Mushroom Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 1 c whole grain barley (hulled or hull-less)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 lb white button mushrooms, sliced
• 3 – 15 oz cans low sodium vegetable broth (or homemade)
• 1 c water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme
• Salt
• pepper