Happy Birthday to Me (Again?)

I'm finally done celebrating my birthday. Well, it is almost 2010! On a very cold, blustery night, why not take a culinary trip to Mexico?

My friend treated me to a belated celebratory dinner at Pancho's Burritos in Westwood. To drink, a non-alcoholic strawberry margarita.

Vegetarian enchiladas. Your eyes aren't deceiving you - that is sour cream. But tofu sour cream! They offer soy cheese as well, but they were out that night. Sob.

Treating each other to a meal at a local restaurant is one of my favorite gift exchanges. Restaurants employ so many workers - cooks, servers, busboys, dishwashers, suppliers and so on. It's a great way to support the economy without going to the mall and buying a clutter gift. Spending time with my friends and sharing great conversation is the best gift of all.

Visit Pancho's Burritos, 20 Jefferson Avenue, Westwood, NJ, or check out their New Milford location (which I prefer atmosphere-wise) on 214 Main Street.

Flashback to my budget travels in Mexico, including my yummy vegan eats. Oh those grilled vegetable and pineapple fajitas!