So... What\'s for Lunch?

The thing that I like about the Nativity Fast is that it\'s cool enough here for soups. Fasting soups are easy to make and take. For a while longer anyway, it\'s still a fairly easy fast too. My favorite fasting soup is a sort of lentil soup. It\'s really good for Great Lent as well as it has no oil. 3 c 1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes in juice 5 c. vegetable stock 3 c. water 1? c. lentils, rinsed and sorted 1 c. brown rice (white will disintegrate) 3 carrots, diced 1 onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 bay leaf ⅓ c. cilantro 2 T. cider vinegar 1? tsp. salt ? tsp. freshly ground pepper In a large, heavy pot, combine tomatoes (undrained), stock, water, lentils, rice, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally until lentils are done, about 45 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.