great takes on family travel in the U.S.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Happy Earth Day! Are you drinking your organic coffee out of your recyclable cup while driving your Prius to work today? Yeah, me neither. And I’m not going to lie and say I spent the weekend hugging my ficus or working on my compost pile, either. In fact, I don’t even have a compost pile, unless you count that heap of decomposing chicken bones and orange rinds out in my yard that are leftover from my last barbecue.

But I do feel like the day should be commemorated in some way, and I’d like to show my kids how important recycling and taking care of our planet really is. My 12-year old is already on board – how many kids do you know who spend their own allowance buying reusable shopping bags? And pick up trash and bottles when they’re hiking? My 9-year-old could use a little ‘green’ education though – her idea of conservation is turning the lights to ‘low’ while she watches TV and microwaves her popcorn.

I did find one great activity for kids taking place this coming weekend on Sunday, April 27. Los Angeles Children’s Earth Day will be taking place at Star Eco Station, an environmental science and wildlife rescue center in Culver City. (The Star Eco Station is a great place to visit anytime, even when there isn’t an event going on.) The Children’s Earth Day festivities will feature games, crafts, activities, healthy cuisine and live entertainment with one goal in mind: inspire our kids to help protect our planet.

If you don’t mind braving an amusement park on a weekend, Universal Studios Hollywood is also hosting an Eco-Fair on Saturday, April 26. They’re offering educational displays, celebrity appearances and free parking for hybrid vehicles. So drive that Prius on down, take the Studio Tour and have a hot dog, all while feeling good in the knowledge that you’re helping your planet. Well, sort of.

Need something to put your organic veggies in? On April 21 and 22 you can get a free reusable shopping bag at one of 40 participating grocery stores throughout Los Angeles. The program is being sponsored by the California Grocers Association and the City of Los Angeles and plans to distribute approximately 50,000 bags to encourage the public to use reusable bags. Stores participating include Pavilions, Ralphs, Smart & Final, Food 4 Less and Vons. You can check out CGA’s homepage for a complete list of participating stores. I plan on getting one for my eco-minded daughter, so she can save her allowance for a solar iPod.

An important thing you can do today without even leaving your couch (I knew I’d get your attention) is to voice your opinion on global warming by participating in the Call For Climate. The Earth Day Network is urging everyone to call Capitol Hill, ask to speak to your representative and tell them that the current global warming proposals in Congress are inadequate. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Your non-recyclable cell phone will have been put to good use.

But remember – you don’t need an official event to celebrate Earth Day and to show some love for our planet. Pick up some trash at your local park, replace an incandescent bulb with a CF bulb, put on a sweater and turn down your thermostat. And by all means, go hug a tree.

What are some of the things you do to live green?