Rock star lentil and vegetable soup

I caught up for a soiree with a friend whom I hadn't seen in over 6 months.  I was astonished when I first saw her, she had shed an enormous amount of weight and looked absolutely amazing.  This weight loss (minus 22kgs, in fact) coupled with her new cropped hairdo, she looked like a rock star!  This is from a woman a few months back, lamented that she found it too hard to lose weight and resigned herself to a lifetime of corpulence.  I was in awe and we talked about how she did it.  There really is nothing mysterious about losing weight - eat less, exercise more.   Eating healthful, low fat, nutrient-dense food like this lentil and vegetable soup is a start.  Even if you don't end up looking like a rock star , it's delicious!
                                                          Serves 4...............

1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
2 celery sticks, sliced
1 carrot, diced
1 red capsicum, diced
1 zucchini, diced
corn from 2 cobs
1 cup of lentils
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp oregano
200g tinned tomatoes

In a medium sized saucepan, fry onion and garlic in 2tbs of olive oil with bay leaf.  After 2 mins add other vegetables, paprika and oregano.  Saute for  a further 10mins or so on medium heat till softened.

Add lentils, tomato and 1.5l of water and let come to the boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 mins till lentil are tender.  Cover with lid and let infuse for 10 mins before ladling into bowls with an extra drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice and perhaps some freshly chopped parsley.