Cha... Cha... Cha... Changes!

Goodbye Network for a Healthy California (Network) and the Department of Public Health, it has been a great 6.5 years! Over the years I would occasionally think about what it would be like to not work at the Network and soon I will know what that's actually like. I have spent at least 80% of my professional career within the walls of the California Department of Public Health's building on Capitol Avenue. I feel fortunate to have gained a wide variety of experiences with the Network from a complete organizational re-brand, television advertising shoots, food and cookbook photo shoots, focus groups with real California Moms struggling to feed their families healthy and affordable foods, production of award winning publications and educational materials, and so much more. I watched the Network grow over the years and developed a strong bond with my Communications and Media Unit. I will leave with a life long passion for healthy eating and active living and I want to continue to do what I can to help people get and eat healthy, fresh, and affordable fruits and vegetables in one way or another.

Here are a few embarrassing moments at the Network!

Oh, don't worry, that's just me with pigtails in my hair.... forced to try and look like a teen.... thanks Kristy.... I let them do that to me and all I can say is WOW. It got even worse when a friend actually saw the poster in her local grocery store!

There is a lot at the Network that I won't miss but I will miss the people. Barbara, Becky, Kristy, Loren, Sarita, Iain, Carmen, Mary, and Kathryn. There are a handful of others that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and respect their passion, dedication, and skills they are devoting to making California a healthier place!

It's now my time to move on and I couldn't be happier to be moving to a place where I already feel welcome! I start a new job on Monday with 3fold Communications as an Account Manager. 3fold is a fun, creative, and community focused communications and marketing agency located in the heart of midtown Sacramento. They were awarded the Sacramento Metro Chamber's Small Business of the Year Award for 2011 and are widely respected in the local Sacramento community. 3fold represents private and non-profit clients so I will be able to experience working with both sides of the business.

I look forward to this new chapter in my life. There are big changes happening and I am ready to meet them head on with energy and determination to do great things. Definitely check out the Web site, like the Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, keep up with their blog, and contact me if you think there is an opportunity to work together in the future! Just a few more days and I will officially be a 3folder!

Real Business: Sugar Pine Cakery

This past year I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic baker, Allison Sayles, to help develop her logo and brand for her cake and sweet treats business, Sugar Pine Cakery. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of tasting one of her creations because she lives in Tahoe City, but hopefully I will someday soon. One of the unique aspects about Allison Sayles and the cakes that she creates is that she uses all natural and organic ingredients.

I was able to help Allison create a brand for her company that represents what she is about.

Quality, organic, delicious, and rustic cakes and sweets.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Allison has been cooking and baking for as long as she can remember. Her mother was a great cook and always made everything from scratch so naturally she did the same. After working in many kitchens and bakeries she decided to go to culinary school and discovered that not only did she love to cook but she REALLY loved to make cakes and other sweets. Allison has been a Pastry Chef for many years and also worked in a busy restaurant kitchen. She has always made wedding cakes and special occasion cakes for friends and family. Soon people she didn’t know were calling her for cakes. By word of mouth she had become quite busy with wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and also cupcakes. She has always loved to bake and thought it was about time she started on her own in 2009.

ORGANIC

It was a natural progression for Allison to start Sugar Pine Cakery. Eating mostly Organic and living in a very health conscious Lake Tahoe area, she automatically started to bake with organic and locally grown ingredients. She purchases all her berries and fruit for the cakes and sweets from local farmers’ markets when they are available. In a few months this coming summer she plans to have a booth at the farmers’ market to sell all her tasty treats. Allison describes the style of her cakes as "Rustic".  She uses wholesome ingredients and never freezes her cakes. Allison says, “There is something about a good old-fashioned cake that you just can't resist”.

WHAT IS HER FAVORITE?

Well, there isn’t just one. She loves all the cakes, sweets and treats she makes.  But, she especially loves anything lemon or citrus. Allison says, “It feels great baking things that people feel good about eating. I love seeing the cakes finished and decorated and knowing that they are part of some ones special day. I am very excited about incorporating gluten-free, dairy free and agave sweetened cakes into my repertoire. No one should go without some thing sweet to eat!”.

ON THE HORIZON

For Allison, starting Sugar Pine Cakery has so far been very exciting. She is looking at a very busy wedding season and hopefully adding a booth at the farmers’ market with lots of yummy organic sweets and treats. Her hope for the future is that people will be able to one day purchase her baking in local establishments and be able to taste the  love, devotion, and quality ingredients that goes into her baking.











Allison has been a great client to work with and I feel proud to have helped her in the development of her brand. I wish Sugar Pine Cakery the best of luck with it’s future adventures.

If anyone is interested in contacting Allison, you can email at: sugarpinecakery@gmail.com