Lentil-Barley Soup

Now that Punxsutawney Phil has predicted more winter for us, I thought you might enjoy this hearty lentil-barley soup. Good on a winter's day and good for you.
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
6 cups water
3/4 cup lentils
1 can tomatoes, pureed
3/4 cup barley
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin (I actually use a little more because I love the taste of cumin.)
1/2 tsp garlic
1 medium sized carrot, finely diced
1 cooked chicken breast, cut into small pieces (optional)
Directions:
Sauté onion in olive oil until translucent. Add water and lentils and cook for 20 minutes. Add tomatoes, barley, carrots, and seasoning and simmer for 45 minutes. The last ten minutes of that, add your chicken breast.
Serve with French bread.