Paula Deen Counts Her Blessings

TV Chef Paula Deen is making gratitude No. 1 this holiday season. “I’m so thankful for my husband, kids and my 11 grandchildren,” she says. “Everybody is healthy. I’m also thankful for my Aunt Peggy, who just celebrated her 95th birthday.”

The cook and entrepreneur says at age 77, she never takes a moment for granted, sharing her recipes on her YouTube channel and visiting with fans at her five restaurants.

“The fact that I’m physically strong enough to still do my work — you can’t ask for more than that!” she says.

Take a look at Paula’s tips to keep a grateful heart each day. Embrace your age. “It is hard thinking that I can’t do the things that I used to do. Of course, I can’t do a cartwheel anymore, and I hate that! But at some point, we do have to change our lives around to match the age that we are. But I really think 60 is the new 40.”

“The thing that gets me through my days … is the Serenity Prayer. It’s a prayer people need to repeat when they get up every morning: ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change. The courage to change the things that I can and, please, God, give me the wisdom to know the difference between those two things.’ That prayer changed my life.” Laughter heals.

“People need to find something to laugh about every day,” Paula advises, saying her husband, Michael, always makes her chuckle. “They say laughing is one of the best exercises for your heart that you can do — to find something to giggle about.” Beat stress with pets.

For Paula, her furry friends bring her so much joy. “I’ve got a goldendoodle named Max and then I’ve got my Havanese, Lulu. We also have chickens. I love my chickens, and I got 10 of them — including a rooster named Fang.”