Old-fashioned chicken noodle soup is like a big hug. And man did I need one today! 2020 has been been a bear of a year in so many ways, and just when I think we might be seeing some light, it’s more bad news. Through it all, I try to stay focused on the silver lining — the hopeful side of a situation that otherwise seems gloomy.

And when I’m not feeling especially hopeful, I focus on taking better care of myself. For me, this means daily exercise, lots of rest, plenty of water and nourishing food. Like this old-fashioned chicken noodle soup.

For this recipe, I prefer to use homemade chicken stock, but boxed broth or stock from the grocery will work just as well. For the chicken, just pull the meat off a rotisserie (so easy!) or cook your own. For garnish, add a little chopped dill, parsley, thyme or oregano. This gives the soup a mild herby flavor that the whole family will enjoy. Yum!