I was watching “Iron Chef America” the other night, and it really inspired me to try to eat more than just macaroni and cheese.

Just months after my 40-day recipe challenge, my eating is in a slump again. My general meals either come from a box or somehow incorporate tortillas and frozen vegetables. What can I say? I’m pretty tame in the kitchen. I never really venture outside my comfort zone of pizza-based foods. They’re good enough, so why try for something better?

Paul Sunder might well be the best baker in town.

The former editor often stops by the Jordan Independent office with his well-known Looking Back column and a bag full of cookies. What a guy!

Most recently, he brought chocolate chip, my favorite. Mmmm ...

I think the guy should open his own cookie store. That kind of specialty shop could really work in downtown Jordan -- right next to the JI. 

Gotta hand it to Paul Sunder -- he makes a great chili.

It was partially frozen in a plastic Smart Balance butter spread container marked "P.J.'s chili" when he dropped it off today. So I warmed it for about 10 minutes in the microwave.

Having stuck to pizza-only diet today, I downed all of the chili in fewer than five minutes.

Good stuff. Mmmm ... 

Well, my 40 days end today, and I’ve still only got 23 recipes under my belt.

Do you have big plans for kicking off your weekend tonight? I know I do. I’ll be kicking it off by partaking in two of my favorite of the seven deadly sins – sloth and gluttony.

I’m finally getting back on track with my 40 recipes. After a sluggish week last week, I started Monday eight recipes behind my goal.

Well, one day into week two and I’m already falling behind schedule. With five dishes in the pan, so to speak, I’ve got 35 to go and only 31 days to make and eat those recipes.