Hamburger Barley Soup

1.5 lbs ground beef (Ground turkey works well also.)
8 cups water
3 teaspoons instant beef bouillon
2 cups chopped carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green/red pepper
1/2 cup chopped broccoli*
1/2 cup chopped zucchini*
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms*
1/3 cup barley
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup ketchup
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes,
8 oz. can tomato sauce

*These vegetables are optional. Add or subract according to your taste, or whatever you have on hand. Brown ground beef. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour or until vegetables are tender. Add barley. Cook until tender. Remove Bay leaves and serve. For the crockpot: place everything but the barley in the crockpot/slowcooker, after browing meat. Add the barley in the last hour or 2 of cooking (depending on how hot your slow-cooker cooks.