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As the seasons change from Summer to Autumn, a certain recipe that I use starts to appear more often. Chicken soup. Ah, what a concept! It has been used for centuries by people who are ill; runny noses, coughs, and aches and pains disappear as this special liquid is digested. It's simple, hot deliciousness warms up our bones and makes us feel comforted, like babies being wrapped in warm blankets. In fact, comfort is exactly what it is, a comfort food, like macaroni and cheese, or meat and potato pie. But there is something extra special about this soup. Grandmothers swear by it; some even say that it has magical powers. All I know is that the combination of chicken stock and thin pasta noodles is an endearing childhood memory.

Grammar notes.

Autumn is replaceable with Fall(americanism).

Useful expressions: aches and pains, exactly, extra special.

Verbs with prepositions: to swear by, to warm up.

All I know is that (colloquial) = in conclusion, as a summary, to sum up.

Beginners.

When it is cold outside, I feel like having something warm to eat. Many people get coughs and colds when the weather changes from warm to cold. Sometimes, children have to miss school for a day or two because they are sick. There are medicines that you can buy to help you feel better. One thing that always makes me feel better is a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It is magic! I feel warm and happier when I eat it. You can buy it in cans, or packets, or you can make it yourself. Either way, it is delicious, natural medicine that chases away our colds and flus.

Grammar notes.

Opposites: cold/ hot, warm/ cool.

To feel ill = to feel sick(americanism)

Common illnesses: cough, cold, runny nose, sneezes, fever, aches.

Useful expressions for writing: sometimes, either way.