Crockpot Beef and Barley Soup

This is adapted from Skinny Taste
Ingredients:

• 1 tsp oil
• 1-1/2 lbs lean beef stew meat
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 - 2 tsp kosher salt, to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 2/3 cup dry barley
• fresh ground black pepper
• 4 beef boullion cubes
• 1/2 tsp Thyme

Put all these ingredients in a crockpot on low for 4 hours the on high for 3 more hours. It can cook longer if needed.