Parkton Animal Oasis, The Exotic Petting Zoo Right Here In North Carolina

What a magical experience at Parkton Animal Oasis in North Carolina! Sarah and I visited this unique farm, it's an absolute gem where you can get up close and personal with exotic and farm animals in a fun, educational setting. The owners provide such a warm welcome and create an atmosphere perfect for visitors of all ages.

The variety of activities keeps everyone thoroughly entertained, and the "snuggly animals" are clearly well-cared for and friendly. It's wonderful that this newly opened attraction has become such a delightful addition to the Parkton community!

The facility houses an extraordinary mix of exotic and farm animals, including some remarkable residents like a Tibetan miniature yak, wallabies, a fennec fox, prairie dogs, and a coatimundi. This carefully curated collection goes beyond typical petting zoo.

Sarah and I had a fantastic time exploring all the different activities, and we were absolutely thrilled with every moment! The interactive experiences make this place truly special, and it's clear that the staff puts their heart into creating memorable experiences for visitors.

Tours are available by appointment only, ensuring intimate, quality interactions between visitors and animals. This controlled approach helps maintain both animal welfare and visitor experience quality.

The facility is USDA-certified, with custom-built enclosures designed and constructed by owners Wendy & Michael Gibbs. The owners work closely with USDA-certified exotic breeders and other petting zoos across the US to ensure proper animal care.

Beyond simple animal encounters, the facility emphasizes educational opportunities and conservation efforts. Each visit is designed to create meaningful connections between visitors and animals while promoting wildlife conservation awareness. The owners' passion for animal welfare is evident in their careful approach to managing visitor numbers to prevent animal stress, demonstrating their commitment to both education and animal well-being. I would highly recommend this for home school groups or Scout groups!

This is definitely a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique and enjoyable day out with animals. The educational aspects combined with the fun factor make it perfect for both family outings and special events!

Amen and pass the spoon, it's officially soup season! Soups are an excellent way to pack in nutrients, especially when made with a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. They provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health. Many soups contain key nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and beta carotene, which can help boost your immune system as flu season approaches.

Beyond the physical health benefits, soup provides emotional comfort during the cooler fall months. The warmth of a steaming bowl can be soothing and satisfying, potentially improving mood and overall well-being. By choosing nutrient-rich ingredients and preparing soups at home, you can maximize these health benefits while enjoying a delicious and comforting fall meal.

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the days grow shorter, there's nothing quite like cozying up with a steaming bowl of soup on a chilly fall evening. The comforting warmth of a hearty soup can instantly transform a cold, dreary night into a cozy haven of contentment. Check out these 5 delightful fall soup recipes to jazz up your dinner time.

Our friends over at smalltownwoman.com shared this absolutely delightful Creamy Alfredo Lasagna Soup! A twist on the traditional Italian, tomato-based flavors, this soup appeals to the alfredo lovers in your life.

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground sausage
1 small onion chopped
8 ounces mushrooms sliced
2 cloves garlic minced
4 cups baby spinach
5 cups low sodium chicken broth
5 lasagna noodles broken
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup Parmesan grated

Instructions

Brown ground sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add onion and mushrooms; cook for 5-6 minutes over medium-low heat.
Add garlic and spinach and cook for 1 minute while stirring.
Add chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add broken lasagna noodles, oregano, and basil, and bring to a low boil.
Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and continue cooking for 1 minute; whisking constantly. The butter/flour mixture should be bubbling.
Slowly whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth and thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese. If the cheese is not melting, place it over very low heat and whisk constantly. When the Parmesan is fully melted, and the mixture is creamy, slowly add to the soup mixture whisking in.
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This is one of my personal favorites that gets heavy rotation during the cooler months and the bonus (for those of us watching sugar intake) it's low carb. In fact, if you are a carb conscious person, Kalyn's Kitchen has a great selection of recipes to check out.   Don't be discouraged by the sauerkraut in this soup.  It's an unusual ingredient that levels this dish above the rest.  

1 lb. ground beef 

2 tsp. olive oil

2 cups chicken broth

2 14 oz. cans beef broth

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 14 oz. can sauerkraut 

1 T sweetener of your choice

1 T Worcestershire sauce

4 dried bay leaves

3 T minced parsley

 1 tsp. dried rubbed sage

1 medium onion, chopped small

 1 T minced garlic (or less if you’re not that fond of garlic)

1-2 cups water (if needed)

salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

In heavy frying pan, heat 1 tsp. olive oil, add ground beef and brown well, breaking into small pieces with turner. This will take as much as ten minutes but don’t rush the browning step.

For those heat lovers in your home, this chowder certainly spices things up! Our friends over at Allrecipes have delivered a big pot of delicious with this one!
Ingredients:
12 slices bacon, diced

¼ cup butter

1 large yellow onion, diced

4 large jalapeno peppers - halved, seeded, and thinly sliced

8 medium potatoes, diced

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 cup skim milk, or more as needed

1 tablespoon salt, or to taste

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground paprika

½ teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

½ cup heavy cream

1 cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese

4 stalks green onion, chopped

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Place diced bacon in a skillet and over medium-high heat and cook until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels.

Meanwhile, melt butter over medium heat in a large stockpot. Add yellow onion and jalapeno peppers; cook and stir until slightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken broth, 1 cup milk, salt, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in cream cheese, heavy cream, and bacon; stir until cream cheese has melted.

Add Cheddar, a little at a time, stirring to incorporate after each addition. If the chowder is too thick, you can add more milk to reach the desired consistency.

Stir in most of the green onion and parsley until slightly wilted. Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining green onion and parsley.

Taste of Home is a treasure trove of yummy recipes and this one knocks it out of the park for flavor! The dumplings send it over the top, making this a recipe to put into regular rotation for chilly nights during the fall and winter.

In a large saucepan, sauté onions in oil until tender. Add the broth, corn, potatoes, cream, chipotle pepper and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes. For dumplings, in a small bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Stir in milk and cheese just until moistened. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto simmering chowder. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a dumpling comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering).

Ok, I'll admit it.  I identify as a lentil lover.  And this recipe from Sip & Feast doesn't disappoint!  Packed full of veggies and flavor, it's sure to take the chill out of those autumn dinners.  Pair it with a nice crusty loaf of bread, a perfect meal of simplicity.

1/4 cup (54 grams) extra virgin olive oil - plus more for finishing

1 medium onion

- diced 2 ribs celery

- diced 2-3 medium carrots

- diced 1 teaspoon (~2 grams) dried oregano

3 ounces (84 grams) tomato paste

8 ounces (226 grams) canned plum tomatoes hand crushed

8 ounces (226 grams) baby spinach

8 cups (1890 grams) water

16 ounces (454 grams) brown or green lentils

1 rind Parmigiano Reggiano (optional) salt and pepper to taste