Javelina: Craft Beer and Fine Cuisine in Austin, Texas

Founded by four college pals, Javelina features what the owners call ‘Hill Country Soul.' It’s your go-to spot to kick back with a craft beer and a bite to eat while listening to some great music from Austin’s array of musicians.

Settle in with a craft beer or one of their signature cocktails like the Sandiamo with vodka, watermelon juice, fresh lemon and agave syrup. If you need a nosh, order something from the starter menu, like the all-time favorite Green Chile Pork Fries with your choice of plain or sweet potatoes topped with a heaping mound of pork-infused green chile. The yummy burger selection includes the Javelina topped with green chile pork, mustard & jack cheese, and the Miga with fried egg, tortilla strips & American cheese. Entrée salads are also served.

Just a short trip from tree, Javelina is open every day.

Javelina
69 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 382-6917
http://www.javelinabar.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/javelina-austin

Easy Ways to Incorporate More Potassium Into Your Diet

While most people think of bananas when they think of sources of potassium, there are actually a wide variety of other foods that contain even more of the beneficial mineral. Potassium helps to keep your heartbeat regular and your muscles, kidneys, and other organs working to their fullest potential, and it’s even been proven to work better than sports drinks at providing energy before a workout. These great foods can help to ensure that you get enough all-natural potassium.

  1. Sweet potatoes. Along with their numerous other health benefits, sweet potatoes are also very high in potassium. Just one average sized potato contains an impressive 646 milligrams, making it one of the absolute best sources of this mineral. At just 131 calories per sweet potato, they also make a low calorie side dish that won’t derail your diet plans.
  2. Tomato sauces. The zesty marinara sauce that you toss on your linguine is an even better source of potassium than a fresh tomato. Just 1/4 cup of tomato paste contains 664 milligrams of potassium, and plain old tomato juice offers over 400 milligrams.
  3. Beans. Whether you prefer fresh green beans or kidney and lima beans, all types of these beans are wonderful sources of potassium. Half of a cup of white beans contains just about 600 milligrams of the necessary mineral, and they’re good for your heart as well.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Potassium [Healthaliciousness]
15 Foods That Are High in Potassium [Health.com]
Foods With More Potassium Than a Banana [Huffington Post]
Potassium and Your CKD Diet [National Kidney Foundation]

Monkey See Monkey Do!: Off-the-Wall Gifts That Can’t be Imitated

Whether you love kitschy, quirky trinkets or you know someone else who does, Monkey See Monkey Do! is one of Austin’s most popular gift shops. This wacky store is like a toy store for adults, and it is positively packed full of all of the magnets, action figures, whoopee cushions, and novelty candies that you can imagine. There’s also a number of Austin-themed gifts!

None of these items are particularly useful, but once you spend a while in this silly shop you'll realize that that’s what makes them great. And of course, Monkey See Monkey Do! even carries a vast assortment of—you guessed it—monkey paraphernalia!

Monkey See Monkey Do! is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Monkey See Monkey Do!
1712 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 443-4999
www.facebook.com/MonkeySeeMonkeyDoAustin
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-see-monkey-do-austin

Cocktails and Crab-Crusted Steak at Austin’s CRAVE

Local, seasonal ingredients form an important part of the menu at CRAVE in Austin. Although not every ingredient comes from a local source, CRAVE's chefs incorporate locally sourced ingredients whenever they can.

CRAVE's menu of options includes some upscale, creative dishes, like crab-crusted filet mignon and egg rolls stuffed with chicken and avocado. Those are two of regular customers' favorites, but they're by no means the only things to enjoy here. The menu is expansive, encompassing a huge array of dishes, from pizza and pasta to pan-roasted sea bass, fried chicken and waffles, and even spicy lamb burgers. There's also a sushi menu, a huge list of specialty and cooked rolls, and the equally impressive cocktail list. Visitors can complement the upscale fare with a ginger pear martini, blackberry sage tea, agave margarita, or a sweet glass of sangria.

Visit CRAVE's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

CRAVE
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000
http://cravetexas.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/crave-austin-4

Move Over, Dairy! These Foods Are Surprisingly High in Calcium

You learn from an early age that calcium builds strong bones and teeth, but it has a number of other health benefits as well. This beneficial mineral also helps to regulate your blood pressure, maintains healthy blood vessels, and even aids in preventing Type 2 diabetes. Now that you know why you should eat calcium, here are a few lesser-known ways to get it.

  1. White beans. Beans get a good reputation because of their high levels of protein, but white beans are also very high in calcium as well. In fact, just one cup of canned white beans provides 191 milligrams of calcium, which is about 19% of your daily value. These creamy, mild legumes are great in a hearty chili or mashed as a chickpea substitute in homemade hummus.
  2. Sardines. While these tiny fish may have made you squeamish as a child, sardines are actually one of the healthiest fish that you can eat. Like a lot of seafood, they’re rich in omega 3s, but they also provide 321 milligrams of calcium in just seven sardine filets. Many people choose to eat them plain, but if you prefer to cut down on the fishy flavor, you can also add sardines to a salad.

18 Surprising Dairy-Free Sources of Calcium [Greatist]
18 Surprising Dairy-Free Sources of Calcium [HuffPost Healthy Living]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Kick Your Style Into High Gear With a Visit to Allens Boots

Allens Boots is the place for boots in Austin's South Congress shopping district. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you maneuver through the rows of beautiful boots to find what you're looking for. Allens carries popular brands like Frye and Tony Lama and also offers a custom made boot service through Lucchese Boot Company. There are boots that fit every budget and every occasion, from weddings to field work.

Besides the massive selection of footwear, there is Western clothing and cowboy hats for sale, too. Ladies will enjoy slipping on a new pair of Miss Me's, and there's a good selection of Wranglers as well. Allens Boots is a great place to take out of state visitors. They'll get a kick out of the cowboy styles and the staff's Southern hospitality.

Allens Boots
1522 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-1413
http://www.allensboots.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/allens-boots-austin

Shop Affordable Finds for the Home at Simply Austin Furniture

If you’re new to Austin and find yourself needing some essential pieces for your home, locals will gladly point you in the direction of Simply Austin Furniture. This locally-owned treasure has found bargains for literally thousands of happy homemakers over the years.

When you walk in, you’ll notice that the showroom doesn’t have a lot of frills, but what they lack in ambiance they pass on to you in low prices; they have a knack for offering specific items at well below catalog price. Owner Penny Britton is an expert at finding exactly what’s important to you at your desired price point. All of the sales staff here are expertly trained and super friendly, willing to take as much time as you need to select the perfect piece.

One of the best things about Simply Austin is that they stand by the quality of their goods 100%: if your furniture wears out, they’ve been known to replace items no questions asked.

Simply Austin Furniture
3405 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-5151
simplyaustinfurniture.com
www.yelp.com/biz/simply-austin-furniture-austin

The Clay Pit: An Austin Indian Restaurant

A warm, inviting ambiance with cinnamon-hued walls greets you when you enter The Clay Pit. The menu features a flavorful selection of Indian fare served attentively in an upscale setting. Order a beer or glass of wine from their extensive selection and a delightful appetizer like Veggie Samosas, Clay Pit Pakoras, Curried Crab Cakes or Coriander Calamari.

The Clay Pit's signature curry dishes include Jeera Saag – pureed spinach with spices, Vindaloo with bell pepper, onion & potatoes, and Mirch Masala with jalapenos, garlic, ginger & onions. Other dishes include Kabuli Chicken with korma sauce, Goat Saag with pureed spinach, Rack of Lamb in yogurt masala, and Lamb Roganjosh with creamy onion sauce. Stop by at lunchtime to feast on the flavorful array of dishes on the buffet table.

This Austin Indian restaurant is open every day.

The Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-5131
http://claypit.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-clay-pit-austin

RIO Rooftop Bar & Lounge: Taking Nightlife to New Heights in Downtown Austin

Whether you’re looking for a hip spot for date night or a venue for a planned event, RIO Rooftop Bar & Lounge is a primo place to party in downtown Austin. The venue features a rooftop lounge with a swimming pool, a sports bar, and restaurant with chic, modern decor and premium service. They have a flavorful menu of small plates suitable for sharing.

Get your party started with a glass of wine, or one of their elegant artisan cocktails like the Spring Blossom with gin, St. Germaine liqueur, & lime juice, or the Paloma with tequila, pink grapefruit juice & lime. RIO's dining options include Filet Sliders with garlic herb butter, Truffled Mushroom Flatbread with thyme & arugula, Heirloom Tomato Salad with burrata mozzarella, and Queso with tortilla chips.

RIO Rooftop Bar & Lounge
601 Rio Grande Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 436-8464
www.riorooftop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rio-rooftop-pool-lounge-and-restaurant-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Interesting Facts About Music Icon Ray Charles

One of soul music’s most influential pioneers, Ray Charles overcame a number of personal and professional battles during his rise to stardom. Here are some of the most important highlights from his lengthy musical career.

  1. Though Ray Charles is known for being blind, he wasn’t born that way. Charles began to gradually lose his sight as a child, and he didn’t become fully blind until age seven.
  2. When he moved to Seattle at age 16, Charles befriended Quincy Jones. The legendary songwriter, trumpet player, and music producer often credits Charles for getting him into music. The two remained lifelong friends.
  3. Just one year after his first record deal with Atlantic Records, Charles saw his first number one single with “I Got a Woman." The song is now one of his most legendary.
  4. Charles has had a lot of nicknames throughout his career. When he first started to become successful, fellow musicians called him “The Genius” because of the previously unheard of way in which he blended musical styles. Later, he became known as “The Father of Soul."
  5. Charles was among the first group of musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1986, he received the honor with fellow musicians like Elvis, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.

Ray Charles [Rolling Stone]
Ray Charles [Biography]
Ray Charles Biography [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]

Public Domain/Public Domain

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