Sorry to refer off forum Jason, but here's a good guide for you Jake.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/artic...-fe--1224.html
You got the jest of it. The basic idea is that the gas engine is more efficient under certain accelerations than when it's just trying to maintain speed. For the toyotas, the optimum acceleration curve takes a while to hit. If you slip off on either side you push power too or from the battery (which is inefficient).
Point is that acceleration is the part to learn here, and give it some time, takes a while to get the knack of.
I've been trying it for a few weeks, and have moved from 50's (when I first started trying it) to 60's. Be patient.
I'll defer to others here and elsewhere to tell you the best acceleration curve for the HCH.