Embracing a vegetarian lifestyle unleashed creative talent within Celina Chase, 25, of Joliet.

She not only began her first organic vegetable garden this year from seeds, she operates an online store (www.cafepress.com/ybveggie) with vegetarian-themed products of her own design. Chase is also one of 100 vendors this year at Naperville’s Veggie Fest on Aug. 8 and 9 (www.veggiefestchicagoland.org).

Even Chase herself is impressed with the results.

“I’m terrible at flower gardening and people joke that I kill every houseplant I’ve had so I was a little hesitant at first to try a vegetable garden, but we’ve already harvested some of the spinach, yellow wax beans and some of the peas,” Chase said.

In her garden Chase focused on produce–such as purple bell peppers– that are difficult to purchase in grocery stories. For her store products, Chase wanted to give other vegetarians a voice to express their views in a non-confrontational manner

“Because we live in a meat-centric society, a lot of vegetarians are timid about talking about their lifestyle,” Case said. “Wearing a T-shirt is a way to initiate a conversation without being overbearing.”

She had never considered the significant impact her items (clothing, greeting cards, posters, magnets, mugs, mouse pads and pet products) had on other individuals until the orders arrived.

“I’ve always been very creative, but not necessarily talented,” Chase said. “I tried painting and I tried drawing, but I didn’t have the drive. But I found that taking a couple of design courses in computer graphics I could have a little bit more skill.”

Best of all, 9 month old daughter Emma has never experienced meat in her diet. Chase did not eat meat during her pregnancy and she now makes meat-free baby food for her Emma.

“She weighed eight pounds and one ounce when she was born, proof that being vegetarian is healthy and good for you,” Chase said.

Chase and her husband first explored the possibility of adopting a vegetarian lifestyle several years ago when they researched the subject as college students. Their original intention was simply to adopt a healthier diet.

But the more they learned about routine use of antibiotics in livestock, world hunger and animal rights, the more the pair became convinced of additional, perhaps more virtuous reasons to relinquish a meat-based diet.

After studying the different ways one could be a vegetarian, Chase and her husband adopted a lacto-ovo approach, even though most of their meals at home could be termed vegan.

“It can be hard to find vegan choices in restaurants and it’s easier socially,” Chase said. “We’re the only vegetarians in our family and we didn’t want people to have to wonder what to make for us.”

Nevertheless, Chase braved the storm and hosted Thanksgiving Dinner in her home the first year she and Jake were married.

“I didn’t serve a fake turkey. I served a nut roll with cashews as our main course,” Chase said. “All the side dishes were vegetarian and everyone kept saying how delicious everything was.”

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