I'm a huge eggbeater fan. With Candies, you sometimes have to cut around the cleat position on the bottom of the shoe, you just need a little more clearance (assuming mt bike shoes).
Also, I find it easier to clip in with a little bit of an upward (forward) motion.
As far as falling, you could try one pedal at a time - put a platform back on the side you usually unclip first, and ride around with one clippless pedal for awhile, then put the other one on after you are used to the first side.
It gets easier. I have trouble riding now without clipping in, my foot slides off the pedal.