How to Make Healthy and Hearty Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Cups dried green or yellow peas, washed and drained
• 7 Cups water
• 2 Cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you're keeping it vegetarian)
• 2 Teaspoons parsley
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1/2 Teaspoon thyme
• 6 Cloves garlic, crushed with garlic press
• 4 Celery stalks, diced
• 2 Carrots, diced
• 1 Onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Cup of leftover ham or diced ham (optional)