Greater Milwaukee Men

Acceptability of LGBT people in society and culture has seen an exponential increase over the past few years mainly due to people in popular culture taking the courageous step to come out. Actors and actresses, musicians, and talk show personalities all have come out with thankfully less and less reaction (one can only hope to see the day when it won't matter or be a news story at all). Even TV shows are being written with prominent characters like Modern Family and Glee just as once it took a few brave writers and studios to make roles for black actors and actresses. One of the last domains of popular culture waiting for a break through has been men's major professional sports. That all changed today with the online release of a story to be out in the May 6th issue of Sports Illustrated - in it NBA center Jason Collins comes out as being gay.

A rare man-friendly eco-message design. April 22 is Earth Day , a day that falls in line with the ideals of men's Wellness as part of being a Great Man, as we see ecology as path. It is a circle that a safe and healthy environment are healthier for men, and human practices of health and wellness keep the environment healthier. It just makes simple sense. The problem is that a large percentage of ecological messages and products are geared more towards women. Ever looked for a 'green' magazine that would appeal to a man? Or a reusable bag that doesn't scream 'I borrowed this from a woman?' Good luck. So how do we be green The Man Way? Sure we have things like Tesla Motors  and the McLaren P1 Hybrid Supercar to fulfill our manly desires and still be eco-friendly (and prove that eco can be better than not), there are ways to find green fashion (and I don't mean the color), and conscious eating is getting more and more accessible (tried grass fed beef...

We previously reported on a program by DC Comics called   We Can Be Heroes  to help the people of the Horn of Africa. Since then the fans of DC have stepped up in a big way, donating over $85,000 through an Indiegogo crowdfund of for the same program. Considering the initial goal of the fund was $50,000 that is a huge achievement. All those that have donated and pushed the program above and beyond the expectations do even DC can consider themselves heroes alongside their comic book icons. The We Can Be Heroes program seeks to raise awareness and funds for three  humanitarian aid partners  who are delivering aid where it is needed most. Everything they do goes to support the life-saving work of Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps. Since it's start, those who desire to help could donate directly to the fund, or even shop for DC and program-related gear  with a portion of the purchase price going to the program, but with the add...

Next week is National Volunteer Week , but rather than being a time to get people to volunteer, most activities center on honoring those that already do. Right here in Milwaukee,  Volunteer Milwaukee will host the 31st annual Inspire By Example Awards. In addition to recognizing volunteers in the categories of Adult, Youth, Board Service, Business and Group, the event will award the Wile Volunteer Management Award to a local professional in the field of Volunteer Administration. Nationally, Points of Light and the Hands On Network help focus attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership.

A cancer diagnosis of a family member is devastating news to anyone, but when the diagnosis is of a child there are a unique set of challenges. Since the 1960s, most children and teens with cancer have been treated at specialized centers designed for them, but this can mean the caretakers have to leave their homes in order to be close to their children. Between  the doctors, tests and hospital visits, the effects of this lifestyle can have major impacts on a family. More information on childhood cancer can be found here . Thankfully there are programs to help deal with these issues. Last year, Milwaukee's own  Northwestern Mutual , in response to a lack of support for pediatric cancer research and services,  launched its Childhood Cancer Program to raise awareness and money to fight childhood cancer.  In continued support of this need, Northwestern Mutual,  through its  Foundation ,  has partnered with the Brewers Community Foundation to launch...

While April is National Donate Life Month , concentrating on organ and tissue donation, and January was National Blood Donor Month , giving blood is needed constantly for many reasons. Today Boston experienced a tragic event that is causing a great need for blood, and Wisconsin donors are helping out. The Blood Center of Wisconsin , who also handles local organ and tissue donations , just announced on social media including  Facebook  and Twitter that they 'received a request today for O Negative blood from within our network of blood centers. The blood provided will be used to help patients in several Boston hospitals following today's tragic events.'

Today, 4/14, is celebrated as Milwaukee Day since the main telephone area code of the city is 414. There are many ways to celebrate, but a great way is to support RadioMilwaukee during their Spring Fund Drive . 88.9 FM RadioMilwaukee is the audible heart and soul of Milwaukee. Their focus on Milwaukee as a community is unique in music streaming radio services. First, in the music they play they try to be the 'Milwaukee' radio playing not only a diverse selection of music that all of Milwaukee can enjoy, but also dedictaed to supporting local artists playing at least one song an hour from Milwaukee musicians.

For a while I have been trying to eat healthier, not in a diet sense just eating better, eating Well. Mostly that means cooking with fresher, local , organic ingredients (even growing my own) without really worries about taking food out like no meat, no carbs, etc. If anything it has been more a 'anything in moderation' type where I have limited them instead - less red meat, less carbs, less sugar, etc. Only recently did I go to what could be considered a diet  but I consider more of a lifestyle change - but that is its own post. Since I like cooking and that means modifying or creating recipes, and I still like man-friendly food, I will start to post my creations here for others to use or inspire them to make their own creations. The first entry is a healthier version of a very man-friendly food: chili.

It's Gouda for you! At Well-Met Men we focus on the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of men while always striving to not lose focus on the good things either, things that make us happy. When we can combine satisfaction with wellness we hit a home run. That is why we are happy to report that one of life's pleasures - cheese - is also a great source of well-being, namely gouda cheese. I have a big interest in food as medicine, believing that a proper diet can do as much or more than pharmaceuticals to keep us healthy. If we eat properly we can get all the vitamins and minerals to support our health and well-being without taking vitamin pills, and even replacing some medications. Such is the case with a form of vitamin K called vitamin K2 (menaquinone). It has been shown to not only be an antiangiogenic (blood vessel-inhibiting) and thus help in heart health. The K2 form of the vitamin does more than just protectius from heart disease though, it is also useful in e...

Nothing can motivate us to organize for a cause like a personal connection, and just in time for National Donate Life Month  I have had a personal encounter with tissue donation. My wife just had knee surgery and what we thought would be a torn ligament ended up being missing cartilage on her bone, and she needed cartilage added back. Her recovery and long-term prognosis are only possible because someone agreed to donate their child's tissue. Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. But despite continuing advances in medicine and technology, the need for organs and tissue is vastly greater than the number available for transplantation. Currently, more than 115,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States.