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Surviving the autumn grind: how to eat well in Germany and Austria

There is a lot to appreciate about living in Germany and Austria: distinct cultures, stunning landscapes, a high standard of living – the list goes on.

Published: 27 September 2021 08:40 CEST
Surviving the autumn grind: how to eat well in Germany and Austria
Photo: Getty

For many of us, it’s a wonderful experience that we will appreciate forever. However, life in this region can sometimes be a little intense, and this is never more evident than in the lead-up to the end of the year. 

Prepare for the busiest of seasons with local ingredients and inspiring, time-saving recipes. Receive €60 off your first four orders with HelloFresh. Click here for Austria and here for Germany 

Falling leaves, rising stress

When things start to get colder and darker across Germany and Austria, the change comes quickly. All of a sudden those long summer evenings will be replaced by days that seem to end abruptly, and turn into cold, foggy nights. To compensate for the lack of sunlight, both Germans and Austrians have come up with a typical solution – get busier. 

If you venture outside the cities, not only will you find a countryside erupting in red, brown and gold, but a bewildering variety of harvest festivals for you to enjoy too. It seems as though every weekend there’s another festival for you to visit, and with daylight at a premium, you can feel drawn to try each and every one. Kürbisstände (pumpkin stands) will appear on the side of the road in many regions, and you may just find yourself arriving home with yet another root vegetable you don’t know what to do with. 

It’s also at this time of the year that many businesses begin to plan for the year ahead. Strategy meetings, conferences and other essential work is often crammed into the daily calendar during the four months of September to December. If you’ve got children, a bulk of their learning takes place at this time too, as when the new year begins, there seems to be a never-ending series of holidays. 

Rising stress levels and a sudden lack of time in the day may not make themselves apparent immediately, but when they do, it can really be a challenge. 

Stay happy, healthy and stress-free throughout the busiest time of the year with HelloFresh. Readers of The Local get €60 off their first four orders with HelloFresh. Click here for Austria and here for Germany 


Photo: HelloFresh

Shock to the system

Being suddenly thrown back into the work grind after the summer holidays can be quite the shock. There are often new systems to get used to, new colleagues to work with, and an ever-busier schedule. It’s difficult to find the time to sit down to eat as a family, or with a loved one. Quite often we may find ourselves in front of a computer, eating as we work. When we do cook, we often turn to comfort food which isn’t the healthiest option. 

When you add the inevitable slew of social events that this time of the year brings, it can be very easy to feel out of sorts, tired and cranky. Too many carbs and sweet treats can play havoc with your blood sugar. Worst of all, you begin to miss the zest and spice of your favourite foods!


Photo: The Local Creative Studio

Your survival secret for the gloomy months

Now, more than ever, you need a strategy to make it to the end of year with your sanity intact, while still taking good care of yourself. Exercise is important, as is taking time out for regular breaks. 

Another strategy that can help you at this time of year is a meal kit box – like those provided by HelloFresh. Each week, you get the exact amount of ingredients you need to cook recipes of your choice. There are tonnes of balanced options, and the best part is that you can take your taste buds on a tour far away from Rostbraten (roast beef) or Rotkohl (red cabbage sauerkraut). 

Not only can this save you time – no more wondering about what to cook – but the specific portions means you’ll be saving money on food you don’t end up eating. Sustainable, recyclable packaging also means you’ll be helping the planet.

This year, HelloFresh is bringing something new to the table. Frische Blitzgerichte are lightning-quick, five minute recipes made in only three easy steps. The recipe options change on a frequent basis, exposing you to new tastes, ingredients and flavours. What a perfect way to save time and try something new!

The stretch of time between September and December can be a crazy, chaotic and stressful time. Investing in meal kit boxes can be an ideal way to take back time, and ensure that you remain fit and healthy among all those sweet treats. 

Get a HelloFresh meal box subscription this September, and give yourself extra time and peace of mind. Click the link for Austria or Germany to save €60 on your first four boxes.

At time of publication the offer is – 60€ off over 4 HelloFresh boxes with free shipping included on the first box. This offer is subject to change.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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