're fascinated with which could lead you to make an exception. Fiery trines from Nov. 16 thru Dec. 12 show that this could develop into an affair to remember.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

{pageBreak}

You may not think of yourself as a person who holds grudges, but you do. In fact, all of the fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius — are famous for mentally cataloguing every slight and insult. Now you may tell yourself that it's all a matter of principle, but a principle can still be a dressed-up grudge by any other name. In any case, you'll be asked to show clemency on Nov. 26. Your goodwill gesture would go a long way. Forgiveness is a good message to send the people in your life — and to yourself as well.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

{pageBreak}

Sometimes you make the mistake of mistaking his concerns for yours. It's an occupational hazard when you're born under empathetic Pisces. Nevertheless his crosses to bear are his own and you will need to accept that on Nov. 25. In truth he's not shutting you out at all. It's just that he's so absorbed with a seemingly no-win situation that he just can't talk about it with anyone else now. Show support by quietly giving him his emotional space. This will do everything to communicate the faith you have in him and the love that you feel.

More horoscopes

Your weekly horoscope

You'll need a nail file, foil, cotton strips and acetone to remove the gel. All you have to do is soak the cotton strips in the acetone, place them on your fingers and wrap each with foil to help the acetone soak in.

Let them sit for five minutes and the gel should easily peel off. If the polish is still being stubborn, you can use a cuticle stick to scrape the rest off. After you're finished, make sure to rub cuticle oil on your nails to help maintain their strength and moisture.

More nail tips

How to get rid of yellow nails
How to file your nails the right way
Moroccan pattern dotted nail design

I mean, we get it — being introduced as a "bona fide reggae legend" likely stacked on some added pressure during Jean's performance of "Rude" with Magic!

Pitbull to host the American Music Awards again

Perhaps it was nerves that led the singer to get his arm stuck in his jacket for nearly a full minute of the performance.

Naturally, the gaffe didn't go unnoticed. The Twitterverse quickly went to work pointing out the #malfuncjean.

Wyclef Jean treated for a gunshot wound in Haiti

Jean confirmed the wardrobe struggle backstage, saying it went fine in rehearsals. Hmm, perhaps we can pinpoint the problem. Let's take a look, shall we?

Wyclef Jean will not run for Haiti president

"Let me just slip off my biker jacket so I can really dig into this performance."

"What the? I just... can't... seem... to get it off my arm."

"Maybe if I just spin a little on the spot, it'll come loose."

"Imma just roll with this for a minute."

"This shit did not happen in rehearsals."

"Maybe if I keep my arm behind my back, no one will notice there's a biker jacket stuck on it."

"Bro, quit singing at me and pull my arm out of this damn jacket."

"Seriously? That's how you're going to play it?"

"It's OK, it's OK... I'm making this work."

"Hey, drummer man, get this jacket off my arm. C'mon, man, no one will know you missed a beat."

"Hold on... Imma be right back."

"This is really happening."

"I'm gonna need somebody to get my publicist on the phone."

"I'm stepping on my jacket. I'm stepping on my $700 leather biker jacket at the motherf***ing AMAs."

"Hell. Yes."

Do you think Wyclef Jean handled his #malfuncjean with grace?

Instead of pretending like winter weight gain doesn't exist until the new year, I plan ahead and stay (relatively) healthy throughout the holidays with a very special holiday survival smoothie recipe. In fact, this year I'm even going to send the recipe with my holiday cards so all my friends and family can share in it too.

The first thing you have to do, of course, is get all your ingredients together. I typically like to make a large batch of this smoothie so I can have it ready to go all week long. But there's nothing wrong with taking it one day at a time.

The reason I love this smoothie recipe is that it has everything you need this season: bananas for potassium and vitamin C, avocados for good fats and vitamin E, apples for dietary fiber, cilantro for helping with digestion and all kinds of vitamins and kale for iron and other vitamins. I love adding some fresh lime juice for a slight kick and using unsweetened almond milk (for the protein) and coconut water (for the hydration benefits) as a base.

One of the trickiest parts of this recipe is getting that darn avocado seed out. Here's my trick: Smash it (carefully) with a knife so it is embedded in the seed. Then simply twist the seed to the left (or right), and it should pop right out.

After you've chopped, deseeded and otherwise gotten all your fruit and veggie ingredients together, it's time to put it all in your handy high-powered blender. Personally, I love using my Ninja kitchen blender to get the job done. Then you simply add in your almond milk and coconut water. And now it's time to blend!

Holiday survival smoothie recipe

Get through the holidays with this delicious green smoothie made with fruits, vegetables and a healthy dose of coconut water and almond milk.

Serves 2

Prep time: 7 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe banana
• 1/2 apple
• 1/2 avocado (I used Florida avocados, which are bigger, but you can use 1 whole Hass avocado instead)
• 1/4 bunch of cilantro
• 1/2 bunch of kale
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 (500 milliliter) bottle coconut water
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

1. Cut the banana into 3 to 4 pieces; deseed the apple, and chop it into a couple pieces; and scoop out the avocado with a spoon. Put it all into the blender.
2. Roll up the cilantro, and coarsely chop it. Remove the stems from the kale, roll up 3 to 4 leaves together, and then chop them into thin strips. Add them to the blender.
3. Add the coconut water and finally the unsweetened almond milk. Blend it all together, and enjoy.

All photos by Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows.

More healthy smoothie recipes

Banana-coconut smoothie
Strawberry, chamomile and quinoa smoothie
Green detox smoothie

But a new study shows that it might not be either, saying that a woman's sex drive isn't necessarily lower than a man's — it's just different.

"Women's interest in sex is extremely complicated," said John Randolph, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology with the University of Michigan Health System and one of the study's authors, to CNN.

That complexity, and the lack of understanding of it, is a big part of the I-have-a-headache problem, he says. We live in a culture that's highly geared toward satisfying a male form of sexual desire. Previous research has shown that men are primarily visual when it comes to sex so huge industries have sprung up (no pun intended) to sell porn, lingerie, toys and other visually stimulating things.

Since they work so well for many men, a lot of pressure is put on women to "be the cool girl" and join in. Yet when we don't respond similarly we're told there must be something wrong with us, usually hormonal.

To examine that idea, researchers followed 3,300 women over 10 years asking about their sex lives and taking blood to check hormone levels and other biomarkers. What they found was surprising: Rather than sex being all about hormones like most of us assume, a women's desire to do the horizontal mambo has much more to do with our emotional well-being.

So if we don't want erotic pictures or crotch-less panties, what do we want? "Women who reported that they had fewer sad moods and reported being more emotionally satisfied in their relationship had more sexual desire than those who did not."

That we want to feel happy, secure and loved is hardly surprising information for most women but it does help settle the debate about why there is no Viagra for women yet. "It's not fair, I know," Randolph concedes. "A lot of people would probably rather just be able to take a pill."

While I can sympathize with wanting an instant libido-booster pill — it would be nice to be able to switch from HGTV to HBO at will — unfortunately there's no quick fix. Instead Randolph suggests working on any underlying mood disorders and relationship problems with counseling and medication. While that might feel depressing to some, I find it very reassuring. Just because we don't have a magic sex button doesn't mean we're broken. It just means we're not men.

More on sex

How to revive your sex drive
3 Common libido busters and how to fix them
The sex-starved marriage: When libidos don't match

This absolutely proved true for me several months ago when I listened to an incredible audio book by Ben Horowitz, The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers.

At the time, my business, WeMontage, which lets you turn your photos into large collages on removable wallpaper, was really struggling. I was at the end of my cash runway from my initial round of investment after completing a startup accelerator.

I'd also validated the concept with several hundred extremely happy paying customers, but the business wasn't quite ready to scale up, which is a terrible position to be in when you need to raise more cash.

My investors decided not to reinvest, my partner quit, and I was left mostly alone (and lonely) to figure out a way to save the business. I'd already invested the last of my savings into WeMontage and I had no plan B.

There was, however, one key takeaway from Ben Horowitz's book that gave me hope: No matter how hard things appear, as an entrepreneur, you always have a move you can make to turn things around.

Let me repeat that. You always have a move.

Mario Armstrong from the TODAY show shares his move

In a video interview with Emmy award winner Mario Armstrong, who regularly appears on the TODAY show, Mario shared his struggles on the journey to become the Digital Lifestyle Expert and TV personality he is today.

"In 2007, my wife and I were working on a huge deal with AOL, which we were certain was going to close. Then we got the call that the deal was not going to happen. The recession hit in 2008 and everything dried up. We were willing to do anything except lose the house and change my son's quality of life [to realize our dream].
We cashed out our 401(k)s and all four bank accounts went negative. Credit cards were maxed out. I had to pack up loose change to go to the Coinstar machine to get gas money. We hustled our asses off to keep things moving forward. This was the roughest, toughest, humbling, most deprecating experience ever.

Not knowing how we were going to make our mortgage payment every month was the most unsettling thing."

It takes guts to risk so much like Mario and his wife (his business partner) did to chase their dream.

My move

As I mentioned, my business was out of cash and I had no visibility as to how things would improve.

I got one additional insight from Ben Horowitz's book: The only difference between successful and unsuccessful CEOs is persistence.

That's it.

Not being smart or clever, or a subject matter expert. Just not quitting. This is lucky for me because being persistent is really the only thing I'm any good at.

But I digress.

Back in May my wife suggested I try to get on Shark Tank. So, I went online and there was an open pitch call in a few weeks in Columbus, Ohio. Great, I thought. The issue was, only the first few hundred people would be guaranteed a chance to pitch the producers for 60 seconds.

Cash was extremely low, but I knew I needed to take the risk of flying to Columbus for a chance to get in front of 20,000,000 viewers and tell them about WeMontage. It was a long shot, but it didn't matter.

It was my move.

I made it to the next-to-last round of auditions, but didn't get the call to be on the show. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what people go through to get on Shark Tank. The hustle shown by me in this case helped me land a recent feature on the TODAY show, which has been great for my business!

If your business is struggling, but you have a great product or service, and are determined to make it work, make a move. Remember, good things come to those who wait hustle!

Keep hustling.

Photo credit: Anonymous Account/Flickr

When Warner Bros. announced Ben Affleck would play Batman in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the studio sent the internet into a frenzy. Fans were beside themselves, asking how Ben Affleck could possibly replace Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, especially when Bale had left such an impressive mark on the franchise.

Well, it seems fans weren't the only ones asking. Bale himself recently admitted to Empire magazine that he too was stunned at the news.

Commence fangirl screams: Huge Batman v Superman spoilers leaked

"I've got to admit initially, even though I felt that it was the right time to stop, there was always a bit of me going, 'Oh go on... Let's do another,'" confessed Bale. "So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for half an hour."

Seriously? A half hour?

And does Bale's admission mean there was a chance he could have taken the role? Was he even asked?

While Christopher Nolan, who directed the Dark Knight trilogy, is producing Batman v Superman, there's no mistaking the distinctly different vibe that Zack Snyder and DC Comics are bringing to this film. In addition to Batman and Superman, the movie will feature Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and an unconfirmed female Robin (supposedly played by Jena Malone).

6 Things Warner Bros. is hiding about Wonder Woman's feminist origin story

It's possible — indeed, probable — that even if Bale hadn't declared himself done with the cape, Snyder would have still wanted to go with a new Batman just so he could add more distance between this new DC mash-up movie and the Dark Knight series.

Although fans, and Bale himself, have expressed disappointment that Bale won't be starring alongside Henry Cavill for what should be an action-packed romp through Gotham, the tide of public opinion does seem to be turning in Affleck's favor. A final verdict on who plays him better, however, will have to wait until the film drops in 2016.

Batman v Superman will be in theaters March 25, 2016.

This past week, British and Dutch farmers quarantined and killed hundreds of thousands of chickens and ducks after outbreaks of two separate strains of the avian flu suddenly appeared. In addition, nearby farms are being quarantined and tested to make sure it doesn't spread. Both governments said they took swift action and so the risk to humans should be minimal.

Imagine getting up early, putting on your Sunday best, driving to church... and then being told to stay in your car because your place of worship had been taken over by thousands of chickens and experts fear an outbreak of bird flu. That strange scenario not only gave some Dutch worshipers fodder to win the best Facebook status of the day but also woke up the world to the fact that avian flu is definitely not gone.

The Centers for Disease Control agrees — for now. They have not placed any increased travel advisories due to avian flu although they do still advise avoiding bird markets and cooking or eating undercooked poultry in countries where known outbreaks have occurred. (Which actually seems like great advice no matter what country you're in.) The World Health Organization's October 2014 report shows 19 cases and eight deaths from the avian flu worldwide.

While those numbers certainly aren't high and are way below the thousands of deaths from Ebola, experts are still concerned due to the nearly 50 percent mortality rate and the ease at which it spreads through bird populations. That said, no one is sounding the alarm bell yet. The CDC simply tells people to follow good hygiene practices when working with poultry, especially wild birds, and to talk to your doctor if you feel sick.

They are still encouraging everyone to get their regular flu shot as this season is still ramping up and even though it's not as exotic, the seasonal influenza hospitalizes over 200,000 people a year.

As for the Dutch churchgoers — don't worry, they still got their worship on by listening to the sermon via radio broadcast in their cars. Drive-through church? May not be such a bad idea. You may not have to worry about chickens in your chapel but there are all those germy-yet-adorable toddlers running around!

Are you worried about bird flu?

More in health

Important: New flu guidelines for moms this season
9 Critical things we learned from Ebola
The importance of heritage chickens

Lea Michele remembers Cory Monteith one year after his death

Mark Salling, who you may know as Glee's bad boy Noah "Puck" Puckerman, is returning to the hit TV series full-time for the final season, and although he is happy to be getting back to work on the beloved musical drama, it's not the same without Monteith on set.

Speaking in an interview with People, Salling explained how Monteith is never far from his mind.

"Cory Monteith was a great leader as a character and person in real life," Salling told the publication. "It's a big, obvious hole. I still think about him all the time.

"He was kind of like the quarterback of the show, which sounds cliché because the [tribute] episode was called that, but he was kind of like that in real life," he added.

Becca Tobin breaks silence since sudden death of her boyfriend

Glee fans are excited for the return of most of the original characters, but like Salling, we're sure that they are going to be feeling the massive loss of Monteith.

The Graveyard actor also went on to describe how the Glee cast is like his family, and they have all been through so much together. So, how have they been coping since the death of their beloved friend and costar?

"I don't think there will be any closure. Not yet," Salling told the publication.

"I've been through so much with some of these cast members," says the actor. "Traveling the world, international tours… it's really like family."

Call a doctor! Glee star Mark Salling fractures pelvis!

The multitalented star is currently in production with Glee — which will no doubt be a very emotional journey — but he also has some big plans for the future and is working on a new comedy music project with his friend, called Camp Coyote.

Speaking of his new project, Salling explained, "I'm really open to any project, but my heart right now is getting Camp Coyote off the ground. If it's successful, it'll satisfy all my artistic inclinations, from writing to singing to acting."

You know the saying, "moms don't get sick days"? Yeah, I hate that phrase. I loathe that phrase. That phrase can go die in a fire along with all of the bedsheets I'm going to incinerate in order to purge my home of whatever plague has made its way indoors. However, I won't be doing this on my sick day because, make no mistake, I will be taking one.

In fact, I have no idea how to parent while sick because I've never done it. I once read a blog that urged moms to accept their new martyr status because while kids can take time from school to barf their guts up all day and husbands can take time from work to cough all over the flatware, moms can never take time off ever, for reasons unspecified.

Well, if I'm to accept this as a reality, there had better be a good reason for it. If everyone else is allowed to take time to recover from the flu/norovirus/whatever WebMD says he's dying from, than I do too, full stop. I understand that I am privileged. I have a husband who won't be fired for coming home to pick up the slack while I'm under the weather, and not everyone has that. Sheer luck has kept me from buying in to the "moms don't get sick days" thing, so don't think for a minute that I can't appreciate that.

Part of this might have something to do with the fact that when I get sick, I get really sick. I can't remember the last time I had a cold, but I do remember the last time I had adenovirus, a fever of 104 and could smell the color purple. I never get a spot of laryngitis, but I do get nasty strep that causes my throat to basically snap shut. These are not "suck it up" illnesses.

Furthermore, as anyone who has ever been sick can tell you, crud has a way of circulating in the household. There is no way I'm going to lean over my asthmatic kid's shoulder and breathe in her face while I'm weathering pneumonia. I'm getting my ass to bed so I don't spread it to the other members of my family, which is exactly what I expect them to do, because I don't want their gross germs either.

For the record, I've been ill as a stay-at-home mom, a working mom and a work-at-home mom, and in every single case all that I asked for (besides magic pho and that miracle bath salt) was that my family work together to give me the same recovery time that I give them when they feel like crap. If I can sacrifice precious time at work to come mop up man vomit, my husband can do the same for me. No amount of "man cold" whining can hold a candle to my "mom cold" whining.

I understand that this may not always be the case. Our working situations could change, he or I could have to go out on a business trip or a giant piano might fall from the sky and crush one of us, rendering my plan useless.

Until then, I refuse to be a martyr. As long as I have a voice to irritate my family until they treat me the way I treat them during flu season, I will use it to ensure I get sick days. To be completely frank, I hope I can make it through the rest of my kid's childhood without ever learning how to parent while I'm sick.

More on coping with being sick

Holistic ways to avoid sickness
Child sicknesses and how to prevent them
How to disinfect your house after sickness

2004: Andrea Constand, director of operations for Temple University's women's basketball team, alleges that what began as a mentorship turned into a visit to Cosby's home where he drugged her, then "touched her breasts and vaginal area, rubbed his penis against her hand, and digitally penetrated" her, according to court documents.

2005: Lawyer Tamara Green appears on the Today Show and alleges that in the 1970s, Cosby tricked her into taking what she thought was fever medication and drove her to her apartment where he began "…groping me and kissing me and touching me and handling me and… taking off my clothes." He later left $200 on her nightstand. Cosby's lawyer issues a statement saying the incident did not happen.

A Pennsylvania district attorney declines to press charges against Cosby in the Constand case, citing a lack of evidence. She files a civil suit against him, and 13 other women are named as Jane Doe witnesses. Many of these women later go public with their own stories.

2006: Cosby and Constand settle the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. People publishes an interview with Barbara Bowman, who detailed her own alleged assault at the hands of Cosby.

Oct. 16, 2014: The accusations were all but forgotten until a video of comedian Hannibal Buress calling Cosby a rapist during a standup bit goes viral. "Bill Cosby has the f***ing smuggest old black man public persona that I hate," Buress says. "'Pull your pants up, black people, I was on TV in the '80s. I can talk down to you because I had a successful sitcom.' Yeah, but you raped women, Bill Cosby. So, brings you down a couple notches… I've done this bit onstage and people think I'm making it up... when you leave here, Google 'Bill Cosby rape.' That shit has more results than 'Hannibal Buress.'"

Oct. 27, 2014: Bowman reiterates many of the details from her original People interview to the Daily Mail, and says she kept seeing Cosby because her mother wanted her to.

Nov. 6, 2014: Cosby is caught on tape trying to intimidate an AP reporter into "scuttling" footage of him, refusing to comment on any of the rape allegations. "If you want to consider yourself to be serious, it will not appear anywhere," he says.

Nov. 10, 2014: In a misguided attempt at restorative PR, Cosby's team tweets a request that fans create a meme out of a photo of the actor. It did not go well.

Nov. 17, 2014: Cosby releases a statement through his lawyer that says he won't talk about the resurfaced accusations after he clams up when asked about it on NPR's Weekend Edition.

Another alleged victim, Joan Tarshis, steps forward, penning an essay for Hollywood Elsewhere.

Nov. 18, 2014: Whoopi Goldberg stands up for her old friend and says she has "a lot of questions" for alleged victim Bowman.

Janice Dickinson tells Howard Stern that Cosby drugged and raped her in 1982, and that she was pressured into changing the story in her autobiography.

Nov. 19, 2014: TV Land pulls The Cosby Show from its lineup, Netflix postpones an upcoming comedy special and NBC announces it is canceling Cosby's upcoming sitcom.

Don Lemon engages in some serious victim blaming while interviewing Tarshis, asking why she didn't fight back harder during the alleged attack.

Nov. 20, 2014: Three additional women go public with sexual assault claims going back decades. Theresa Seringese alleges Cosby drugged and raped her in 1976; she was to be a witness in the 2005 civil suit. Carla Ferrigno, wife of Incredible Hulk actor Lou Ferrigno, says Cosby forcibly grabbed and kissed her at a 1967 party when she was a teenager. Love, American Style actress Louisa Moritz tells TMZ Cosby forced her to perform oral sex in the green room of The Tonight Show in 1971.

Singer again denies the claims, saying, "People are trying to come up with these wild stories in order to justify why they have waited 40 to 50 years to disclose these ridiculous accusations."

Cosby calls himself an "evil man" during a performance in the Bahamas to raise money, ironically enough, for a women's group.

Nov. 21, 2014 Another three accusers step forward with stories dating back years: Kristina Ruehli from 1965, Renita Chaney Hill from a period of four years in the '80s and Angelina Leslie from 1992.

The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Virginia Theatre in Illinois cancel planned appearances by Cosby, but he receives a standing ovation after a performance at a sold-out show in Florida. He tells Florida Today, "I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn't have to answer to innuendos. People should fact-check. People shouldn't have to go through that and shouldn't answer to innuendos."

Nov. 22, 2014 Tweets purporting to be from former Cosby Show star Lisa Bonet, with whom Cosby had a notoriously tempestuous relationship, imply that karma is coming back to bite him. "According to the karma of past actions, one's destiny unfolds, even though everyone wants to be so lucky," read the tweet. "Nothing stays in the dark 4ever!" The account is later disabled and Bonet claims through a rep that it was run by an imposter.

Nov. 23, 2014 A former Cosby Show employee claims he was the comedian's fixer, in charge of delivering payouts to eight different women and standing guard outside of Cosby's dressing room while he was alone with young models.

Carmen Electra's comments about ex Dennis Rodman don't surprise us (VIDEO)

New reports claim that Electra's stylist seriously took advantage of her client and decided to go on shopping sprees with Electra's money, for herself. According to TMZ, the Scary Movie 4 star claims that she hired Shayoon Aboo as her personal stylist in April 2013 and supplied her with her credit cards so that she could go shopping for bags, accessories, clothing and shoes for her, but Aboo reportedly had other plans.

TMZ reports that according to a new lawsuit filed by Electra, Aboo allegedly decided to keep some of the items for herself — and it wasn't just one or two small items, either — apparently she managed to rack up a whopping bill of more than $100,000 worth of new clothes and accessories.

VIDEO: Carmen Electra, Abraham Lincoln team up for Volkswagen’s 2014 Super Bowl

So, how did Aboo get busted? She apparently decided to take to social media and flaunt her goodies, which incriminated her, but reports claim that Electra discovered that she had been swindled when she was going through her credit card statements. She then demanded that Aboo either return or pay for the items of clothing.

Electra's attorney, Neama Rahmani, revealed to TMZ that Aboo "tried to take advantage of a friendship" and now Electra wants her to pay it all back.

Carmen Electra opens up about her new music and missing Joan Rivers

The gossip outlet also claims that they have reached out to Aboo for comment but have not heard back.

This chicken has only three ingredients, turned out juicy and, most important, was very tasty for my son. I used organic chicken, which I diced and placed into my slow cooker along with all-natural teriyaki sauce and fresh, diced pineapple. It smelled amazing as it cooked, and I found the chicken to be handy for other meal ideas. I would suggest serving this over steamed brown rice or quinoa, shredding it for salads or wraps or serving it alongside a big bowl of freshly steamed veggies.

3-Ingredient slow cooker pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe

Organic chicken breast is diced and combined with all-natural teriyaki sauce and fresh diced pineapple, then slow-cooked for a healthy, no-hassle meal. Serve over steamed rice to complete this easy dinner.

Serves 8

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 6 hours | Total time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1-1/2 cups all-natural teriyaki sauce or any teriyaki sauce you desire
• 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
• Steamed white or brown rice, for serving

Directions:

1. Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels.
2. On a cutting board, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and add them to the bowl of the slow cooker.
3. Pour the teriyaki sauce on top of the chicken, and add the diced pineapple.
4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid, and set to low for 6 hours.
5. Once the chicken is done, remove it, and serve it over rice with steamed vegetables.
6. Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

More healthy Asian recipes

Easy Asian turkey-quinoa skillet
Healthy orange chicken with cauliflower rice
Chicken Szechuan stir-fry recipe

But I had been drinking. We all had. And so when my friend went into a bedroom with her boyfriend, I went into another room with the friend. I knew almost immediately it was a mistake. My usual protestations didn't work. When you're a girl who likes to flirt, but not "go all the way," you get used to getting out of such situations. But he got rough. He pinned me to the bed. I was saying no. He wasn't taking it for an answer. I was finally able to push him off and lock myself in the bathroom. I was for all intents and purposes a grown woman. I was in college for God's sake. But yet, still, I've never shared this almost-rape with anyone besides that friend. Not even my husband.

So to see high schoolers, children in my eyes, stage a walkout in support of classmates who say they were raped is the ultimate act of bravery for me. The alleged victims, three girls of varying ages, claim that the same assailant — a student at their school — raped each of them and that they were subsequently bullied by him.

The protest was spearheaded Monday morning by a group that has now also spawned a hashtag, Yes ALL daughters.

I don't have daughters, but the callousness of the alleged assailant chills me to the bone. That could one day be the voice of my son talking about someone's daughter that way — and it scares the hell out of me.

That these students have the gall to walk out of their classrooms, to shirk the authority in order to bring attention to what they see as grave oversights in their school and its system speaks volumes to me. We all have a voice, whether we were raped, "almost raped," or know someone who was raped. And until we stand alongside those who are brave enough to use their voices, we will never put a stop to this.

More stories on women's issues

Don Lemon causes uproar with crude questions for Bill Cosby rape victim
Gunman killed after opening fire at Florida State University
Uber is openly harassing women, so why are we still using it?

Hey you know what I love doing? Spending a bunch of money on craft supplies and cupcakes, begging off from work, and sitting in an itty-bitty chair while pretending to enjoy every moment of manning the snowman craft station while one kid tries to eat all of the glitter and another coughs directly onto all of my mucus membranes.

Wait, I mis-typed. What I meant to say is that I hate all of those things. Those things are the worst. My mistake.

Now that the holidays are approaching, any parent with a school-aged child will need to gird their loins because something sinister hides alongside the festive joy: the classroom party.

First was the Thanksgiving feast, complete with gelatinous "cranberry" sauce and rubbery turkey breast. Soon, the holiday party, for which you will desperately comb your child's wardrobe for something that is red or green. After that, happy New Year's, sucker! The Valentine's Day bash will carry us into February. If there is a God, and he is merciful, my kid's new school won't perpetuate the sham of a St. Patrick's Day party. Here's hoping.

I'm sure I sound like a joyless Grinch, and that's not far off the mark. I hate the classroom party. I hate it with the same radioactive intensity of day-glo pink frosting on the Valentine's cupcakes you will muscle past your gag reflex in a few scant months.

We had these parties when I was younger, but I don't remember parents being invited. They stayed where they belonged; at home or at work where they couldn't do any embarrassing social damage. Now, the surest way to be labeled an apathetic mom is to say that you can't make it to one of these things.

How do I hate thee, holiday parties? Let me count the ways. First, you are a time and money suck. I don't know why the room mom requires organic sprinkles infused with dew from atop the Himalayas, but I will trek an hour away to buy them anyway. I do try to be a good sport.

Second, what purpose am I supposed to serve at these things? I am not good with children. What do I do with my hands? Should I pet this child's head over here at the cookie decorating station? His mother is looking at me with a strange expression. I do not think I should pet this child's head.

Third, where is my child? Oh, here she is, hiding in the reading corner. What is she whispering? "Please leave, please leave, please leave" over and over again, that's what. Of course she is, her weird mom just petted some kid's head.

Fourth, what do I talk to the other parents about? Coffee? The weather? How about this study I just read about childhood masturbation? No, they don't like that. Quick, make a fart joke to change the subject!

Fifth, I will forget the teacher gift. I left it on the kitchen counter, but now I'm on the spot, so I have to come up with something. Thank you for educating my child, awesome teacher! Here is some lint and an Altoid I found in my pocket. Please don't mention it, or the other parents will feel bad.

Sixth, here comes the announcement about "optional early release." Oh, phew, it's optional! That's good, I have work to do. Hey kids, why are every single one of you putting your coats on? Oh, I see. I didn't catch the part where the teacher made air quotes around "optional."

Finally, I will end up giving in and taking my kid home, which will get her amped up, so now I have to finish my work with the child equivalent of a hyena speedballing meth running in and out of the office all day.

Party on.

More on getting involved at your child's school

How to partner with your child's teacher
Why do you volunteer in the classroom?
Healthy snacks you can bring to a class party

Raelia shares deets on her shocking elimination

SheKnows: What surprised you most while watching this week’s episode?

Shei Phan: The thing I was most surprised about watching last night's episode was the photo they chose for me. In the panel, you saw that I was very upset with it. I knew I took way better photos and the one they chose was not my best photo. And it was the reason I went home.

SK: How were things in the house before you left?

SP: Things in the house were great. I love them all and after Chantelle got sent home, it was back to normal and we had fun for the remaining time of being there.

SK: What's one thing viewers didn't see that happened behind the scenes that you'll never forget/that you wished they would have aired on the show?

SP: Well, there was a lot of funny moments we had that I wished was aired. And there was a lot of things where I gave my opinion and that wasn't aired either. I was underrated.

Who did Denzel think would win? We found out!

SK: Are you surprised you got eliminated? What would you have done differently?

SP: I had a feeling it was coming, but I was excepting to make it longer than Adam. I would have been more entertaining, because that's why Adam stayed longer than me. I tried my best and worked very hard in every challenge and photo shoot. I didn't try to be anything but myself.

SK: Who on the show will you continue to keep in touch with and why?

SP: I will continue to stay in touch with everyone but Chantelle and Romeo. We did not get along in the house, so I know we will not get along outside of it. The rest of the cast has become my family and we build strong relationships.

SK: Who do you predict will win? Who do you want to win?

SP: I predict Keith will win. I want Will to win!

Was a bad picture really to blame for Phan's ANTM demise or was it simply her time to go? That's debatable. But, we're definitely on the same page with Will and Keith!

Want more TV news and reviews? Sign up for our newsletter

1. The show stars Ellie Kemper, not Tina Fey

Photo credit: FayesVision/Wenn.com

Talk about opposites! Fey is known for her sarcastic, dark-edged humor, while Kemper is seen as the sweet, sometimes ditzy, girl next door. Kemper is best known for her role as Erin, the fun-spirited receptionist on The Office. Kimmy Schmidt seems like a similar type of character.

Is it a food or a sex position? Sex Tape cast plays our game

2. Kimmy Schmidt ditches her cult for NYC

In the new show, Kimmy has recently left a cult after 15 years of sheltered living. We expect a lot of comedic scenarios based around the fast pace of the the Big Apple.

3. Her cult may have thought the apocalypse happened

In a press release put out by Netflix, they say Kimmy Schmidt is "ready to take on a world she didn't even think existed anymore." To us, that implies her cult thought they were the last humans on earth. Boy, is Kimmy in for a big surprise!

4. Kimmy Schmidt arrives in New York with these three items

The only survival gear Kimmy has are a backpack, light-up sneakers and some very past-due library books. She'll need to get to Target and H&M right away.

5. Actress Jane Krakowski also stars

Photo credit: Joseph Marzulo/Wenn.com

The fabulous Jane Krakowski, who we loved as the outlandish Jenna on 30 Rock, will play Kimmy's boss. Happy dance!

6. Tituss Burgess plays Kimmy's roommate

Also from 30 Rock, Burgess will no doubt help Ellie navigate life in the big city. With Burgess' Broadway background, we can easily assume he'll be playing a struggling actor.

7 Dark secrets about the real Peter Pan include suicide and pedophilia

7. The show was originally developed for NBC

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was supposed to be the peacock's mid-season replacement, but they nixed it altogether in a surprising breakup, considering NBC has been Fey's only network since she began on SNL.

8. Netflix has agreed to two seasons

In a bold, and we think wise, move, Netflix ordered two seasons of the show. Can anyone say "binge"?

9. Available in March 2015

A Netflix account could make a great holiday gift for any Tina Fey fan, assuming you have friends and family members who still haven't jumped on the streaming bandwagon.

10. Executive producer Robert Carlock is also joining Tina Fey

While Robert Carlock may not be a household name, you know his work as a writer on both SNL and 30 Rock.

Do we really need another Peter Pan story?

11. Emmy-winner Carol Kane will appear

Photo credit: PNP/Wenn.com

If you've ever watched reruns of Taxi, you'll certainly remember Kane as Simka, Latka's (Andy Kaufman) girlfriend. We're excited to see her in a new show, though we don't exactly know what type of role she'll be playing.

12. The original title was Tooken

The working title was inspired by a viral video where an Auto-Tuned voice sang about girls getting taken, presumably by a cult.

13. Ellie Kemper finds cults fascinating

Kemper told People magazine that, "I will be doing some cult research over the summer because it is fascinating." Hopefully, funny too.

Who says Anna Kendrick isn't pretty? Well, here's our response to you

As a hilarious example, Kendrick tweeted her thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey (as it relates to Love Actually) last week. But Kendrick does have one rule when it comes to tweeting.

"I drunk draft and double check them in the morning," she told E! News, adding that this change came only after she learned her lesson. "Although I have done a handful of drunk tweets and so far people have not been able to tell the difference although I'm not quite sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing that my sober tweets could be drunk tweets."

The actress has plenty of young fans, especially with her Pitch Perfect and Disney roles and she needs to watch what she says. And she has also learned what her 3 million followers respond to, which has been an eye opener for her.

"It's funny because I feel like when I try to say something really innocuous, those are the ones where people are like, ‘What do you mean by that?'" Kendrick explained. "Sometimes, I just say something kind of gross, kind of honest, maybe a little too brutal. Those are the ones people respond to more.

"It's when you try to say something that's a little too squeaky clean that people are like, 'What's that? What are you doing? What's going on?'"

Pitch Perfect 2: 8 Aca-awesome scenes from the first trailer (VIDEO)

You can see Anna Kendrick next in Into the Woods, in theaters Christmas Day. Pitch Perfect 2 will be out May 15, 2015.

Justin Bieber's new DUI defense: A hairline hullabaloo

Bieber raked in a whopping $80 million this year. That's more than Jennifer Lawrence, who cashed in at $34 million, and Miley Cyrus, who made a cool $36 million, combined.

He earned most of that money from the end of his worldwide tour, which wrapped up at the beginning of this year.

Not only is he the highest earning person on the list, he's also the youngest at 20 years old. (We're counting One Direction as a collective. Their average age is 21.)

PHOTO: Justin Bieber bares full-teeth grin in mug shot

Bieber's success is a prime example that money is far from everything and definitely won't make you happy. Despite Bieber's money-making success, the singer has had a rough year. He was caught on video using the N-word, charged with vandalism for egging his neighbor's house, busted for a DUI following a Miami drag race and more.

Another celeb who made the list and sets the opposite example to that of Bieber? Taylor Swift, of course, raking in $64 million for 2014. Thanks to record sales and sponsorships from Diet Coke and CoverGirl, the pop princess is now taking on the world. No doubt, she'll rank even higher next year when she tours for her album, 1989. As No. 3 on the list behind Bieber and One Direction, Swift is the leading lady on the Forbes list.

VIDEOS: 4 Brattiest moments from Justin Bieber's deposition

The others on the list? Bruno Mars at $60 million, Rihanna at $48 million, Lady Gaga at $28 million, Avicii at $28 million and Skrillex at $18 million. Moral of the story: The music industry is where it's at if you want to make the big bucks. Lawrence is the only one who made the list without a record label. But she needed the help of a few of the biggest franchises in the world to get her there.

Are you surprised Justin Bieber topped the list?