Hearty Vegetable Soup - Fit & Healthy

Ingredients

• 3 large carrots
• 2 large parsnips
• 2 small onions
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• reserved carrots, parsnips, and onions
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• pinch rosemary
• reserved potatoes
• 2 slices (hearty) white bread, lightly toasted
• 2 cups curly spinach, stemmed and chopped
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen baby lima beans or frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper, or to taste