SWEETS

The sweetest house in the world is in Houston at Sweets by Belen. This place is a go to for the Houston Life team whether we are celebrating birthdays or satisfying a sweet tooth craving. But the story behind Belen Bailey's journey from Peru to teaching to baking is just as sweet as the alfajors she bakes in honor of her mother and grandmother.

Just don’t say it’s “elevating” Mexican food.

Classic candy fans, nursing some serious Creme Savers withdrawal symptoms? We’ve got some seriously sweet news for your -- The beloved hard candy is making a comeback.

Parents have been warned about gummy bear sweets containing cannabis which are leaving children suffering from panic attacks and hallucinations. Cannabis edibles, which are packaged in wrappers similar to popular sweet brands, are being sold as gummy bears and lollipops on social media and consumed by children as young as 12. A youth charity in Surrey this week issued a warning to families about the growing presence of cannabis edibles on the streets which has left many children needing medical assistance. The charity Catch 22 warned that the sweets, which contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can cause paranoia, panic attacks, nausea, impaired mobility, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate and hallucinations. Online websites market the sweets as a “medicated treat” which “pack a powerful, long-lasting punch”. “First, they’re sour; then they’re sweet … then you’re stoned,” one website reads. The amount of cannabis in the sweets can vary significantly and they are sometimes infused with other harmful drugs, according to Catch 22. The sweets take between one and three hours to have an effect, meaning children often end up consuming larger amounts of the drug because they think it is not working. The charity has advised parents to monitor food packaging and wrappers to look for wording such as CBD or THC, which suggests the items are infused with cannabis oil.

HOUSTON – Decadent Dessert & Coffee Bar is a fast, casual coffee and dessert bar that offers a variety of espresso beverages, desserts, pastries, and gelato. With an all day breakfast and lunch menu, they literally have something for everyone. Normally they have free wifi, board games and a gaming station, but those are currently closed due to Covid. Lamika’s reason for opening the store was to bring people together in their warm environment to enjoy fresh baked goods and beverages. Open 7 days a week, Decadent’s motto is: “Happiness is a great cup of coffee and a decadent dessert.”Click HERE for more info on Valentine’s Day specials.

When you hear the name Count Dracula, you might immediately think of the legendary tale from Transylvania. Although Dracula was a fictionary character, Transylvania happens to be the same region where Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cakes, originated from.