Chicken Noodle Soup

What came first, the chicken or the egg?  My answer… my mom’s chicken noodle soup.  I remember when I had a cold or didn’t feel good my making me her chicken noodle soup.  And no offence Campbell’s, what you produce in your can does not make the cut.

How many times have we all been served, at one time or another, chicken noodle soup when we were not feeling good.  You know, dry throat, general cold symptoms, stuffiness, tired, etc., that big bowel of steaming hot chicken noodle soup?  I could use a bowl right now.

I remember a gruff Doctor Hoody in Omaha as a kid saying “You need to drink plenty of water, and eat the soup  your mom makes for you because it will help and if you don’t listen to her, you’re not listening to me and if you don’t listen to me you’re not going to get better.

So why do we eat chicken noodle soup when we are not feeling well?  And why is it one of the first “healing foods” we turn to?  I am sure all the doctors agree right?  Well, not really.  Is this just part of American culture or is this science?  Well, it is a bit of both!

I could not find 100% proof that chicken noodle soup cures anything or that there is some magic ingredient that “heals” us from what ails us.  But I did find these scientific truths…  A) A Dr. Stephen Rennard tested his grandma's recipe and came to the conclusion that the soup inhibits inflammation in the nasal cavity. B) On Drkoop.com and others say it has amino acids that help. C) On other blogs many doctors in general say that say that it creates mucus that soothes the throat. D) Some have written that there may be something to what the starch from the noodles that helps heal.  And E) My extensive scientific research (years of experience) in my lab (where I have lived) along with my fellow scientists (my mommy) have determined that it is the LOVE that goes into each bowl of soup that makes ALL the ingredients work together to  heal your boo-boos and what makes you feel ill.

So if you have a loved one, a friend or you are sick, don’t pass up the chance to shorten the length of time you don’t feel well by trying some chicken noodle soup (and not the limp, no so cheap, sodium rich, taste like chicken noodle soup from a can.)  I mean some hearty soup, think noodles, large, fresh cuts of chicken, good blend of veggies and not so much sodium packed broth.   (PS: Progressive is better than the other can, and homemade is best of all!)

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One bowl of soup at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals