We know, when the mercury dips, all you want to do is bundle up on your couch and watch season 207 of American Idol – but your living room isn’t the only place to cozy up this winter. We’ve got 22 scintillating reasons you should brave the city streets in Knoxville, while keeping Jack Frost at bay.1. Cook over an open flame.
For safety’s sake, skip the backyard bonfire and treat yourself and a “hot” date with a night out at the Melting Pot in the Old City. After cooking your meal together, the melted chocolate might not be your only dessert for the night. www.meltingpotknoxville.com
2. Get stoned.
Maybe you can’t travel to sunny Arizona, but you can imagine yourself there as warmed Arizona river rocks are heated and used during a 90-minute massage session at Transformations Massage.
www.transformationsmassage.com
3. Lap it up.
Mimic your warm morning shower with a dip (swimsuits please, though!) in the indoor heated pool at the new Davis Family YMCA at Jefferson Park which opened January 2nd. Whether you choose to swim laps or take an aquatics group class, the workout will help get your blood pumping too. www.ymcaknoxville.org
4. Wear these leg warmers.
If you didn’t save your stretch pants from the 80s, then head over to Serendipity for the latest in this hot trend that’s making a comeback. Pleatherings, a pair of leggings made out of pleather (what else?) are all the rage this winter. Pair them with heels or knee high boots to sizzle on your next girl’s night out. Serendipity, 588-0812
5. Get a new fur.
Friend, that is. Adopt a cuddly dog or cat at the local Humane Society of Tennessee. Four-legged snugglers help create body heat without spiking your heating bill. www.humanesocietytennessee.com
6. Give new meaning to hot chocolate.
With a pinch of chili powder, this hot chocolate recipe is just different enough to spice things up. 3 tbsp instant hot chocolate, 1 tbsp chocolate syrup, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, a pinch of chili powder (add more if you’re daring!), ¼ cup milk and ¾ cup boiling water. Yields one yummy cup. Recipe from
www.allrecipes.com
7. Go back in time.
You could order a cup of Earl Grey and a teacake at the Time Warp Tea Room, or you could really fire up your taste buds and go with the unexpected “full house,” a homemade chili/hot tamale combo. If that doesn’t heat things up, at least the decor (red hot motorcycle memorabilia) will. www.timewarpvmc.org
8.Sweat it out.
If spending 90-minutes in a 90-degree room doesn’t heat you up, what will? This “challenging but liberating” hot-yoga experience at the Glowing Body will keep you looking hot, too. Visit www.glowingbody.net for class schedules.
9. Cozy up with Kimber Cleveland.
This sexy singer chick heats things up during January and February by performing her eclectic blend of modern country, rock and pop on stages throughout the East Tennessee region. Go to www.kimbercleveland.net for dates, times and locations.
10. Pull on a pair of Muk Luks.
Good enough for the Arctic Aborigines whom which they were made for, muk luks are sure to keep your toes warm and cozy as you stay home to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa (see #6 for a spicy Mexican version). Avaliable at Green Earth Emporium for $14.99. www.greenearthemporium.com
11. Invite this guy to your next cocktail party.
Kevin “Flamebeard” Collins is a firebreather available for parties, events, and your entertainment. Friendly tip: Might want to lay off the hairspray that night. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 577-1140
12. Rock on. Work up a sweat at the Climbing Center located in River Sports Outfitters. Sign up for private or group lessons, or attend women’s night (sorry guys!) the first Monday of every month. Open daily from 3 to 10 p.m. Master the indoor wall in the cold to prep for the real thing once Mother Nature becomes a little kinder. www.riversportsoutfitters.com/t-climbingcenter.aspx
13. Check out this rack.
Order the Habanero Macho Burger with extra habanero relish on top and wash it down with a Habanero Lime Margarita at the new Spice Rack near West Town Mall. If all that pepper’s not hot enough for you, the waitresses will be. www.spicerackcantina.com
14. Blow some bubbles.
Break-in your bathtub with a personal bubble bath concoction you mix yourself at the Bath Junkie. Create your own or follow one of the suggested blends like “Winter’s Nap” or “Snow Storm” to fend off even the coldest of winter nights. www.bathjunkie.com
15. Forget Hershey’s.
Hachez Cocoa D’Arriba Mango & Chili Chocolate bar is where it’s at. It’s dark chocolate paired with a hint of mango and a kick of chili to really rev up your taste buds. One taster says this bar left a “bit of heat on the edge of her tongue.” Aye Carrumba! Avaliable at Avanti Savoia, a gourmet food store located on Maynardville Pike in Knoxville. www.avantisavoia.com
16. After your bath, snuggle up in this robe.
When Gwen Stefani isn’t sizzling on stage, she’s keeping herself hot in the cold by bundling up with this Kashware robe. Sizes available for the whole family (including fido!). Prices start at $49. www.bathjunkie.com
17. Thai one on.
You’ll feel the heat quick with a dish from Taste of Thai. We suggest orderingthe “Hot Sea,” shrimp, squid, crab, scallops and mussels in hot chili paste with basil flavor. Request it THAI HOT to keep the cold away. www.tasteofthaiknoxville.com
18. Sit near the oven.
The wood-fired pizzas at Brixx are sure to fire you up. Double your chances of getting warm by grabbing a seat at the bar (close to the wood-burning ovens) and ordering the Hot Buffalo Chicken Pizza. $9.95, www.brixxpizza.com
19. Yuk it up.
Laughing between 100 to 200 times a day (easily accomplished at a side splitters show) is the cardiovascular equivalent of 10 minutes of rowing, according to the same study from the University of Maryland. How’s that for a warm up? Get your chuckle on with Bob Nelson at Side Splitters Jan 22- 24. Nelson has been seen at Radio City Music Hall, the Merv Griffin Show, the Tonight Show and Las Vegas, just to name a few. Tickets start at $6. www.sidesplitterscomedy.com
20. Spread the love.
Lend a helping hand at The Love Kitchen, located about one mile east of downtown. The Love Kitchen provides meals, clothing and food packages to those in need and volunteers are needed to help prep, serve and deliver meals. www.thelovekitchen.org
21. Head to Key West (without actually leaving the city).
Cities Cupcakes is sure to heat you up from the inside out with their clever mini-cakes named for warmer climates. Examples include: Miami (lemon cake, lemon icing, candy on top), Houston (buttermilk chocolate cake, pecan glaze and caramel on top), Key West (white cake, Key Lime cheesecake icing, sprinkles), Half Moon Bay, CA (pumpkin spice cake, cream cheese frosting, orange marmalade dollop) and “Hot”-lanta (chocolate cherry cola cake, cherry cream cheese frosting, a red hot and mini chocolate chip sprinkles) and the first of the salty cupcake line, Santa Fe (jalapeno cornbread, ranch-spiced cream cheese frosting). YUM! $3 each. www.citiescupcakes.com
22. Pick up a spoon.
Ditch that cold cut sandwich you normally have for lunch for some delicious soup to keep you warm all afternoon. The Soup Kitchen Express’ homemade soups will definitely take you back to the office nice and toasty! To make things extra hot, try the spicy Louisana Rice or Cajun Red Bean. 9222 Kingston Pike, 539-9864.
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