From a hobby to a healthier life

Unlike uber-healthy food bloggers, who insist on a low-fat, no-sugar, or no-carb regimen, Haupert admits to occasionally eating french fries or Kraft macaroni and cheese. The blog focuses on balance and moderation, allowing for occasional indulgences like Nutella or nachos as she works to maintain her FGW (feel great weight). That may be easy for the 5-foot-4 brunette, who is an avid runner. She and her husband, Mal, ran a marathon in Phoenix at the beginning of the year.

On the blog, Haupert posts photos of what she eats, along with quick, easy recipes which, she says, “just about anyone can throw together.’’ A fig pizza with mozzarella and caramelized onions uses four ingredients (she buys Mama Mary’s pizza crust). Her quick pasta has a sauce of broccoli rabe and black pepper Parmesan. Oatmeal chip cookies are sprinkled with sea salt before baking.

In three years, the blog traffic has increased to 33,000 unique visitors per month, according to the latest figures. Haupert has blog advertising through Food Buzz — her primary revenue stream — and sells merchandise such as T-shirts that proclaim “Will Run for Bagels’’ or “Will Run for Beer.’’ She also blogs for the Braintree-based nutritional rating company NuVal.

Today, working from home has made it easier to photograph what she eats. That might be steamed green beans and homemade whole-wheat pita chips or lime leaf chicken and roasted cauliflower. Sharing meals with readers also helps Haupert avoid mindless snacking or other ruts.

“I used to be one of those people who would snack throughout the day,’’ she says. “If I sit down and plan out a lunch and a dinner, I do find that I eat more nutritiously with veggies, protein, and healthy fats. It does help me mentally to lay it out and create a nice meal.’’