Ingredients = Peanuts, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (contains Soybean and Cottonseed Oils)Nonfat Milk, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Egg Whites, TBHQ (a Preservative)Soy Protein, and Citric Acid
TBHQ comes from petroleum (think "lighter fluid"). It is applied either to the carton of fast food items or sprayed directly onto them, as well as in various other prepackaged food items. TBHQ is banned in other countries.
TBHQ keeps fats from going rancid, so you see it in a lot of foods that they want to have a long shelf life. It is concidered an "anti-oxidant" BUT it can itself be oxidized into harmful molecules, like tert-butylquinone...causing a TIRED TOXIC LIVER (see chapter on the liver in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism).
But it also promotes production of quinone reductase, which is linked to cancer. TBHQ can cause a full range of reactions from asthma to anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, depression, tiredness, learning difficulties and children's behavior problems. This chemical is also found to effect estrogen levels...are you trying to get pregnant? or dealing with menopausal symptoms? I would avoid this like the plague.
In pre-packaged foods, if you see the words "no trans-fats," look for TBHQ in the ingredient lists. Some manufacturer's, such as Kellogg's, are using this "trickery," and are using TBHQ instead of trans-fats. Is it better than trans-fat? No. BUT what is even more scary... if you don't see it, that does not mean it is not there. Manufacturers are not required to list "secondary" ingredients. If you don't believe me, call the company and ask if their oil now contains TBHQ. Thank you FDA!
"HEALTHIFIED" PAYDAY:
Caramel Layer:
6 tbsp butter
1 cup Just Like Sugar OR xylitol
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Just Like Sugar: Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the cream and the butter next to the pan, ready to put in. Work fast or the sweetener will burn. Heat butter on high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart (2 L) or 3-quart (3 L) saucepan. As soon as it comes to a boil, watch for specks of brown (this is brown butter....so good on veggies!). Immediately add the Just Like Sugar® and the cream to the pan. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, and then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Drizzle all over the cheesecake just before serving. You can also top with pecan pieces.
Xylitol: Again have everything ready. Wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water. In a heavy-bottomed 2-quart (2 L) or 3-quart (3 L) saucepan, heat sweetener on moderately high heat. As it begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as it comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. As soon as all of the xylitol crystals have melted (the liquid should be dark amber in color), immediately add the butter to the pan. Whisk until the butter has melted.
Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then slowly add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Note that when you add the butter and the cream, the mixture will foam up considerably. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Place 2 TBS of cooled caramel in each slot of an ice cube tray lined with foil or plastic wrap (so you can remove it easily) and freeze.
Nugget Layer:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup erythritol (or Just Like Brown Sugar)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1/4 cup vanilla egg white or whey protein
1 cup cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Peanuts
NUGGET LAYER: In a saucepan boil 1/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of Truvia, and 1/4 cup whey protein together for about 5 minutes. Take off stove and add 1 cup cream cheese, 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter, and 1 tsp vanilla. Cool slightly.
Remove the caramels from the ice cube trays. Using your hands, form a layer of nugget around the caramel. Then roll the candy bar in salted peanuts. Place in the fridge to 'set' for at least 30 minutes (overnight would be best, but you might have too many dreams about these tasty little delights!) Makes 16 candy bars.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per bar)
Hershey's Payday = 240 calories, 27 carbs, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein
"Healthified" Payday = 240 calories, 3.5 carbs, 1.2 g fiber, 7 g protein (MORE IMPORTANTLY...NO TRANS-FATS!)
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 2 TBS)
Traditional Caramel Sauce = 130 calories, 24 carbs, 0 g fiber
"Healthified" Just Like Sugar = 51 calories, 12 carbs, 12 g fiber, (0 effective)
