Your cart is currently empty!
About Us
Olive + Basil | A Nourished Life
Meet Marissa
Hi! I’m Marissa Kaye, and I’m on a mission to transform my life as I approach 40. This blog is my way of documenting that journey. I hope to inspire others along the way!
Who I am
- Former portrait photographer
- Non-traditional college student pursuing a bachelor’s in psychology and business
- Wife committed to nurturing a strong, loving partnership
- Mom to a wonderful teenage daughter
- Christian, growing in faith
- Wellness enthusiast striving for a healthier, more balanced life
- Lifelong learner with a passion for research and personal growth
RELATED: My first blog post: Lose Weight Sustainably: A Fierce and Focused Journey to 40 , My Personal Journey: The Ups and Downs of Weight Loss, Exploring Clean Keto for Weight Loss: My 8-Week Plan,
– Deborah Day
Our Mission
At Olive + Basil: A Nourished Life, I’m dedicated to cultivating a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that nourishes body, mind, and soul. I seek to nurture a life filled with purpose, peace, intention, and grace, guided by faith and prayer.
As I embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation, I’m committed to sharing my experiences, challenges, and victories. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies for creating a more intentional, purposeful way of life.
I believe that by decluttering our physical, mental, and digital spaces, we can cultivate a sense of calm and clarity. Through mindfulness, meditation, and prayer, we can connect with our inner selves and find peace amidst life’s challenges. Let’s embark on this journey together, inspired by faith and guided by grace.
Topics We’ll Explore
Health & Wellness Journey
- Personal transformation updates
- Clean keto and non-keto recipes
- Focus on whole, organic foods
- Fitness experiences (gym, outdoor, VR)
- Supernatural: Workout Near, Go Far
- Mental health awareness and strategies
Family Life & Relationships
- Balancing diverse family diets
- Parenting a teenager
- Couple’s journey and relationship tips
- Pet care and adventures
Lifestyle & Home
- Decluttering: our journey to minimalism
- Budget-friendly organic living
- Time-saving meal prep ideas
- Photography, travel, and hiking
Christian Faith and Wellness
- Bible study insights and daily application
- Christian perspective on wellness
- How prayer and meditation support my wellness journey
- Exploring the mind-body-soul connection
- Motivational content
Education & Career
- Non-traditional student experiences
- Balancing study, work, and family
- Psychology and business insights
- Ways to earn extra income from home
Product Reviews & Resources
- Budget-friendly organic options
- Wellness apps and tools
- Healthy living products
- Join our brand-new Facebook Group: Olive & Basil: Mindful Deals | Health, Home & Happiness Finds, where I share excellent deals when I find them!
Join our Facebook Community.
Thriving Together: A Health & Happiness Journey
Mindful Deals: Home, Health & Happiness Finds.
Meet Maverick
Meet Maverick: My Partner in Health and Life
I’m excited to introduce you to a very special person in my life – my husband, who goes by “Maverick” on the blog. While our journeys may differ, we’re in this together, supporting each other every step of the way. Let me tell you a bit about him and his approach to health and wellness.
Health Journey
While I follow a keto lifestyle, Maverick takes a different approach. In his own words:
“My journey is not the same as Marissa’s. I follow a more balanced diet with healthy carbs, and I’m committed to making better choices for my health and future. I’ve started eating more nutritious foods and exercising more. We work to hold each other accountable.”
Maverick has been incorporating some exciting new foods into his diet:
- Quinoa
- Chickpeas
- Chia seeds
- Hemp hearts
- MCT powder
- Matcha superfood blend
- Frozen grapes for a sweet treat
His philosophy?
“I find the things I truly enjoy eating and add them to my balanced diet. That makes it less of a chore and something I look forward to.”
Favorite Meals
- Healthy Meal: Grass-Fed Beef with a side of Sweet Potatoes & Onion
- “Treat” Meal: Pepperoni Pizza with jalapeños
- Healthy Dessert: Yogurt Bowl with Chia Seeds + Purely Elizabeth Granola
- “Treat” Desserts: Sock it to Me Cake and Mint Chip Ice Cream
Career and Hobbies
Maverick works in Landscaping Management, which keeps him active and connected with nature. In his free time, he enjoys:
- Golf
- Reading
- Watching movies
- Spending time with family
- Photography (especially landscape photography)
- Hiking
Maverick’s Favorites
Books
- “As a Man Thinketh”
- “The Da Vinci Code”
- “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (currently reading)
On “Can’t Hurt Me,” Maverick says: “It shows from early on in life, all of the different struggles that David Goggins has had to endure all the way up until adulthood and how he has persevered and beat the odds through discipline and a calloused mind-set. It shows that through discipline, anything is possible.”
Movies
- Top Gun
- Top Gun: Maverick
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- Moneyball
- John Wick
Music
- 80’s hits
- 70’s light rock
- Country
- Big Band
Fitness Motivation
Maverick is serious about his fitness. He wakes up at 3 AM to hit the gym, showing true discipline to his health goals.
At the gym, he listens to David Goggins and other motivational talks to keep himself pumped.
Continuous Learning
Maverick is always looking to expand his knowledge. He enjoys:
- Political and how-to content
- Career-related materials (Brian Knorr, landscape management books)
- Health, nutrition, and fitness content (Jeff Cavalier – AthleanX)
A Word from Maverick
“I want a healthy lifestyle, so I stay disciplined and get up early to make time to work out at the gym and make progress. It’s all about finding what works for you and sticking with it.”
Maverick’s journey is a testament to the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness. His balanced approach, discipline, and willingness to try new things are truly inspiring. Stay tuned for more insights from Maverick as we continue this journey!
