New Race, Restaurant Review

New Race:

I am signing up for an Aquathlon! Partly because I like the word “aquathlon” and part because I want to try a beginner race, I am signing up for the Splash and Dash Aquathlon in Sugarland, TX on August 14!

It is a 300 meter swim and 2 mile run. I think it is going to be a perfect race for me to test my new swimming skills, have something to work to until then, and get practice with a small race like this.

Now if only I can figure out how to keep water out of my goggles and what to wear for a swim + run, I will be set!

That weekend is also our two year wedding anniversary, and I promise that two years ago on that Saturday, I did not think that I’d be signing up for an aquathlon or starting to train for a half marathon. But I am very happy that I am!

Thanks to Stacy in my office for suggesting the race, and my sister at UNC for wanting to sign up too since she’ll be visiting that weekend!

Restaurant Review:

As part of my series on writing about healthy options at Houston restaurants that I go to, here is a review of Brasil in the Montrose area (no website, they are hippie like that).

I went for dinner on a Wednesday night and got the Brasil Cobb, which was nothing like a typical Cobb (no eggs, bacon, avocado, etc). It had a lot of frisee lettuce, mixed greens, beets, pepitas, carrots, red onions, a good chunk of sourdough bread, and I added grilled chicken. Good salad, nice size, all for $10. I dislike frisee lettuce, so left all that on the plate!

Their menu is very earthy, the atmosphere is very Montrose. It is almost hard to find Brasil (corner of Dunlavy and Westheimer), but once inside, there are two large patios and two rooms of indoor seating. It was packed the night we went with a piano/violin concert, and outdoor movie screenings partnered with neighbor Domy, a book store, and people camped out reading or playing on their computers.

Other healthy options on the menu included a hummus plate, veggie burger, tofu plates, tofu on salads, turkey sandwich, and many other hearty salad varieties that you can add chicken, tuna, or tofu to. I could go back many times and not be bored with options. There was also a long list of pizzas, and a daily dessert board for the indulgent.

The cons of the restaurant was that it was very crowded when we went–many tables not cleared off, drippy air conditioner, my meal came long before my dinner buddy’s, and it was a little chaotic inside.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s a popular place to stay for a while. If you do that, don’t stay too long…there are people waiting to grab your seat.