Whoops, don't want anyone to get the wrong idea after reading my own post and recognizing it could be taken the wrong way. When I say I'm going to toss all those veggies into the beans, I don't mean right into the pot, I mean after sauteing them in 5 or so tablespoons of olive oil. I'm making a pound and a half of beans. I have done it before and it's good. Just saying, if I ever make it again using sausage I will bypass the browning and just simmer them by themselves ala my prepping method. Thanks.