Authentic Texas Steakhouse

While in Texas I was pretty good about watching what I ate and being healthy. I hadn't eaten red meat for most of my trip up until then. Since I was in Texas, I had my cheat day and went to an authentic Texas steakhouse because the best steaks seem to always be in Texas.

I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen for several years. He invited me out while we were still working together so we could hang out before we both left. He suggested the Republic of the Rio Grande Restaurant. I had heard good things about this place from other co-workers who visited, so I happily agreed to go.

It was a nice restaurant and I would have preferred the outdoor seating if it weren't the summer time. It wasn't too hot but inside seemed better that night. 

 

My outfit for going out. It was casual enough. Typical clothes are fine. We did see others dressed up.

Remember this shirt from the last blog post? I almost didn't get it. (Also purchased on my trip in Texas)

 

Here is the view on my way in. Outdoor dining is to the left of this shot but this isn't a food blog so I didn't go too far with the pics. 

 

My friend got there before me and ordered the nachos. Of course we did not finish them. That was a huge portion. It was good but the meat made it pretty heavy. Then again, I've been eating light recently. 

"Hi" - There were crayons on the table and the tablecloth was actually brown butcher's paper so I got to doodle ;)

Before I got here, I decided I was going to eat a small, but prime cut. I had the 12 ounce rib-eye steak. I would have ordered an 8 ounce cut but they only came in 12 ounces. It also came with steamed vegetables (broccoli, squash, and carrots) along with potatoes au gratin. I also had an unsweetened iced tea. They gave me plenty of lemon for the tea which was nice. 

The steak was very good. I tried eating it with the house sauce and A1 sauce. They seasoned the meat so well, that I preferred no sauce at all. I didn't finish the potatoes. Maybe I would have if I had some mustard to go with them, but I'm kinda weird like that. :p

Look, I ate all of my vegetables! I was pretty full at the end. 

My friend ordered the brownie with ice cream. I was considering the bread pudding and ice cream or the ice cream almond taco but like I said, I was already full. 

Well I had one or two more pics (of me) but they didn't save or come out right. Sorry.

I'm glad I came here that night. Good food and good friendship. I enjoyed it. 

Shopping for Gym Clothes

In June, I was on a work trip to Texas.  We shop for Ethan all of the time but rarely, if ever get a chance to shop for ourselves. While on a day off I took advantage and used my time to get something done that I hadn't done in a long time. Since I couldn't be with Ethan, I went shopping for myself so I could replace my worn out clothes. There was a great sporting goods store nearby so that is where i went. It had a great selection.

Everything is bigger in Texas. Academy Sports + Outdoors is huge! I had already been there prior on this trip to buy new elbow braces for the gym and a jump rope. 

I was looking at polo shirts for work. 

I picked the blue ones to try on.

A simple classic. 

Maybe in blue?

Some more polo shirts to consider.

The Adidas section.

Two that I picked to try on.

The Under Armour Section. Actually one of the Under Armour sections. There were lots to choose from.

More Choices.

These look nice. 

OK. Now this just looks like a bunch of Under Armour polo shirts. This is where the blog gets deep. I had a feeling of deja vu standing in this spot. I've never been able to take a picture at the moment before. I've been here in my mind. The three seconds it took to walk from one side to the other. I dreamed this months or maybe a year or more ago. For those three seconds the same thoughts passed through my mind as in my dream and I took the picture for the same reasons. Why, maybe I was supposed to be here doing this? I didn't know I would be in Texas, just this spot taking this picture for my personal reasons. And just like that the moment passed as I stood there surprised. 

The time passed and I came back to Earth.

Under Armour print Tees.

Under Armour print Tees for Texas

Add two more to the basket. 

Now to the Nike section.

More Nike options.

Picked a few out to try on. 

Clearance section has some funny stuff. 

More Clearance section funnies. 

Under Armour patriotic section. 

Popular Under Armour patriotic prints.

I liked the bottom one but they only had XL and larger.

OK. I also need shorts. 

More gray. Looking for black.

I liked the black ones...but when I tried them on...no pockets! Agghhh!

You know you are in Texas when you see Western Wear in a sporting goods store :)

This was immediately a keeper. 

I like the black shorts but...no pockets!

 Under Armour patriotic print. This was just slightly looser than I preferred.

Maybe.

Not bad but the white would be see through when wet. Not good for running or working out. No wet t-shirt look for me. 

Nice, but different size maybe?

Yes.

Maybe, for work?

This one is better. Color and fit. Also these were thick. I got a thumbs up for this one. Just not for exercising. 

Thinner material but no. 

Maybe...

Maybe? Maybe not?

I heard no but my Heart & Soul said yes!

Only one Puma shirt please. 

This Under Armour golf shirt was a "no," but really if it were not $65 I would have probably bought it. 

So the North Face shirts were regular t-shirt material, not for working out. 

So lets look at the maybes again. 

Eh?

A "maybe" that ended up as a "no"

I had to. 

The patriotic shirt was nice. I was going to pass but got talked into it, just had to find the right size: XXXS :p

I needed some color

I needed some color in a different size! Now it is a yes. 

Found some more pants. Nike pants are always too big and baggy. Pass. 

Still too tight?

Under Armour pants. Its so hard to find good gym shorts. Even a maybe is a yes!

Gray Adidas pants. I thought maybe. 

I heard Yes! Yes!

Ok, Ok, I'll get them. 

So here was my Shopping Haul:

I came home with six gym shirts. 

Puma - 1

Nike - 2

Under Armour - 3

Also got an Under Armour polo shirt for work.

I got the black Under Armour pants because I wanted black pants and I got the gray Adidas pants

To my virtual helper: thank you for being there to give me advice. It was more fun with you!