1. Gather Your Ingredients: Lay out all your ingredients on the counter. Make sure your cream cheese is softened for easier blending.

2. Add Liquids First: Pour the milk into your blender. Adding liquids first helps the blades move more freely and prevents thicker ingredients from sticking to the bottom.

3. Introduce Cream Cheese and Sweetener: Add the softened cream cheese, your chosen sweetener, and vanilla extract to the blender.

4. Add Protein Powder and Strawberries: Next, add the scoop of vanilla protein powder and the frozen strawberries. Using frozen strawberries is key for a thick, cold smoothie without needing too much ice.

5. Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender and blend on high speed until all ingredients are completely smooth and creamy. You might need to pause and scrape down the sides with a spatula if any ingredients cling to the blender walls.

6. Check Consistency and Adjust: If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more milk and blend again. If you prefer it thicker, add 2-3 ice cubes and blend until incorporated.

7. Taste and Serve: Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness if necessary. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately!