Soaking beans and grains: This step is optional, however, I highly recommend it. It makes beans and grains more digestible, it wakes up their dormant enzymes and helps eliminate most of the phytic acid they contain, allowing us to absorb better some of their fabulous nutrients. Lastly, soaking makes beans less heavy on the digestive tract.
Place the beans in a bowl and cover them with water completely and leaving some extra water (about 2 inches), as they expand. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Repeat for the barley (or oats) in a separate bowl. Cover and soak overnight.
Rinse and drain beans and barley and place them in a slow cooker.
Add all the vegetables, spices, and meat. Add water until it's leveled with the rest of the ingredients. Add bay leaf.
Cover and cook in low setting for about 8 hours.
Remove bay leaf. Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary.
Serve.
Variations: adding some chipotle pepper, sun dried tomatoes, chili flakes, fresh thyme or substituting part of the water for coconut milk are all delicious. And if you find any interesting root vegetables, throw them in!