Follow along with Literacy’s Cristina and her mom, to make a traditional dessert recipe from Peru. Crema Volteada is a Peruvian Caramel Flan. Watch a step-by-step video on our YouTube channel HERE

·        5 large eggs

·        2 cans (14 oz) evaporated milk

·        1 can (12 oz) condensed milk

·        Syrup or caramel sauce

·        Blender

·        Glass dessert dish

·        Large glass bowl

·        Crack and add 5 large eggs to blender

·        Add one can of condensed milk and two cans of evaporated milk to the blender

·        Blend on high for 3 minutes

·        Fill glass bowl with hot water, leaving room for dessert dish to sit in the bowl. When dessert dish is placed in the bowl, the water should touch bottom of the dessert dish.

·        Place dessert dish on top of hot water in the bowl

·        Cover bottom of dessert dish with syrup or caramel sauce

·        Pour mixture from blender into dessert dish

·        Preheat oven to 350 degrees

·        Place glass bowl/dessert dish in the oven on lower rack

·        Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes

·        Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes

·        Use a butter knife to separate flan from dessert dish

·        Cover with a plate and carefully flip

·        Enjoy!

The oceans are quieter during the pandemic with the drop in ship traffic around the world. Scientists are listening in, hoping to learn more about whale communication in its natural, undisturbed form. Whales and other marine mammals are highly sensitive to noise. New findings may inform future policies to protect them.

Read more and listen to whale sounds in the article Whales Get a Break As Pandemic Creates Quieter Oceans HERE

Samantha recommends Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Find the audiobook on Hoopla HERE

“I recommend the children's audiobook Alice In Wonderland because children and families will love the magical adventures down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass. Enjoy Carroll's many humorous nonsense verses and meet unforgettable characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Knave of Hearts who steals some tarts, and the grinning Cheshire cat. Listen to it before bedtime, on a car trip, or by the pool. It is enchanting!”

During stressful times, it is often helpful to connect with nature. You may experience a sense of peace and calm while being among the trees, feeling the warmth of the sun, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to the birds. Take a moment in nature to appreciate your surroundings, activate your senses, and feel the stillness around you, and hopefully, inside you.

The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the simple and therapeutic act of spending time in a forest. Japanese doctors promote it as being beneficial for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Studies show forest bathing improves sleep quality, mood, ability to focus, and stress levels. Read more about forest bathing in Japan’s travel guide HERE

There are many beautiful places in our community for people to visit and connect with nature. Learn Five Facts about Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge with MMSCL’s Kyle, on Facebook, HERE