A RAINY WALK IN AMAPAS AND THE ROMANTIC ZONE, PUERTO VALLARTA: I was on a mission!

 Searching for Mayonnaise Packaged in Glass

Guess Which Mini-Supermarket I Found It In!

Yesterday was very rainy, probably due to Hurricane Vance passing by Puerto Vallarta. It was a perfect day to try out my rain poncho. I had carried it in my backpack for many miles during training for the Camino de Santiago. And I never needed it during my long Camino Inglés walk in Spain, so it was time to try it out.

My mission was to find mayonnaise in a glass jar — no more plastic packaging in my refrigerator! I've been a Best Food mayonnaise lover since I was a child in Oregon. In Mexico, Hellmann's was the equivalent brand. I hoped to find this brand in a glass container, since every size I had ordered from La Comer was packaged in plastic. 

My goal is to minimize plastic use. Mayonnaise is one of the few products I use that I haven't found packaged in glass. To see my other ideas, please check out my blog: 

𝟭𝟬 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 🌎Ecological Footprint Lesson 102 · Updated Dec 28, 2025

The Last Time I Will Buy Mayonnaise in a Plastic Container!

I was determined to walk 6000 steps, about 4.5 km, in this steady rain to reach my daily fitness goal. Few people were out, and the ones who were carried umbrellas or wore rain gear. 

I headed into Colonia Amapas first because I wanted to check the Mini Super and Deli Amapas near home. The walk was rather dreary — though a few murals brightened the route. Even the rooster stood on the sidewalk under an overhang.

Mini Super and Deli Amapas Store Had It!

The first store I ducked into, Mini Super and Deli Amapas, had mayonnaise in many sizes. I was excited that all were in glass jars! But they were all McCormick's brand. I had tried it once years ago and couldn't get used to the flavor, but now was the time to learn to like it. I bought a medium-sized jar to try.

It was still raining when I stepped outside, so dark and dreary that lights controlled by sensors had come on in the Romantic Zone. Lighted palm trees looked pretty along my route to the beach, and the pier decor was lit up. I suddenly felt happy to be walking in the rain. It was 78 degrees outside and very comfortable, not like the Oregon rain I remembered. And so much cooler than the 92-degree temperatures we had experienced for weeks in Puerto Vallarta.

The boardwalk was missing in front of many restaurants, from Swell on the Beach to Si Señor on the Beach. The wooden sections were stacked away from the surf with sandbags surrounding them to help keep the high tide away.

I skipped walking on the wet sand and headed to Los Muertos Pier street, Francisca Rodríguez, to check out Frutería & Minisuper Barragán. I was surprised they also carried mayonnaise in glass jars! I was disappointed that, again, it was McCormick's brand, but I wanted to support the store, so I purchased another medium mayonnaise.

It was time to explore the Old Town Market, one of my favorite mini-supermarkets in the Romantic Zone. That would take me far enough from home to reach over 3000 steps, so I would achieve my goal when I returned.

The Disassembled Boardwalk and Sandbags

Frutería & Minisuper Barragán Had Mayonnaise in Glass Jars, Too!

Old Town Market, Puerto Vallarta

The Old Town Market Had An Exceptionally Good Selection

The Old Town Market had an exceptionally good selection of mayonnaise, including a large jar of Best Foods, which had to have been imported from the United States. I squeezed every jar, and all were plastic except the McCormick's. I took another medium McCormick's jar to the cash register and told the cashier that I was writing a story about buying mayonnaise in glass. After I purchased it, I asked her to take my photo for this blog, and she wanted to include their sign outside the glass doors. Good idea!

I headed toward home, trying to avoid flooded streets, but it was impossible. Some intersections had become small creeks, and my shoes were soon soaked. The best I could do was avoid being splashed by passing cars and trucks. 

I decided to stop at a cafe for a cup of hot herbal tea and to use their baño. It was ironic that I chose A Page in the Sun, because there was not a bit of sun to be seen that day. I sat outside and gazed at the Tile Park across the street, enjoying the sound of the rain.

When I got home and dug the three medium-sized jars out of my backpack, I realized one had 20% more "gratis", a free bonus. I'm not sure which store carried that one, but they were all priced about the same, mas o menos. We would be eating a lot of tuna salad sandwiches in the coming year. But each time I used a scoop from a glass jar of McCormick's mayonnaise, I would be reminded that I was helping the environment. 

I Bought Lots of Mayonnaise--All in Glass Jars. Almost Plastic-free.

Thank you for reading! Every small step toward reducing plastic makes a difference.

What are you doing to minimize your use of plastic? I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Please share in the comments below. We can all learn from one another!

To see my other ideas, please check out my blog: 

𝟭𝟬 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 🌎Ecological Footprint Lesson 102 · Updated Dec 28, 2025

Terry L Turrell, Author

Visit My Amazon Author Page Here

𝟭𝟬 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 🌎Ecological Footprint Lesson 102 · Updated Dec 28, 2025

 Ditch Plastic Packaging

Lots of Alternatives!

1. Bar Soap in Talavera Soap Dishes

Reducing plastic use is not only good for the environment—it can also be surprisingly satisfying and fun. One of my most recent changes was eliminating plastic liquid hand soap bottles altogether, including both pump bottles and large refill containers. That’s a lot of plastic over the course of a year. My solution was simple and enjoyable: I bought beautiful Talavera soap dishes from local Mexican shops and switched to bar soap for handwashing at the kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Fill Talavera Pump Dispensers 

With "Platos" Dishwashing Detergent

I now fill my Talavera pump dispensers with dishwashing detergent—my new Platos liquid soap. Guests who prefer liquid soap can use this option, and it works beautifully: it creates just enough suds, cleans well, and rinses easily. Keeping it in a decorative dispenser also makes dishwashing detergent readily available for scrubbing pots. I’m especially pleased that "Platos" brand dishwashing soap is plastic-free and biodegradable, and I share more about it below.

2. Toothpaste Tablets in a Plastic-Free Container

I wish I had discovered toothpaste tablets sooner! Muyme ships 90 tablets in a completely plastic-free can, available through Amazon México, making it easy to eliminate traditional toothpaste tubes from daily life. According to Google, globally around 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away each year, with some estimates as high as 20 billion annually due to their mixed plastic and foil layers that can’t be recycled. In the U.S. alone, more than 400 million tubes end up in landfills every year, where they can take centuries to decompose. 

These tablets feel like a small but meaningful step toward reducing plastic waste—and they’re practical and delightful to use. I love the fresh flavor, the simplicity, and the compact size that makes them perfect for travel.

3. I've Switched to Compostable Zipper Bags!

Available at La Comer Stores

4. My First Bamboo Toothbrush Ordered from La Comer

Others Available from Amazon—What Do You Like?

Plastic toothbrushes can take up to 500 years to break down. They don’t fully decompose—instead, they fragment into microplastics that can pollute ecosystems and waterways for centuries.

Globally, roughly 23 billion toothbrushes are discarded annually, according to National Geographic and other sources. Since most of these are not recyclable, they likely end up in a landfill or are incinerated. Each one of us can make a positive environmental impact with this small change.

5. I Purchased More Pyrex Dishes to Eliminate Plastic Wrap

And Replace Styrofoam Restaurant To-Go Containers

Yes, I bring my Pyrex bowls to the meat market for chicken, beef, and pork—and to restaurants so I can pack up half my meal to take home. It’s a simple habit that helps the environment and saves me money. I also use these bowls for freezer storage instead of plastic freezer bags, which cuts down on waste and makes reheating frozen meals much easier.

6. Nutrisa Frozen Yogurt in Waxed Paper Carton

No Plastic, Not Even in the Lid!

I’ve written before about reducing our plastic usage, but it’s been a while. My earlier post, "ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT Lesson 101: 10 Ways We Reduced Ours When We Retired in Mexico", was published on March 9, 2017, shortly after we moved to Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico.

Even eight years ago, we were already making changes: buying milk and juices in waxed paper cartons and trying to cut back on plastic containers. I even made my own yogurt at home for a while, but we ate it too fast, and I eventually tired of the long process.

7. Our Juice and Milk Cartons 8 Years Ago

The Cartons Have Changed But Still Eco-Friendly

🌱 I Want to Reduce Plastic Usage — More. 🌊

One small change I’ve made recently: I stopped buying yogurt in plastic containers. Instead, I discovered Nutrisa Frozen Yogurt, which comes in two delicious flavors, Mora (Blackberry) and Taro. To my surprise, Taro has become my favorite! It pairs beautifully with bananas, mangos, pineapple, and even cooked cinnamon apples with cranberries. 😋

Fruit Smoothie from Ingredients Packaged in Paper

For breakfast, I’ve been adding two small scoops of Nutrisa to a bowl of fruit, granola, and chopped walnuts. It’s creamy, refreshing, and so satisfying. Nutrisa claims it contains live cultures, so I feel like it’s a healthy alternative to regular or Greek yogurt, plus, it blends perfectly into smoothies.💚

8. Purchase Drinks and Food in Glass Containers

I say, "No plastico por favor." With a little extra effort, I have found all the drinks and food I need in glass or cans. I even found almond butter packaged in glass jars from Amazon Mexico.

Recently, I watched the documentary “A Plastic Ocean.” It opened my eyes. Seeing the heartbreaking impact of plastic on our oceans, wildlife, and ultimately our own bodies has motivated me to make a difference—one small, mindful choice at a time.

♻️ Going Beyond Yogurt: My Next Plastic-Free Goal

My next goal was to eliminate buying dishwashing and laundry detergent in plastic bottles. I discovered a Mexican company called Desplastifícate, which translates to “Deplasticize.”

I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about their products. But after trying them, I’ve realized their soaps are worth every peso!

9. “Platos”: The Name of the Dishwashing Soap

Available on Amazon México, Platos proudly promotes a simple mission: “Go plastic-free with our scented dish soap. Unlike liquid or powder cleaners, it won’t pollute water.” 

I can vouch for that claim! The scent is light, refreshing, and best of all, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. 🌸

10. Ropa: The Name of their Laundry Detergent

👕 “Ropa” — My New Favorite Laundry Soap

I especially love the “Ropa” laundry detergent by Desplastifícate! I used it for two weeks before writing this article to make sure it wouldn’t cause any skin irritation like most detergents do—and it didn’t. 🌿

At first, I didn’t believe their claim of “No rinsing required.” I’ve always had to run my laundry through an extra rinse with my low-water washer when using other soaps, but not with Ropa!

Not only does it eliminate the need for those huge plastic bottles of detergent, it also saves water, electricity, and wear-and-tear on clothing. It’s a win all around. Next time, I’ll be ordering the four-pack from Amazon! 🧺

🌎 Every Small Change Counts

Reducing plastic has become more than a goal for me—it’s a mindful practice that connects my daily choices to the health of our planet. Each time I find a new way to replace plastic with something reusable or biodegradable, I feel a little lighter and more hopeful about the future.

Have you found creative ways to reduce plastic in your daily life? ♻️
I’ll be adding more ideas to this article in the coming weeks, and I’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments. Together, we can inspire each other—because every small change truly counts. 💚

💚 Thank You for Reading

Thank you for reading my articles and following along on this journey. Writing about these small, meaningful lifestyle changes keeps me accountable and connected to others who care about our planet.

For more lessons I’ve learned along the way, please take a look at my Healthy Living in Mexico books, where I share stories, insights, and practical tips from my life here in Mexico. 🌴📘

Free with Kindle Unlimited Membership

Terry L Turrell, Author

CHOCOBANANA RESTAURANT'S ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT: Teaching by Example

 Lesson 1: No More Single-Use Plastic!

FREE WATER with Your Cup or Bottle

     ChocoBanana’s owner, Tracie Willis, and her team of employees have been committed to protecting the environment for many years. Not only does ChocoBanana set the standard in Sayulita for minimizing their carbon footprint on our earth, but Tracie and her team also encourage other restaurants and individuals to follow her example.

     ChocoBanana has a 5-gallon garrafón of drinking water set out on an easy-tipping stand, allowing customers to refill their reusable water bottle or drinking cup. This eliminates buying a plastic bottle of drinking water at the store!

Lesson #2: Carry a Reusable Drinking Bottle or Cup with You

ChocoBanana Sells Reusable Cups and Bottles

     Don’t have a reusable drinking container with you? Don’t worry, ChocoBanana sells them! Carry it with you and take it home as a souvenir. Please don't buy single-use plastic bottles of water—ChocoBanana has you covered. Tracie states that single-use plastic bottles are produced at the rate of one million per minute! She is teaching us to stop using single-use plastic to help save the planet.

     Recycling is not the long-term answer to eliminating plastic in our landfills and ocean. We need to eliminate the use of single-use plastic containers.

Lesson #3: What?!! No To-Go Single-Use Coffee Cups

ChocoBanana Sells Mugs and Insulated Cups with Covers

     Bring your own coffee mug if you want to buy a cup of organic coffee to go and help save our planet. If you forget your mug, ChocoBanana sells reusable coffee thermoses and coffee mugs at cost. Or you can rent a coffee mug for a deposit of 70 pesos and return it for a refund when finished. The price of coffee to fill your cup is very inexpensive. They aren’t trying to make a profit on to-go coffee sales—they are teaching us to stop using single-use cups that become trash filling up our landfills.

Sayulita Poem as a Remembrance of this Oceanside Pueblo 

Lesson #4: Vendors Deliver Food and Drinks Only in Reusable Containers to Minimize Trash

Fruit Deliveries Come in Reusable Containers

Coca-Cola is Delivered in Glass Bottles and Returned Empty

     ChocoBanana insists that vendors deliver food and drinks in reusable containers. Even the ice cream for shakes is delivered by Helados Remy in plastic reusable tubs. This greatly reduces garbage going into the earth's landfill.

Lesson #5: No Plastic Bags or Straws (even “Biodegradable”!)

     ChocoBanana has been advocating for the elimination of single-use plastic straws for years and has had a huge impact in Sayulita, influencing customers to refuse straws at other restaurants, thereby influencing the restaurants to stop offering straws. While biodegradable straws and bags are legal alternatives to plastic in Nayarit, Tracie says she does not use them at ChocoBanana because they can take years to decompose while they float around in the ocean or blow around in nature.

     Here’s an article that helps us understand why many biodegradable bags float in the ocean without decomposing: How Long Do Biodegradable Bags Take To Decompose?. So, take your reusable bag to carry the food you purchase to go.

 Lesson #6: No Styrofoam (also called Unicel) for To-Go Orders

Amalia Explains Other Ways ChocoBanana Helps the Environment

     I interviewed Amalia, one of ChocoBanana’s employees, and she explained several ways that they minimize trash and single-use plastic. She said they offer paper bags for muffins and cookies purchased to go, never Styrofoam or plastic. They also will lend a glass cake plate with a cover to a customer who purchases larger quantities of pastries. When the customer returns the cake plate, it can be washed and reused.

     For to-go orders of food, they are packaged for the customer in biodegradable, environmentally safe containers made from corn, never Styrofoam. A low charge of 8 pesos (40 cents) is added to the cost of the food, a minimal contribution to saving our planet.

Amalia also explained that ChocoBanana purchases flour in 25-kilo bags rather than small packages which further minimizes the amount of trash produced. Minimizing trash production is one of ChocoBanana’s important goals--one that we can all learn from.

Lesson #7: No Organic Waste Goes into the Trash

Candelario, Part of the ChocoBanana Team

     I spoke with Candelario, another ChocoBanana employee, while Tracie handled a phone call to keep her many projects going. He told me that organic food waste is taken to a local ranch where it is fed to pigs. Vegetable and fruit waste is taken to the community compost area in Tamarindo. Disposing of food scraps in these ways contributes to decreasing trash in the landfill.

     Composting at home is an easy way to decrease the volume and stench of trash. Read more about home composting at REDUCING OUR TRASH--PLAN #1 FOR THE NEW YEAR: Composting at Home in Mexico

Lesson #8: Buy a Chocolate-Covered Frozen Banana to Help Fund a Green Sayulita!

Tracie Willis and Her Original ChocoBanana Cooler from 1991

     ChocoBananas, those yummy chocolate-covered frozen bananas, was Tracie Willis’ first product, created in 1991 and sold on the beach from her insulated cooler. Even back then, Tracie taught others not to throw trash on the beach—“Don’t Throw Trash on the Beach” was stenciled in Spanish on the reverse side of her cooler.

     Now 100% of the sales of these chocolate-covered bananas go to the Ser Su Voz charity to help the environment. Tracie leads Ser Su Voz to promote responsible environmental practices in and around Sayulita, including helping the recycling program by donating a truck to the Centro de Reciclajede Sayulita, contributing funds and work to place eight large trash bins and two street-cleaning carts in Sayulita, a huge step to help keep garbage from washing and blowing into the ocean, planting and watering trees in Sayulita, and promoting land development with compassion, especially to protect our beach, ocean, and river.

Tracie Promoting Development with Compassion

     To learn more about ChocoBanana Restaurant and Ser Su Voz Sayulita, stop in for breakfast, served all day, and talk to Tracie and her associates. You can't miss the restaurant in centro across from the corner of the plaza. Don’t forget to buy a chocolate-covered banana to help fund a green Sayulita!

ChocoBanana Restaurant in Sayulita Centro

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Pickle Jar Test: A Novel

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Terry L Turrell, Author

WITHOUT STRAWS, PLEASE (SIN POPOTES, POR FAVOR): When Will I Remember?

Maybe This Will Help...

I Created a Table Sign to Help Us When Ordering Drinks

     Jon and I have been trying to remember to order our drinks in restaurants “without straws” for years, and we still forget, over and over again. As soon as our drinks arrive (aqua de jamaica, orange juice, margaritas, etc.), straw inserted in glass, we exchange that “NOT AGAIN” look. How were we going to remember, short of tattooing it on my forehead?

Even with the Sign, We Forgot to Order Sin Popote

     We can remember to take our reusable grocery bags when we are going to shop for food and supplies. We can remember our cloth 6-pack wine bag when we are going to Licorería El Coyul to stock up on wine. We are very good at not using plastic bags. But we could not remember to order our drinks without straws, sin popotes. 

     I racked my brain for months to come up with a solution to train ourselves, and maybe even assist the restaurants in changing their policy about using straws. Finally, I created a friendly table sign, written in English and Spanish, that said “Sin Popotes Por Favor ☻Without a Straw Please”.

Printed on 4X6 Photo Paper, This Makes a Cute Tented Sign

     I figured that if I held two of these tented signs in my hand as we walked to the restaurant, then placed one on the table in front of each of us, either Jon or I would surely see it as we were ordering our drinks. If we didn’t see it, the waiter might.

     This has worked about fifty percent of the time, probably because the other fifty percent of the time the sign was in my purse and not in my hand. But the interesting thing is, just since I made these table signs, several times we have remembered to order drinks sin popote even when I have forgotten to put the signs on the table. There is hope! We are learning.

     So, what is the big deal about “No Straws”? Once you’ve seen this YouTube video of the person removing a straw from a sea turtle’s nostril, you will never forget the image.

     It is so sad how the plastic straws, plastic six-pack beer holders, plastic bags, and other plastic items have harmed sea creatures. These items wash or blow into our creeks and rivers and find their way to the ocean. They are discarded on the streets in beach towns like Sayulita, then as soon as it rains, they wash down the cobblestone roads, onto the beach, and into the ocean.

18 Straws I Picked Up in a Half Mile Walk One Day

     I have become obsessed with picking up straws and plastic beer can holders and putting them in our trash at home. There are few garbage cans along the streets in Sayulita to put them in and this is part of the reason they end up lying in the street. In one day, I picked up eighteen straws while I walked the half mile home from downtown Sayulita. How many straws must be lying in the streets all over town? How many straws are lying in streets in beach towns all over the world, poised to wash or blow into the ocean, possibly to end up in a sea animal's nostril or stomach. 

     When Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita releases baby turtles on the beach, I feel happy that I have done my part to help the turtles' chances of living healthy lives without plastic straws stuck in their nostrils. (Avoiding the use of plastic bags also helps lessen the chance these turtles will ingest a piece of plastic, believing it is a jellyfish.)

Baby Olive Ridley Turtles Being Released at Sunset

     We can all work together to help eliminate the use of plastic straws. Some restaurants in our town no longer offer straws. Some offer metal, reusable straws, though I am not a fan of this for sanitation reasons. Others provide paper or other biodegradable straws. The waiters at some restaurants are trained to ask the customer if they would like a straw and we always thank them for offering, and then we decline the straws.

     We have started a list of our preferred restaurants in Sayulita. It’s interesting that many of our favorite restaurants are owned and managed by people who care about their customers’ desires, as well as the environment, and have stopped using plastic straws. This is an example of an environmental cause where pressure from the people is having a positive effect. Thank you to every restaurant and person who declines to use straws, when possible.

     While there are circumstances when a straw is necessary, thank you for using care to dispose of it in the trash where it will not find its way to the ocean. Together, we are working toward a more green Sayulita and a more green world.

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Terry L. Turrell, Author

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