Brown the meat in a skillet and season to your liking with salt, pepper and onion powder.
When the meat is 3/4 cooked, add the onion, celery and carrot. Cook until vegetables soften. Drain off any fat in the pan.
Add the meat and vegetables to the slow cooker with all of the other ingredients.
Cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
Add salt to taste (if needed) before serving.