Lowfat Crockpot Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

16 oz. pkg. dried green split peas	2 cups ham, trimmed of fat & diced
3 carrots, sliced	1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced	3 pkg. sugar substitute
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped	2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf	6 cups hot water
salt & pepper to taste

Preparation

Wash peas & place in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients to crockpot. Do not stir. Cover and cook on high 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours (or until peas are very soft). Remove bay leaf. May be frozen.