Slow Cooker Creamy Gnocchi Sausage Kale Soup

ground hot Italian sausage, browned ((or any other sausage -- chicken, pork, beef or turkey))

onion, (peeled and diced)

carrots, (peeled and diced)

celery sticks, (diced)

garlic ((or 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic))

good-quality chicken broth

Italian seasoning

vegetable stock powder, like Vegeta, ((or chicken/beef bouillon powder — chicken adds better flavour))

onion powder

garlic powder

salt, ((adjust to your tastes))

cracked black pepper, ((adjust to your tastes))

evaporated milk or half and half, ((or reduced fat cream -- full fat may also be used if not watching calorie intake))

heaping tablespoons cornstarch mixed and dissolved well in 2 cups of milk, ((I use 2% milk))

fresh gnocchi ((found in the fridge section of your supermarket))

shredded kale leaves, (stems removed (or baby spinach leaves),)

extra salt and pepper, (to taste)

optional toppings: freshly grated Parmesan cheese and crispy bacon