Important alert: anyone who has spotted a bunch of smiling human-sized carrots playing tourist in Key West lately is not — repeat NOT — hallucinating, insane, or overdoing the liquid refreshment served in Duval Street bars.

Why are these carrots cavorting at Key West's Southernmost Point marker? (Carrot photos by Vanessa Brock of Brock Media International)

In fact, the venturesome veggies have been seen by reputable (and sober) witnesses at Key West’s Southernmost Point marker, touring the island on the Conch Train, and even going to sea on a sailing excursion.

Why are the carrots carrying on all over town? According to Key West chef Charlie (a.k.a. Charlotte) Wilson, they’re on a mission inspired by her local organic restaurant, Help Yourself — having fun to show people how good they can feel if they fuel their bodies with healthy foods. 

Coming up with a fresh and creative way to spread a health-promoting message is nothing new for Charlie. Actually, it’s a philosophy that underlies the British-trained chef’s entire business.

When Charlie and a now-departed partner opened Help Yourself Foods in October 2008, they debuted a veritable smorgasbord of healthy organic foods and an imaginative, ever-evolving menu.

Charlie Wilson is the guiding spirit behind Help Yourself Foods -- and its veggie ambassadors.

Charlie encourages people to eat “real food” — unprocessed food free of pesticides, chemicals, preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. Yet she knows that’s not always easy in today’s fast-paced world.

“Restaurants serving organic, healthy choices are in the minority,” Charlie said. “We aim to fill this gap by providing natural, organic, healthy food that tastes great, is fun, easily accessible and appeals to everyone.”

Help Yourself’s menu ranges from wraps and salads to smoothies, energizing breakfasts and main meals such as meatless lasagna and Korean barbecued organic chicken. Diners can even satisfy their sweet tooth with homemade sugar-free and dairy-free “no moo ice cream.”

Charlie hopes the restaurant will set an example of reducing waste as well as eating organic cuisine. Take-out customers are served their organic goodies in biodegradable containers, and 90 percent of the restaurant’s trash is composted or recycled.

The vivacious veggies promote the pleasures of healthy eating.

Given Charlie’s choice of “veggie ambassadors,” it’s no surprise to find that some of Help Yourself’s dishes contain carrots and carrot juice, or that her business logo features a smiling carrot.

Chances are, the human-sized bunch will turn up from time to time at the restaurant too — as well as in other Key West locations — spreading the word that healthy eating can be fun.

Just don’t expect them to indulge in a spot of “karrot-oke.” 

Find out what the cavorting carrots are up to at www.carrotfun.com, visit Help Yourself in Key West at 829 Fleming St., and check out the restaurant online at www.helpyourselffoods.com.