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]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/chillitpv

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/blu_pineappl3