📖 Instructions

1. First, gather all your ingredients! Make sure your almond milk is nice and cold; it makes a difference. Oh, and if you're using frozen fruit, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it up a bit. It'll help the blending process go much smoother!
2. Next up, chop the almonds if you're using whole ones (I usually just buy slivered almonds, makes life easier!). If you're not using slivered almonds, you might need to put them in a ziploc bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or something similar. Or just skip this step entirely; it is perfectly optional.
3. Now, for the fun part – the blending! Add the almond milk, vanilla extract, and your chosen sweetener to the blender first. Then add the ice (if using), the bananas and almonds. Give it all a good whiz until the banana is completely broken down and everything is well combined.
4. Now's the taste test time! Taste your smoothie and adjust the sweetness to your preference. I typically use a bit less honey or maple syrup than what the recipe calls for; I prefer a subtler sweetness.
5. Once you've got it to your liking, give it another quick whirl and then pour your creamy dreamy smoothie into a glass. Garnish with a few more almonds or a sprinkle of cinnamon if you're feeling fancy.
6. Now, relax, take a sip and feel great. Isn't that nice?