To sum up:
Whereas before, when we wanted to try a new ROM, we'd:
1. bootstrap into recovery
2. take a nandroid backup (knowing that if we have to restore from it, we could kiss 20 mins goodbye because we'd have to SBF --> re-root --> install bootstrap --> THEN boot into CWM to restore)
3. clear data/cache (killing our CWM)
4. flash new ROM zip
5. cross our fingers that everything boots up fine (and if it doesn't follow the above process)
6. be happy we didn't bootloop, quickly install bootstrap to flash recovery
7. explore our new ROM
...the new process is:
1. bootstrap into recovery
2. take a nandroid
3. clear data/cache (killing our CWM)
4. flash new ROM
5. flash this recovery (reviving CWM)
6. reboot system (and if it bootloops, battery pull into CWM and recover from the nadroid we just took)
7. explore our new ROM
If I'm misunderstanding something, please don't be shy about correcting me! I'm used to unlocked bootloaders and true CWM, so I'm still trying to come to grips with the limitations of bootstrap-installed, temporary CWM.