In an apparent first, a social network www.MixingBowl.com has launched a print publication – Mixing Bowl Magazine.  The magazine is a special edition from Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications and appears on US newsstands until August 25, 2009.

Mixing Bowl is a social cookbook, created by the makers of Better Homes and Gardens, and full of 100% User Generated Content.  Better Homes and Gardens maintains an active presence on the site, but keeps their triple-tested recipes, which appear in the regular edition of their publication, seperate from their social network – one which is truly a ’social cookbook’.

Users have certainly stepped up to the plate (the dinner plate) and dished up some great numbers!  According to Compete.com, MixingBowl.com served over 2.1 million page views in July, spanning 200,000 unique visitors and over 40,000 members. Mixers have created 17,300 recipes and 500+ public groups since the sites launch earlier this year.

This is an example of a thriving online community being created and growing based upon an affinity for foo