A TOAST TO A PROSPEROUS 2023

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By Lilian Chudey Pride

Make Cocktail Pride Exclusive, with whole Lemon, Pineapple, Simple Syrup, Vodka or Gin, Mint Leaves, Lemon Wedge and Ice cubes. Enjoy.

One Month away from January 1, 2023, I began planning a menu for the new year. These include main course, sweets, cocktails and some of the local delicacies I enjoyed while growing up. Top on my menu list were these three indulging goodness.

Cocktail Pride was born right here on my kitchen Peninsula. I had hungered for something delicious with a little alcohol in it. I am not a fan of alcohol, strong drink or Soda. Although, back in the day, I made Tinctures with some Herbs in my home town, as many people in my home town believe that either Tinctures or Decoction of some Herbs can stop stomach trouble and other ailments. As long as it is taken moderately, there is nothing wrong in taking it. But I have always loved my plain water, Lemon water or Cucumber water, but surprisingly, that very season, I began craving Chocolate, something cold and delicious and a little alcohol.

I had ordered Chocolate with Rum but it did not strike the chord. The next thing that came to my mind was a sweet statement one fine elderly woman I had met long ago in the course of work made while we were on a leisure trip. One of the older women in our group had said she craved a little alcohol, but because she was a Christian, she was not sure if it was alright to take a little. Then this fine older woman said to her, “A Lager once in a while will not hurt”. I was way too young then to know why they craved what they craved. I am now in the age they were in when they craved what they craved.

So, I decided to make a tincture of Neem. Neem contains anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-malaria, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties, among others. Cocktail Pride is a combination of my neem tincture, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice cubes. Enjoy!!!!

I love giving a twist to anything I learn. Top on my creativity acumen is introducing my Nigerian cooking style into any dish I learn outside my country. Here comes “Lasagna my way”. My twist to this Lasagna is the one in a million Nigerian Stew, Nigerian sweet herbs, blended onion and a good amount of chilli. Wow!!! How I wish you are here at table with me to have just a taste.

This is our good old Butternut, Horseradish, Potatoes, good amount of chilli and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. Just bake, and enjoy!!!

Here is a toast to all my readers, wishing you healthy and prosperous 2023.

Cheers!!!

About Post Author

Lilian Chudey Pride

Hello, I am Lilian Chudey Pride. I help women and Africa’s young adults heal, build confidence, and lead beyond shame, stigma, and emotional exhaustion. My work is rooted in emotional healing, identity restoration, purposeful living, and helping people rediscover their worth beyond pain, societal labels, or limiting life experiences. I am deeply passionate about helping women break free from hidden emotional burdens, rebuild self-worth, embrace healing, and live with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Through faith-based transformational coaching, mentorship, writing, and advocacy, I support: • Women struggling with shame, rejection, low self-esteem, emotional exhaustion, and identity loss • Involuntary childless women navigating grief, stigmatization, exclusion, and societal pressure, helping them embrace purpose, heal deeply, build meaningful impact, and create fulfilling lives beyond traditional expectations • Africa’s young adults through self-awareness, emotional stability, relationship education, practical life preparation, and intentional decision-making for healthy future and marriage. I also guide women through documenting their journeys and transforming their stories into books, memoirs, messages, and legacies that inspire healing and hope in others. As the Brain behind "Healing The Helper Within™, I am especially committed to helping emotionally exhausted caregivers, founders, ministry leaders, and women helpers rediscover "The Woman behind the Mission", establish healthy boundaries, and lead from wholeness instead of burnout. My approach combines: • Faith-based encouragement • Emotional healing and self-worth rebuilding • Practical transformational tools • Purpose and identity discovery • Compassionate, safe, and non-judgmental support I believe womanhood is defined not merely by roles, but by God-given identity, purpose, impact, and wholeness. Founder/President of Life Beyond Motherhood and Teen Guide Foundation, Publisher, iwriteafrica, Architect: "Healing The Helper Within. Author, Teacher, Researcher, Bible Study Leader, and Advocate for emotional wellness and purposeful living. If your journey has left you feeling unseen, emotionally drained, stuck in shame, or disconnected from yourself, know that healing, confidence, and purposeful living are still possible. Let’s connect or send me a DM.

liliancpride@gmail.com

http://iwriteafrica.com

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