Mushroom Barley Soup

1 cup barley, rinsed 1 package button mushrooms (8 oz), sliced 12 baby carrots (approx), chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 large onion, sliced 4 garlic cloves, chopped 8 cups beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 bay leaves 2 teaspoons dry thyme salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to the crockpot and stir to combine. Cook on high for 3.5 hours (***this may vary depending on your crockpot - mine is a 6 qt. Cuisinart***). Remove bay leaves. Spoon into bowl, add fresh parsley and serve.