Title: My Toughest Critics: Everest and Flora vs. The Lilypad

When I started making Lilypads, I had a simple goal: ditch the plastic coffee toppers and replace them with something delicious and sustainable. What I didn’t expect was that my most brutal, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is taste testers would be living under my own roof—my son Everest and my daughter Flora.

These two take quality control very seriously. If you think Michelin-starred chefs are intense, try getting a three-year-old and a five-year-old to agree on anything food-related. Everest approaches every snack like a scientist in a lab. Flora? She’s more of a tiny, unforgiving food critic who’s not afraid to tell me, “This one is yucky.” So yeah, developing Lilypads has been an adventure.

 The First Test: Will It Crumble? (Or Worse… Be Ignored?)

I still remember that first test batch. Everest picked up a Lilypad, turned it over in his hands like an archaeologist uncovering an ancient relic, and took a cautious first bite. Flora, arms crossed, watched him like a hawk. No reaction. More chewing. A dramatic pause. And then—finally—Everest hit me with the coveted thumbs-up.

Victory! But Flora wasn’t convinced. She took a nibble, scrunched up her nose… and then reached for another. That’s toddler for “Not bad, Dad.” I took it as a win.

 The Evolution of the Biscotti (aka The Everest & Flora Approval Process)

Now, just because they liked the first batch doesn’t mean they weren’t about to throw out notes like seasoned R&D professionals. 

“Too hard,” Everest said. “Hurts my teeth.”

“This one is weird,” Flora declared, shoving an entire batch aside with the authority of Gordon Ramsay.

Back to the kitchen I went, tweaking the crunch, the sweetness, the texture. Everest started running “stress tests,” dunking Lilypads into milk, juice—at one point, water (which, buddy…why?). Flora’s critiques got sharper. “This one is yummier,” she’d say about a new batch. “I like the brown ones.” 

It was an endless cycle of baking, testing, feedback, repeat. But one day, Everest grabbed a Lilypad off the counter, dunked it straight into my coffee, and took a bite without a second thought. No hesitation. No side-eye.

That was the moment I knew: we nailed it.

 The Official Stamp of Approval (aka The Thumbs-Up Heard ‘Round the Kitchen)

When we finally locked in the recipe, it was a full-on family affair. Everest and Flora helped mix the ingredients, shape the dough, and—of course—conduct final taste tests. 

The moment of truth? Everest, holding up his Lilypad like Simba in The Lion King, giving me the thumbs-up. Flora, mouth full, nodding in agreement.

We snapped a picture—me, the kids, and a tray of fresh Lilypads—because honestly, if these two say it’s good, that’s all the endorsement I need.

So yeah, Lilypads may be my creation, but Everest and Flora are the real masterminds behind making them perfect. If you’re wondering whether they’re kid-approved, just know this: these two wouldn’t let me put anything out there that wasn’t up to their sky-high snack standards.

And here (dum roll please) is the video evidence—Everest’s thumbs-up in action.

And if Flora says they’re good? Trust me. They’re good.