It’s Nona again. And I have a confession to make.

Darn it, folks, my weight loss journey has hit a major stumbling block. And that stumbling block is a little place called Blue Collar Joe’s.

The doughnut shop in Daleville has been open since October, but so far I have been able to resist it’s siren call. Oh, I’ve heard the tales. The Botetourt Bog, a triple chocolate doughnut topped with Oreo cookie crumbs, the North Meets South, glazed with Vermont maple syrup and bits of salty Virginia bacon. But so far, I have faithfully avoided temptation.

Until Sunday that is, when my hubby channeled his inner-Homer Simpson and made a doughnut run.

My attitude toward pastry may never be the same.

These doughnuts are quite simply exquisite. Little works of art with a hole in the middle. All the doughnuts are cake-style, but I doubt Krispy Kreme yeast addicts will be disappointed. The doughnuts are wonderfully moist with gourmet toppings. 

I sampled the German chocolate cake doughnut frosted with chocolate, caramel, nuts and toasted coconut. I ate it very slowly, savoring every single bite. I also tasted my husband’s blueberry cheesecake doughnut, and if I didn’t love him so much I probably would have taken it from him.

Our daughter had the caramel apple pie doughnut, made with apple cider and glazed with honey, graham crackers and caramel. Big thumbs up as she made yummy noises while she devoured it.

There are plenty more flavors and toppings to pick from according to the little menu hubby brought home. Cinnamon Toast. Pina Colada. Nutty Buddy. Peanut Butter Cup. Blueberry Pancake Breakfast.

This is the kind of place I will bring out-of-town visitors, because you want guests to sample the best your area has to offer. It may very well have replaced Long’s Bakery, a little joint in my old neighborhood on Indianapolis’ south side, as my favorite doughnut shop of all time.

If it sounds like I am raving here, well, I am. Maybe it’s all the months of healthy eating, scrupulously avoiding tasty tidbits like doughnuts, that made having these little treats feel so special.  

What’s really great is that BCJ will probably help my weight loss in the long run. I will never again be tempted to munch on some ordinary breakfast pastry. Boxed doughnuts will never again look even mildly appealing.

If you have been, post a comment and let me know what you thought.