Split Pea Soup

Made this today. Yum.

2 tblsp olive oil or butter
1 1/2 cups dried split peas
2 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 shallot, diced
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp garlic powder
1-2 tsp thyme
2 cans low sodium chicken stock
1/2 lb ham, ldiced
1/4 cup real bacon bits

Saute carrots, onion, celery in olive oil or butter til soft. Add chicken stock, peas, ham, bacon (reserve at bit of the ham and bacon for the end), herbs. Bring to boil, then simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Add more water or stock as needed. Soup is done when the peas are a thick puree. Add the reserved ham and bacon at the end.