Grit & Grace with a Side of Cider Donuts

As I sit on my couch, during what they say is coldest Halloween in two decades, I can’t help but think about how much I miss being a kid, dressing up, and walking miles for candy. It was heaven on earth coming home, laying all the candy on the floor, and trying to trade with your friends. It was a game: "Who had the better candy?"

While I still wish I was a kid trick or treating, I am very thankful for the warm fuzzy blanket, my cider donut and the reminder I currently have on my wrist to be strong through it all.

As you get older, you realize that October isn’t all about decorations, costumes and candy. As you all probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast Cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women, and I am sure we all know someone that has been affected. This year, unfortunately, two of the most important women in my life were diagnosed in the last two months. While they are kicking cancer in the butt, it still makes us worry about them.

Women are strong individuals, and as I see my loved ones going through what they are, I realized I got my strength from them. It is why I wanted to honor them in a way that would be with me forever. I knew I wanted a tattoo, but I struggled with what. I wanted meaning. I wanted to be able to look at my wrist and know that I was representing someone or something important in my life.

Grit & Grace

Grit: Life's challenges will neither defeat nor define us.

Grace: The elegance to get through the challenges.

The meaning of October is much more to me me now than it was as I grew up. I will continue to raise money for research, I will continue to believe in the fight, and I will continue to pray for my family as well as all those who are affected by cancer.

There is not great way to change the subject here, so I am just gonna get straight to the donuts. While there are bakeries that make Breast Cancer Donuts and donate the proceedings during the month of October, I did not have the opportunity to try them. However, apple cider donuts is a staple during the month, and guys, you HAVE to try Kuiper's Family Farm Donuts.

They have a few different kinds, but the Cinnamon Sugar Donuts & the Chocolate Glazed are my favorite. From the moment you bite into these homemade cake donuts, you will be amazed. Kuiper's Farm makes these donuts daily with their own apple cider from the farm. It makes the dough fluffy, light and airy. The cinnamon sugar engulfs the donut (in a good way) leaving you wanting more. The chocolate on the glazed donut is delectable, not too rich or sweet.

If you take some extra donuts home, which i suggest you do, make sure you stick them in the microwave for just 5 seconds! It makes a difference, trust me. It's almost like they are fresh out of the oven!

: