Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they discuss food that feels like a hug on a plate, why hugging is good for us (and the best types of hug), how to cope with difficult times and the joy of the arts.

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Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting this season.

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the October RELISH issue (172) available to buy here

A Good Life – comforting recipes for early autumn including butternut squash and blue cheese risotto, chicken noodle soup and fig leaf custard

Food to share – Corned beef hash in a giant Yorkshire pudding

Cake in the house – beetroot battenburg

Beryl Cook – joyful art to make you smile 100 years after her birth. Extract from the new book Beryl Cook: Life and Art (Frances Lincoln).

Beryl Cook & Friends installation at Bicester Village runs until 25 October. Find out more here

Art cure - why the arts are so important for our wellbeing. Feature by Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform our Health (Cornerstone)

Wisdom: Caitlin Moran talks about finding positivity in an anxious world. Her new book How to be Hopeful (Ebury) is out now.

Coming up in the November HEARTY issue (173) On sale 23 October

Know a thing or two about dogs: the fascinating evolution from wolf to man’s best friend, dog language and what we can learn from our pets

From previous issues available to buy here

Coping with big change (September, Issue 171)

What to do when you can’t do anything (July, Issue 169)

On the blog

Smokey Boston beans and armadillo potatoes

Rainbow minestrone with basil mayo topping

Thanks again to Austria Tourism for supporting this season and to Rudolf Abraham, travel writer, guidebook author and photographer for sharing his highlights of the Austrian autumn including:
Salzkammergut region – one of his favourite places. He is author of a guidebook to the area
Dachstein mountains – Echerntal, a valley near Hallstatt which leads up onto the plateau
Hohe Tauern mountains & national park
Grossglockner (highest mountain in Austria) – Alpe Adria Trail starts at the foot of the Grossglockner.

To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info.