Lentil Soup with Bacon

Ingredients

• 6 strips of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used turkey bacon)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4" half-moons
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed
• 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans reduced-sodium chicken broth (3 1/2 cups) or vegetable broth
• 1 cup water (if you want a thinner soup, use 2 cups of water)
• 1 Tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Sea Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper