My simple recipe will help you feel better and provide dinner -- in one easy pot.

Nikki Shaw: As much as you may try to stay healthy, sometimes you just can't avoid getting sick -- especially with the "little angels" around. Schools are breeding grounds for colds and viruses. I don't claim to be a doctor, but my "Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup" has great healing power! Try this recipe for yourself or a sick loved one.

I can't take credit for knowing the healing properties of chicken soup; it has been a favorite all over the world for hundreds of years. Medical experts call it a "natural decongestant." Breathing in the steam while sipping the hot chicken soup helps to clear up congestion and relieve cold symptoms. In addition, each ingredient has great health benefits. Garlic boosts the immune system. Onion is an antioxidant. Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene. It's also nice that chicken soup is simple to make, inexpensive, easy to digest and can be used for dinner for three days! (It tastes even better for leftovers.)

"NIK TIP":  Experiment and customize this recipe to your liking. Try adding dumplings, rice or more veggies in place of the noodles.

In this bitter economy, I'll show you how to make life sweet right at home.

Celebrity Chef Nikki Shaw is the owner of Flavor Caterer in Oakland, Ca. and was a finalist on the Food Network's "Next Food Network Star." She is the host of the radio show "Today's Flavor," broadcast on San Francisco's KBLX and webcast on WBLS in New York. She is married to L.A. Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw and lives in both Northern and Southern California with their three children. www.chefnikkishaw.com