Dara Wellness

Recipe of the Week: Healthy Chicken Pesto Pasta 🍃🍝⏱

Ready in 20 mins 🍴 Serves 2–3

Looking for something quick, healthy, and full of flavour? This chicken pesto pasta is fresh, nourishing, and so easy to make. Perfect for a simple weeknight meal.

What you’ll need:

• 200g wholemeal pasta
• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 2 tbsp pesto Optional: sprinkle of Parmesan

How to pull it together:

1. Cook pasta, drain (save a splash of pasta water).
2. In a pan, cook chicken in olive oil until golden.
3. Add cherry tomatoes + spinach, cook for 2 minutes.
4. Toss pasta through with pesto, add pasta water if needed.
5. Top with Parmesan and serve warm.

Fresh, balanced, and done in just 20 minutes. A small, easy win when you want something tasty and nourishing. 🌿

Want more recipes like this? Don’t forget to SAVE this post so it’s there when you need it 🧡

3 Fun Facts About Food & Dietetics! 🥦🥗🍓🥙🫑🥩

Meet Kristen, our dietitian at Dara Wellness, here to make food feel simple, supportive, and stress-free.

🥕 Eating veggies doesn’t have to mean plain salads — it can be flavourful, fun, and fit your lifestyle.
🍎 Healthy eating isn’t about rules. Small, realistic changes add up to habits you can actually stick with.
🥗 Dietitians don’t give you a one-size-fits-all plan. They work with your needs, your preferences, and your goals to make food feel doable every day.

Whether it’s learning to enjoy food again, managing energy, or building confidence with meals, Kristen’s here to support you.

Want a 1:1 session or more info? 📞 Send us a message and we’ll get you booked in with Kristen.

We are on the look out for an Occupational Therapist to join our team at Dara Wellness.

Are you passionate about helping people live with more independence, confidence and connection?

💜 Dara Wellness is growing, and we’re looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our supportive, values-driven team.

We’re Hiring – Occupational Therapist (Casual or Contractor)
📍 Dara Wellness Services | SA

Looking for work that fits your life and not the other way around?

We’re seeking an Occupational Therapist who’s steady, values-led, and ready to do meaningful work in a way that feels good. You’ll support both kids and adults through the NDIS, with flexibility and genuine backing from a team that truly gets it.

Whether you’re after a few shifts or something more regular — you’re welcome here.

📩 Email us at
[email protected]
Or DM us the word OT and we’ll meet you there.

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Fudgey Bliss Balls 🤤 🍫

⏱️Ready in about 60 mins
🍴Makes ~12 balls

Need something sweet but gentle? These bliss balls are rich, fudgy, and perfect for a quick snack.

What you’ll need:
• 1 cup walnuts or almonds
• 10 Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
Optional: cacao nibs or desiccated coconut for rolling

How to pull it together:
Blend nuts into a coarse meal.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend until the mix sticks together.
Roll into balls and coat in coconut or cacao nibs if you like.
Chill before serving.
They keep well in the fridge for snacks throughout the week a small, easy win when you want something sweet but gentle.

Curious to see more recipes like this? We’re here when you are. Don’t forget to SAVE this post so it’s there when you need it 🧡

We don’t believe in no pain, no gain.

At Dara, movement doesn’t have to hurt to count.
It doesn’t have to be punishing to matter.

Here, it’s about feeling safe in your body.
Finding strength through care, not pressure.
Reconnecting with yourself at your own pace.

That’s the difference.
That’s what makes this space feel like home.

Tag someone who deserves to hear this today 🤍

Recipe of the Week: Fluffy Protein Pancakes ⏱🥞
Ready in about 10 mins 🍽️ Serves 2–3

Need something gentle for slow mornings? These pancakes are soft, filling, and easy to make, even when your brain’s still waking up.

What you’ll need:
• 1 cup rolled oats (or oat flour)
• 1 scoop (30g) vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 ripe banana *(or 2 tbsp honey if you prefer)*
• 2 eggs *(or 4 egg whites for lower fat)*
• ½ cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, almond etc.)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: blueberries, choc chips or chopped nuts

How to pull it together:

1. Blend everything until smooth (or whisk if using oat flour).
2. Heat a non-stick pan on medium with a little butter or oil.
3. Pour about ¼ cup per pancake.
4. Cook 2–3 mins per side until golden.
5. Serve with yoghurt, berries, and a drizzle of honey or nut butter.

Easy to batch and keep in the fridge. Tastes like a hug in pancake form.

We’d love to hear how it turned out. Don’t forget to SAVE this post so it’s there when you need it. 🧡

Welcome to Dara’s Healthy Cooking Class, Nourish & Natter! 🥗

Take a few hours for yourself in a welcoming kitchen space and enjoy some good food, good company, and feel-good fun!

Together, we’ll whip up:
✨ A healthy entrée
✨ A tasty main
✨ A sweet treat

All while chatting about simple, real-life food choices; no rules, no judgment, just connection and delicious creations!

Please let us know if you have any allergies or food sensitivities.

👩‍⚕️ Host: Dr. Amanda Foley – Accredited Exercise Physiologist
📆 Tuesday, 30 September 2025
📍 Location: Dara Headquarters
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM (approx.)
👥 1:2 support ratio – billed from Core Funding under Group Activities

Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!
📧 [email protected]
📞 (08) 8318 1285
🌐 daradisabilityservices.com.au/events
💜 Let’s cook, connect, and nourish together!

It's recipe of the week time and this week is one of our FAVE 🤤

High‑Iron Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies 🍪
⏱️ Ready in about 25 minutes
🍽️ Makes 12–15 cookies
🌾 Perfect for sharing and boosting confidence in the kitchen!

Lisa, one of our wonderful Dara clients, has shared this fantastic cookie recipe from tiktok.com/.tamar and we think it’s a winner!

These chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and just sweet enough. Perfect for sharing at home or with friends during our community events. 🧡

What you’ll need:
• 1 cup (225g) softened butter
• ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (100g) white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups (270g) chocolate chips (milk or dark)

How to make it happen:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until smooth and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mix, stirring gently until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the tray, leaving space between each.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are golden but the centres remain soft.
Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
These cookies are a lovely way to connect with others, whether baking at home or during Dara Beauty School and social events.

Did you try this recipe? We’d love to hear your favourite tweaks or toppings!