Fresh Chili

I like chili with beans. I also like red kidney beans. I soak them a night before with 1/4 tsp baking soda to keep gas down. I cook beans in a rice cooker/steamer (that way I don't have to watch them, but do not put cover on it ). When they are soft, I start cooking:
2 stocks celery, sliced,
1 pound hamburger,
2 cups diced tomatoes,
2 tbs. tomato paste,
1 tbs garlic, minced,
1 tbs Italian spice,
1 tsp cayenne pepper,
salt, pepper to taste (season)
I saute' onions and celery, season, until translucent, then put into a medium pot. Brown the hamburger, season, then put into pot, add garlic, Italian spice, cayenne pepper, tomatoes, and paste. Let simmer and add beans, reserve liquid. Make sure to keep your eye on pot because once you add the beans it will burn and stick to bottom of the pot. If the chili is too thick add reserved liquid from beans, or water. It should not take very long until it looks done. You can eat chili with or without beans.