Jean Trebek Says She Takes Comfort In “Warm And Cozy” Cauliflower Soup During Her Husband Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek’s Cancer Battle

For a lot of people who have cancer or who have a loved one with cancer, getting creative with food can provide a way to get in touch with something outside the cancer journey, and an outlet for some of the emotions that come with that journey. Jean, who has been a source of strength for her husband during his cancer journey, shared a favorite recipe as Alex fends off the disease.

You’ll find a lot of information about coping mechanisms here on SurvivorNet. Every survivor we talk to has their own way of coping — whether it’s exercise, advocacy, or meditation. Bethany Kandel, an 11-year breast cancer survivor, tells SurvivorNet that after her diagnosis, she felt like she was supposed to meet with support groups — because that was just what people with cancer do. But she quickly realized that, while hugely valuable for a lot of people, group sessions were not for her.

RELATED: Cancer Support Groups Aren't for Everyone We All Have Our Own Way of Coping

“I went to a support group, because I thought it was what I was supposed to do … I thought it would be helpful,” Bethany says. “It was a room of lovely women, but each one had a worse story than I did … all these complications, and horrible scary things. I actually had to leave the room.”

Breast cancer survivor Bethany Kandel talks about how getting creative through dancing, cooking and beauty classes helped her cope with cancer

What helped Bethany in the end was a program her hospital offered that brought survivors together to participate in fun activities — like dancing, cooking, and beauty classes. The idea was to bond survivors together — and for Bethany, it really worked. “I’ve learned so much that I hope to pass on to others,” Bethany says.

Bethany also created a website called Breast Cancer Freebies, meant to support other women as they battle cancer.

Jean Trebek and cooking during cancer

For Jean Trebek, cooking is one of the many ways she’s been staying creative as her husband battles stage four pancreatic cancer.

“Thick and tasty! Warm and cozy! Soup and Soda Bread?! Who knew Cauliflower could taste so good, and it's healthy too… considered a super food, because it contains so many nutrients!” Jean wrote about the warm cauliflower soup.

She continued by explaining the story of how she first learned about the recipe, “My sister, Audrey, gave me this recipe a couple of years ago, when I was visiting her during the autumn. She's an amazing cook. I'm so inspired by her culinary prowess which she somehow manages given her hectic life.”

And talked about how well the recipe can fit into a busy schedule, “This soup can be prepared in advance, frozen and served whenever needed. It's great to have on hand, during the cooler months! Here's what I like to do- pair it up with my recipe for some tasty Brown Butter Irish Soda Bread.”

For the actual recipe, visit Jean’s article here.

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