i adore pasta. always have, always will. i wish dr. atkins never spoke up (r.i.p.). it's as if pasta is like crack or something. it is one item that i rarely cook for my clients. not because i don't want to, but it's generally only requested for "special occasions". it saddens me, i love making pasta dishes. the recipes are endless. i agree that there are many that are loaded in fat, cholesterol, etc, but there are many that are not. this meal for instance is full of healthy ingredients. i started with a whole wheat spaghetti, and added to it: roasted grape tomatoes (put a few tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, and bake for 12-15 minutes). while the pasta is cooking, saute some garlic, toss in shrimp (peeled and deveined, of course), add a bit of white wine and red pepper flakes. once the pasta is done ( i like to go just a bit longer with whole wheat pasta, maybe 30 seconds or so, i think it taste more like the real stuff, in texture anyway), add it to the tomato mixture. throw in some chopped fresh spinach, fresh parsley and some toasted, chopped almonds. what is possibly unhealthy about that? it's real food, with fresh ingredients, and no preservatives.