Grandma's Vegetable Beef Soup

1 pound extra lean ground beef

2 cups tomato juice (may use low sodium)

5 cups water

1/4 cup chopped onions

1 cup diced potatoes

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped carrots

2 teaspoons salt (optional)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Brown ground beef in large soup pot.  Add other ingredients and simmer 1 to 2 hours.