Crock Pot Beef Stew

Name: Crock Pot Beef Stew
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ - 2 lbs Beef Stew Meat, (cubed); 2 Bay Leaves; 5 sprigs Fresh Thyme ((or 1 ¼ tsp dried)); 4 cloves Garlic, (pressed or minced); 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt ((or 1 tsp table salt)); ½ teaspoon Black Pepper; 3 ribs Celery, (chopped); 5 Carrots, (chopped); 5 Potatoes, (scrubbed and cubed); 8 oz Mushrooms, (sliced (optional)); 2 medium Onions, (chopped); 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce ((or Soy Sauce)); 1 cup Beef Broth, (low sodium); 1 Tablespoon Beef Bouillon; 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste; ½ cup Dry Red Wine ((or use beef broth)); 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar; 2 cups Vegetable Juice (such as V8), (or tomato juice); ⅓ cup Quick Tapioca Granules ((such as Minute® Tapioca))