Yellow Split Pea and Ham Soup

The past few days have been cool and rainy.  Good for the flowers, but not good for the spring soccer season.  This a comforting bowl of soup to warm the body.  The yellow split peas are packed with fiber, they are good for the heart, and they also help stabilize blood sugar levels-- perfect for those energy burning soccer bodies.  Aside from the nutritional benefits, it also helps use up Easter ham leftovers--perfect for moms like me.  I make this soup year 'round, not just after Easter, so I am listing the liquid ingredients as chicken broth,  for that is what I use a majority of the time.  However, you can use water and the leftover ham bone to really add a depth of flavor to this soup.  As much as I enjoy this right from the pot, storing any leftovers gives it that "next day goodness".  On that note, if you do have leftovers, the soup thickens a great deal and needs to be thinned with more broth before reheating and serving.  I like to serve this soup with some whole wheat brown soda bread and a little butter to wipe up every last bit of goodness from the bottom of the bowl.