Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 7 cups water
• 1 pound lean ham, cooked and smoked, cut into chunks
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, low-sodium, undrained
• 1 ¾ cups dried lentils, rinsed
• 8 ounces onion, chopped
• 6 ounces carrots, sliced
• 6 ounces celery, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme, or more to taste
• 1 bay leaf