It’s an adventure!

The following post is brought to us by guest blogger Haylan Jackson.  Haylan is one of the Manitoba Canola Growers Student Interns.  She will be spending the bulk of her summer days out at our Canola Learning Centre teaching students, educators, children and caregivers about canola, canola oil and agriculture through hands on activities at a farm.

If you know a school or daycare that would be interested in a free farm tour with Haylan, contact us today.  Tours book up fast but we still have some spaces available this summer.

Welcome to the team Haylan and we are proud to offer you a new adventure!

Be Well…Jenn

Growing up in rural Manitoba

Jackson Family Farm Sign in Russell Manitoba | www.blog.canolarecipes.ca

I grew up on a mixed farm just outside of Inglis, Manitoba (400Km Northwest of Winnipeg).  Our cattle farm has purebred Charolais and Simmental herds and an Angus x Simmental commercial herd.  We also grow and harvest wheat, barley, oats, and CANOLA!

Jackson Family Farm in Russell Manitoba | www.blog.canolarecipes.ca

Growing up on a farm, I was a part of many different agricultural organizations such as; 4-H and both the provincial and national Charolais Youth Associations.

Leaving the farm for education

After high school, I left Manitoba to attend Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After receiving my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Canadian History, I returned to Manitoba to work for a year before returning to school.

Educating about farming

I have just finished my first year of my Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Winnipeg. This summer I will be working on the Kelburn Farm, coordinating the Canola Learning Centre.

Everyone has a passion or two or three…

Russell Grain Elevator | www.blog.canolarecipes.caI’m passionate about being outside, hiking, x-country skiing, fishing, gardening, biking, reading, interior design, music, art, and sharing good food with friends and family. I am a Canadian History nut and have a love for wooden country grain elevators. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, and I don’t know what I would do without coffee.

On cooking and baking

I can cook and bake and I am quite competent at both when I want to be. However, my sisters may disagree!  I would much rather clean up from supper than cook it.  I was raised in a large family, so I learned to cook in large family sized portions.

Since moving away from home, I have had to learn to cook in one-two person meal sizes (always making enough for left-over school lunches!).  When I am cooking for myself, I look for recipes that are gluten and lactose free (or can be altered to be gf/lf), quick, easy, have some kind of protein and will have leftovers that can be frozen into lunch size portions.

It’s an adventure!

High Bluff Stock Farms Russell Manitoba | www.blog.canolarecipes.ca

My mother (pictured above with my Dad on our farm), an incredibly inspirational woman, has a positive outlook on life to match her optimistic motto: “it’s an adventure!” So, here I am on this great new adventure with the Manitoba Canola Growers.

Over the next several months I am being challenged.  First, I need to figure out how to develop a better relationship with my kitchen so I can do my second challenge which is to share easy, gluten free recipes with you.  And third, to find even more reasons to love Canadian agriculture.

It’s all a big adventure and I hope you’ll tag along.  Enjoy my first pick for an easy summer salad below – Black Bean & Lentil Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette.

Be Adventurous… Haylan

Black Bean & Lentil Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

Black Bean and Lentil Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette | www.blog.canolarecipes.ca

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Salad Ingredients:

1 (19 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained (1 (540 mL) can)
1 (19 oz) can lentils, rinsed and drained (1 (540 mL) can)
1 avocado, chopped (1 )
1 medium tomato, chopped (1 )
1 orange or yellow pepper, chopped (1 )
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, chopped (125 mL)

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Stir in vinaigrette and toss lightly.

Chili-Lime Vinaigrette Ingredients:

1/4 cup canola oil (60 mL)
1/2 tsp grated lime peel (2 mL)
1/4 cup lime juice (60 mL)
1 Tbsp honey (15 mL)
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (15 mL)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped (1 )
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (2 mL)
1/2 tsp ground cumin (2 mL)
1/2 tsp coriander (2 mL)

Directions:

In measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Pour over salad.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.  Puree using a hand blender.  Pour over the salad and toss.

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