'Barefoot Contessa' Ina Garten "57 Years of Marriage Without Children, No Regrets"... Confession of Childhood Wounds

Sharing 'Zero Stress' Secrets Before Thanksgiving... "If You Prepare in Advance, You Can Enjoy It"

Ina Garten (77), the matriarch of American home cooking and host of the Food Network's flagship program 'Barefoot Contessa', revealed her honest thoughts on a child-free life and 57 years of marriage.

On the 25th (local time), Garten appeared on the podcast 'Good Hang' hosted by famous comedian Amy Poehler, sharing her strong relationship with her husband Jeffrey Garten and her life philosophy.

"I Can't Imagine a Life Other Than My Own"... A Firm 'Child-Free' Choice

Now 77, Garten reflected on her decision not to have children with her husband Jeffrey, saying, "It's surprising to think that I made that decision at such a young age," and added, "I am deeply grateful that Jeffrey respected my wishes and accepted it well at the time."

She emphasized that she has lived a life without regrets, stating, "I can't imagine a life other than the way I've lived. I did what I wanted to do, and I had a really wonderful time." When Poehler asked about the advantages of a child-free life, she humorously replied, "Not having to be responsible for them, and above all, not having to go through the tumultuous teenage years," which drew laughter.

Behind this decision lay childhood wounds. Garten confessed that writing her memoir 'Be Ready When the Luck Happens', published last year, made her reflect on her past.

She said, "I always ran forward, but while writing the memoir, I realized that many of my decisions were based on my childhood experiences," and added, "I had a strong desire not to recreate my strict and unhappy childhood."

Secrets to a Healthy Life: 'Inner Smile' and 'Honest Communication'

Garten also revealed her own secrets to maintaining mental and physical health. She stated, "People with passive-aggressive attitudes drive me crazy," and emphasized that "above all, honest and cooperative communication is the most important." She also added that she practices yoga daily to maintain positive energy and strives to find her 'inner smile'.

"Anything Goes on Thanksgiving"... Reality Advice from the Culinary Master

Meanwhile, with the biggest American holiday, Thanksgiving (27th), approaching, Garten has been making headlines by sharing her 'Stress-Free Holiday Meal' secrets on her Instagram.

For her fans, she shared a complete menu including turkey and gravy, as well as dessert pumpkin flan, along with a detailed cooking schedule broken down by the week. The key is the 'Make-Ahead' strategy. Minimizing cooking time on the day allows the host to enjoy the party with guests, which has been her long-standing philosophy.

Garten advised, "On Thanksgiving, anything is allowed," saying, "If it means getting food on the table (like using store-bought products), it's okay to do whatever. The joy of being together is more important than perfection," offering comfort to those experiencing holiday syndrome.