January 17 is the last day to recycle your Christmas tree with the Chicago Park District. You can take your tree to any of the following locations. For questions, call the Department of Environment at 312-744-7606.

Chicago Christmas Tree Recycling Sites:

Bessemer Park: 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.

Clark Park: 3400 N. Rockwell Ave.

Forestry Site: 900 E. 103rd St.

Garfield Park: 100 N. Central Park Ave.

Grant Park: 900 S. Columbus Dr.

Humboldt Park Boathouse: 1369 N. Sacramento Blvd.

Jackson Park: 6300 S. Cornell Ave.

Kennedy Park: 11320 S. Western Ave.

Kelvyn Park: 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Lake Meadows Park: 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.

Lincoln Park: Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave., parking lot east of Cannon Dr.

Margate Park: 4921 N. Marine Dr.

Marquette Park: 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.

McKinley Park: 2210 W. Pershing Rd.

Mt. Greenwood Park: 3721 W. 111th St.

North Park Village: 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.

Norwood Park: 5801 N. Natoma Ave.

Portage Park: 4100 N. Long Ave.

Riis Park: 6100 W. Fullerton Ave.

Rowan Park: 11546 S. Avenue L

Sheridan Park: 910 S. Aberdeen St.

Warren Park: 6601 N. Western Ave.

Wentworth Park: 5625 S. Mobile Ave.

Almost everyone I talk to says they waste 10 minutes of day looking for their keys. My #1 organizing tip for everyone is to designate a specific place for their keys by the front door. Whether it's a hook, or a drawer in a table in the hallway, or a decorative box on the shelf, just make sure it's close to the front door. And then for the next three weeks, make a conscious effort to put your keys there every time you come in. I promise, if you do this, you'll save yourself so much frustration. And if you were someone always looking for their keys, you could save up to 2 1/2 days - the equivalent of a whole weekend.

Here's a quick test to see if the food in your refrigerator passes the fresh test. Take a look at the ketchup and find the expiration date. Is it still good? As surprising as it seems, the life of ketchup once it's been opened is one year. For many people, it's hard to throw things out, especially if they don't seem to be spoiled. But periodically checking all the food in your refrigerator and pantry, means you'll have tastier food and possibly avoid any stomach upsets that can come with food that is not up to par. Many of the products and foods we bring into our homes carry an expiration date of some manner. Some are suggestions like "freshest by", "best if used by" or "best before". These terms are generally guidelines for getting the most out of the product. A box of crackers might have a "best if used by" date that would indicate the crackers might not be as crisp if eaten after the date, however they would still be edible. However an "expiration date" is a completely different kind of date that tells us not to use the product after such a date. Expiration dates are typically reserved for perishables that may not be safe for consumption after the date. So take a look today and make sure everything you're eating is fresh.

Happy New Year Everyone! Its officially 2012 and most of us have made our News Years resolutions. Let us all make 2012 the year we achieve our goals by starting out with something small and attainable. Whether your are planning on getting healthy, saving money or getting organized it is important to begin with a manageable task. Organize a single drawer. In 20 minutes you could be on your way to a more organized home. Make your own coffee everyday instead of going out. In just days you will be saving your hard earned money. Add some healthier food choices to your daily meals. Remember the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Are you even getting a single serving of fruit in your diet? What do YOU need to do to get healthier? It is important that you put in the extra effort for your goals this year. You can't push a button for instant results. Do something each day because it takes 21 days to form a habit. By the end of January you should be on your way to progressing towards your goal.