Guilt-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I created these for a whole foods cooking class. These cookies are vegan. No animal products are used to make them. They are super yummy!

1 1/2 cup rolled oats toasted and ground into a powder
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or for a wheat-free cookie use spelt flour)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup safflower oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place toasted ground oats, flour, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir well. Add nuts and chips and stir again. Combine oil, syrup and vanilla in small bowl. Whisk until emulsified. Stir wet ingredients into dry. Drop onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 - 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool. Enjoy!