As for psionics: I don't include them for both those reasons as well as how they generally complicate things. I DM for beginners mostly; many are family or in-law family.
I love Forgotten Realms stuff, so all those splat books are gravy. I haven't ever seen anything in the 'Tome' books I liked. I like most of the other splat books, but since I deal mostly with beginners, I try to stay away from non-base things. I love variant things, as well as alternate features; ie urban ranger, non-magic paladin, etc.