Firstly, what are they?
Xenoestrogens are ‘foreign oestrogens'. That is, they are chemicals that mimic the natural oestrogen in our bodies. They are found in pesticides, plastics, the pill and HRT. Often called endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals; the reason we should all take care to avoid these oestrogen mimics is because they wreak havoc on our hormones.

Xenoestrogens do not break down in our water supply. Though the government says they are safe but an increasing amount of studies have been proving otherwise.

The increase levels of foreign oestrogens have coincided with the earlier onset of puberty, a decrease in sperm counts, an increase in the amount of male reproductive problems, and for females an increase in the amount of oestrogen dependant health problems such as breast cancer.

The male fish in our rivers aren't faring too well either. DEFRA research found that a third of all male fish in the UK rivers have developed female sex organs and have produced eggs.

So what can you do about avoiding them?
Read your labels. Nonylphenols are the xenoestrogens often found in plastic, conventional skin creams, detergents, toiletries and lubricants. Bisphenols are xenoestrogens found in polcarbonate plastics that leach out when heated and phthalates are the xenoestrogens found in conventional make-up, nail polish, hair spray and carpets.

Eat organic. Nearly 4,000 fungicides, insecticides and herbicides are approved for us in the UK and many are used to grow the fruit, veg and other food found on the supermarket shelf.

Avoid plastic. Xenoestrogens love fat so don't store meat and dairy or other high fat foods in plastic wrap. Also avoid microwaving any food in plastic containers. You could also get yourself a good water filter for the home. The reverse osmosis filters are able to remove the oestrogen in water.

Go natural. Use truly natural cleaning products in the home and use natural toiletries and other body care products. It's estimated that a woman uses on average 12 different toiletry items a day. For someone using conventional products they may be exposing their skin to more than 170 chemical compounds every day.

The affect of the cocktail of these chemicals is virtually unmeasurable but as more research uncovers the influence foreign oestrogens are having on our bodies it's expected organic and natural products will be receiving an even bigger up.

Apricot Oil is a very popular ingredient in natural beauty products. It is readily absorbed by the skin and is virtually odourless and colourless making it an excellent base oil.

But it also has a few good therapeutic properties the skin can take advantage of too.

Derived from pressing Apricot kernels the oil is made up mostly of oleic acid and linoleic acid. In scientific studies, oleic acid is said to improve memory whilst linoleic acid has shown good results in research into cancer prevention, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. When it comes to skin issues it is the linoleic acid aspect of apricot oil we should focus on.

Linoleic acid has anti-inflammatory, acne reduction and moisture retention properties. As we know our skin often indicats illness or deficiencies within our bodies. Dermatitis and eczema can be a sign of an essential fatty acid deficiency. In addition to making adjustments in diet, applying apricot oil with its high linoleic acid content could help relieve these skin issues.

Well known for its moisturising properties, apricot oil is good for all skin types, particularly sensitive skin. Because of its nourishing qualities and the fact that it is quite a light oil means it is often used as a base in massage oils. Apricot and Rosehip Warm-up Massage Oil by Raw Organic is a great oil to use to soothe and de-stress the skin in preparation for exercise. Also, the Apricot and Sea Buckthorn Shampoo by Dr.Hauschka is a good hair product that utilizes the properties of apricot oil to help improve the condition of the scalp.

We're told a lot of things from a lot of different sources (NHS, eat healthy school programmes, glossy magazines, news features, health food stores, supermarket meal recipe cards, product labels) about what a balanced, healthy diet is. Fish is pretty high up on the list of healthiest foods to eat. High in the omega oils, protein and low in saturated fat, fish is classed as a ‘super food' as far as the nutritional hierarchy of food goes.

But now we also need to consider the impact our food choices are having on the environment. Just as soya, cattle and palm oil (vegetable oil) are now seen by many ecologists as a poor choice when it comes to deciding how we use our land for food, fish may soon be in the same category. The new documentary End of the Line by investigative reporter Charles Clover and film director Rupert Murray brings to light the devastating effect of over fishing.

According to scientists in the film we could see the end of most seafood by 2048 if we continue fishing as we are now. End of the Line investigates fishing in all parts of the world. It looks at the decimation of cod in areas it was once abundant before demand sourced for the oily fish. It looks at the effect of hi-tech fishing boats on our ocean sea floors, fishermen who break quotas and fish illegally and consumers who, without realising, are buying endangered species of fish.

The film also looks at solutions. Farmed fishing is not one say the experts. Protecting our ocean with marine reserves that are off limits to fishing and educating consumers so they will choose fish caught in certified sustainable fisheries are a couple of things the film highlights.

‘We must stop thinking of our oceans as a food factory and realize that they thrive as a huge and complex marine environment,' says Clover.

The Economist called End of the Line the ‘Inconvenient Truth about the oceans'. The makers say it is a film that will change the way you think about seafood. We say imagine the world without fish. Watch this film, find out what's really happening in the deep blue and make good fish buying choices - for a healthy diet and a healthy planet.

The film's website can help with choosing the best ocean-friendly seafood to buy. You can also sign up to the End of the Line campaign to buy sustainably sourced fish and protect the oceans from the commercial fishing industry.

At So Organic we are always on the look out for new and innovative organic and all natural body care products. From organic cotton tampons to moon cups, we look for natural personal hygiene products that are chemical free, safe and that work. We've recently discovered that one of the best new lubricants on the market is in fact organic.

Yes products are a revolution as far as intimate lubricants go. They are high performance, premium lubricants certified by the Soil Association. They contain no parabens, glycerine, glycols, hormones, silicones and petroleum products often found in traditional lubricants like KY Jelly, Durex Play and Replens. (Glycerine found is in nearly all big brands and can cause thrush as well as irritate and dehydrate the skin. Glycols help pull other chemicals through the skin into the blood stream).

Has powerful moisture retentive properties and is bio-adhesive to mucus membranes (inner skin environment). There are two types. Water based and oil based. The water-based version is scent and taste free. It is made from aloe vera, flax extract (beneficial for the mucous membranes), and plant based gums guar, locust bean and xanthan (to provide the deep velvety texture).

The oil-based version is hypoallergenic and good for water play. It contains cocoa butter and shea butter, sweet almond oil and sunflower oil, organic bees wax and vitamin E to provide an extra sensuous feeling as well as having a skin-nourishing effect.

Not everyone feels the need to use a lubricant but for some it's essential in order to enjoy sex. Others use it to warm up or enhance pleasure. You just have to take one look at the feedback from those that have used Yes products to get an idea of how amazing this product is.

‘You're lube is the best thing that ever happened to my post hysterectomy sex life.'

‘I've never tried anything like this... I trust people who are concerned about chemicals. I have had breast cancer for 15 years, and I believe I have had better health throughout it by avoiding toxic chemicals and sticking with natural products.'

‘By using your water-based daily for five or six weeks now, I can report a distinct increase in the plumpness and moistness of my labia and vagina. I am as surprised as I am delighted - I didn't know this was possible, but the difference is impressive. Not just a lubricant - more a rejuvenator!'

Most conventional shaving creams and after shave balms contain any number of carcinogenic and irritating chemicals - propylene glycol and paraben preservatives, mineral oils, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), synthetic dyes and fragrances to name but a few. Though it appears many men don't care so much about ageing or dry skin, when they find out the damage they're really doing with products that contain these ingredients their honest reaction may be somewhat less cavalier.

One myth in the shaving world is that harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol produce a better shave because they irritate and swell the skin enough to raise hair follicles up for a closer shave. But the razor isn't able to glide a smoothly over the skin and doesn't actually reach the base of the hair follicle. The smooth skin look after shaving is actually swollen skin; as soon as the swelling recedes the stubble will show. Inflaming the skin like this can also trap hairs so that when they regrow they cause painful ingrown hairs.

Another myth is that the cooling tingling sensation felt after applying after shave is actually good for the skin. It is not. The scraped skin is being irritated and burned with the harsh ingredients like synthetic fragrances and propylene glycol.

Choose a natural shaving product that contains soothing aloe vera, green tea, chamomile, calendula, hyaluronic acid, plant glycerine and/or rosemary. Avoid all of the nasties mentioned above which can irritate the skin immediately after a fresh shave.

A safe, natural shaving product should not burn, irritate or tingle the skin. Weleda, Neal's Yard, Lavera, Simply Soaps, Barefoot Botanicals and Green People are some of the brands that make great organic shaving products. For example Weleda Shaving Cream contains sweet almond milk and organic goat's milk and produces a creamy lather.

Green People have a Close Organic Shave Gift Set that includes a Pre-Shave Face Wash, a Shave Now Shaving Gel and a Cool-Down Moisturiser - ideal for converting hubby to the organic life.