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curried lentils and sweet potatoes | smitten kitchen

Over the Holidays there were many experiments at vegetarian cooking in my kitchen. Some dishes came out better than others. One the best dishes I've made a few times because it's so easy, healthy and delishes is red lentil sweet potato curry with quinoa and spinach -- a recipe I adapted from an another blog's adaptation of a NY Time's Thanksgiving article.
curried lentils and sweet potatoes | smitten kitchen: After all of the holiday buzz this curried lentil and sweet potato dish landed exactly on that bridge, a lazy Sunday after a flurry of a holiday weekend. It’s from the New York Times Thanksgiving coverage two weeks ago, from an article by Melissa Clark about vegetarian dishes fitting the meal. But really, it had my name all over it, because the sweet potatoes were made spicy, not saccharine, and the Indian-spiced lentils and greens were exactly the health kick I needed after this weekend of heavy intake, with the ease of a one-pot meal.

I used about double the ginger, skipped the cilantro, lime and jalapeno and used a single chipotle pepper for smokiness instead. Add the end I combined the curry with cooked spinach and served it over quinoa. The spice of the garam massala and ginger pairs incredibly with the natural sweetness of the potato, while the quinoa and spinach makes the dish feel light and refreshing.
 
So delicious and healthy!

Upgrading to iPhone 4S with Unlimited Data on AT&T

I may be in the minority but I am ecstatic about the new iPhone 4S.  The new features could be seen as modest tweaks (faster, more memory, better antenna) but I would argue that they add up to a much richer user experience. As an original iPhone 3G (OG) user, I can attest to the significance of similar "modest" upgrades in the iPhone 3GS.  Faster isn't just faster, it's an entirely richer, less frustrating experience.  So I've decided to get the new iPhone, but I had a big concern: would I be able to keep my unlimited data plan with AT&T? Would Sprint's unlimited data plan lure AT&T customers who can no longer get the data plan I have (which they have eliminated as of last June).

Until recently all we could do was speculate. Even as the official release nears, many details about data plans for each carrier are nebulous.  I'm happy to share what I've learned and confirmed: If you currently have an iPhone with AT&T then you can upgrade your phone and keep your existing data plan. In other words, if you're grandfathered into unlimited data like I am, you do not have to give that up to get the iPhone 4S.  Great news!  I'm still curious to see what the competition offers. how much the Sprint data plans will cost. However unless they are significantly cheaper, I don't think I will leave AT&T.

Here's a snapshot of the confirmation I got from AT&T (which I later confirmed on the phone with customer service).

UPDATE: You can now pre-order the iPhone 4 from Sprint and see the plan options. Although unlimited data and text with 450 min talk time is only $69, the next screen shows a $10/month premium data charge is required for this device.  So at about $80/month before taxes, I'd be paying roughly the same as I do now with the only difference being unlimited texting (I have the cheaper 200 txts for $15 from AT&T).  Seems like saving a few dollars a month is not worth giving up faster speeds and my 5000 rollover minutes is like having unlimited voice anyway.

You Might Not Ever Have to Leave Facebook Again – but is That a Good Thing? ~ LockerGnome Social Media & Technology

You Might Not Ever Have to Leave Facebook Again – but is That a Good Thing? ~ LockerGnome Social Media & Technology

No. But I do love Facebook Music, aka Spotify Social.