Chop your veggies.
Add a tablespoon or 2 of olive oil to your pot and get it hot. Toss in the onions, bell pepper and celery. Saute until your onions start to brown, 5-10 minutes.
Once the veggies are cooked well, add in the garlic. It only takes 30-60 seconds for your garlic to go from well sauteed to burnt. Watch it carefully. You'll start to smell the garlic when you know you're ready for the next step. Be prepared.
Add your tomatoes and stir well.
Stir in your salt, sugar (or honey), baking soda, oregano and parsley.
Let simmer on the stove for at least a couple hours. I like to let it go for around 4.
After it's simmered all morning, give it a good stir and taste. Adjust your seasonings. Grab your stick blender and blend. If you don't have a stick blender you can always let it cool and blend in a blender or food processor in small batches.
It's ready to serve.