Bring approx 1 cup dry navy or northern beans to a boil & drain
Or can cover beans overnight then drain
Bring to a boil & reduce to simmer u til almost soft
When beans are soft take some out to smash & add back to kettle. This helps to thicken the soup

Add the following:

1/4 cup chopped ham (or smoked pig hocks) ( if using pig hocks when beans are almost soft
take out hock, put kettle of beans in the refrigerator to cool & forms a jell on top
Remove jell, pick meat off hock bone & throw out
return back to kettle with beans & continue below)
1/2 cup chopped reg or red onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped spinach or escarole

Cook on simmer until vegetables are cooked